Meet the team at The Avalon Centre
Professor/Yr Athro Nick Alderman BA (Hons) MAppSci PhD CPsychol CSci FBPsS
Clinical Director, Neurobehavioural Rehabilitation (NbR) Services
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Dr Martine Stoffels MRCPsych, DCP, Dip HSM, MA HCM
Consultant General Adult, Old Age and Rehabilitation Psychiatrist
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Dr Danielle Desperles-Hughes, BSc (Hons) DClinPsy
Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead
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Angela Kavanagh, BSc (Hons), PGCert, MRCSLT
Clinical Specialist Speech & Language Therapist and Therapy Lead
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Lucy Ireland, MA (Hons), PGCert, MSc, CertMRCSLT, HCPC regd.
Clinical Specialist Speech & Language Therapist and Quality Improvement Lead
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Professor/Yr Athro Nick Alderman BA (Hons) MAppSci PhD CPsychol CSci FBPsS
Clinical Director, Neurobehavioural Rehabilitation (NbR) Services
Professor Alderman is acknowledged internationally as one of the foremost experts in NbR, having over three decades experience in this field. Nick has combined successful careers in clinical and academic psychology and has a proven track record in treatment innovation, service development, leadership, research, publications and teaching. He is Honorary Professor at Swansea University and Visiting Professor at the University of the West of England. He previously held senior posts at St Andrew’s Healthcare Kemsley Unit and a number of other well established brain injury service providers. In 2002, Nick was awarded a Fellowship of the British Psychological Society in recognition of his contribution to NbR. In 2014 he was a finalist in the LaingBuisson Independent Healthcare Awards ‘Outstanding Contribution’ category; joint winner of The Association for Psychological Therapies ‘Awards for Excellence in Risk Assessment and Management’ and recipient of the prestigious United Kingdom Acquired Brain Injury Forum ‘Stephen McAleese Award for Inspiration by an individual in the field of acquired brain injury’ in recognition of his work in successfully reducing restrictive interventions in Neurobehavioural Rehabilitation. In 2016, Nick was joint recipient of the Association for Psychological Therapies ‘Annual Award for Excellence in Working with Challenging Behaviour’ and most recently has this year achieved the ‘Award for Distinguished Contribution to Practice’ from the British Psychological Society. Outside of work Nick is a keen dog owner and prides himself on being an amateur musician of ‘questionable talent’. As Clinical Director, NbR Services Elysium Neurological, Professor Alderman is really pleased to bring this much needed service to the South West.
Andy Birkett
Hospital Director
Having worked as a Staff Nurse, Deputy Manager, Ward Manager and Operational Lead for Brain Injury Services, Andy has more than 25 years of specialist experience. He previously held operational responsibility over four neurorehabilitation services for men and women as well as within community-based homes. Andy is passionate about and firmly believes in working within a transdisciplinary model of care and is delighted to be working with the particular Transdisciplinary Team (TDT). The teams shared understanding of the TDT model will drive and shape the delivery of safe and excellent Neurobehavioural Rehabilitation, ensuring that positive outcomes are achievable for every individual at The Avalon Centre. Andy has a particular interest and experience in clinical health and safety, especially in relation to the clinical environment, serious incidents, safeguarding and reporting systems. In 2008 he led a major provider to achieve the prestigious, internationally recognised, British Safety Council 5 Star Health and Safety Management Systems Award, a status they maintained annually. With an enthusiasm around physical health and the links to wellbeing, his passion is shown in his own commitment to his personal interests. He runs, cycles and swims regularly, recently competing in open water swimming endurance events. He even finds time to play pool at county level and referee pool tournaments at national, European and world levels. Andy Birkett has the knowledge, experience, energy and confidence to deliver the role of Hospital Director at The Avalon Centre, Swindon.
Dr Martine Stoffels MRCPsych, DCP, Dip HSM, MA HCM
Consultant General Adult, Old Age and Rehabilitation Psychiatrist
Dr Stoffels trained as a doctor in Antwerp and moved to Dublin to pursue specialist training in psychiatry. After lecturing in psychiatry at the University College Dublin, she moved to Oxford in 2005 and trained in general adult, old age, and rehabilitation psychiatry before moving to the field of neuropsychiatry. Dr Stoffels has worked in the field of neuropsychiatry for over two decades and has extensive experience of working with people with a wide variety of neuropsychiatric conditions, including acquired and traumatic brain injury. Dr Stoffels joined Elysium Healthcare in 2020 as a Consultant Psychiatrist, providing a wide range of clinical experience to the team at The Avalon Centre. Dr Stoffels is passionate about ensuring the connection between physical and mental health following changes in the brain after injury, which can result in a neurobehavioural change, alongside providing evidence-based interventions, innovation, and good practice.
Dr Danielle Desperles-Hughes, BSc (Hons) DClinPsy
Consultant Clinical Psychologist and Clinical Lead
Danielle joins Elysium with more than 10 years’ experience of working in secure and rehabilitation neurobehavioural settings for the NHS and the independent sector. Having held previous Consultant and Principal roles in brain injury services, she is widely practised in the assessment, treatment and delivery of neuropsychological therapeutic interventions for individuals with an Acquired Brain Injury (ABI) who present with complex and challenging behaviour. Her experience includes clinical leadership, oversight and responsibility for the development and delivery of Neurobehavioral Rehabilitation (NbR) programmes. She will use evidence based practice to lead the team in delivering the NbR model in a confident and consistent approach. Danielle has a special interest in risk assessment and management and will ensure that least restrictive practice is adopted at all times. Her drive for research informs and builds on the existing evidence base enabling her to meet her aim of gold standard service development. She is also keen to continue with the further development of a collaborative research project with the University of Swansea on the SASNOS self-rating measure. This measure evaluates a person’s degree of insight into the Neurobehavioural Disability (NBD) that has resulted from the ABI, together with the impact that NBD may have on their life. Danielle enjoys working with individuals, their families and the wider team to agree the best possible goals and clinical outcomes for every person. She is an accomplished clinician and researcher who brings energy and commitment to The Avalon Centre.
Angela Kavanagh, BSc (Hons), PGCert, MRCSLT
Clinical Specialist Speech & Language Therapist and Therapy Lead
Angela has over 18 years’ experience working with adults who have complex cognitive, communication and swallowing disorders as a consequence of acquired brain injury. The breadth of her expertise has given her the knowledge and experience of working with patients along each stage of the rehabilitation pathway. This has included the assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness. Angela is passionate about evidenced based practice and has completed additional studies in the areas of advanced neurosciences, care, and rehabilitation. Her active involvement in Clinical Excellence Networks ensures patients receive the most up to date clinical interventions. Since joining the Avalon Centre 2 years ago Angela has developed an additional clinical specialism in Social Communication Skills and has demonstrated the power of the neurobehavioural rehabilitation model and transdisciplinary team working in the presence of Social and Pragmatic Communication Impairments. She is curious regarding the impact of sensory education and interventions on behaviours that challenge and is currently studying to become a certified Sensory Integration Practitioner.
Lucy Ireland, MA (Hons), PGCert, MSc, CertMRCSLT, HCPC regd.
Clinical Specialist Speech & Language Therapist and Quality Improvement Lead
Lucy has supported adults with complex cognitive, communication and swallowing disorders associated to acquired neurological conditions for almost 20 years. Joining Elysium in 2020, she has worked in the NHS, voluntary and Private sector, so has an in-depth appreciation about how best to support individuals across their care pathways. She is an advocate for the meaningful functional gains that Avalon’s Neurobehavioural Rehabilitation (NbR) approach can offer individuals following Acquired Brain Injury (ABI). Despite developing into a more strategic management role within Elysium, she continues to maintain her advanced clinical skills, by facilitating groups and providing second opinions for more complex patients. She represents Elysium’s Neurological Division at the Allied Health Professions (AHP) Council and is co-chair of Elysium’s Speech & Language Therapy forum - a vital platform for Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and peer support for the Speech and Language Therapists (SALT) community. Lucy is an active member of The Royal College of Speech & Language Therapists (RCSLT), contributing to position papers and policy development within her Clinical Excellence Networks. Lucy helped to establish the NbR Service at Avalon when the Service first opened, initially as Therapy Lead before moving into her current role as Quality Improvement Lead and she is as an established member of the Senior Management Team. She channels her clinical background, research skills and unwaveringly positive ‘tigger-like’ commitment to embed sustainable and often innovative changes to improve patient care and staff experience. She is extremely proud of the successes that the Transdisciplinary Team (TDT) have achieved so far which were showcased at Elysium’s first ever QI Conference in July 2024. Lucy’s favourite aspect of her role is that it allows her to mentor others and give them a platform to shine. She is looking forward to collaborating further with stakeholders, other Services and increasing patient involvement in upcoming QI projects as Avalon extends its pathway yet further in 2024/25.
Lander Cooper, BSc. MA. DIPSW. MSc. ASW. PG. Dip Forensic Mental Health.
Social Worker
Lander has been a qualified social worker for over 30 years. She is also a qualified Youth and Community Worker, recognised for her work within the realm of inclusion and co-production and winning a national award for the development of integrated community work within several disadvantaged communities. It was during this period Lander first started working with people with brain injuries and has continued this specialism throughout her career. Lander studied social work at Master’s Level and was a part of Leicester Partnership Hospitals Academic Team working on the development of Clozapine and the recent categorisation of Aspergers Syndrome. Working initially for Leicester and Leicestershire Social Services, Lander designed and implemented the authorities first Adult Safeguarding Policy. She developed an early interest in Forensic Mental Health and Adult Attachment, spending several years as an Approved Social Worker before leaving the Local Authority to enter private practice, where she specialised in adult risk assessment, predominately within Fostering and Adoption. Lander also worked as Practice teacher mentoring student social workers both working towards their Degree and Approved status. Lander has been working for Elysium at Avalon, for several years in the role of Social Worker and taking the lead on Safeguarding and Mental Capacity. She is actively promoting Carer and Patients’ voices through the re-evaluation of hospital practice and development of co-production opportunities. As part of the Senior Management Team Lander brings experience of the interface between hospital and community and working with major stakeholders within in patient care and future care planning. She is currently working collaboratively on the development of the proposed step-down and independent bungalows with the Avalon Hospital.
Moreblessing Maponga Bsc (Hons), EMBA
Lead Nurse
Moreblessings Maponga is a dedicated Mental Health nurse who is passionate about advocating for her patients. She completed her Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSc) and graduated with first-class honours. In 2015, Moreblessings was nominated for the Nursing Times Award, recognising her outstanding contributions to mental health nursing. Moreblessing transitioned to a specialised neurological service in 2020 after working with patients with ABI who struggle with physical impairments alongside mental health challenges. Her compassionate nature, dedication and knowledge of clinical skills was an ideal fit for neurological services, understanding the complex interplay between neurological impairments and mental health. Her role at the Avalon Centre involves assessing and monitoring patients for changes in behaviour or mood and implementing evidence-based therapeutic interventions to support patients’ mental well-being. Working closely with the transdisciplinary team members to create holistic care plans tailored to each patient's needs and providing education and emotional support to families. Moreblessings believes in a patient-centred approach where the 6Cs of nursing form the foundation of care. She advocates for continuous learning and adapting new research to provide the best possible care for the patients. Moreblessing continued her education obtaining master’s in business administration from Cranfield University in 2024. Outside work, Moreblessings enjoys travelling and spending invaluable time with her family, where her personal experiences enrich her professional practice, allowing her to connect with patients on a deeper level.