Meet the new council members

Sylvia Wojciechowski, lead advanced practice physiotherapist and orthopaedic strategy lead, Frimley Health Trust

I qualified in 1996, and my passion for physiotherapy continues to grow. My current role allows me to work across boundaries with a wide range of stakeholders proudly promoting the value of our profession as well as other AHP roles. 

Having been lucky enough to be part of a leadership programme in 2018, I came to realise that one of the things that gives me greatest energy is meeting new people and collaborating with them to think about new ways of working, which was one of the reasons I put myself forward for CSP Council. The opportunity to hear from you as members, telling your story and what matters to you, gives me a sense of great excitement of what we can achieve together.

I believe the experience I continue to gain in my current leadership role, will support the values needed to hear and understand all viewpoints before making decisions to ensure that I can move forward with integrity on behalf of the profession. As one of my favourite proverbs says “If you want to go fast go alone. If you want to go far, go together” and so I hope I can listen to as many of you as possible.

Jack Chew, chief executive officer – J&CC Enterprises Ltd

Many thanks to those who voted, I will endeavour to do you proud and represent the whole membership.

In my opinion, timing is everything when it comes to influencing change. Over the years I’ve enjoyed conversations with CSP president Catherine Pope, CEO Karen Middleton and outgoing chair of council Alex MacKenzie who have encouraged me to run for council, but it is only now in this time of relative instability that I feel I could best be of service.

I’m confident that the principle of functional rehabilitation can be a great unifier for our profession. Whether, like me, you treat adults with pain and injury or, like my wife, you treat acutely unwell children; scaling an individual’s function towards their personalised goals is primary.

The state of flux that we’re in clinically and politically presents significant challenges but even larger opportunities. The country needs rehabilitating; who better to do that than us, together!

I look forward to working with and for you all! Do get in touch with any comments, questions or suggestions. I’m active on Twitter or drop me an email.

Kelly Walker, associate professor in physiotherapy, University of East Anglia, Norwich

Thank you so much for the votes I received. I am extremely grateful to have been given this opportunity and I intend to do all I can to facilitate the work of the CSP in supporting its members and the progress of the profession.

I am motivated to listen and learn from our members and the experts and to find answers collaboratively and will bring to the committee a questioning, critical and open-minded approach.

I graduated in 1997 and have been a CSP member since I was a student. My 28 years of experience as a student, clinician, lecturer, and course director has given me great insight and the opportunity to focus on the physiotherapist of the future in an evolving health and social care context. One of the key priorities for curriculum development in my role as course director is embedding the knowledge, skills and behaviours to respect and promote diversity.

And my key priorities from working in neurology have been achieving true person-centred rehab with self-management and sustainability.

I look forward to the work ahead, in achieving the council’s role of providing leadership for the profession.

Srikesavan Sabapathy, clinical lead therapist at NHS Gloucestershire

After graduating from the Government College of Physiotherapy, Trichy, India in 1998, I gained experience in academic teaching and administration including initiating and leading a physiotherapy programme. I moved to Canada in 2009 for an MSc in medical rehabilitation on scholarship. I later worked for two years in an acute hospital in Canada.

Moving to the UK in 2015, I joined as a major trauma inpatient physiotherapist. I also completed the CSP leadership programme, and this laid the foundation for my leadership journey in the UK.

I am an elected (public) governor at Oxford Health NHSFT and also volunteer as a governor of a special needs school.
With a full-time job and caring for a son with learning disabilities, why did I choose to stand for CSP Council? My ticket out of extreme poverty was this profession and I always look for opportunities to give back my time.

My promise is to work to my strengths within the governance structures. I love challenging the status quo and being a positive disruptor and will carry these qualities into my role at the CSP.

Gill Rawlinson, director of allied and public health, University of Salford

I’m delighted and privileged to have been elected for council and thank you to all those voted.

As we take up our role as new council members, I look forward to working together to make lasting change.  I have been a CSP member for almost 30 years and can draw on my experiences as a clinician, educator, leader and researcher. 

I am particularly passionate about development of the physiotherapy workforce, career pathways and service delivery transformation and I am committed to ensuring we work together, across NHS and provide practice settings to deliver quality, accessible rehabilitation and physiotherapy care for everyone, when and where they need it.

Another of my passions is ensuring everyone can feel that they are welcome and can belong in our profession. Although we are becoming more diverse, we know that those from marginalised groups are still being disadvantaged in universities and in the workplace. 

As a council member I want everyone to see that the CSP is our professional body and union and it’s in all of our gift to work together to lead to shape it to be what we want it to be both now, and for the future.

Katherine Ashmore, clinical lead and director of Ashmore Physio, Teddington.  Founder of ‘The Clinicians’ Den’, Facebook group

I started in the NHS in 2002 as a physiotherapy assistant and stayed to advanced practice. I’ve been in private practice for the last seven years. My passion for people and caring for people has never changed.  I have seen first-hand the scope of practice and time taken by physios to see the whole patient. 

I aim to support a better understanding both in the private sector and in the NHS for each other and others. To change the culture of ‘them and us’ to one of unity. To promote supporting our wellbeing and respect of all our membership, as well as education. Helping further feedback opportunities and support so that all the membership feels safe and inclined to do so – reducing stress and burnout. And to raise our profile as a profession and highlight the need to be paid appropriately. 

I’m looking forward to being part of the CSP Council team and using my experiences to listen, act and help influence important strategies and decisions. 

This role is a privilege, and I am hugely honoured to have been voted in. Thank you for your trust in me and to everyone who voted this year.  I aim to do that faith justice.