A centre dedicated to physical and mental health rehabilitation

Wadge has worked within the exercise and rehabilitation sector for 35 years and has a BSc in Sports Science. As Centre Director, Wadge oversees all activities at the Centre. He is a senior member of the Royal Society of Medicine and is the Medical Referral Consultant for The Reach for Health Centre.

Wadge has a special interest in stroke and completed a Masters module in Stroke Rehabilitation awarded by Middlesex University London and ARNI in 2015. In 2003 he was accredited by the NHS as a Willing Provider to the Health Service. Beginning mid 2018 he will be teaching trainee doctors in continuing rehabilitation care of patients following hospital discharge.

Dan first came to The Reach for Health Centre in 2011 on referral following a sports injury. He quickly became a member of the centre and seeing the type of work done at Reach for Health, he decided that the concept of rehabilitation and helping others was something he wished to pursue. In fact he was so passionate about the type of therapy and help provided that he asked for a job whilst still at school and focused his further education specifically to work at The Reach for Health Centre.

In 2017 Dan achieved a BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science. In 2019, Dan then achieved an MSc in Physiotherapy (pre-registration).

Karen has taken exercise and fitness classes all of her adult life. She became a member of The Reach for Health Centre through a recommendation of a user of the facility who thought her amputee son would benefit from the expertise at the Centre. The atmosphere and people using the Centre encouraged her to progress to become a volunteer. Not content with that, she studied for and gained a certificate as a fitness instructor in 2013. She went on, the following year, to complete her Personal Trainer qualification with an additional specialism in Older Adult Coaching and Exercise on Referral. The latter enables her to carry out general medical referrals at The Reach for Health Centre. In addition, Karen holds a certificate in Counselling and is a British Heart Foundation HeartStart Instructor.

Karen enjoys what she terms the ‘family atmosphere’ that embodies everything we do at The Reach for Health Centre, caring not just for those who need our direct help but their carers and family members as well.

Harriet first joined The Reach For Health Centre in 2015 as an apprentice whilst playing semi-professional football for Derby County’s 1st team.  She has a passion for all sport and obtained a Distinction in Sports Coaching and Fitness whilst at college. Since joining us, Harriet has gained her Level 2 Gym Instructor, Level 2 Business Management, Level 3 Personal Trainer and Level 3 Exercise Medical Referral qualifications. She is determined to further develop her knowledge and skills. Harriet finds her inspiration and greatest reward in making a positive difference by helping people live better lives whatever their challenges may be.

Maisy first started at The Reach For Health Centre to complete work experience in 2013. From this, she carriedon to be a volunteer during school, sixth form and University. In 2019, she graduated with a 2:1 in BSc (Hons) Physical Activity and Health at Leeds Beckett University. There she focused on how to design and deliver physical activity interventions that have a lasting and positive impact on people’s lives and enhance the nation’s health through prevention and treatment methods. She further covered key topics such as obesity management, science in adults and older adults and the rehabilitation of referred populations. Alongside her studies in Leeds, she obtained her Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Exercise Referral qualification. Maisy is putting the skills and knowledge she has gained through University into practice at The Reach For Health Centre.

Liz first learned of The Reach for Health Centre when she was referred by her GP for an ankle injury. She quickly realised that the benefits of exercise helped not just physical but mental wellbeing and she became a volunteer and gym buddy.
In March 2015 Liz became an employee at The Reach for Health Centre to take over our back office administration. In addition she decided to pursue her fitness studies and she gained her Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification that year. She has also since become a British Heart Foundation HeartStart Instructor.

Today Liz splits her time between her admin duties and working with people at the centre.

Liz sums up The Reach for Health Centre:

“There is no ‘one size fits all’ here, everyone is welcome. We are a unique centre offering a highly personalised service which helps with the anxiety often felt when coming into a rehabilitation setting.”

Connor has always been interested in sports coaching and fitness as his Grandfather was a Sports Coach. He began his studies with a BTEC in Physical Education whilst still at school. He went onto college and studied exercise science covering topics including nutrition, fitness and rehabilitation massage. He then decided to focus on Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation resulting in his obtaining a foundation degree in sports therapy.

Connor became a volunteer at Reach for Health in 2017 and found his greatest enjoyment was in helping others to make a positive difference in their health and fitness. He soon became very popular with those attending the centre and has quickly become a valued member of staff as one of our Rehabilitation Coaches.