Hi, I’m Claire! Thank you for taking the time to read my blog, I hope you find it useful!
I have always had an interest in travel and working overseas, particularly in supporting the development of Rehabilitation services in Low-and Middle-Income Countries. My blog posts are focused around my previous and planned travels, and my experiences of getting started in International Development as a Physiotherapist- something which has been a lot more challenging than I first imagined!
I’m originally from Derry in Northern Ireland, and I studied Physiotherapy at the University of Birmingham. After graduating in 2014, I spent 6.5 months travelling through Central and South America. I then returned to the UK and worked as a Band 5 or Junior Physiotherapist at the Leeds Teaching Hospitals Trust (LTHT) for 3.5 years.
In March 2019, I took a one year career break from LTHT and travelled to Madagascar where I worked as a Voluntary Physiotherapist for 3 months. I used this time gathering data and information on how Physiotherapy works in Madagascar. I then compiled this information into a report which is awaiting publication. The rest of my career break was spent travelling through Nepal, Sri Lanka, India, and Myanmar.
Since returning to the UK, I have started two new jobs. I now work as a Band 6 or Senior Physiotherapist at LTHT supporting the development of a new spinal service. I also work at the University of Leeds as a Research Physiotherapist in Spinal Cord Injuries. I am continuing to support the development of rehabilitation in Madagascar whilst based in Leeds through fundraising and future trips focused on developing rehabilitation services.
I am the Treasurer for ADAPT: Physiotherapists in Global Health, and a co-opt member of Global Rehabilitation. I have also worked as a volunteer Physiotherapist with the UK based charity Freedom From Torture. Freedom From Torture are a charity who support refugees and asylum seekers who have arrived in the UK and may have suffered torture in their home countries.
I hope that by blogging about my experiences, I will be able to reach out to a wider audience and help those who like me, felt a bit lost and confused about where to start when wanting to work overseas!
If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message on the Contact form!
Cloverseasclaire 