- Hancock, A., Northcott, S., Hobson, H. and Clarke, M. (2023). Speech, language and communication needs and mental health: the experiences of speech and language therapists and mental health professionals. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 58(1), pp. 52–66. doi:10.1111/1460-6984.12767.
- Northcott, S., Behn, N., Monnelly, K., Moss, B., Marshall, J., Thomas, S. … Hilari, K. (2022). “For them and for me”: a qualitative exploration of peer befrienders’ experiences supporting people with aphasia in the SUPERB feasibility trial. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(18), pp. 5025–5037. doi:10.1080/09638288.2021.1922520.
- Moss, B., Behn, N., Northcott, S., Monnelly, K., Marshall, J., Simpson, A. … Hilari, K. (2022). “Loneliness can also kill:” a qualitative exploration of outcomes and experiences of the SUPERB peer-befriending scheme for people with aphasia and their significant others. Disability and Rehabilitation, 44(18), pp. 5015–5024. doi:10.1080/09638288.2021.1922519.
- Flood, C., Behn, N., Marshall, J., Simpson, A., Northcott, S., Thomas, S. … Hilari, K. (2022). A pilot economic evaluation of a feasibility trial for SUpporting wellbeing through PEeR-Befriending (SUPERB) for post-stroke aphasia. Clinical Rehabilitation pp. 26921552110635–26921552110635. doi:10.1177/02692155211063554.
- Northcott, S., Simpson, A., Thomas, S., Barnard, R., Burns, K., Hirani, S.P. … Hilari, K. (2021). “Now I Am Myself”: Exploring How People With Poststroke Aphasia Experienced Solution-Focused Brief Therapy Within the SOFIA Trial. Qualitative Health Research, 31(11), pp. 2041–2055. doi:10.1177/10497323211020290.
- Hilari, K., Behn, N., James, K., Northcott, S., Marshall, J., Thomas, S. … Goldsmith, K. (2021). Supporting wellbeing through peer-befriending (SUPERB) for people with aphasia: A feasibility randomised controlled trial. Clinical Rehabilitation, 35(8), pp. 1151–1163. doi:10.1177/0269215521995671.
- Northcott, S., Thomas, S., James, K., Simpson, A., Hirani, S., Barnard, R. … Hilari, K. (2021). Solution Focused Brief Therapy in Post-Stroke Aphasia (SOFIA): feasibility and acceptability results of a feasibility randomised wait-list controlled trial. BMJ Open, 11(8). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2021-050308.
- Behn, N., Moss, B., McVicker, S., Roper, A., Northcott, S., Marshall, J. … Hilari, K. (2021). SUpporting wellbeing through PEeR-Befriending (SUPERB) feasibility trial: fidelity of peer-befriending for people with aphasia. BMJ Open, 11(8). doi:10.1136/bmjopen-2020-047994.
- Moss, B., Northcott, S., Behn, N., Monnelly, K., Marshall, J., Thomas, S. … Hilari, K. (2021). ‘Emotion is of the essence. … Number one priority’: A nested qualitative study exploring psychosocial adjustment to stroke and aphasia. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 56(3), pp. 594–608. doi:10.1111/1460-6984.12616.
- Hilari, K., Behn, N., Marshall, J., Simpson, A., Thomas, S., Northcott, S. … Goldsmith, K. (2019). Adjustment with aphasia after stroke: study protocol for a pilot feasibility randomised controlled trial for SUpporting wellbeing through PEeR Befriending (SUPERB). Pilot and Feasibility Studies, 5(1). doi:10.1186/s40814-019-0397-6.
- Northcott, S., Simpson, A., Thomas, S.A., Hirani, S.P., Flood, C. and Hilari, K. (2019). SOlution Focused brief therapy In post-stroke Aphasia (SOFIA Trial): protocol for a feasibility randomised controlled trial. AMRC Open Research, 1, pp. 11–11. doi:10.12688/amrcopenres.12873.1.
- Hilari, K., Behn, N., Marshall, J., Simpson, A., Northcott, S., Thomas, S. … McVicker, S. (2018). Blinding participants and assessors in a feasibility randomised controlled trial of peer-befriending for people with aphasia post-stroke. Aphasiology, 32(sup1), pp. 88–89. doi:10.1080/02687038.2018.1489121.
- Behn, N., Hilari, K., Marshall, J., Simpson, A., Northcott, S., Thomas, S. … McVicker, S. (2018). SUpporting well-being through PEeR-Befriending (SUPERB) trial: an exploration of fidelity in peer-befriending for people with aphasia. Aphasiology, 32(sup1), pp. 21–23. doi:10.1080/02687038.2018.1489120.
- Northcott, S., Hirani, S.P. and Hilari, K. (2018). A Typology to Explain Changing Social Networks Post Stroke. The Gerontologist, 58(3), pp. 500–511. doi:10.1093/geront/gnx011.
- Northcott, S., Simpson, A., Moss, B., Ahmed, N. and Hilari, K. (2018). Supporting people with aphasia to ‘settle into a new way to be’: speech and language therapists’ views on providing psychosocial support. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 53(1), pp. 16–29. doi:10.1111/1460-6984.12323.
- Northcott, S. and Hilari, K. (2017). “I’ve got somebody there, someone cares”: what support is most valued following a stroke? Disability and Rehabilitation, 40(20), pp. 2439–2448. doi:10.1080/09638288.2017.1337242.
- Hilari, K. and Northcott, S. (2017). “Struggling to stay connected”: comparing the social relationships of healthy older people and people with stroke and aphasia. Aphasiology, 31(6), pp. 674–687. doi:10.1080/02687038.2016.1218436.
- Northcott, S., Simpson, A., Moss, B., Ahmed, N. and Hilari, K. (2017). How do speech-and-language therapists address the psychosocial well-being of people with aphasia? Results of a UK online survey. International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 52(3), pp. 356–373. doi:10.1111/1460-6984.12278.
- Northcott, S., Moss, B., Harrison, K. and Hilari, K. (2016). A systematic review of the impact of stroke on social support and social networks: associated factors and patterns of change. Clinical Rehabilitation, 30(8), pp. 811–831. doi:10.1177/0269215515602136.
- Northcott, S., Marshall, J. and Hilari, K. (2016). What factors predict who will have a strong social network following a stroke? Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research. doi:10.1044/2016_JSLHR-L-15-0201.
- Northcott, S., Burns, K., Simpson, A. and Hilari, K. (2015). ‘Living with Aphasia the Best Way I Can': A Feasibility Study Exploring Solution-Focused Brief Therapy for People with Aphasia. Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica, 67(3), pp. 156–167. doi:10.1159/000439217.
- Fotiadou, D., Northcott, S., Chatzidaki, A. and Hilari, K. (2014). Aphasia blog talk: How does stroke and aphasia affect a person’s social relationships? Aphasiology, 28(11), pp. 1281–1300. doi:10.1080/02687038.2014.928664.
- Winkler, M., Bedford, V., Northcott, S. and Hilari, K. (2014). Aphasia blog talk: How does stroke and aphasia affect the carer and their relationship with the person with aphasia? Aphasiology, 28(11), pp. 1301–1319. doi:10.1080/02687038.2014.928665.
- Northcott, S. and Hilari, K. (2013). Stroke Social Network Scale: development and psychometric evaluation of a new patient-reported measure. Clinical Rehabilitation, 27(9), pp. 823–833. doi:10.1177/0269215513479388.
- Norman, R.M.G., Windell, D., Manchanda, R., Harricharan, R. and Northcott, S. (2012). Social support and functional outcomes in an early intervention program. Schizophrenia Research, 140(1-3), pp. 37–40. doi:10.1016/j.schres.2012.07.003.
- Caute, A., Northcott, S., Clarkson, L., Pring, T. and Hilari, K. (2012). Does mode of administration affect health-related quality-of-life outcomes after stroke? International Journal of Speech-Language Pathology, 14(4), pp. 329–337. doi:10.3109/17549507.2012.663789.
- Northcott, S. and Hilari, K. (2011). Why do people lose their friends after a stroke? International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders, 46(5), pp. 524–534. doi:10.1111/j.1460-6984.2011.00079.x.
- Hilari, K., Northcott, S., Roy, P., Marshall, J., Wiggins, R.D., Chataway, J. … Ames, D. (2010). Psychological distress after stroke and aphasia: the first six months. Clinical Rehabilitation, 24(2), pp. 181–190. doi:10.1177/0269215509346090.
- Hilari, K., Lamping, D.L., Smith, S.C., Northcott, S., Lamb, A. and Marshall, J. (2009). Psychometric properties of the Stroke and Aphasia Quality of Life Scale (SAQOL-39) in a generic stroke population. Clinical Rehabilitation, 23(6), pp. 544–557. doi:10.1177/0269215508101729.
- Hilari, K. and Northcott, S. (2006). Social support in people with chronic aphasia. Aphasiology, 20(1), pp. 17–36. doi:10.1080/02687030500279982.
Contact details
Address
Northampton Square
London EC1V 0HB
United Kingdom
About
Overview
Sarah is a Senior Lecturer and Clinical Academic based at the Division of Language and Communication Science. Her research interests lie in exploring ways to support the emotional and social well-being of people living with stroke and aphasia. She recently led the SOlution Focused brief therapy In Aphasia (SOFIA) study, a feasibility randomised controlled trial funded by the Stroke Association (https://blogs.city.ac.uk/sofia/).
Sarah’s first degree was in Music at Cambridge University and she went on to study piano accompaniment at the Royal Academy of Music in London. She subsequently retrained to become a Speech and Language Therapist at City, University of London. Sarah worked as a clinician on the Isle of Wight and for Lambeth Primary Care Trust before completing her PhD examining the social impact of stroke and aphasia at City, University of London. This led to an article on social networks that won the 2016 Editor's Award of the Journal of Speech Language and Hearing Research, language section. In 2015 she was awarded a School of Health Sciences 12-month Postdoctoral Fellowship Award at City, University of London. She subsequently received the Stroke Association Jack and Averil (Mansfield) Bradley Fellowship Award for Stroke Research in 2016. As well as leading the SOFIA Trial, she was a co-investigator and leading the qualitative evaluation on the SUPERB Trial, investigating peer befriending for people with aphasia, Stroke Association Priority Programme Award.
In 2022 she received funding from Research England: Participatory Research to lead THEA (Training Healthcare professionals to support the Emotions of people with Aphasia); and City University SHPS Research Sustainability Fund to lead ELA (Emotional and Language recovery for people with Aphasia). Most recently, Sarah and team have been awarded a grant from Sir Halley Stewart Trust, for the Wellbeing In Stroke and Aphasia (WISA) project, which is developing an innovative, accessible service to support the psychological wellbeing of people living with aphasia, starting in 2023.
Sarah is also a Research Affiliate of the Centre for Research Excellence in Aphasia Recovery and Rehabilitation, La Trobe University, Australia, a member of the Acquired Brian Injury Rehabilitation Alliance, and was a part-time Senior Lecturer at University of East Anglia, 2019-2021.
Qualifications
- PhD ‘Social support after a stroke’, City, University London, United Kingdom, 2013
- MSc in Speech and Language Therapy, City, University London, United Kingdom, 2004
- PGDiploma in Speech and Language Therapy, City, University London, United Kingdom, 2002
- PGDiploma in Piano Accompaniment, Royal Academy of Music, United Kingdom, 1999
- BA Hons Music, University of Cambridge, United Kingdom, 1994
Memberships of committees
- International Aphasia Rehabilitation Conference, 2016 – present
- British Aphasiology Society Therapy Symposium, 2012 – present
Memberships of professional organisations
- Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists
- Health and Care Professions Council
Research
Research Overview
Sarah’s research focuses on improving psychosocial well-being for people with stroke and aphasia. There are two broad strands to her research.
Firstly, she is interested in research that explores ways to enable people with aphasia to make meaningful and positive change in their lives. She has a particular interest in Solution Focused Brief Therapy, and has recently received the Stroke Association Jack and Averil (Mansfield) Bradley Fellowship Award to enable her to conduct a feasibility study (the SoFIA trial). This study will explore how best to adapt this therapy approach for people with both mild and severe aphasia; the acceptability and perceived benefits; as well as examine the feasibility of carrying out a future large-scale trial into clinical and cost effectiveness.
Secondly, Sarah is interested in exploring the psychosocial impact of stroke, both the ‘lived experience’ of having a stroke using qualitative methodology, and also adapting and developing outcome measures that are accessible to people with aphasia. For example, as part of her PhD, she developed the Stroke Social Network Scale which enables both those with and without aphasia to self-report on their social network, enabling clinicians to identify those at risk of becoming socially isolated.
Research Grants
2016-2019 Northcott S. (PI) Adapting a psychosocial intervention for people with post-stroke aphasia: a feasibility study (SoFIA trial). The Stroke Association Jack and Averil (Mansfield) Bradley Fellowship Award. £174,936
2015-2019 Co-applicant; Hilari, K. (PI) Adjustment post stroke and aphasia: Supporting well-being through Peer Befriending (SUPERB trial). Stroke Association, Priority Programme Award. £490,664
2015 Northcott S. (PI). Exploring service users’ perspectives on a proposed feasibility study investigating Solution Focused Brief Therapy for people with post-stroke aphasia. Research Design Service Enabling Involvement Fund. £350
2015 Northcott S. (PI), Hilari K. (co-PI), and Simpson A. Speech and Language Therapists' delivery of psychosocial therapy and support to people with post-stroke aphasia. Research Sustainability Fund, City University London. £8,060
2013- 2014 Co-recipient; Hilari, K (PI) Can Solution Focused Brief Therapy help with social and emotional well-being after a stroke and aphasia? A feasibility proof-of-concept study. Research Sustainability Fund, City University London. £9,840
Principal Collaborators
Dr Katerina Hilari
Professor Alan Simpson
Dr Shirley Thomas
Professor Jane Marshall
Dr Shashi Hirani
Dr Carole Pound
Dr Chris Flood
Jane Ritchie
Kidge Burns
Publications
Publications by category
Book
- Burns, K. and Northcott, S. (2022). Working with Solution Focused Brief Therapy in Healthcare Settings: A Practical Guide. London and New York: Routledge. ISBN 978-0-367-43509-7.
Chapter
- Northcott, S., Smejka, J. and Smejka, P. Rebuilding a life with aphasia: Listening to what is important using Solution Focused Brief Therapy. In Webster, D. (Ed.), Aphasia in Clinical Practice (pp. 43–60). Havant: J&R Press. ISBN 978-1-907826-51-1.
Conference papers and proceedings (6)
- Flood, C., Behn, N., Marshall, J., Simpson, A., Northcott, S., Thomas, S. … James, K. (2020). A PILOT ECONOMIC EVALUATION FOR SUPPORTING WELLBEING THROUGH PEER-BEFRIENDING (SUPERB).
- Hilari, K., Behn, N., Marshall, J., Simpson, A., Northcott, S., Thomas, S. … Goldsmith, K. (2020). ADJUSTMENT WITH APHASIA AFTER STROKE: A PILOT FEASIBILITY RANDOMISED CONTROLLED TRIAL FOR SUPPORTING WELLBEING THROUGH PEER-BEFRIENDING (SUPERB).
- Hilari, K., Behn, N., Marshall, J., Simpson, A., Thomas, S., Flood, C. … McVicker, S. (2019). Adjustment Post-Stroke and Aphasia: Protocol for the SUpporting Well-Being Through PEeR-Befriending (SUPERB Trial). doi:10.1080/02699052.2019.1608749
- (2019). Accepted Abstracts from the International Brain Injury Association’s 13th World Congress on Brain Injury. doi:10.1080/02699052.2019.1608749
- Northcott, S., Thomas, S., Simpson, A., Burns, K., Hirani, S.P., Moss, B. … Hilari, K. (2018). How acceptable is solution focused brief therapy (SFBT) to people with severe aphasia?
- Hilari, K. and Northcott, S. (2004). SOCIAL SUPPORT AND HRQL IN PEOPLE WITH APHASIA.
Journal articles (30)
Professional activities
Editorial activity
- Aphasiology; BMC Geriatrics; Clinical Rehabilitation; Disability and Rehabilitation; International Journal of Language and Communication Disorders; International Journal of Speech Language Pathology, Reviewer.
Other
- Advisory committee, Aphasia United.