About Us
Welcome to Reclaim Mobility, a specialist rehabilitation company in Rayleigh, Essex. We’re excited to introduce our Multi-disciplinary Rehabilitation Team. They are committed to providing individualised, evidence-based rehabilitation for various conditions. They excel in addressing neurological conditions like Stroke, Parkinson’s Disease and Multiple Sclerosis. They also handle mobility challenges following ill health, surgery, or frailty. Our team offers bespoke programs within the comfort of your own home. Learn how they work together to restore your independence and mobility.
Meet our Rehabilitation Team
Nicola Rickards
Director and Specialist Physiotherapist
Nicola Rickards brings over 17 years of NHS and private sector experience, specialising in Stroke and Neurological Rehabilitation. As a local leader in her field, her expertise encompasses upper limb rehabilitation and mobility training, with a particular skill in spasticity management. Nicola holds Master's-level qualifications and is driven by a passion that led to the founding of Reclaim Mobility. She strongly believes in making quality therapy accessible to everyone, irrespective of their ability to travel, disability, or financial constraints. Her approach is tailored, endeavouring to provide a rehabilitation package that meets individual needs. After doing independent physiotherapy for many years, she realised the benefits to her clients for them to have access to a team of different professionals who can work collaboratively to help her clients achieve their therapy goals. From this desire for a team approach, Reclaim Mobility was founded. In addition to her professional pursuits, Nicola is a dedicated mother to two young children. Much of her time is spent juggling the demands of being a taxi driver for her family, preventing the cat from clawing the furniture, and navigating the ever-present hazard of stepping on Lego! Away from her responsibilities, Nicola enjoys running, exercising, and unwinding with a good book, accompanied by a glass of wine and some chocolate.
Jackie Barry
Specialist Physiotherapist
Jackie Barry is an accomplished Specialist Community/Neurological Physiotherapist and has been part of our team since 2023. With over 15 years of community-based work, her passion lies in treating individuals in their own homes, aiding them in regaining mobility, independence, and confidence. Specialising in neurological conditions, particularly long-term ailments like Parkinson’s Disease and MS, Jackie also possesses expertise in orthopaedic conditions. She says, “Treating people in their own homes is a privilege and often the best place to enable patients to reach their optimum mobility and function,” and this encapsulates her dedication.
Sam Shelley
Specialist Occupational Therapist
Bringing extensive experience to the table, Sam Shelley - who qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2003 - is a key figure in our Rehabilitation Team. Sam found the love for Occupational Therapy when she was just 18 and witnessed for herself the benefits of what an OT could do for a loved one with a brain injury. She soon realised it was the career for her and now after two decades since working in both private and NHS sectors, where she has extensive experience working in the acute and long-term Rehabilitation sector for Stroke and Brain Injury patients. Recently, Sam's involvement with the Long Covid Team has deepened her expertise in managing breathlessness, fatigue, stress, and cognitive difficulties. Sam also has a passion for supporting those at risk of falls and has been forthcoming at putting together the Reclaim Mobiliity falls package. Due to personal experience herself, Sam also has a keen interest in supporting mothers in the perinatal stages who may be suffering from pelvic girdle pain and fatigue.
Anne O'Neill
Specialist Physiotherapist
Anne O'Neill, a dedicated member of our Rehabilitation Team, has been working both in the NHS and privately for over two decades. Her journey in helping others began early, assisting an elderly neighbour from the age of 12. This experience sparked her lifelong commitment to aiding people in achieving personal goals, regaining mobility and functioning independently in their homes. Anne's expertise covers a wide range of conditions, including neurological, orthopaedic, surgical, oncology, frailty, falls and dementia. Additionally, she specialises in spasticity management and gait, and balance re-education, making her an invaluable asset to our team.
Liz Woodley
Senior Rehabilitation Assistant
Liz Woodley's dedication to improving others' independence and quality of life is deeply personal, stemming from her father's severe stroke 20 years ago. Her career in the NHS began 12 years ago, initially on an advanced Dementia ward, and later she joined a community support team. Liz's journey in healthcare led her to work with stroke survivors and patients with unstable fractures, culminating in a Distinction in her studies with Allied Health (NHS). Currently, she is instrumental in supporting people at home and in residential settings with their therapy goals and exercises, closely collaborating with the team's therapists.
Dr. Denise Bevan
Clinical Psychologist
Dr. Denise Bevan, our chartered Clinical Psychologist, has over 12 years of experience in both the NHS and private sectors. Working in diverse settings, including inpatient wards and community environments, she has developed substantial expertise in treating clients of all ages. Her main areas of focus include anxiety disorders, depression and support for those adjusting to life with chronic health conditions. Collaborating closely with the multidisciplinary team, Denise plays a crucial role in supporting clients on their path to improving their quality of life.
Kirsty Jenkins
Specialist Speech and Language Therapist
Kirsty Jenkins, our lead Speech and Language Therapist for the stroke team, transitioned to this role after gaining valuable experience as an SLT assistant. With nine years of service in the NHS, she has assisted many individuals and their families in regaining and adapting communication and swallowing skills following strokes and other medical conditions. Her commitment to helping people achieve the best outcomes in communication and swallowing skills underlines her passion for enhancing their quality of life.
Clair Fox
Senior Rehab Assistant:
Bio - Coming Soon!
