Meet the staff

I started work at the Centre in January 2017 in a newly created role. I love how diverse my job is. Being responsible for finance, legal compliance, administrative procedures and facilities support for the Charity means in any one day I can be creating Cashflow forecasts for the Trustees whilst sorting out a leak in the roof for the Members! No two days are the same and the Centre is such a welcoming and positive environment to work in. I started my working life as an accountant and then after relocating to Swindon as a Financial Systems Analyst. Whilst taking time out to raise my children I became heavily involved in volunteering and chose to return to work in the charity sector, working for mental health and child mentoring charities. This led me to the Centre where I am happy to be involved in supporting the Members.

I am the Member Services Manager having been introduced to the centre by my sister-in-law, Julie, who is a Member and has MS. I began doing some admin work in 2009 when we were still based at Cheney Manor and moved to Bradbury house in January 2010. As the centre grew, so did the job and feel privileged to be involved in a charity which makes such a difference to so many people.

I joined the Swindon Therapy Centre in April 2016 as Community Fundraiser. I look after all of the Community fundraising activities for the Centre with help from fundraising team, the members, volunteers and friends of the Centre. I have previously worked as a Graphic Designer in publishing and Event Marketing but have organised fundraisers such as Fairs and Quizzes for schools and to fund my Marathon entry. As well as running, I like to add swimming and cycling to the mix too.

You can also find me in the Gym upstairs assisting the Physio team with Open Gym and Extended Gym.

Sarah Himelfield Shaw joined us in July as our new grants fundraiser. She has worked in the charitable sector since 2006, mainly focusing on organising fundraising events. She has worked for a variety of charities including Salisbury Hospice Charity, World Cancer Research Fund and The Brain and Spine Foundation where she gained knowledge of many neurological conditions including MS. Sarah has a personal interest in MS as a family member has been affected. She’s very much looking forward to raising as much as she can for the centre!

2016. I have also been a volunteer at the centre since 2007, mainly as an

Oxygen operator. As a Support Worker we’re mainly responsible for introducing

new members to the centre and making sure all of our members are able to access

the therapies available. Most of my previous working life I worked for the NHS

as a Radiographer and Ultrasonographer. I really enjoy the happy, positive

atmosphere at the centre and over the years have met some inspiring people.

I have been employed at Swindon Therapy Centre since November 2016 as a support worker.

I first became a volunteer at Swindon Therapy Centre when it was situated in Cheney Manor that was over 8 years ago. The Centre has always been a very positive and friendly place to be involved with and it has been a pleasure to be apart of it.

Prior to volunteering at the Centre I was a stay at home mum and I helped run a toddler activity group and was treasurer for a local playgroup.

Diagnosed with Primary Progressive MS in 2011 and with increasing mobility difficulties I began to question my usefulness. Feeling at a low ebb, in 2015 I became a member of the Therapy Centre. What a great decision! I’ve since benefited from the therapies on offer and support from staff and fellow members. Feeling uplifted with confidence restored, in October 2016 I accepted the role of Administration Assistant, where I can utilise my experience and communication skills. I’m now extremely proud to be part of the caring, dedicated team that support and enrich the lives of many with a debilitating neurological condition.

I joined the Swindon Therapy Centre team in October 2012 as a self-employed Physiotherapist. I have been a qualified Physio since 1990 and a Neurological Physio for over 20 years, 14 of those as Clinical Lead Physio in a Neuro rehab unit in Cornwall treating In and Out Patients mainly with MS, Head and Spinal cord injuries along with other Neurological conditions. I became Lead Physio here last year with the opening of our Pulse gym upstairs which was exciting as the equipment we now have means we can cater for a wider range of conditions and disabilities and have a lot of fun!!

I am a physiotherapist working in the New Pulse Gym. I am part-time and self-employed. I first visited the Centre in 2013 and have stayed ever since! It is a very special caring environment where I really enjoy supporting the members to gain maximum benefit and fun from the gym.

I qualified in 1993 from the Bath School of Physiotherapy and have worked in the UK, including Northern Ireland. I have experience in general physiotherapy and am particularly interested in neurology. I also work in veterinary physiotherapy, mainly with horses, and hold an MSc in this speciality. When not working, I am a keen horse woman and enjoy the countryside with family and two dogs.

I have worked at the MS Centre since 2011 and have a background in holistic therapies and palliative care (14 years at Prospect Hospice)

I wear many hats and am a qualified sports masseur and holistic therapist.

I use the knowledge I have of anatomy and physiology to make all my classes functional and transferable to ‘real life’.

I also like to make classes fun and informal.

My outside interests are long distance walking, perusing maps, open water swimming and training my unruly dog.

I started my career mostly working around Swindon doing admin until I was unfortunately made redundant. It took me by surprise and I decided to travel for a whole year, visiting different places and experiencing different cultures. But when I got back my Nan was quite ill, so I starting caring for her with the help and support of my parents. This took me into a completely different career direction. I started the role of Welfare and Carer Support Worker at the Therapy Centre in April 2018. From going from office work most of my life and into care work has been so rewarding and I have met such lovely people. Previously unaware of what the Therapy Centre can offer people with MS and Neurological conditions, It is an amazing place to work and I have met a lot of lovely people who I now call my friends. I enjoy my job here at the Centre helping people and meeting new members.