Meet our team
Experienced and professional
Evergreen Occupational Therapy Services has continued to grow and thrive. Collectively our team has extensive experience having worked in both statutory and private sectors. We maintain an up to date Continuing Professional Development portfolio to ensure our practice remains current and effective.
Lisa Thacker
Director
Specialist Occupational Therapist
Case Manager and Expert Witness
With over 17 years of experience in clinical, commissioning, and management roles within the NHS, Lisa founded Evergreen Occupational Therapy Services in 2012. She has extensive expertise in working with children and adolescents with conditions such as autism, acquired and traumatic brain injury, neurodevelopmental conditions, and social, emotional, and mental health difficulties.
Lisa is an Advanced Registered Practitioner with the British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case Management (BABICM) and has also developed skills as an Expert Witness. Lisa currently works as an Associate with Jennifer M Whittall Ltd alongside directorship of Evergreen Occupational Therapy Services.
In these roles, Lisa supports children, adolescents and adults with acquired and traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, orthopaedic conditions, chronic pain, and mental health diagnoses, helping them establish clear, costed rehabilitation goals. Experienced in the medico-legal sector. Lisa produces timely, concise, and high-quality reports to meet the needs of this field. Further information for Jennifer M Whittall Ltd can be found at: www.jmw-ltd.co.uk
Elizabeth Nicholls
Specialist Occupational Therapist
Manual Handling Trainer
Since joining Evergreen Occupational Therapy Services in 2017, Elizabeth has brought extensive expertise in working with clients with complex orthopaedic injuries, trauma, acquired brain injuries, and palliative care conditions.
Elizabeth is a certified manual handling trainer, working directly with clients, local authorities, nursing homes, carers, foster carers, and relatives. Her training is tailored to the clients needs, delivered in their place of residence, and utilises their serviced and LOLER-tested equipment.
Additionally, Elizabeth has completed specialist training in housing adaptation and equipment for individuals with disabilities, including those with hearing and sight loss, she has collaborated closely with solicitors, case managers, architects, and builders to assist clients in locating new properties. Elizabeth supports clients and their teams throughout the process, from property selection to completion and beyond, ensuring maximum independence and comfort in their chosen home.
Emma Hicks
Specialist Occupational Therapist
Rehabilitation
Emma is an experienced, passionate, and dedicated Occupational Therapist with extensive expertise in assessing and rehabilitating adults affected by illness, trauma and injury.
She has significant experience collaborating with colleagues across the NHS, social care, charitable organisations, and private sectors. Emma is also well-versed in the medico-legal sector and regularly works closely with case managers and solicitors.
Her areas of specialisation include complex physical disabilities, major upper limb trauma, orthopaedics, traumatic and acquired brain injuries, chronic pain, neurological conditions, oncology, and palliative care needs.
Lucy-Olivia Thacker
Occupational Therapy Assistant
Business Support Officer
Lucy-Olivia joined Evergreen Occupational Therapy Services in 2024 as an Occupational Therapy Assistant and Business Support Officer. Lucy-Olivia is hoping to complete her BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy Degree starting in September 2025.
Supporting her in her current role is her experience working as a Community Engagement Officer with a private care company, working closely with healthcare professionals, solicitors, charities, the NHS, and care homes, to ensure older adults with neurological conditions, and adults with acquired and traumatic brain injuries are accessing services that maximise their independence.
Lucy-Olivia also studied BA (Hons) Journalism at Nottingham Trent University in 2020, the skills acquired here help to develop business growth and ensure that Evergreen Occupational Therapy Services continues to grow and thrive.
As an Occupational Therapy Assistant, Lucy-Olivia works alongside a qualified Occupational Therapist in a supporting role. Working under direction, programmes of rehabilitation can be carried out, with supervision and support ensuring that the client receives a professional, cost effective and well-balanced Occupational Therapy plan.
Alison Lyle
Specialist Occupational Therapist
Assessment & Intervention
Alison is an experienced Occupational Therapist who undertakes comprehensive assessment and intervention for children and young people, including those with neurodiversity, acquired brain injury, cerebral palsy, spinal cord and orthopaedic injuries, and supports adults and older adults to maximise independence in self-care, education, work and leisure.
Alison’s skills include EHCP reporting, equipment and postural seating provision, safe moving and handling, and vocational rehabilitation for both return-to-work and education-to-employment transitions.
Alison has contributed to service protocols, integrated care pathways and staff training, ensuring safe, evidence-based practice throughout.
