CEO and Clinical Lead

Sarah began her career as a physiotherapist in 1988 and since then has worked with people with disabilities and neurological conditions in clinical and leadership roles in both the NHS and charity sector. For over 15 years she specialised in delivering wheelchair, mobility and assistive technology services.

When she joined INS in 2020 as the Chief Executive and Clinical Lead, it enabled her to draw on all her previous experiences. Sarah is particularly interested in involving service users in the development of services and building partnerships with other organisations.

Outside of work Sarah is a keen open water swimmer and avid music fan.

Group Therapy Assistant

Hannah joined INS in November 2022 after completing her master’s degree in Neuropsychology.

She helps in various groups at INS including Open Gym, as well as supporting Mike with admin in the office.

Physiotherapist (BSc Hons, MCSP, HCPC)

Caroline has over 20 years of experience in Neurological Physiotherapy and joined the INS team in 2020. She works with the INS team to provide suitable activities and exercises to improve people’s mental and physical well-being, as well as their fitness and functional ability.  She particularly enjoys the group setting as it brings people together. She has a well-rounded knowledge of rehabilitation and supporting people with long-term conditions.

Caroline has completed further therapy training including the following courses -  PD Warrior, Neurofit, Evidence-based Neurophysiotherapy and the Advanced Bobath course. She is also a certified Pilates instructor and teaches classes regularly. 

INS Hounslow Coordinator

Penny spent the first part of her working life in administrative roles. In 2010 she moved across to work in charities that focussed on helping people to acquire training and skills to cope with the ups and downs of life and live well with long-term health conditions.  This has taken her on a fascinating journey from growing plants to learning about brain injury; now gaining a wider view of neurological conditions. 

She coordinates INS Hounslow’s satellite groups, which are being developed to extend INS services across the borough. She really values working as a part of an integrated team where experiences and skills are shared and the approach towards our clients is one of co-production and self-management within a supportive environment.

Neurophysiotherapist

Marie-Anne qualified as a physiotherapist in 2010 and has been working with people with neurological conditions for over 10 years. Prior to coming to INS she worked at St George’s Hospital in Tooting, working in a range of areas including Neuro-rehabilitation, Head Injuries, Neurology, Neurosurgery and Intensive Care, Stroke and working in the community. She is passionate about supporting people living with neurological conditions to find activities and exercises that they enjoy, to promote long term physical and mental wellbeing.

Marie-Anne has completed further therapy courses including Neurofit, PD Warrior, the Basic Bobath course, and APPI Matwork Pilates course.

Speech and Language Therapist

Emma has worked as a Speech and Language Therapist for over 30 years with people with neurological disabilities.  In this time, she has worked in a range of rehabilitation environments, including inpatient, outpatient and community settings, with a particular focus on acquired brain injury and aphasia.  Emma is an accredited LSVT practitioner (a specific approach used in Parkinsons Disease and other acquired disorders of speech) and is trained to use Talking Mats.  Emma enjoys having the flexibility at INS to provide fun communication-friendly interaction opportunities for service users with communication disability, to ensure that all service users have the opportunity to participate successfully.

Expanding Horizons Coordinator

Ruhi joined INS in 2013 as a Coordinator having previously taught at various Universities in the US and New Zealand. She has a PhD in Environmental History and decided on a career break once she moved to London. Ruhi organises and runs most of the non-therapy group sessions under the Expanding Horizons Programme. She has also done some in-depth work with GPs in Hounslow and Richmond, and is actively involved with the Medical College at St. George’s Hospital. When not at work, she loves spending time with Cosmo, her dog.

Fundraiser

Tracey joined INS in 2018 as their Fundraiser, with a focus on generating income from Trusts and Foundations. She has worked across several different sectors, with a wide range of experience in direct marketing and fundraising. She enjoys working for a local charity which has such strong community support and being able to engage closely with our service users and see what a difference we are making. During her years at INS, she has also enjoyed the challenge of different fundraising activities and being part of such a supportive, friendly, team.

Fundraising Assistant

Emilia joined INS in 2021 and works as their Fundraising Assistant, having first joined as Fundraising and Administration Assistant. She works with the team on fundraising, events, and communications, and manages the INS social media.

Emilia has a background in fashion design with cultural and historical context, with a BA(Hons) in Fashion Contour Design and Diploma in Professional Studies, and continues to work in the field.

Office Manager

Mike joined INS in 2017 as a volunteer administrator and was first appointed Office Manager in 2018. Mike works at the front office reception, which includes greeting visitors and answering phone calls.

Therapy Assistant

Liberty joined INS in November 2023 as a Therapy Assistant, having previously volunteered at INS Open Gym sessions since April 2023.

Liberty worked in the mental health charity sector after completing her degree in Theology and Philosophy, and now hopes to gain experience and explore a career in Occupational Therapy.

Liberty helps in some of the groups ran at INS, including Open Gym, crafts, and communication groups. She also provides support in the office and at the Barnes satellite group.

Exercise Lead (BSC, ProfGCE, MSc)

Paul Joined the INS team in December 2019, with qualifications which included a BSc Sport and Exercise Science, and an MSc Sport and Exercise Physiology.

Paul has since completed additional training in GP Exercise Referral and Sports Massage. Paul oversees the majority of the Exercise groups at INS, applying his in-depth knowledge of Exercise sciences.

Neurophysiotherapist (Brentford Satellite)

Holly qualified as a physiotherapist in 2002 and has been working with people with neurological conditions for over 18 years. She has worked in a range of rehabilitation settings including inpatient, outpatients and community settings. Her areas of interest include multiple sclerosis, rehabilitation, gait and increasing exercise participation in people with neurological conditions. She has a master’s degree in clinical research and has worked as a research physiotherapist.

Holly enjoys supporting people with neurological conditions to become more active. She recently joined the INS team to run the exercise group at Brentford.

Senior Social Worker

Carol qualified as a Social Worker in 2007, having worked in Local Authorities for many years in Adult Social Care. This involved working with a variety of client and carer groups; as well as part of multi-disciplinary teams to support them. Since becoming a Social Worker, Carol worked within a team for People with Learning Disability, and in a local Community Mental Health Team.

Carol joined INS in 2010 as a Senior Social Worker. Although ‘retiring’ in 2021, she continues to work a few hours per month for INS. She enjoys being able to support clients and carers to be as independent as possible, and to be able to make a difference however small.

Carol is particularly keen to enable others to develop their skills to their full potential – supporting INS to offer placement opportunities to students in the Health and Social Care field. This in turn gives clients and carers the opportunity for additional therapeutic support.

Occupational Therapist

Diana is a New Zealand trained Occupational Therapist and first joined the INS team in 2014. She has been involved in a variety of roles at INS and is currently completing initial assessments as well as providing Occupational Therapy input.

Diana has enjoyed working as an Occupational therapist with clients living with neurological conditions for over 20 years in hospital, outpatient and community settings both in N.Z and the U.K.  She has also worked in the private sector as a needs assessor and as Professional Supervisor to health insurance Case Managers.