Our Story
Unlocking Language is here to guide children, including teens, through their communication journeys.
Madeleine Swan
Emma Hudson
Lydia Chong
Abirami Singalingam
Principal Speech and Language Therapist
Madeleine Swan
She/Her
Madeleine graduated from City University in 2011 with a Postgraduate Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy (Distinction) and has been working at Unlocking Language since 2015.
As the Clinical Lead for mainstream schools, Madeleine manages a team of therapists, supporting their clinical development and ensuring a high-quality service. She also oversees our company supervision policy. Madeleine specialises in working with students aged 3-11 who attend mainstream schools, providing assessments and interventions for students with speech sound disorders, Developmental Language Disorder and Autism Spectrum Disorder amongst other diagnoses. She also delivers training and works closely with other members of staff to support the communication development of targeted students.
Madeleine has furthered her knowledge by attending additional training on Makaton, VERVE, Michael Palin PCI and school-aged therapy approaches; Word Aware, Shape Coding, Attention Autism, the evidence base for Developmental Language Disorder and Supervision.
She has experience with a wide range of therapy approaches, including PECS, Intensive Interaction, SCERTS, colorful semantics, and Talkabout.
Her favorite thing about working at UL is ‘My colleagues! I love working with such a supportive, diverse, and talented group of people’.
When she’s not working, you can find Madeleine reading, watching independent films, and doing pen drawing.
Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist
Emma Hudson
She/Her
Emma started working at Unlocking Language in 2015 after graduating from City University London with a Postgraduate Diploma in Speech and Language Therapy. Prior to this, she studied Psychology (BSc) at the University of Leeds.
She is particularly interested in early years speech and language development and specializes in working with complex needs and ASD in toddlers, as well as primary-aged children with DLD, speech sound disorders, and ASD. As a clinical lead, she also supervises a team of therapists.
Emma’s training includes: Shape-Coding, Word Aware, Lego Therapy, Selective Mutism, Nuffield Dyspraxia Programme, Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule (ADOS-2), Phonological Awareness, Attention Autism and Cued Articulation. She is experienced with a variety of approaches, such as PECS, Parent Child Interaction, Intensive Interaction, Colourful Semantics, Zones of Regulation, Talkabout, and Makaton.
Emma believes in the importance of early assessment and intervention to help support children with speech, language, and communication needs so they can reach their full potential. She collaborates closely with parents to guarantee the use of parent-child interaction techniques in the home to enhance language development.
On working at UL: ‘I like working with a range of different clients and families and helping support them to reach their potential.’
When she’s not working, you can find Emma meeting friends and family, reading, swimming, or traveling to new places.
Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist
Lydia Chong
She/Her
Lydia completed a BSc in Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Reading and has been working as a therapist since 2016. Her particular professional interests lie in teletherapy and the secondary setting, working with children with ASD and SEMH. She is a member of the Shuri Network – the first NHS and care network of BAME women in digital health.
Lydia focuses on delivering therapy that is fun and functional to clients. She believes in empowering individuals and maximizing their potential. She has experience with various approaches, such as PECS and Makaton.
On working at UL: ‘Everyone is really friendly and helpful with clinical questions.’
When she’s not working, you can find Lydia walking, traveling, or playing the piano or ukulele.
Languages:English, Mandarin, Malay, knowledge of Cantonese
Phone:0207 536 9299
Clinical Lead Speech and Language Therapist
Abirami Singalingam
She/Her
Abi undertook her BA at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio, USA, and she studied for her MA in Pennsylvania, USA. Before moving to London in 2020, she worked for various school districts in Chicago and across Maryland.
Her areas of interest and expertise include working with school-age children and a variety of speech and language difficulties.
Abi is also a member of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.
Her favorite thing about working at UL is ‘how everyone is so supportive and what an amazing resource everyone is.’
When she’s not working, you can find Abi reading fantasy books, traveling, and eating Thai and Sri Lankan food
Our Humble Beginnings: 2013
Our story begins in January 2013, when our CEO, Shermeena Rabbi, founded Unlocking Language with a vision of revolutionising speech and language services. Our first office, fondly referred to as “Tartan House,” was a symbol of our early ambitions and dedication. This small desk space was the birthplace of many innovative ideas that shaped our services.
The same year, we welcomed our first school client Ark Globe Academy – who we still proudly serve, marking our first step into the world of education. This was also the year we welcomed our first adult institution, Enable Care – who we also still serve. Over time, we began to expand our reach, securing more clients and winning their trust with our unique approach to speech and language services.
Expanding Our Team: 2014
By 2014, we were ready to expand and hired our first contractor. With our team growing, we also needed more space, leading us to move into a larger office, “Waterfront Studios.” As our journey continued, we welcomed more members to our team and moved to an even bigger office, “Beaufort Court,” by June.
The Growth Phase: 2015 – 2016
The year 2015 was a turning point for us. We took our first employees aboard, further strengthening our team. This was also the year when we secured our first NHS contract in Liverpool, a landmark achievement that affirmed our reputation in the field.
Partnerships and Evolution: 2017 – 2020
In 2018, we forged a critical partnership with the London Borough of Southwark, a milestone in our journey that allowed us to expand our reach.
By the end of 2018, we had moved to an even larger office, “Ensign House,” symbolizing our steady growth and expanding operations
Our journey took a significant turn in 2020 when the COVID-19 pandemic struck. We quickly pivoted to online services in response to the changing scenario, demonstrating our ability to adapt and innovate under challenging circumstances.
New Beginnings: 2021 – 2022
By June 2021, we restarted face-to-face clinics, adapting to new norms and ensuring the safety of our clients and team. As we moved into 2022, we shifted base to a purpose-built office, “Harbour Exchange,” marking a new phase in our journey.
Our journey from “Tartan House” to “Harbour Exchange” is a testament to our hard work, dedication, and commitment to providing top-quality language services. As we look back at our journey, we are filled with gratitude for the trust and support from our clients, partners, and team members.
As we continue our journey, we’re excited about the future and remain committed to unlocking new possibilities in language and communication services. Here’s to many more years of unlocking language together! We are changemakers, #bethechangeUL.
