Michelle Lofthouse

Michelle qualified as a rehabilitation worker (visual impairment) at Birmingham City University in 2012. Becoming a visiting teacher from 2013, and permanent member of staff in 2019.

Since qualifying, Michelle has worked as a qualified rehabilitation worker in local authority and charity settings. This included providing specialist assessment and rehabilitation skills training for Birmingham City Council, as a locum, teaching orientation and mobility skills for Sandwell Metropolitan Council, and for Blind Veterans UK, (formally St Dunstan’s) a national charity supporting ex-service personnel to rebuild their lives after sight loss. This included working at the rehabilitation centres in both Brighton and Llandudno, and covering the central and east regions of the U.K as part of a community based service.

Michelle has supported the wider profession as part of the Rehabilitation Workers Professional Network (professional body), coaching and supporting qualified rehabilitation workers.

In 2016, Michelle returned to be a student to complete the Top-Up degree – Specialist Complex Needs Rehabilitation Work. This allowed Michelle to complete specialist deafblind assessment and provision under the Care Act 2014. In addition, to further develop the skills of visually impaired people with a range of complex psychological, physiological, and social challenges.