About Melanie
My journey and qualifications
I qualified as a Chartered Physiotherapist in 1990 and very early on in my career I became interested in two areas – older adult rehabilitation and neurological rehabilitation.
I have specialised in these two areas for over 25 years, working initially in the NHS and then starting my business Aspire Physio in 2008. I recently changed my business name to my own name – Melanie Parker – Move with Confidence, to represent myself and the outcome that I have helped hundreds of people achieve. I believe that I am more than my professional qualification suggests and deliver value by working holistically in looking at overall well-being to help someone move forwards, supporting not only the person but the whole family.
My journey from NHS to growing a business
I enjoyed many years of working in the NHS, however I started to get frustrated with not being able to deliver the quality of service that I was trained in and believed in.
The resources in the NHS and long waiting lists meant that often I wasn’t able to see people when they needed it, which at times was detrimental for people in later years. Now I typically see people within 1 – 2 weeks to start moving them towards being more mobile and confident.
My light bulb moment
My business started from an idea I had in supporting care homes. I am very passionate about care homes having the support of health professionals and from the local community.
I believe in personalised care and improving the quality of life for those living in care homes. I started working with a group of care homes providing both Physiotherapy to maintain physical abilities and working with staff in ways to enable their residents, maintaining dignity and independence. I continue to work with people living in care homes as well as people in their own homes.
Qualifications
Diploma in Physiotherapy – Queen Elizabeth hospital, Birmingham, 1990
Masters degree in Rehabilitation – Queens Medical Centre, Nottingham, 2006 (dissertation in Multiple Sclerosis)
Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council
Member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy
Member of the Association of Physiotherapists in Neurology
Member of Chartered Physiotherapists working with older people
How I love to spend my free time
I recently moved to Belper and love being able to walk from my doorstep into the beautiful countryside in this area.
My favourite things to do are walking, reading, yoga and dancing Argentine Tango - which I do both in the UK and abroad.
I am registered with the Disclosure and Barring Service including their annual updating service and have an enhanced criminal record certificate.
