Privacy policy
This Policy applies as between you, the User of this Web Site and The MiNT Academy the owner and provider of this Web Site. This Policy applies to our use of any and all Data collected by us in relation to your use of the Web Site and any Services or Systems therein.
1. Definitions and Interpretation
In this Policy the following terms shall have the following meanings:
"Account": means collectively the personal information, Payment Information and credentials used by Users to access Material and / or any communications System on the Web Site;
"Content": means any text, graphics, images, audio, video, software, data compilations and any other form of information capable of being stored in a computer that appears on or forms part of this Web Site;
"Cookie": means a small text file placed on your computer by The MiNT Academy Ltd when you visit certain parts of this Web Site. This allows us to identify recurring visitors and to analyse their browsing habits within the Web Site.
"Data": means collectively all information that you submit to the Web Site. This includes, but is not limited to, Account details and information submitted using any of our Services or Systems;
"The MiNT Academy": means The MiNT Academy, ADDRESS;
"Service": means collectively any online facilities, tools, services or information that The MiNT Academy makes available through the Web Site either now or in the future;
"System": means any online communications infrastructure that The MiNT Academy makes available through the Web Site either now or in the future. This includes, but is not limited to, web-based email, message boards, live chat facilities and email links;
"User" / "Users": means any third party that accesses the Web Site and is not employed by The MiNT Academy and acting in the course of their employment; and
"Website": means the website that you are currently using (themintacademy.co.uk) and any sub-domains of this site (e.g. subdomain.yourschool.com) unless expressly excluded by their own terms and conditions.
2. Data Collected
Without limitation, any of the following Data may be collected:
- 2.1 name;
- 2.2 date of birth;
- 2.3 job title & profession;
- 2.4 contact information such as email addresses and telephone numbers;
- 2.5 demographic information such as post code, preferences and interests;
- 2.6 financial information such as credit / debit card numbers;
- 2.7 IP address (automatically collected);
- 2.8 web browser type and version (automatically collected);
- 2.9 operating system (automatically collected);
- 2.10 a list of URLS starting with a referring site, your activity on this Web Site, and the site you exit to (automatically collected); and
- 2.11 Cookie information (see Clause 10 below).
3. Our Use of Data
- 3.1 Any personal Data you submit will be retained by The MiNT Academy for as long as you use the Services and Systems provided on the Web Site. Data that you may submit through any communications System that we may provide may be retained for a longer period of up to one year.
- 3.2 Unless we are obliged or permitted by law to do so, and subject to Clause 4, your Data will not be disclosed to third parties. This includes our affiliates and / or other companies within our group.
- 3.3 All personal Data is stored securely in accordance with the principles of the Data Protection Act 1998. For more details on security, see Clause 9 below.
- 3.4 Any or all of the above Data may be required by us from time to time in order to provide you with the best possible service and experience when using our Web Site. Specifically, Data may be used by us for the following reasons:
- 3.4.1 internal record keeping;
- 3.4.2 improvement of our products / services;
- 3.4.3 transmission by email of promotional materials that may be of interest to you;
- 3.4.4 contact for market research purposes which may be done using email, telephone, fax or mail. Such information may be used to customise or update the Web Site.
4. Third Party Web Sites and Services
The MiNT Academy may, from time to time, employ the services of other parties for dealing with matters that may include, but are not limited to, payment handling, delivery of purchased items, search engine facilities, advertising and marketing. The providers of such services do not have access to certain personal Data provided by Users of this Web Site. Any Data used by such parties is used only to the extent required by them to perform the services that The MiNT Academy requests. Any use for other purposes is strictly prohibited. Furthermore, any Data that is processed by third parties must be processed within the terms of this Policy and in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998.
5. Changes of Business Ownership and Control
- 5.1 The MiNT Academy may, from time to time, expand or reduce its business and this may involve the sale of certain divisions or the transfer of control of certain divisions to other parties. Data provided by Users will, where it is relevant to any division so transferred, be transferred along with that division and the new owner or newly controlling party will, under the terms of this Policy, be permitted to use the Data for the purposes for which it was supplied by you.
- 5.2 In the event that any Data submitted by Users will be transferred in such a manner, you will be contacted in advance and informed of the changes. When contacted you will be given the choice to have your Data deleted or withheld from the new owner or controller.
6. Controlling Access to your Data
- 6.1 Wherever you are required to submit Data, you will be given options to restrict our use of that Data. This may include the following:
- 6.1.1 use of Data for direct marketing purposes; and
- 6.1.2 sharing Data with third parties.
7. Your Right to Withhold Information
- 7.1 You may access certain areas of the Web Site without providing any Data at all. However, to use all Services and Systems available on the Web Site you may be required to submit Account information or other Data.
- 7.2 You may restrict your internet browser’s use of Cookies. For more information see Clause 10 below.
8. Accessing your own Data
- 8.1 You may access your Account at any time to view or amend the Data. You may need to modify or update your Data if your circumstances change. Additional Data as to your marketing preferences may also be stored and you may change this at any time.
- 8.2 You have the right to ask for a copy of your personal Data on payment of a small fee.
9. Security
Data security is of great importance to The MiNT Academy and to protect your Data we have put in place suitable physical, electronic and managerial procedures to safeguard and secure Data collected online.
10. Changes to this Policy
The MiNT Academy reserves the right to change this Privacy Policy as we may deem necessary from time to time or as may be required by law. Any changes will be immediately posted on the Web Site and you are deemed to have accepted the terms of the Policy on your first use of the Web Site following the alterations.
11. Contacting Us
If there are any questions regarding this privacy policy you may contact us at enquiries@themintacademy.co.uk

Connect with us
Copyright© 2022 Hobbs Rehabilitation LTD
Alison Watt
Head of Clinical Operations
Alison is Head of Clinical Operations for The MiNT Academy. With over 10 years of clinical experience within specialist neurological services, Alison previously worked in the NHS specialising in stroke and neurorehabilitation.
As a previous NHS AHP Ward Manager, Alison has always worked within innovative therapy roles. This continues at The MiNT Academy, a growing neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development.
As a previous NHS AHP Ward Manager, Alison has always worked within innovative therapy roles. This continues at The MiNT Academy, a growing neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development.
Alison coordinates research, development and education activities to enable increased accessibility to clinically effective devices.
As Principle Investigator in technology trials, she has aided the development of devices from concept to market, with recent focusses on Virtual Reality and Exoskeletons. Alison has presented at and organised numerous national and international conferences, including as MiNT Chair at RehabWeek 2022. She has also completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Education and lectures at multiple UK academic institutions.
Alongside this, Alison works clinically at Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre in Bristol, combining the use of therapy devices with conventional hands-on treatment, for outpatients with a variety of neurological conditions. Alison uses all of her roles to passionately drive forward the use of neurotechnology in clinical practice to optimise opportunities and outcomes for patients.
As Principle Investigator in technology trials, she has aided the development of devices from concept to market, with recent focusses on Virtual Reality and Exoskeletons. Alison has presented at and organised numerous national and international conferences, including as MiNT Chair at RehabWeek 2022. She has also completed a Post-Graduate Certificate in Medical Education and lectures at multiple UK academic institutions.
Alongside this, Alison works clinically at Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre in Bristol, combining the use of therapy devices with conventional hands-on treatment, for outpatients with a variety of neurological conditions. Alison uses all of her roles to passionately drive forward the use of neurotechnology in clinical practice to optimise opportunities and outcomes for patients.
Helen Hobbs
The MiNT Academy Development Team
Helen is a specialist neurological physiotherapist with over 25 years of specialist clinical experience and extensive clinical skills including advanced Bobath training. She has a special interest inclinical education, training and research. Helen has held postgraduate clinical training roles at both Kings College NHS Hospital London Neuroscience Centre and Southampton University Hospital NHS Trust before establishing Hobbs Rehabilitation in 2005.
Helen's teaching and leadership skills resulted in international scholarships and fellowships taking Helen to the USA and South Africa. She has presented both nationally and internationally. Helen has close links with several academic institutions including Southampton, Imperial College, Loughborough , Portsmouth and Winchester Universities to provide clinical leadership for the design of future healthcare technologies and research projects.
Her publications have included the effects of robotic assisted gait training on vascular health in strokes and spinal cord injured patients and the European rehabilitation guidelines for MS patients post stem cell transplant.
Amy Dennis-Jones
The MiNT Academy Research Lead
Amy has over 20 years experience working within the field of Neurological rehabilitation. She has worked with a variety of settings capturing the full rehabilitation pathway from acute through to the community.
Since working for Hobbs Rehabilitation in 2015, Amy has worked with an array of neurotechnologies and is a trained Rewalk exoskeleton clinician. She has presented at varying conference and study days, and is on the local committee for ACPIN, a specialist interest group for physiotherapists working in Neurology.
Amy's position within Hobbs Rehabilitation has evolved into a split clinical and research role. She is part of the core development team working on MiNT, an innovative neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development as well as leading on research projects and further collaborations.
Outside of physiotherapy, Amy is a qualified yoga teacher and combines her experience with rehabilitation to teach chair/adaptive yoga classes.
Chrissy Bibby
The MiNT Academy Events Lead
Chrissy has worked in the field of adult acquired neurological speech and language therapy for over 15 years, initially in the NHS before joining Hobbs Rehabilitation, where she leads the Speech & Language therapy team. Clinically, she has a special interest in motor speech disorders and rehabilitation of the facial nerve.
Chrissy trained as a teacher before embarking on her career in neurological rehabilitation and enjoys using her teaching skills in all areas of her work with Hobbs Rehabilitation and MiNT.
As Events Lead for The MiNT Academy, Chrissy is embracing the opportunity to discuss with fellow clinicians, academics and industry partners the benefits of using neurotechnology with our communication impaired clients, while encouraging further development in this vital area.
Outside of speech and language therapy, Chrissy enjoys swimming, singing with her local rock choir, baking, sewing, and camping with her family.
Chrissy trained as a teacher before embarking on her career in neurological rehabilitation and enjoys using her teaching skills in all areas of her work with Hobbs Rehabilitation and MiNT.
As Events Lead for The MiNT Academy, Chrissy is embracing the opportunity to discuss with fellow clinicians, academics and industry partners the benefits of using neurotechnology with our communication impaired clients, while encouraging further development in this vital area.
Outside of speech and language therapy, Chrissy enjoys swimming, singing with her local rock choir, baking, sewing, and camping with her family.
Laura Marriott
The MiNT Academy Education Lead
Laura is a specialist Neurological Occupational Therapist with 15 years of experience, over 12 years of which is in the neurological sector. Laura has worked in the NHS from acute care through to community rehabilitation and outpatients and now works in the private sector where she is the lead Occupational Therapist for Hobbs Intensive outpatient rehabilitation service, coordinating intensive rehabilitation packages and treating patients with complex neurological requirements.
Her role within Hobbs has evolved and she has split clinical and research responsibilities. She is part of the MiNT Academy Development Team who have delivered an innovative neurotechnology platform combining clinical education and product development. Her role also involves leading on research projects and further collaborations. Laura has expert clinical skills used to implement neuro assistive and rehabilitation technology into functional contexts building the links between the companies and the patients. Laura presented at Virtual RehabWeek 2021 and is excited to be presenting at RehabWeek 2022 in Rotterdam, showcasing the merits and application of collaboration between skilled clinicians and engineers to create a device that has longevity with both clinicians and patients alike.
Outside of Hobbs Laura enjoys a busy family life, hiking, roller skating and painting.
Lizzie Williams
The MiNT Academy Development Team
Lizzie is a Specialist Neurological Physiotherapist working at Hobbs Rehabilitation since May 2020. She also has a background in orthopaedics, frailty and inpatient rehabilitation. Lizzie jumped at the opportunity to be involved in The MiNT Academy to combine her interest in technology and love for providing high quality rehabilitation for patients. Lizzie brings the perspective of a physiotherapist who routinely utilises neurotechnology with patients as well as teaching and supporting other clinicians in embedding it into practice.
Rachael Edwards
The MiNT Academy Development Team
Rachael Edwards developed a specialist interest in the role of technology in upper limb neurorehabilitation, whilst working as an Occupational Therapist on the upper limb program at The National Hospital for Neurology and Neurosurgery, Queen Square.
Rachael has relocated to Bristol and is setting up an Occupational Therapy service at Hobbs Rehabilitation Intensive Neurotherapy Centre, where she continues to explore the use of technology to support delivering intensive upper limb rehabilitation.
Louis Martinelli
The MiNT Academy Development Team
With degrees in Sport & Exercise Science (BSc) and Physiotherapy (MSc pre-registration), Louis has over 15 years’ experience of working in neurological rehabilitation.
Trained in the Ekso GT, ReWalk and the Able Exoskeleton, Louis has 10 years’ of hands-on experience with these types of devices with a variety of medical conditions at Hobbs Rehabilitation. In this time, he also trialed a number of other exoskeletons on the market with the aim of exploring what fits the clinical and functional needs of the patient.
Louis has helped establish a research partnership between Hobbs Rehabilitation with The University of Winchester, which in 2019 published an article on the effects exoskeleton rehabilitation can have on the vascular system in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. Louis has also contributed to publications for the Bionic Leg (Clinical Rehabilitation, 2020) and more recently the GMove Suit (PLOS One, 2025) with the University of Southampton.
In 2022 Louis was on the expert panel for the M.O.T.I.O.N project, exploring mechanical orthosis for children with neurological disorders. He is currently project managing the UK government funded, multi centered, Eurostars Project FREEDOM which looks to establish the first exoskeleton designed for people with Multiple Sclerosis.
Trained in the Ekso GT, ReWalk and the Able Exoskeleton, Louis has 10 years’ of hands-on experience with these types of devices with a variety of medical conditions at Hobbs Rehabilitation. In this time, he also trialed a number of other exoskeletons on the market with the aim of exploring what fits the clinical and functional needs of the patient.
Louis has helped establish a research partnership between Hobbs Rehabilitation with The University of Winchester, which in 2019 published an article on the effects exoskeleton rehabilitation can have on the vascular system in the Journal of Spinal Cord Medicine. Louis has also contributed to publications for the Bionic Leg (Clinical Rehabilitation, 2020) and more recently the GMove Suit (PLOS One, 2025) with the University of Southampton.
In 2022 Louis was on the expert panel for the M.O.T.I.O.N project, exploring mechanical orthosis for children with neurological disorders. He is currently project managing the UK government funded, multi centered, Eurostars Project FREEDOM which looks to establish the first exoskeleton designed for people with Multiple Sclerosis.
Barry Richards
Head of Commercial Operations
Barry brings extensive expertise in the medical device industry and healthcare markets from across Europe, North America, and Asia Pacific. Renowned as a subject matter expert, he possesses deep knowledge of exoskeleton technology and the neurological MedTech rehabilitation sector.
With over a decade of commercial experience, Barry has worked with leading neurological rehabilitation MedTech companies in various roles, including clinical, business development, market access, and commercial operations. He has successfully assisted multiple organisations in shaping their business development, sales, marketing, and clinical strategy plans at different stages of commercialisation.
With over a decade of commercial experience, Barry has worked with leading neurological rehabilitation MedTech companies in various roles, including clinical, business development, market access, and commercial operations. He has successfully assisted multiple organisations in shaping their business development, sales, marketing, and clinical strategy plans at different stages of commercialisation.
Barry has held director-level and senior management positions at both global and European levels. He also has a strong clinical background in physiotherapy, with significant experience in the neurological rehabilitation field, and demonstrates a high level of competency in operating advanced technologies.
