Our Team
Bridges brings together a wealth of clinical and lived experience in both our core team and our associate team.
We have been delivering training and undertaking research in personalised self-management support, built on the academic research of Professor Fiona Jones, since 2013.
Learn about our history here, and meet our team below.
Our core team support the day-to-day operation of Bridges. Contact us on admin@bridgesselfmanagement.org.uk
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FionaCEO & Founding Director
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Fiona is the founder of Bridges and also Professor in Rehabilitation Research at City St George’s University of London. She has extensive experience of healthcare through her work in clinical pathways, teaching and research, and has worked in community, acute and university sectors. Fiona’s research has been driven by the need to find new, effective and creative ways to deliver high quality personalised self-management support. She has been using co-design and mixed methods research for many years and has worked with research partners both nationally and internationally. She values ‘super-listening’, and the creativity involved in developing interventions people want and need. Also supporting healthcare staff to connect to their professional values and find purpose in delivering high quality healthcare interactions that are truly collaborative.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you
I love the feeling of the energy when ideas start to flow, and this only happens with space and time to reflect either alone or with friends and family. So, I enjoy a chat (over wine!) and headspace when walking my dog, Bonny.
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CharlotteHead of Operations
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Charlotte brings over 10 years of operational and leadership experience in the field of disability across the charity, education, and health sectors to her role as Head of Operations here at Bridges. Charlotte has previously led various services, social enterprises and charities, and now oversees the planning and delivery of the organisation’s projects and activities, driving the growth of Bridges’ impact nationally.
Having lived experience of a sibling with autism and learning disabilities and a background in Psychology, Charlotte is driven by organisations that deliver real impact for individuals and their families. She strongly believes in the power of collaboration and learning from everyone’s experiences to deliver meaningful systems change.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
I love that feeling when you’ve turned off your screens, stopped scrolling, and get into a really good book with a cup of tea. I don’t make enough time for it but when I do, I am at my most content!
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PaulaCo-Production & Innovation Lead
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Paula has worked for over twenty-five years as an Occupational Therapist within the NHS, predominantly in the field of neurorehabilitation. In 2017 she completed a two-year clinical research associate secondment where she completed a project looking into carers’ experiences when visiting a stroke ward.
Paula has always had a strong interest in collaborative working styles and she values how co-design is embedded throughout Bridges from research and quality improvement projects through to workshop delivery.
When working clinically, participating in the workshops enhanced the way Paula worked with patients and their families by adopting personalised self-management approaches early on in rehabilitation.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
A few years ago, I joined the park run community which has really helped me through some tricky times. Whether it’s running or volunteering, or catching up with members over a coffee it gives me both a sense of purpose and simultaneously some me time.
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ClareLearning & Development Lead
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Clare’s background is as an older person’s physiotherapist with a special interest in dementia. She completed and published her Masters in Clinical Research which focused on the perceptions of the emerging role of physiotherapists who work with people living with dementia. She has a passion to enhance people’s lives through meaningful human connections. Clare brings a variety of experiences to the team including acute and community-based NHS roles working directly with patients in acute health crises and those with long term conditions. She has also expanded her role to lead interdisciplinary teams and worked across sectors collaborating with creative musical and research experts to design, deliver and develop movement to music projects.
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ScottCo-Production & Quality Manager
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Scott is Bridges’ Co-production and Quality Manager and has worked with Bridges since 2018 in several roles. He draws on his experience as a physiotherapist, his time in the NHS and voluntary sectors, and his perspective as a stroke survivor. He contributes to workshop development, implementation, research, and co-production and speaks at UK and international conferences on healthcare policy.
Scott values helping people recognise that, as a patient, he brings valuable insight to the clinician–patient relationship. When this is acknowledged and nurtured, real change happens, improving interactions and outcomes.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
Sitting down with my wife and daughter at the end of the day over some nice food and all discussing our day.
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JackPA to Co-Production & Quality Manager
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Jack is the support worker to Scott who is the Bridges’ Co-production and Quality Manager, He has been in the role since 2021. Jack has embedded himself into a wider support role across the Bridges team, helping with a variety of administrative tasks and tech support such as editing videos and helping run the online workshops. Jack also puts his previous experience in logistics to good use when helping to co-ordinate the setup of workshop groups, the organisation of Champions and running of any of Bridges live events.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
Going to watch Brighton and Hove Albion FC play football with my Dad.
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StephenOperations Coordinator
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Stephen ensures that training runs smoothly for participants by providing coordination and administration support throughout the workshop cycle, as well as undertaking other operational roles. Before joining Bridges Stephen worked in Learning and Development, writing and delivering in person and remote training. Stephen is interested in the importance of language, narrative, and dialogue in the Bridges approach.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
I try to draw something every day. For the amount of time I’ve spent doing it it’s definitely not good, and it’s not always enjoyable or relaxing, but it’s a time I feel most like me.
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HelenLearning & Development Associate
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Helen has worked as a Physiotherapist in the NHS for over 20 years, predominantly in the field of neurorehabilitation. She has also had the opportunity to work in South Africa in 2005 and Haiti following the earthquake in 2010. These experiences really showed her the importance of true listening and not trying to always fix things for people.
Helen completed the bridges training in 2022 and remains very passionate about implementing and sustaining this approach in her practice. She really values the importance of connection, working collaboratively with the person and their support networks to build their confidence in what is most important to them.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
Running. Getting out in the fresh air. I think the combination of being in a quiet space, on my own and in the fresh air. I find this helps to energise my body and calms my mind. Running gives me perspective and some me time.
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NickyResearch & Innovation Associate
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Nicola is a Research Nurse with over 30 years of experience caring for patients and supporting research that aims to improve people’s health in both the NHS and University. She has worked on many different types of studies and previously led wound‑healing research at Cardiff University. Nicola is passionate about research that truly listens to patients and puts their needs at the centre.
Nicola trained in the Bridges approach during the LISTEN trial and continued using it in the TIPTOE study. She loves how Bridges focuses on understanding what matters most to each person and how working together can help people feel more confident and able to enjoy the things that are important to them.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
Sitting on a beach in West Wales with my family — a beautiful, calming place that is special to us all.
Associates & Partners
Our associate team utilise extensive clinical and lived experience of a variety of long-term conditions to co-deliver and co-design our workshops, and undertake a number of roles across our research projects.
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AnneLived Experience Associate
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Anne joined Bridges following her involvement in the co-production and training of the LISTEN project. She has lived with the debilitating effects of Long Covid/ME/CFS since 2021.
Anne has extensive experience of working in the public sector, including working for a large local special educational needs and disabilities (SEND) charity. She directly supported parents through the EHCP process, worked in data/reporting roles, and managed a team co-ordinating the statutory children’s disability registers for two local authorities.
Anne completed a psychology degree while raising her children and is very interested in how power relations impact all aspects of our lives. Her experience of parent/professional interactions in the SEND system has significant parallels with those of patients in healthcare, and she is especially interested in the impact of language and power dynamics in patient/HCP relationships and outcomes.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
I love to get out for a walk. I am fortunate to live between the Downs and the sea, right next to a nature reserve. Being out in in my happy place, seeing big skies, big views, plants, and birds feeds my soul.
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HelenLived Experience Associate
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Helen was 23 when she suffered a serious stroke, a couple of days after graduating from University whilst out running. She lost the movement through her left side and suffered with significant fatigue and cognitive difficulties. Helen spent a month in hospital learning how to walk again but has spent many years since her stroke working on residual difficulties.
Helen retrained as a physiotherapist after she was inspired by the therapy she received. She worked for the NHS in neurological rehabilitation and now works within Rehabilitation Case Management, coordinating rehabilitation for those involved in complex major Trauma.
Helen knows she was very fortunate with the therapy she received in the years after her stroke but not everyone is quite so lucky. She has first-hand experience in navigating head injury rehabilitation through the NHS but also as a therapy provider in the NHS and personal injury sectors.
Helen believes that a patient centered approach is essential for optimum patient engagement, and she is passionate about the Bridges self-management approaches in rehabilitation.
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HollyLived Experience Associate
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Holly has lived experience of cancer having been diagnosed in 2017 at the same time as becoming a mum. After 18 months of treatment and recovery she returned to work as a physiotherapist in a stroke rehabilitation unit. It was whilst working on this unit that she completed her Bridges training in 2022. Holly now works in a community stroke and neurology service supporting people with a range of neurological conditions using the Bridges approach.
Holly’s experience of the benefits of Bridges in practice has driven her passion to share her lived experience of cancer in the co-delivery of Bridge’s training to cancer care professionals.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
Parkrun! Running was an important part of my recovery from cancer treatment. My first small step was to download the Couch to 5k app as I worked towards my goal of doing a Parkrun with some “new mum” friends! We’ve been doing Parkrun together ever since and our Saturday morning run and chat is always a highlight of my week.
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JamieLived Experience Partner
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In 2015, Jamie was involved in a serious road traffic accident, 8 months after graduating with a Master of Physics.
Although he suffered many catastrophic injuries, it was the severity of his traumatic brain injury that was life-changing. He spent 7 months in hospital and the long term prognosis was poor.
In recent years, Jamie has been invited to speak at several Catastrophic Brain Injury conferences about his journey. The severity of his injuries and incredible recovery make him well qualified.
The Bridges approach strongly resonates with Jamie’s beliefs, and he hopes to convey to others that a small shift in approach or attitude can produce unimaginable results.What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
I love meeting up with my university friends, as I can talk with ease, enjoy shared humour, and not be concerned about memory lapses. Their light-hearted teasing is something I value. Being around them allows me to reconnect with aspects of my confident, carefree past.
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JenClinical Associate
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Jenny began her Bridges Self-Management journey in April 2016 as a course participant. Since then she has advanced to the role of Associate Trainer, using her current experience as an NHS Physiotherapist to bring a clinical perspective to the application and implementation of the Bridges principles. Jenny has co-led workshops across acute and community settings in England and Wales. Bridges has transformed the way that she supports patients, communicates and collaborates with colleagues and approaches service developments, for example the impact of subtle changes in language to shape a balanced patient-therapist relationship. “Being part of the Bridges community is inspiring and I am committed and passionate about self-management support being a core component of NHS care throughout
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KarenClinical Associate
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Following completing the Bridges Self-Management Training over 10 years ago with the Stroke Team she was working in as an occupational therapist at the time, Karen developed a particular interest in this approach and began working as a Bridges Associate trainer.
She has co-led and independently led workshops across London, East Anglia and Ireland including acute and community services and care home teams. She continues to be a ‘Bridges Champion’ in her workplace and enjoys the opportunities that working in this way brings to the patients and staff that she works with as well as influencing team processes to be truly patient centred.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
Riding my bike! I love the sense of freedom, feeling of being outdoors and the ease of getting places, especially living in East London where there are so many parks and canals to enjoy.
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KatyClinical Associate
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Katy has enjoyed a varied career working as a Speech and Language therapist and in leadership roles in NHS hospitals, neurorehabilitation units and community teams, in the charity sector and in independent practice.
Her clinical area of interest is working with people with acquired brain injury, particularly focusing on their cognitive-communication skills. Katy enjoys working in partnership with the individual, their families and significant others, focusing on the areas that are of personal importance, and enabling them to feel more confident and knowledgeable about managing their communication changes.
She is also a professional supervisor and mentor for Allied Health Professionals and advocates for the importance of clinicians prioritising time for professional reflection and their own self-care.
Katy first became aware of Bridges when working at the Wolfson Neurorehabilitation Centre in SW London. The Bridges principles closely align with her own values, and she has always been inspired by the organisation’s co-production approach.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
At the weekend, being at home with my family and three cats and making a tasty meal from a new recipe while my favourite music plays in the background.
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LynneLived Experience Associate
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Lynne was diagnosed with MS in 1995. She had just embarked on a new career in teaching having had her 2 children in the late 80s. The diagnosis eventually led to another career change when she joined the Expert Patient Programme as a Lead Trainer in Northamptonshire. During this time, she delivered many self-management programmes to hundreds of people living with a wide range of conditions. She has worked with NHS England, National Voices and was a member of The Health Foundation’s National Support Team during the roll out of their Co-creating Health project. After 30 years of living with MS she regards herself as an optimal self-manager who lives life to the full!
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
I love being outdoors in the countryside so rambles on my Mountain Trike have enabled me to go ‘walking’ again with friends. And cycling round Leeds Urban Bike Park on an E Ice Trike fills me with joy!
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MarkLived Experience Associate
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Mark has lived experience of a long-term condition, chronic pain. A 2017 pain management program boosted his self-management skills and confidence. He established a peer support group and became an NHS lived experience partner, locally and nationally, bringing him into contact with the Bridges team and a 2022 invitation to join. He finds the Bridges ethos and approach strongly resonate with him. He especially values learning from the other, brilliant, associates, to improve his skills. Mark enjoys giving something back and supporting wonderful NHS teams to enhance the great work they already do by applying the Bridges approach.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
I feel most myself when reading history, a lifelong fascination and my degree subject. I love being transported to another time and culture, marvelling at the variety, strangeness and commonality of the past. I value and enjoy the amazing stories, insights into the present and lessons for the future.
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MeeraLived Experience Associate
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Meera trained and worked as a dentist for patients with special needs for over a decade. During this time, Meera was a clinically educator at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. Meera has a Diploma in Health Professions Education. She now has a portfolio career which includes working as an Associate Postgraduate Dean in Dental Workforce Development at NHSE in the East of England, as a Bridges Associate and as an independent educator with lived-experience in cancer education to healthcare professionals. Meera is passionate about co-production and combines her skills as clinician, educator and expert patient to improve healthcare delivery, and is trustee at the charity National Voices.
By sharing her experiences, she hopes that healthcare professionals are able to support their patients in a more personalised manner, and patients feel more empowered in their healthcare management.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
Connection. This is connection to friends, family, colleagues, and those around me. It can be through conversation, a shared sense of purpose and the feeling of belonging to a community. It can be through a conversation, an act of kindness or a collective project.
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RuthClinical Associate
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Ruth started working with the Bridges Team after attending the Bridges workshops. Ruth’s participation in the workshops resonated deeply with her clinical practice and personal beliefs, this led to her becoming a Clinical Associate. Ruth has been in this role for over a year and loves working with a wide range of NHS teams and hearing from other health professionals about their successes and challenges.
Ruth is a Speech and Language Therapist and works on an NHS stroke ward. Ruth also has lived experience of managing a long-term condition.
Ruth believes a Bridges self-management approach is achievable for all and improves job satisfaction and outcomes for service users.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
I feel most like “myself” when walking my Black labrador “Billy” along the canal near where I live. I find walking is great for my mental and physical health and helps me manage my long-term condition. Having had spells when I can’t walk, I never take walking for granted (even if the weather is bad!).
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ShaClinical Associate
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Sha brings nearly 30 years’ experience as an Occupational Therapist across academic and clinical roles, including as a senior lecturer at London South Bank University. Her clinical specialism is in Neurology with a specialist interest in stroke and long-term conditions.
She believes passionately in occupational justice and centring the right to equitable healthcare and education, and completed an MSC in Education, Power and Social Change to better understand the psychosocial dynamics of institutions of care and Health organisations and the delivery of healthcare.
Sha encountered Bridges as a senior stroke therapist in 2013. It immediately resonated, giving her permission to work in a creative and patient-centred way that enabled her to focus on an individual’s strengths and abilities, creating connection and safety in a collaborative relationship. She believes that self-management facilitates autonomy, trust, and social equity.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
Sunshine, coffee and moving my body- best if a swim in the Indian ocean is possible…
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SofieClinical Associate
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After training as a physiotherapist in London, Sofie worked for Bridges Self-Management as a research and admin assistant, completed her Bridges training and began her career long interest in supporting self-management. She specialised in Neurology and Community rehabilitation and has lots of experience embedding Bridges into practice in a variety of clinical settings, including working as an MS Specialist Physio at the Bristol Brain Centre. She now delivers workshops for Bridges, provides support for people living with osteoarthritis, using the Bridges approach (through the TIPTOE trial), and is studying part time for a Masters in Psychology.
What’s one thing that makes you feel like you?
As a mum of three young children, juggling the balance of family life, work and study, can feel overwhelming at times – so going for a swim in my local lake is my reset button – it connects me to myself, to nature and to a community of like-minded people.