Rees Bettell
A physiotherapist who has rapidly established himself as a leader in the growing field of mental health physiotherapy has been Highly Commended in the University of Worcester’s inaugural Alumni Awards.
Rees Bettell, who studied Physiotherapy at the University between 2020 and 2024, was recognised in the Rising Star category for his impressive career progression, leadership within the profession, and commitment to improving awareness of physiotherapy’s role in mental health services.
“I feel truly grateful and very humbled to be receiving this award,” he said. “There have been so many people and factors involved in my recovery and progress that I do feel slightly uncomfortable taking all of the credit for it. It has been very much a team effort, and I wouldn’t be where I am today without the support that I have received.”
Since graduating, Rees, from Bedford, has become an influential voice within the profession. He has represented the Chartered Physiotherapists in Mental Health specialist interest group at the national CSP conference and currently serves as the group’s Lived Experience Lead.
He has also returned to the University of Worcester to share his expertise with current students, delivering lectures on mental health physiotherapy to both undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy cohorts.
Rees has progressed to become a Mental Health Physiotherapy Team Lead at South West London and St George’s Mental Health NHS Trust. Alongside his clinical responsibilities, he has taken an active role in service development, leadership and raising the profile of physiotherapy within mental health services.
Rees said the University shaped both his professional career and personal development.
“I think my experience at Worcester gave me much more than a professional qualification, clinical experience and the foundations of a strong professional network,” he said. “It gave me the space away from home to make mistakes, hit rock bottom and, ultimately, recover.”
He added: “Without the support of the people I met in Worcester, both within the University and in my personal life, I imagine my life would look very different to how it does today.”
Among his fondest memories are the friendships and support networks he built during his time at the University.
“Some of my fondest memories are tied to achieving sobriety and finding a community of people who understood and supported me,” he said.
Rees also recalled his time in the student-led physiotherapy clinic at the University’s City Campus as particularly significant, where he developed valuable therapeutic relationships and gained practical experience that helped shape his future career.
The University of Worcester Alumni Awards celebrate graduates who have made exceptional contributions in their professions and communities.