Barrie Woods
Operations Manager, Southern
My involvement with assistive technology began in the 1980s working on the development of environmental control systems for people with spinal cord injuries. Coming from a background in industrial automation, it was exciting to see how technology could be applied to assist people with disabilities and this soon became a passion for me.
As assistive technology moved from custom built and modified devices to commercial off-the-shelf solutions, the need for formalised assessment became apparent. This led to the establishment initially of the Southern Technology Assessment and Resource Team (START) which later became the Burwood Assistive Technology Centre where my role was rehabilitation engineer.
During my time with the Burwood Assistive Technology Centre I broadened my engineering qualifications by completing a Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation though Otago University. I also became very familiar with the processes and requirements for securing funding for equipment through ACC and Enable Funding. Through these years I had the privilege of working not only with a fascinating range of new technologies as they developed, but also with many remarkable people as they embarked on their rehabilitation journeys.
Some people will know me through other related roles, either as a founding member of the New Zealand Spinal Trust or as Chairperson of the Computers for Special Needs Trust and I keep an active interest in both these organisations.
In 2009 I took up a new position as Team Leader – Bioengineering at Christchurch Hospital, where I managed a small group of biomedical engineers and technicians. This was interesting work developing innovative high technology solutions for specialised needs in the Canterbury health system. Alongside this I continued my interest in assistive technology, though with the focus moved to hospital inpatients.
When the position of South Island Regional Manager with TalkLink became available I saw an opportunity to not only use my team leadership experience, but also to return to hands-on work with assistive technology. Alongside my management role I expect to be supporting the South Island team with technical and engineering expertise. But most of all my desire is to see our clients achieve fulfilment in their lives through the use of assistive technology.
Amber Beaumont
Occupational Therapist
I joined the TalkLink team in July 2016, covering a parental leave position. Since graduating with a Bachelor of Occupational therapy in 2007, I have mostly worked in physical rehabilitation settings with the adult population. I initially gained experience in Orthopaedics, before heading to England in 2009 where I worked as a locum in a variety of settings, both acute and community based. In 2011, I returned to Christchurch and spent the next four years working at the Burwood Spinal Unit with a focus on rehabilitation and wheelchair and seating assessment and prescription.
I was first introduced to the TalkLink service when working at the spinal unit and I am now excited to be a part of this team. I am dedicated and motivated to work alongside individuals in the community, to help increase their independence and quality of life through the use assistive technology.
Anita McDrury
Speech Language Therapist
I have been part of the TalkLink team since 2011. Before I joined TalkLink I spent 6+ years as a speech language therapist in other settings. I have had experience working alongside adults with intellectual disabilities and their support teams introducing low and high tech strategies for communication, I have worked in a special school with ORRS funded students age 5-21, with ORRS funded students in mainstream classrooms and with teenagers in a special unit at a high school. I have also led regular communication groups for people recovering from strokes.
Prior to completing my SLT training at the University of Canterbury, I was fortunate to have a wide range of caregiving experience, with adults with intellectual disability, children with disabilities, and elderly people with a variety of neurological conditions including Parkinson’s Disease, Dementia and Stroke. This gives me a good understanding of some of the practical issues facing clients, families and caregivers.
I look forward to continuing to learn more and to using my own knowledge and experience to assist people with communication difficulties to gain the supports for communication, which will best suit their needs.
Emilie Logan
Speech Language Therapist
I finished my Masters of Speech Language Therapy Practice at Auckland University in 2010. My first job as a Speech and Language Therapist was at a special school in south Auckland which provided lots of hands on experience in the area of AAC. While I was involved in many aspects of the students’ communication programmes and meal plans, I noticed the significant need for these complex children having alternative ways to communicate. As time went on AAC became a bigger part of my practice and where the priority lied for most of the students I worked with, which involved working closely alongside TalkLink. Having a voice when you have a complex disability is so crucial, and I became more and more interested in understanding the many facets of AAC (low tech, high tech, different access methods, how technology changes over time) and implementation of it in the classroom.
I started working for TalkLink in Auckland in 2015, and in mid 2019 I relocated to TalkLink in Christchurch. In my time here I have thoroughly enjoyed working with children, adults and their teams across Auckland, the Bay of Plenty, and now Canterbury and Otago. I love getting to work with such a diverse range of both children and adults in an area that is constantly changing and evolving.
Georgia Holibar
Speech Language Therapist
Kia ora! Ko Georgia Holibar tōku ingoa. I became part of the TalkLink Team in 2018 as a Speech and Language Therapist. I have lived in Christchurch my entire life and my passion for Speech-Language therapy began when my grandfather had a stroke leaving him with an impaired ability to communicate. His rehabilitation team inspired me and led to completing a Bachelor of Speech and Language Pathology at the University of Canterbury. Prior to TalkLink I worked for the Canterbury District Health Board in the Community Stroke Rehabilitation Service and the Adult Community Therapy Service. In these teams, I created treatment and management for adults who had acquired communication and swallowing difficulties. I thrive on building close relationships with a variety of people and families. I strongly believe that everyone should have access to communication. As I have built relationships with different people, I have become determined to continue improving myself and the profession. Mostly, I am looking forward to giving back to the community I grew up in.
Jackie Hancock
Speech Language Therapist
I joined the TalkLink team in November 2011. For the majority of my career as a speech-language therapist, I have worked in the community assisting individuals with communication difficulties to reach their full communication potential.
I previously worked at the Canterbury District Health Board with adults (16 years+) with communication and swallowing difficulties as a result of neurological impairment including; stroke, head injury, Parkinson’s disease and motor neurone disease.
A considerable part of my early career involved working with adults with an intellectual disability – this was both challenging and rewarding and sparked my initial interest in assistive and augmentative communication.
I have a particular interest in supporting people with disabilities to become fully participating members of society through positive and meaningful interactions with others.
I look forward to continuing to assist individuals to become effective and successful communicators, by providing assistive and augmentative communication support.
Leigh Millward
Occupational Therapist
I became part of the TalkLink team as an Occupational Therapist in January 2019 following my return from working in the UK and travelling around the Northern Hemisphere.
I graduated from Otago Polytechnic with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy in 2012 and headed up to Wellington CCDHB for 2 years in an Inpatient Rotational role. After this I ventured over to London where I worked as a Locum OT for 3 years across multiple different inpatient and community roles in a variety of settings – including stroke, TBI and neuro acute and rehabilitation, falls prevention, older adults mental health and cognitive impairment services, general acute inpatient and rapid response teams. I finished my time in the UK with 6 months of OT in the Channel Islands of Guernsey and Jersey before returning home to Christchurch.
My interest and passion for AAC was highlighted whilst working in a TBI / Neurological rehabilitation hospital in London and seeing the incredible impact that assistive technology could have on individuals and their support networks. I am very excited to be home and to be working with the TalkLink Trust to continue to be able to assist and witness such rewarding experiences. I have a huge enthusiasm to continue to learn and develop my skills and experience through working with individuals in the community and alongside my peers.
Libby King
Occupational Therapist
Margaret Cuttance
Office Administrator and Trainer
I have 15 years of experience working with students who engage with the world using a range of technology. I began working as a teacher’s aide, as part of a highly skilled teaching team, to support and address the learning needs of
High and Very High needs students in a special school environment. During this time I began to develop a keen interest in technology and the beneficial impact it often had on the learning and communication of the students I worked with. In 2000, I extended my teacher aide role and put my experience and knowledge of technology to work as the resource and technology support person and therapy assistant at Ferndale Special School and Resource Centre. I Joined the TalkLink South team in November, 2009 as an admin person. I have recently began extending this role to encompass making of resources, as well as programming and troubleshooting of devices, training clients and support people around use of their technology, and general support to the other team members here in the South Island.
Merryn Atkins
Occupational Therapist
After gaining a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Marketing and Management ( 2008), I worked in the private sector gaining valuable experience and skills in people management.
It was in 2012 that I graduated from Otago with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy and have worked since then in a rotational position in the public health system, covering acute wards, rehabilitation and the community.
My interest lies in neurological conditions and their impact on people’s ability to function in daily tasks. I was drawn to this area of OT when I had experience with people who struggled to communicate and control their environment. I believe the ability to communicate is a core part of gaining and maintaining independence, so I’m excited to join Talklink and specialise in an area that uses technology to potentially change people’s lives for the better.
Pariya Behnami
Clinical Leader, Speech Language Therapist
I joined the TalkLink Trust team in 2009 after working at Middlemore Hospital on the acute wards. I started out working in the Upper North Island office, before moving to Christchurch in 2010.
My training involves a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Psychology (2002), A Bachelor of Speech Language Therapy (2008) and a Post Graduate Certificate in SLT (2014).
I have experience working with clients for all ages and a wide range of disabilities, across multiple regions within NZ. I have a particular passion for early intervention and for working with clients with profound and multiple disabilities. I enjoy the challenge of finding appropriate low & high-tech AAC systems for my clients, and helping to build confidence and competence with internal and external team members.
I look forward to continuing to work in this exciting and ever changing field, and most importantly, in helping our clients find their voice.
Stacey Mayes
Occupational Therapist
I decided to study to become an Occupational Therapist as I was interested in enabling people to participate in meaningful occupation with a client-focussed approach. After graduating from Otago in 2011 I went on to work for the Canterbury District Health Board in an orthopaedics setting. Through this role I enjoyed assisting my clients to become as independent as possible and return to their homes and day-to-day lives. Seeing people achieve their goals and regain confidence in themselves has been immensely rewarding.
I am excited to implement these skills with my TalkLink clients. Since I was a child I have always gravitated towards technology. Its many uses, in this ever developing field, fascinate me. I look forward to working within the TalkLink team and developing my skills further.
Sukhveer Thandal
Speech Language Therapist
I completed my Bachelors of Speech and Language Pathology (Hons) at the University of Canterbury in 2014. Through my studies I had placements working with adults and children and I thoroughly enjoyed working with both populations.
Following my studies I started work at the Ministry of Education in the Wellington Region. Here I worked with preschool and school aged children with a wide range of communication and learning difficulties. I worked closely with teams around the clients to come up with clear goals and supported the teams to achieve these goals. Through this job I engaged with people from a range of different backgrounds and cultures, and enjoyed the diversity this brought to my work.
I started with the Talklink Christchurch Team at the beginning of 2019. I am excited to work with a range of clients and their teams and to work alongside a very passionate team of clinicians
Wendy Dick
Office Administrator
I joined Talklink in 2014 as a finance/admin officer for the South Island office working alongside the finance team in Auckland. I’ve had fifteen years in admin and finance roles. Previously I had positions as credit officer, accounts receivable and accounts clerk for Boc NZ and Australia. After completing the NZ National Diploma in Business I worked for two small business in a part time role as Office Manager after my son was born.
My part time role at Talkink involves processing invoicing, general admin including referrals and supporting the clinical staff in the south island. I enjoy the challenge of a varied role and the great mix of people we work with makes everyday interesting.