Meet the Team

Our skilled team of professionals are the backbone of Open Arms Support. Their ideas help shape the direction of our business as it continues to develop..

Nikki Findlay

Clinical Director

Holds a Masters degree in Occupational Therapy and a BA(hons) in Psychology. Nikki has completed various post-graduate training including sensory integration modules 1, 2 & 3 and the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule.

Nikki has a clinical background of working with children, young people and adults with mental health difficulties and learning needs.

Jemma Baker

Vicki Bowden

Senior Occupational Therapist

Holds a BSc(hons) in Occupational Therapy and has completed various post-graduate training including sensory integration modules 1, 2 & 3.

Vicki has a clinical background of working with children, young people and adults with complex needs and behaviours of concern. She has a particular interest in positive behaviour support (PBS).

Senior Occupational Therapist

Jemma joined the team in July 2021, she holds a BSc(Hons) in Occupational Therapy and has completed post-graduate training in the Zones of Regulation, Therapeutic Listening, Positive Behaviour Support Coaching and Ayres’ Sensory Integration Therapy modules 1,2 and 3.

Jemma has worked as a school-based occupational therapist with children and young people with Autism Spectrum Disorder and Social, Emotional and Mental Health difficulties. She also has a clinical background of working with adults with mental health and learning difficulties.

Jemma enjoys using clients’ individual interests to promote their engagement in the assessment and treatment process.

Dawn Paul

Apprentice Occupational Therapist

Dawn joined the team in September 2020, she has studied with the Open University for diplomas in Children and Young People’s Workforce’ and Working with Children and Families, as well as an apprenticeship in Early Learning and Childcare. She has studied short courses in Autism Awareness, behavioural approaches and sensory processing.

Dawn has a background in working with children with autism and additional needs in both mainstream and specialist schools. She is particularly interested in pre-verbal communication.

Dawn is currently working towards her Yoga Practitioner qualification and once completed Dawn will be able to provide Yoga classes to children and adults, helping support their well-being, motor skills, and all over health.

Mel Germon

Occupational Therapy Assistant

Mel joined the team in October 2022 and has over 15 years' experience of working with children and young people within a complex needs provision.

Specialising in supporting children with needs in occupational therapy, hearing and vision.

Mel also holds an NVQ Level 3 in Speech & Language Therapy, a Diploma in Supporting Children with Hearing Loss and is qualified in Signalong.

Sarah Carrigan

Counsellor

Sarah is an integrative counsellor, who is qualified to work with children, young people and adults. Sarah is a registered member of BACP.

Though able to work with clients over numerous issues, Sarah specialises in trauma be it emanating from childhood or current and in counselling children and young people with complex special needs. Sarah's work is holistic and always focuses on the need of the client.

Fritha Fayers

Speech and Language Therapist

Fritha is a highly specialist children’s Speech and Language Therapist with over 10 years of clinical experience.

Fritha has worked within the NHS and local statutory providers as well the independent sector, helping to support hundreds of children with speech, language and communication difficulties and their families.

Fritha loves working with children, their families and other professionals and really values spending time to get to know and understand each child as an individual. She uses this valuable insight, in combination with up-to-date evidence based assessments and therapeutic approaches, to provide truly individualised, child-centred intervention programmes.

Ashley Stokoe

Administration Assistant

Ashley joined the team in November 2020 and is a key member of the administration team. Based in the office, Ashley supports the therapists in preparing reports

Ella

Therapy Dog

Ella is our newest therapy dog and is waiting for her PAT assessment before she can become a fully fledged member of the team.

Ella is an ex-racing greyhound and still likes to run and play. Once Ella has passed her assessment she will be working with children and young people who have a lot of energy!