Becky Micklethwaite
MSc, BSc (Hons)
Children’s Occupational Therapist | Director
Becky qualified in 2011 with a BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy from the University of Southampton. Since then she has specialised in neurological practice and has over 10 years experience providing neurorehabilitation and complex disability management to both adults and children. Becky has also completed a post-registration MSc in Advanced Occupational Therapy, choosing optional modules in neurological practice. She is passionate about using her critical appraisal skills to ensure that the treatments she provides are evidence-based.
In 2019, Becky moved into the area of paediatrics, working in a National Specialist Centre for children with brain injury. Here she had the opportunity to learn and work with specialists in neurorehabilitation, developing her skills and finding her love of working with children and young people. Becky is experienced in implementing a wide variety of treatment approaches to overcome physical, cognitive, sensory and behavioural challenges associated with the child’s brain injury. Most importantly, Becky enjoys the fun and creativity of working with children and young people, personalising activities and resources to maximise motivation and participation in therapy.
Alongside this role, Becky also began working in the private sector with children with brain injury in the community. Becky has a special interest in enabling and enhancing participation in the community, partnering with children and families to co-create life after acquired brain injury. She recognises that empowering the people around the child, ensures they have the knowledge and skills to maximise the child’s autonomy, giving them the environment they need to thrive.
In 2022, Becky decided to combine all her passions: working with children and young people after acquired brain injury in their home and community; leading her to set up Participate Children’s Therapy.
Clare Sugarman-Clarke
MSc, BSc (Hons)
Children’s Occupational Therapist
Clare is an experienced and enthusiastic occupational therapist who specialises in work with babies, children and young people. She strives to enhance the quality of life of those she works with, bringing meaning to what they do, regardless of disability or illness. Her family-centred approach ensures that interventions are realistic and targeted as well as fun, engaging and motivating.
Clare qualified with a BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy (2008) from the University of Southampton, subsequently working in both adult and paediatric services in a range of acute and community settings that include adult mental health, adult learning disabilities, specialist and mainstream schools, paediatric assessment clinics and paediatric in-patient services. She has supported people with diagnoses that include cerebral palsy, multi-sensory impairment, stroke, brain tumour, cancer, acquired brain injury, neurodegenerative conditions, and syndromes without a name. She has worked extensively with babies and young children, including those who are premature and with life limiting illnesses. After working in community settings for over 7 years, Clare moved to a specialist children’s hospital in London, where she became service lead for the Oncology, Haematology, Immunology, Infectious Disease and Bone-Marrow Transplant Service.
Clare completed a post-registration MSc in Occupational Therapy at Brunel University (2015), where she specialised in paediatrics, undertaking a research project exploring the experience of mothers whose children are deafblind and the impact of this on their mothering role. She received an Early Researcher Award from the Royal College of Occupational Therapy following a presentation of her research at the National Conference in 2016.
Clare currently lectures in Occupational Therapy at the University of Brighton, teaching on BSc and MSc programmes and supervising students’ research projects.