Our Therapists
Scarlett Leedham
I am the founder and Director at Connect Therapy Services.
I qualified as an Occupational Therapist BSc (Hons) from York St John University in 2009, gaining a Post-Graduate Certificate in Sensory Integration in 2012. I previously worked as the Lead Occupational Therapist within a third sector organisation, leading their Sensory Integration Therapy Service for 6 years.
I am a passionate, dedicated and knowledgeable Occupational Therapist who uses the most up to date clinical evidence to ensure best practise. I am highly experienced within the specialism of Sensory Integration Therapy and disability and can use the knowledge and skills gained to be forward thinking and develop practical strategies to meet the varying needs of children and young people with sensory processing difficulties.
I work closely with Directors, Local Education Authority Commissioners, Clinical Commissioning Groups, Trustees, School Business Managers, and Professionals, raising the awareness of sensory processing difficulties and sensory integration to create innovative therapy services.
I love the outdoors and going for long walks with my husband, children and Queenie. I also love Paddleboarding and Aerial Dance, both help me relax and get into my own flow state.
Alice Lee
Alice is a paediatric occupational therapist who started working for Connect Specialist Therapy Services in February 2022.
I completed my Master’s degree in Occupational Therapy at York St John University in 2022 and have since completed post training in sensory integration therapy up to level 6 with the CLASI certification. Before this, I worked for the NHS for 5 years as a Learning Disability Nurse with both children and adults and worked abroad in mental health services in Australia. Throughout these experiences I knew that Sensory Integration was the area I wanted to work in.
I love to travel, read, swim, see friends and family and will enjoy being in our hammock swing whenever I get chance! I love working for Connect Specialist Therapy Services as we are small but growing team who are passionate about the work we do. We get to know the families we work with really well to provide the best support we can and will advocate for the young people throughout. We are accepting of everyone’s needs and provide a space for children to feel safe and be themselves. I love seeing the big or small steps our young people take and getting to celebrate their achievements with both them and their families!
Abbie Turner
I’m Abbie and I’m a newly qualified occupational therapist from York St John University in 2023 and currently completing my Ayres Sensory Integration Therapy training through CLASI.
I have worked in healthcare for two years alongside university as a rehabilitation assistant for adults with brain injuries. I have placement experience working with children with mental health difficulties and learning disabilities within the school environment.
Outside of work I am very interested in music and musical theatre, and I am interested in the role this plays in sensory integration. I work for Connect Therapy Services because I am passionate about enabling young people to reach their full potential.
Pat Sweeney
I have worked for a large banking corporation, with over 30 years experience in a variety of roles and customer service.
I have completed a course in counselling skills, which led me to volunteer at Barnardo’s, supporting Young people with disabilities. Accepting a role as a fulltime Support Worker changed my whole outlook on everything I did, the role was challenging at times but so rewarding.
My role at Barnardo’s took a different turn when I accepted an Admin Role within the Hull Young Carers and Sibling Service and Hull Headstart Programme. Moving into another Admin Support Role within the Sensory Integration Service at Barnardo’s.
When this service came to an end in early 2020, I decide to ‘retire’ but was soon bored and ready to take on a new challenge and accepted an Admin role at Connect Specialist Therapy Services, having worked alongside Scarlett in my early days at Barnardo’s.
Seeing the service grow and become what it is today, so proud of our team.
Queenie
Queenie holds a very special role at Connect Therapy Services and is our resident therapy dog. She is a much-loved member of the team, and enjoys being part of therapy sessions, our team meetings and making an appearance on online meetings.
Queenie loves cuddles, relaxing in the hammock and swinging on the swing. Queenie is also partial to pinching balls from the ball pool and chewing or hiding them.