Lincolnshire’s children’s team are crowned winners at prestigious industry awards

The Selective Mutism Team, run by Lincolnshire Community Health Services NHS Trust (LCHS) has been crowned the winner of The Giving Voice Award in the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapy (RCSLT) Awards.  

These awards are an opportunity to recognise the achievements of RCSLT members and celebrate those who have supported and championed speech and language therapy and made a difference to the lives of patients.   

At the start of 2021, LCHS created a new service for children with a severe anxiety disorder, called selective mutism. This is when a person is able to speak comfortably in some situations but unable to speak in certain social situations, such as with classmates at school or to relatives they do not see very often. 

Selective mutism usually starts during childhood and, if left untreated, can persist into adulthood. It has a significant impact on families and if left untreated can result in long term poor mental health. For many years there have been no services in Lincolnshire to support this anxiety disorder.  

Rachel Stewart, Children's Speech and Language Therapist said: “We are incredibly grateful to have won this award, it means the world to us. We’re passionate about what we do and it’s so rewarding that we can give children and families a voice when they previously didn’t have one.” 

Katie Clements, Clinical Service Lead for Children’s Services said: “Congratulations to all the team. Their work is incredible and they help change the lives of so many patients. I’m so pleased that they have been recognised for all their hard work.”  

The team will be invited to an award ceremony on Friday, 6 October in London to proudly accept their award.