Our mission

The mission of our student-led clinic is to enhance the learning experience for our students while offering quality MSK services to our community. By helping clients reduce pain, improve function, and reach their personal and athletic goals, we create a positive and supportive environment for everyone involved.

About the Clinic

The University of Bedfordshire Sports Therapy & Rehabilitation MSK Student-Led Clinic provides a unique, hands-on learning environment for students in Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation. Our clinic is committed to serving the university community and the broader local population by offering high-quality, evidence-based treatment and support for musculoskeletal (MSK) issues, injury recovery, and performance enhancement. Through this clinic, students gain valuable real-world experience, supporting clients with personalised care plans and contributing positively to the community.

Student experience and clinic structure

Our clinic operates a tiered buddy system designed to provide students with experience that aligns with their year of study and skill level:

Third-Year Students serve as lead practitioners, taking primary responsibility for client consultations, treatment planning, and delivery of care.

Second-Year Students work as clinical assistants, supporting third-year students, refining their hands-on skills, and developing a deeper understanding of clinical practice.

First-Year Students are introduced to clinical environments, learning by observation and gradually integrating basic support tasks that build their foundational skills.

This structured, progressive model not only supports skill development at each educational level but also enhances students' confidence and practical competence, giving them a substantial advantage in employability upon graduation.

Benefits of our student-led clinic

The Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation MSK Clinic is both a learning environment and a community asset. The clinic experience has been designed to deliver several key benefits:

• Hands-On Experience: Students gain invaluable real-world experience by treating actual clients, applying theories and techniques learned in the classroom, and adapting these to individual client needs.
• Professional Development: Students enhance their technical, interpersonal, and critical-thinking skills, working with a diverse range of clients, from clinical cases to general wellness support.
• Positive Impact on the Community: Our clinic serves a broad range of clients, including university staff, local community groups, athletes, and individuals managing MSK issues. This engagement allows us to give back to the community, supporting improved quality of life, enhanced performance, and greater MSK health for our clients.

Our MSK Clinic is designed to complement academic studies with meaningful, practical experience. By participating in our clinic, students take a significant step toward meeting the necessary placement hours for their accreditation requirements while building a strong foundation for a successful career in Sports Therapy, Rehabilitation, or Clinical Exercise Therapy.

Booking and contact information

Our booking system has recently changed. To schedule an appointment or inquire about services, please contact our clinic supervisors directly:

Michael Dwyer: michael.dwyer@beds.ac.uk 

Bethanie Ridout: bethanie.ridout@beds.ac.uk 

What we offer

The clinic offers a wide range of services to address MSK issues and improve overall quality of life for individuals dealing with pain, injuries, mobility restrictions, or those looking to enhance athletic performance. Our treatments, which follow best practices in sports therapy and rehabilitation, are suitable for:

• University students and staff
• Local community members
• Athletes of all levels
• Individuals managing chronic pain or MSK conditions

All treatments are conducted by students under the guidance and supervision of experienced professionals, ensuring both quality of care and an enriching learning experience for students.

Consent form process

We have recently transitioned to an electronic consent process. Using our secure electronic system, clients will now complete consent forms digitally via the booking process, ensuring a smooth and confidential intake process for all new appointments.