Marian Simmonds graduated from Otago School of Physiotherapy over 25 years ago and has worked extensively in musculoskeletal physiotherapy over this time, in New Zealand and the UK. She gained a Post Graduate Diploma in manipulative physiotherapist in 1999 and went on to complete her Masters in Health Science in 2004. Her Thesis looked into the neurophysiological mechanisms behind a common physiotherapy technique (neck manipulation). She has also worked as a researcher at the Physiotherapy School in Auckland. Since having her family, she changed direction and embarked on her Hand Therapy training in 2017. In her spare time Marian loves spending time with her family and in the great outdoors. View details »
Registered Hand Therapist & Occupational Therapist
Belinda completed three years of a Bachelor of Medicine degree in Cape Town, South Africa in 1992, before immigrating to New Zealand, where she qualified as an Occupational Therapist at AUT in 1996.
2009 was a busy year for Belinda as she completed her Post Graduate Certificate in Health Science and following this achieved her Registered Hand Therapist status. She then spent five years working in spinal rehabilitation, with a special interest in the management of the tetraplegic hand, before joining Handworks in 2011.
Family, handcrafts, body boarding and walking her dog take up most of Belinda's spare time. View details »
Jackie joined the Handworks team in 2023. She graduated from AUT with a Bachelor of Health Science- Physiotherapy and has gone on to complete her Post Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation (Hand and Upper Limb Therapy), whilst also working towards her full registration as a Hand Therapist. Prior to joining Handworks, she worked as a Physiotherapist in a range of different environments including musculoskeletal private practice, rest homes, and community neurological rehabilitation. She has also spent time working in special education units, seeing children with a range of complex conditions including Autism, Down Syndrome, brain injuries and learning difficulties. . Outside of work she enjoys the outdoors, spending time with friends and family, going to the gym and sewing. View details »