Meet the team

Pippa Vincent-Cooke
Centre Manager

Pip has worked at the Centre since 1997.  Her role includes the day to day running of the Centre, managing the staff, volunteer and therapists, running our finances, building maintenance and much more. Before coming here, Pippa worked in new business development in Forte Hotels ‘ London HQ and in conference and incentive sales. Outside of work, Pip enjoys walking with her dog Colby (who can often be found asleep under her desk in the office), music, films, food and cooking.

Amanda Cust
Counsellor

Amanda joined the Centre in 2022. She trained as an integrative psychotherapist from 2010-2015 with the Bridge Pastoral Foundation and is a registered member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy. She works in private practice in Reading. Amanda is a former nurse with experience in palliative care and in providing homecare for people living with various medical conditions. 

Analyn Ocampo
Physiotherapist

Analyn has worked at the Centre since 2017. She previously worked as a physiotherapist in her home country of the Philippines and also in Spain, as well as working as a senior carer. Analyn works with members in the gym and in classes such as balance and strength training and also does FES assessments.  Her hobbies include spending time with family and going to the leisure centre, particularly swimming.

Anwen Hall
Physiotherapy Manager

Anwen has been at the Centre since August 2021. She worked as a physiotherapist for many years both in a large private London hospital and in an NHS hospital, specializing in neuro rehab.  Her role here involves overseeing the running of the physiotherapy service, making sure we are offering high quality evidence-based treatments, as well as building relationships with other local services.  Outside of work, Anwen spends time running, as well as running around after her two young children!

Claire Frew
Marketing and Engagement Officer

Claire has been with the Centre since April 2022. Prior to this, she spent many years working for local councils in Berkshire and for a national charity. Her role involves communicating with current and potential Centre members through the website, social media, newsletters and more, as well as supporting the work of the fundraising team.  Outside of work, Claire enjoys exercise, music, holidays, embroidery and reading.

Hema Patel
Yoga Teacher

Hema has been teaching yoga for twenty years and is now one of the Traditional Yoga Association’s senior teachers. Along with teaching Hatha Yoga classes, she specialised in Pregnancy Yoga, Baby Yoga and Massage and Post Natal Recovery Yoga. She always felt that some people were missing out on the ‘Yoga Experience’ because they could not come down onto the mat. This encouraged her to teach Chair Yoga. She truly believes that Yoga is for everyone.

Jackie Tayler
Engagement and Centre Admin Assistant

Jackie joined the Centre in March 2024. She previously worked in a busy doctor’s surgery in Caversham, where was responsible for various operational tasks and was the “go to” person for most things!  Her biggest challenge was organising and co-ordinating large Covid vaccination clinics at the peak of the pandemic. Outside of work she is busy with her two daughters and enjoys musicals, going to a local choir and generally just catching up with friends.

Lara Carvalho
Massage Therapist

Lara was born in Zimbabwe and qualified as a beauty and massage therapist in 2004. Her love of everything holistic began while working in a spa in London. After working in various salons, Lara branched out on her own five years ago. Her aim is to always ensure that members leave the treatment room feeling relaxed, happy and most importantly, cared for. She will be offering a range of massages and holistic treatments from February 2025.

Ligia Zampar
Physiotherapist

Ligia has been at the Centre since 2012. She is originally from Brazil and has also lived and worked in Italy. Ligia works with our members in the gym and in classes, including Pilates, as well as carrying out APS treatments. Her spare time is spent with her three young children.

Marlene Martins
Centre Support Worker

Marlene has been at the Centre since 2016. Originally from Portugal, she used to work at a local primary school and also in quality control at Gillettes. Her very varied role includes assisting the physiotherapists in the gym, administrative and office support and cleaning the Centre.  When she’s not working at the Centre, Marlene loves to go cycling and socialising!

Melanie Pitches
Physiotherapist

Melanie started at the Centre in early 2023. She has worked as a physiotherapist in a large variety of different hospitals, clinics and specialist units and has lots of experience working with people with various neurological conditions. Outside of work, Melanie enjoys woodwork and DIY, lindyhop dancing, rambling, sewing and supporting her son who plays wheelchair basketball.

Nikki Harris
Membership and Volunteer Support Officer

Nikki joined us in March 2024. She has worked in the voluntary sector for over twenty years, most recently at Treloars Specialist School, supporting families of severely disabled children and young people through the whole application, assessment and entrance process. She is passionate about supporting individuals through difficult times, helping to empower and increase their self confidence and supporting them to make their lives better. She enjoys spending time with her family – husband, two teenage sons and three sausage dogs. 

Petra Kumar
Physiotherapy Assistant

Petra joined the Centre as our Physiotherapy Assistant in February 2024. Prior to this, she volunteered as one of our Oxygen Operators. She originally trained as a physiotherapist in the Czech Republic and India and also has a background as a medical translator and editor, as well as a tutor for the 11+ exam.  However, physiotherapy has always been her passion. Petra loves to spend time in the countryside and mountains.

Rebecca Dunn
Fundraising Manager

Rebecca joined the Centre as Fundraising Manager in May 2024. She has worked as a fundraiser for both small and large charities and also in event management. She loves to support individuals and businesses that want to raise money for charity. Outside work, her life revolves around her two young children and she also enjoys cooking, gardening and walking. Rebecca is a Governor for a federation of nursery schools in Reading.

Ruth Best
Footcare Therapist

Ruth Best MCFHP MAFHP,is a member of the Open College of Foot Health Professionals and a member of the British Association of Foot Health Professionals. Ruth qualified in 2012 and has been looking after the feet of members of the Berkshire MS Therapy Centre since April 2013. Ruth, through her wonderfully named business Best Foot Forward, also has private clients and makes home visits for those who find it easier to have treatments in their own environment.

Samantha Harper
Fundraising and Communications Manager

Sam started at the Centre at 2015. She leads the Fundraising team, who play a vital role in ensuring that the Centre can continue its work, especially as we receive no NHS funding. Prior to joining us, Sam worked for a national MS charity and in the past, she worked with students for whom English is a Foreign Language. Outside of work, she enjoys audio books, the cinema, murder mystery events, board games and watching Formula One.

Sarah Whittard
Spinal Reflexologist and Reiki Practitioner

Sarah Whittard (DCRT) worked in radiotherapy at Southampton, London and Reading hospitals. In 1996 she left the NHS to pursue her interest in alternatives to conventional medicine, studying Reiki, Indian Head Massage and spinal reflexology. She has been with the Centre since 2008 and has a lot of experience working with people with neurological conditions. Having MS herself she has first-hand knowledge on many areas of the condition.

Simone Milligan
Physiotherapy Assistant

Simone has worked at the Centre since 2005. Her role involve supporting the physiotherapy team to work with members in the gym and running both in-person and online classes. Originally from Germany, she has previously worked as care worker, a gymnastics teacher and with people with mental disabilities. When not working, she enjoys going to the gym and being entertained by her pet cat and dog.

Tamzin Stuart
Events and Community Fundraiser

Tamzin joined the Centre in 2023. Her role involves organizing the Centre’s fundraising events and supporting community fundraisers with their own events and activities. She previously worked as a Fundraiser at a local specialist school and has also run her own company providing confectionery at special events. Outside of work, Tamzin enjoys supporting the Surrey Scorchers basketball team.

Uddhava Samman
Yoga Teacher

Uddhava qualified as a Yoga teacher in 1995 and has been teaching ever since. He is a co-founder and trustee of the Traditional Yoga Association, a local charity which offers Yoga classes, workshops and Yoga Teacher Training. He specialises in teaching Yoga to people with MS and has been teaching at the Centre since 1999. During Covid, Uddhava won the Get Berkshire Active ‘Physical Activity Lockdown Hero’ award for the online classes he developed.

Zoe Cascarini
Counsellor

Zoe is a Registered Member of the British Association of Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP), and an Integrative Psychotherapist with her own private practice. She is a former health care assistant, who has worked within a Young Disabled Unit, both locally and abroad.  Alongside private practice, she is currently working within the NHS, providing palliative support for patients and their families.