Oral history project carried out by Jois Stansfield for MSc Health History at University of Strathclyde.

This is believed to be the first oral history of speech and language therapy in the UK. Early members of the speech and language therapy profession were recruited from retirement networks and via the professional body, the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. Interviews were held across England and Scotland, taking a life-story approach with each participant. Personal testimony, previously unheard, from these pioneers of the profession demonstrates the degree to which these women were products of their age, class and gender and the individual ways in which they negotiated challenges in their personal and professional lives.

This collection comprises items relating to the formation and running of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists. The bulk of the records are minutes of the Council and the boards and committees of the College.

Collection of papers created by Linda Armstrong, and some collaboration by Jois Stansfield: researchers interested in the history of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists, and the Speech and Language Therapy profession in general.

Papers were researched and created between 1999 - 2021 and many were revised and edited just prior to deposit in January 2021. Sources used for the research included the papers of the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists held within the University of Strathclyde Archives and Special Collections, and also papers and files still held by the College.

The papers comprise: lists covering a range of historical areas relating to the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists and the profession in general such as Journal articles, College conferences, and committee members; and analytical articles covering topics such as how the College was formed, the change in the name of the profession, and analysis of the content of the College’s news bulletin.