Our team of dedicated physiotherapists and technicians tell you a bit about themselves…
Jenny Baker – Clinical Director and Lead Neurological Physiotherapist
PHYSIO TRAINING AND CLINICAL BACKGROUND
Jenny qualified as a Physiotherapist in 1998 from the University of Wales College of Medicine. She has worked in all areas of the NHS covering outpatients, respiratory, care of older people, trauma and orthopaedics and neurology. Jenny specialised in Neurological physiotherapy in 2003 and has since built up expert knowledge working with neurological inpatients, outpatients and out in the community.
Jenny worked as the physio lead for the Dorset Brain Injury service and later went on to set up the physiotherapy service for the Dorset spasticity clinic.
Jennifer Baker has seen many patients through to remarkable recovery on the Specialist Rehabilitation Unit with her combination of intelligence and feisty enthusiasm and has my whole hearted recommendation.
Dr Burn, Consultant in Brain Injury and Rehabilitation DM FRCP
SPECIALIST SKILLS
Jenny has completed advanced training in neurological assessment, problem solving and handling and has completed Masters level neurology modules and has over 20 years experience treating neurological conditions.
Jenny is trained in vestibular rehabilitation and management of chronic pain. Jenny has also completed a Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and has trained to class instructor level in Pilates with the Australian Physiotherapy Pilates Institute and is a qualified Hatha Yoga and Adaptive Yoga instructor.
Jenny has authored three systematic reviews on the effectiveness of Botulinum Toxin for spasticity and function, which have been published in the International journal Clinical Rehabilitation. (See links below)
PERSONAL BACKGROUND
Since moving to Devon with her husband and two children, Jenny has been working as an independent physiotherapist in the community and has set up Sense Ability Therapy as a rehabilitation company to help supplement the care available on the NHS by offering a variety of treatment options to suit different peoples needs. She has since successfully converted the business to a CIC/not for profit status to increase the community benefit of her business.
In her spare time Jenny likes to do yoga, pilates and walk her three dogs in the gorgeous Devon countryside.
BSc (Hons) Physiotherapy, Member of APPI, AACP, ACPIN, CSP and HCPC Registered.
Cathy Guyver – Specialist Neuro Physiotherapist
Cathy qualified as a physiotherapist in 1996 from University College London. She worked in all areas of the NHS before specialising in neurorehabilitation for 8 years at St George’s Healthcare NHS Trust,
Atkinson Morley Hospital and the Wolfson Neurological Rehabilitation Unit, Wimbledon. During this time, she gained extensive experience in the rehabilitation and management of patients with a range
of neurological conditions including Stroke, Traumatic Brain Injury, MS, Parkinson’s Disease, Guillain Barre Syndrome, Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) and Chronic Pain.
She moved to Devon in 2004, working as a team leader physiotherapist on the Stroke Unit at Mount Gould Hospital. Cathy took an extended career break to bring up her family relocating around the Southwest as her husband was in The Royal Navy. Having settled again with family near Plymouth, she has now joined Sense Ability Therapy.
Cathy is Advanced Bobath trained and has a special interest in Stroke & Upper Limb rehabilitation. In her spare time, she loves coastal running and gardening.
Abi Clifford- Physio Technician and Sports therapist
Abi Clifford
Stephanie McDade- Physio Technician and Sports massage therapist
Steph started her interest of anatomy and movement with strength training in the gym. This then inspired her to get qualified in sports massage therapy and run a business as a massage therapist until the pandemic. Steph then started working at Torbay Hospital as a caterer, mainly on the paediatric ward but also covers the rest of the hospital. She now works with us alongside her job at the NHS. In her spare time she enjoys long walks with her two dogs and spending time with friends and family.
Dani Blacker Specialist Neuro Occupational Therapist
Dani Blacker qualified in 2001 as an Occupational Therapist from Oxford Brookes University. Since then, she has worked in London and has specialised in neuro-rehabilitation and upper limb rehabilitation working in specialist rehabilitation centres providing support to adults with acquired brain injuries and associated neurological disabilities. Dani has a post-graduate diploma in neuro-rehabilitation and a Master’s degree in hand therapy. Her special interest is in splinting and rehabilitation of the arm and hand when there is weakness, pain, altered sensation or increased spasticity seen in neurological disorders including stroke or injury to the central nervous system. Dani continues to work in London regularly and teaches splinting courses all around the United Kingdom. Dani is passionate about the importance of occupational therapy to help people do the things that are important to them despite illness or any impairment they may have.
Dani moved from London back home to Torbay with her husband to raise their two daughters here. Dani is happiest by the sea and loves dancing and spending time with family and friends.
Jamie Weston – Associate Physiotherapy Technician
Training and clinical background-
Jamie started off her fitness career in 2015 when she completed her Level 2 fitness instructor qualification, she then completed her Level 3 personal training qualification then finally completing her GP referral Level 3 qualification. Jamie previously worked in Leisure Centres and gyms running her own fitness classes including Aqua Boxing, Spinning and Kettle Bell classes. Jamie then got her current job in 2018 as a Physiotherapy Technician working for the NHS. Jamie will soon be completing her Assistant Practitioner degree along side her Physiotherapy Technician job.
Personal background-
In her spare time Jamie enjoys going to the gym on a regular basis and riding her horse May around the beautiful countryside and competing May in the show seasons.
Justyna Adams – Associate Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist
Justyna is an experienced musculo-skeletal physiotherapist. She has a wealth of experience working in the NHS and privately. She has a strong background in manual techniques and sports massage. We are fortunate to have Justyna to run our MSK clinic on Tuesday evenings.
When not busy working, she enjoys spending time with her young family.
Daisy Dodd – Apprentice Business Administrator
We welcome Daisy starting with our team as a business administrator apprentice. Daisy studied at Churston Ferrers Grammar School, completing her G.C.S.E’s before attending South Devon College and completing a Beauty Therapy Diploma. Following this, she changed her focus to studying Business and is now studying level 3 Business administration through South Devon College’s apprentice scheme. Daisy enjoys spending her spare time with family, friends and her pets. Daisy is looking forward to learning and developing new skills working with us.
Tom Kent – Associate Physio Technician
Thomas qualified as a Sports Therapist in 2013 from the University of Worcester and also spent some of his degree in America working with elite collegiate sport in Indiana. Thomas has since worked as part of the academy medical team at Plymouth Argyle Football Club and spent 3 years with the community physiotherapy team in Paignton. Tom now works as part of the Cystic Fibrosis team at the Royal Devon and Exeter hospital specialising in cardiopulmonary exercise testing, supporting patients airway clearance and specialised exercised for patients with severe lung disease.
Tom enjoys weightlifting and plays football for a local team in the Torbay area.