Positive OT & Case Management expands team to meet growing demand across the North of England
Positive OT & Case Management is delighted to welcome seven new Occupational Therapists and Case Managers to the team, further strengthening the organisation’s ability to support adults and children who have experienced catastrophic and life-changing injuries across the North of England. Joining the team are Sally Hastings, Rebecca Parr, Rachel Taylor, Lauren Cregeen, Kelly Macleod, Jenny Cooper and Beth Thorpe, who collectively bring decades of clinical expertise across neurorehabilitation, paediatrics, catastrophic injury, complex disability, vocational rehabilitation, environmental adaptations and community-based care. Each new team member shares Positive OT & Case Management’s values of compassion, collaboration and empowering individuals to achieve meaningful outcomes following life-changing injury or illness. Meet the new team members Sally Hastings is a highly experienced HCPC-registered Occupational Therapist with over 20 years’ experience supporting adults with complex and long-term conditions. Her expertise includes acquired brain injury, spinal cord injury, stroke, dementia and progressive neurological conditions, alongside extensive experience coordinating complex care packages and supporting individuals to remain independent within their homes and communities. Rebecca Parr is a Senior Occupational Therapist and Occupational Therapist, with over a decade of experience in complex community occupational therapy, rehabilitation and risk management. Rebecca has particular expertise in neurological rehabilitation, environmental adaptations, moving and handling, and developing sustainable systems of care for individuals with complex physical and cognitive needs. Rachel Taylor is an Occupational Therapist and trainee Sensory Integration Practitioner. Rachel has worked across NHS, local authority and private practice settings, supporting children and adults with physical disabilities, birth injuries, amputations, spinal injuries and complex trauma. She is passionate about delivering person-centred rehabilitation and continually developing her skills to provide the best possible outcomes for clients. Lauren Cregeen is a Case Manager and Occupational Therapist, bringing extensive experience managing rehabilitation and care for clients with catastrophic and life-changing injuries. Alongside her case management expertise, Lauren undertakes specialist occupational therapy assessments and is highly experienced in coordinating multidisciplinary rehabilitation programmes and complex support arrangements. Kelly Macleod is an Occupational Therapist and Case Manager. With more than 15 years’ experience across acute, community and neurorehabilitation services, Kelly supports adults and children with traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries and complex neurological conditions. Her collaborative approach ensures rehabilitation programmes are tailored to each client’s goals and aspirations. Jenny Cooper is an Occupational Therapist and Case Manager, bringing specialist expertise in vocational rehabilitation, neurological rehabilitation and complex case management. Jenny has extensive experience supporting people following life-changing injuries and is passionate about helping clients maximise independence and where possible, return to meaningful occupation. Beth Thorpe is an Occupational Therapist with more than 18 years’ clinical experience and a particular specialism in paediatrics. Beth has spent the last 14 years supporting infants, children and young people with complex developmental, neurological and physical needs. Her expertise includes acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, neuromuscular conditions and sensory processing differences, and she is committed to helping children and families achieve meaningful, long-term outcomes. For more information, please visit our Team page.
Our client, Arron takes on the National 3 Peaks Challenge in Support of Pitt Hopkins UK
Our client, Arron takes on the National 3 Peaks Challenge in Support of Pitt Hopkins UK GoFundMe This July, one of our clients, Arron, will be taking on the National 3 Peaks Challenge alongside his support worker, Garry, to raise funds for Pitt Hopkins UK. Arron, together with his childhood friend Thorne, will attempt to climb the three highest peaks in Scotland, England and Wales, Ben Nevis, Scafell Pike and Snowdon, over the course of three days. The challenge will see them cover approximately 23 miles of mountainous terrain, ascend more than 10,000 feet, and travel around 1,050 miles between locations. For most people, this would be an exhausting physical undertaking. For Arron, it represents something far greater. Arron lives with an acquired brain injury (ABI) and faces daily cognitive and physical challenges that are not always visible to others. These include memory difficulties, reduced motivation, challenges with planning and executive decision-making, communication difficulties, and sensitivity to changes in routine. He also manages physical impacts such as balance difficulties, joint problems, and epilepsy, all of which add further complexity to undertaking a challenge of this scale. Despite these barriers, Arron has developed a strong passion for walking and continually pushing his own boundaries. Over recent years, he has completed a number of endurance walks and personal challenges, demonstrating remarkable determination, resilience and commitment to personal goals. The National 3 Peaks Challenge will test Arron physically, mentally and emotionally. However, he is determined to take on this challenge not only to push his own limits, but also to raise awareness of acquired brain injury and the often unseen challenges faced by those living with it. This challenge also holds deep personal significance for Arron, as he is undertaking it in support of his goddaughter, Chaeli (Thorne’s daughter), who has a diagnosis of Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. With the support of his support worker, Garry throughout the journey, Arron is aiming not only to complete the challenge, but also to inspire others and highlight what can be achieved with the right support in place. We are incredibly proud of Arron for taking on this challenge and would warmly welcome support from colleagues, friends and the wider community. In particular, we invite others to join and cheer Arron on during the final climb up Snowdon on 24th July, including Positive Support staff and those who have been part of his rehabilitation journey. Any donations, large or small, will help raise vital funds for Pitt Hopkins UK and provide encouragement to Arron as he takes on this extraordinary challenge.