Physiotherapy duo now on course

Rob White and Louise Zebollah both aimed for careers in Physiotherapy, but didn’t have the appropriate qualifications to study for a degree. They both achieved first degrees in other subjects, and then went on to gain Master of Science (MSc) degrees in Rehabilitation Science (with licence to practice physiotherapy) at the University of Teesside. Following the two-year full-time course, Rob and Louise clinched their first posts as Physiotherapists in February, at the University Hospital of North Tees in Stockton.

Rob, 24, is originally from Reading and now lives in Yarm. He achieved a BSc (Honours) degree in Sport Science in Glamorgan and then worked as a fitness instructor in the newly opened Hilton hotel in Cardiff. Rob said: “I couldn’t apply for a Physiotherapy degree as I didn’t have the right ‘A’ levels. I first became interested in Physiotherapy when I was recovering from a car accident aged 13. This interest developed in the second year of my degree when we researched the area of rehabilitation, I knew then I wanted to go into this.”

While re-visiting his old university, Rob was told about Teesside’s MSc by one of his Professors and decided to apply. He was part of the course’s first intake and said: “The course was intensive and challenging, but also enjoyable. It was problem solving orientated, looking at different ways to approach a problem, which has really helped me in my new post. The course placements were invaluable, mine were mostly in Sunderland and Middlesbrough and really helped to develop my practical skills.”

Upon finishing the course, Rob had four job offers, and chose the North Tees post. Rob added: “Physiotherapy is such a rewarding career, you get to work with such a variety of people. You can see a patient come in suffering absolute pain, and following treatment see them walking away a lot better and getting back to active life.”

Rob is the son of Ken and Julie White and a former pupil of Edgbarrow School and Farnborough College.

Like Rob, Louise also thought about a career in Physiotherapy from an early age. Louise, 24, from South Shields, said: “I completed a work experience placement at South Tyneside District Hospital’s Physiotherapy Department when I was 15 and this made me really interested in the career. Unfortunately I didn’t get the right ‘A’ level grades, so enrolled on a Physiology degree instead.”

After graduating from the Physiology course, Louise worked as a learning support assistant at Newcastle College, providing support for adults aged 16 and above with learning disabilities. Louise said: “I enjoyed the work, but I’d heard about Teesside’s MSc in the second year of my degree and knew that’s what I wanted. The lecturers at Teesside were fantastic, so supportive and approachable. I also enjoyed the placements; you had a chance to put your learning into practice. Now I’m working as a Physiotherapist it’s great to be working with real patients and making a difference to family’s lives.”

Louise’s eventual ambition is to work in paediatric physiotherapy. She is the daughter of Catherine and Reza Zebollah and a former pupil of Whitburn Comprehensive and South Tyneside Sixth Form College.

For more information on the (MSc) in Rehabilitation Science (with licence to practice physiotherapy) please call 01642 384110 or 384113 or check the University of Teesside’s web site at www.tees.ac.uk

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