The Team | New Options Speech and Language

Who we are

Who we are

We're a team of multi award winning speech and language specialists - working to make Hull & East Yorkshire a better place

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Nicky West

Founder I Speech and Language Consultant

Nicky works with children with a range of speech, language and communication difficulties in Hull and East Yorkshire.

Nicky studied and trained at the University of Central England (now Birmingham City University), and graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Speech and Language Therapy. She worked for the NHS in Hull and East Riding, and has extensive experience working across a wide range of settings, including pre-school settings, special schools, mainstream schools, community clinics, and adult learning disability respite units.

From 2009 -2017 Nicky also worked as a Registered Intermediary in her spare time and was also part of the training team for Northumbria Police Force and Humberside Police Force delivering full-day courses as part of their specialist child abuse investigation course, ‘SCADIP’.

In 2013, Nicky launched ‘NEW Options – Speech and Language Therapy Solutions’. The company offers timely, innovative, and effective input that is individually tailored to every child & family they work alongside. With a friendly and approachable team, the company strives to build successful working relationships with pupils, carers, and other professionals.

Nicky is committed to offering effective and engaging training to the education sector and specialises in working with children with speech sound delays and disorders, language delays and disorders, and stammering. Nicky is dedicated to her profession. She regularly attends training courses and other ‘Continuing Professional Development’ activities. She is registered with the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, Association of Speech and Language Therapists in Independent Practice, Health Care Professions Council, Information Commissioner’s Office (a body which upholds data protection and information) and holds an enhanced certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

'Key Worker' - BBC Make a Difference Awards - Winner 2022

'Leadership' Award - Association of Speech & Language Therapists in Independent Practice - Winner 2022

'Inspiring Contribution' - HEY People in Business Awards - Winner 2022

'Community Award' Yorkshire & Humber Federation of Small Business Awards - Finalist 2022

'Outstanding Contribution' Award

Association of Speech & Language Therapists in Independent Practice - Nominee 2024

'Business Consultancy of the Year' Award - ALTARIS - Winner 2025

'Women in Business' Award ALTARIS - Shortlisted 2025

Award of Excellence 2025 for Speech, Language Therapy Intervention, Training & Support - E2Media 2025

Lisa Tidder

Lead Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Lisa gained her OCR Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools specialising in Supporting Children’s Speech, Language, and Communication in 2013. She is an Associate Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and holds an enhanced certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Lisa joined the NEW Options team in 2017 and has since been developing her interest in Neurodiversity.

Additional study & qualifications:

2020 - NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate - Understanding Young People's Mental Health.

2023 - AIM Qualifications - Level 3: Certificate in the Principles of Special Educational Needs.

2023 - Open University - Working with diversity in services for children & young people.

2025 - TQUK Level 2 Certificate in Principles of Team Leading (RQF).

Claire Matfin

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Claire gained her NCFE CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Specialist Support for Teaching and Learning in Schools in 2017 and completed her Foundation Degree in Learning Support in 2019. She has a love of research and is committed to her continuing professional development. She is an Associate Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and holds an enhanced certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Claire joined the NEW Options team in 2019 and has since been developing her interest in Reluctant Talking/Selective Mutism.

Additional studies & qualifications:

2020 - NCFE CACHE Level 2 Certificate - Understanding Young People's Mental Health.

2023 - Open University - Understanding Autism.

2024 - MA in Education, SEN and Inclusion

Laura Noble

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Laura is a qualified primary school teacher with over a decade worth of experience working in schools; she also gained her SENCO qualification in 2019. Her little boy is currently undergoing speech and language intervention too. She is an Associate Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and holds an enhanced certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). She has recently joined the NEW Options team and is looking forward to developing her interest in Neurodiversity.

Gemma Taylor

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Gemma completed her Level 3 in Children’s Play, Learning and Development in 2018. Since then, she has developed an interest in working with children who need extra support. She joined our team in 2024 and is also studying Psychology at Hull University. Gemma plans to then complete a Master’s degree in Speech and Language Therapy. She is an Associate Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and holds an enhanced certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS).

Gill Watkinson

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Gill has been a Teaching Assistant for over 13 years and completed her Level 3 Diploma in Children and Young People's Workforce in 2014. For the past 11 and a half years, she has worked with children and young adults requiring additional support, during which time she discovered her passion for Speech and Language. She has been fortunate to work with amazing children and young people who have brought joy to her daily work. She is an Associate Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and holds an enhanced certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Understanding that no two days are the same in educational settings, she is excited to continue her journey with New Options Ltd, learning and growing each day. She joined the team in 2024 and is looking forward to further developing her expertise in supporting children's communication needs.

Sarah Wagner

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Sarah has extensive educational experience, progressing from lunchtime supervisor to teaching assistant and 1:1 support specialist across mainstream and SEN schools supporting children with complex difficulties. Through personal and professional experience, she understands the frustration communication barriers create for children and families, and is passionate about helping young people find their voice. She believes early intervention is key to future success and that children learn best when having fun - a happy child is a happy learner. She is an Associate Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and holds an enhanced certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). She has recently joined the NEW Options team and is looking forward to developing her interest in Neurodiversity.

Sarah Berridge

Speech and Language Therapy Assistant

Sarah is a qualified Teaching Assistant with over 8 years of experience working with children with a range of Special Educational Needs. She is an Associate Member of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and holds an enhanced certificate from the Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS). Sarah has a love of learning and is looking forward to continuing her professional development and interest in Neurodiversity. She joined the team in 2024.