Sam Sherwood - Hospital Manager

Sam qualified as a mental health nurse in 1991 and spent a total of 28 years working in High Secure Services. During this time she worked her way up through a range of roles including Staff Nurse, Team Leader and Ward Manager with men and women who had been diagnosed with a wide range of conditions including Brain Injuries, mental health and personality disorder diagnoses. During this time Sam also completed her Sex Offender Therapy Training and completed the DBT skills course, so she could facilitate skills based groups and complete index focussed work.

Sam has presented at many conferences, which includes the ‘Care In Custody’ conference which was hosted in Saskatoon, Canada. Leaving High Secure Services to broaden her career saw Sam became the Manager of a Nursing Home which looked after people diagnosed with Dementia and degenerative disorders.

Now proudly working within Pindar House as Hospital Manager Sam strives to work with the team to provide the best care to service users, enabling them to live their lives as independently as they can.

Amy Leiter - Clinical Manager

Amy started working for Cygnet in August 2011 commencing her journey in the mental health field as a support worker at Storthfield house. She went on to study mental health nursing at Sheffield Hallam University in 2014 and qualified in 2017. Upon qualifying she moved into the field of neuropsychiatric at Cygnet Grange to broaden her knowledge and skills.

Amy moved to Cygnet Pindar House as a senior nurse in February 2020 and has progressed through the ranks and is now Clinical Manager. Amy is responsible for ensuring that patients receive high quality care, whilst supporting staff members to achieve their optimum potential. Amy strives to achieve the highest standards possible at Pindar House.

Dr Julianne Kinch – Consultant Clinical Neuropsychologist and National Neuropsychology Clinical Lead

Since completing her clinical training in 2000, Dr Kinch has worked in a large variety of brain injury rehabilitation services and settings, in both the public and the private sector. She has led several multidisciplinary clinical teams specialising in neurobehavioural rehabilitation for clients with an acquired brain injury, delivering specialist brain injury rehabilitation to a wide spectrum of patients, ranging from those in a Prolonged Disorder of Conscious to individuals whom engage in severe behaviours that challenge.

Dr Kinch’s research projects have included investigation of the perception of indirect and non-verbal social communication after brain injury (contributing to the development of The Awareness of Social Inference Test; TASIT). She has also conducted extensive research into the role of self-compassion and self-criticism in compassion fatigue and burnout amongst healthcare assistants and has presented this research at international conferences.

Dr Kinch's primary commitment is to ensuring that the patients she works with, no matter the severity of their brain injury, achieve a rich, full, and meaningful life.

Dr Venkata Yelamanchili - Consultant Neuropsychiatrist

Since 2021, Venkata has worked as a Consultant Neuropsychiatrist at Pindar House. This role follows four years as a Specialty Doctor in Liaison Psychiatry, where he developed a keen interest in neuropsychiatry. Venkata's training encompassed diverse psychiatric sub-specialties, including Therapeutic Communities, Drug and Alcohol units, Forensic, and General Adult Psychiatry.

Venkata also worked as a Consultant Psychiatrist in Acute Mental Health Units, Community Mental Health Teams, and Intensive Community Services.

Venkata is particularly passionate about addressing the under-diagnosis of acquired brain injuries (ABI). He believes early intervention is crucial to minimise morbidity and optimise rehabilitation.

He is also dedicated to sharing expertise and promoting best practices among Neuropsychiatry teams. As Chair of the Monthly Neuropsychiatry MDT Grand Rounds, Venkata facilitates discussions on complex management and evidence-based research among six inpatient Neuropsychiatry units. His goal is to enhance understanding, address concerns, and manage expectations effectively

Dr Chidimma Ezeoke - Speciality Doctor

Dr Ezeoke is a highly skilled physician with over a decade of experience across psychiatry, surgery, HIV care and general medicine. Currently working in a Neuropsychiatric rehabilitation unit, she brings a holistic approach to patient care, drawing from her diverse medical background.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr Ezeoke has a keen interest in artificial intelligence and technology, exploring their potential to revolutionize healthcare. Outside of work, Dr Ezeoke enjoys cool music and movies, balancing her professional expertise with creative and relaxing pursuits.

Mutsa Mujuru - Speech and Language Therapist

Mutsa earned her qualification as a Speech and Language Therapist upon completing a degree at the University of Sheffield in 2021. Mutsa has worked as a Speech and Language Therapist for Cygnet since 2021.

Starting at Cygnet Sherwood lodge, she gained experience in Learning Disability and Autism, then moved to Cygnet Pindar House in September 2023. Mutsa is committed to advocating for service users’ communication and swallowing needs, fostering their active involvement in care and treatment, and promoting shared decision-making for discharge.

Amy Moss - Speech and Language Therapist

Amy graduated from the University of York with a First Class degree in Psychology. During her time in York she volunteered for a variety of organisations that aim to increase awareness and provide support in areas that she is passionate about. Amy was a committee member for an organisation that educates young people on mental health, she provided social support for adults with autism, and she was a volunteer for York Mind. Amy then worked for a year in a Leeds high school supporting teenagers with learning disabilities. She then undertook a Masters in Speech and Language Therapy at the University of Sheffield.

In 2021 she completed her Masters and joined Cygnet Cedars as a newly qualified Speech and Language Therapist. She later transferred to Wast Hills in 2022 before joining the team at Cygnet Pindar House in 2025.

Amy is dedicated to helping support and empower individuals with acquired brain injuries. In her spare time she enjoys long walks and spending time with friends and family.

Tania Rudd - Occupational Therapist

Tania graduated with a MSc in Occupational Therapy from Sheffield Hallam University in 2022, joining Cygnet in September 2024. Tania is dedicated to helping service users reach their goals, participate in meaningful activities, and enhance their independent living skills, enabling them to progress towards their discharge.

Muhammed Mughal – Physiotherapist

Muhammed is from the north part of Pakistan, namely known as Azad Kashmir. He completed his degree from 2011 to 2016 from King Edward Medical University in Pakistan as doctor of physiotherapist (D.P.T.)

From 2016 to 2024, Muhammed worked as an intensive care physiotherapist in National Hospital and Medical Centre (N.H.M.C.). He worked in inpatient department as well as in community patient department.

In 2018, he was given the charge of Intensive units such as I.C.U., C.C.U., C.I.C.U. After that, he worked as a team leader and lead physiotherapist in that particular hospital settings.

He has a vast experience of working in the neurological, orthopaedic, inpatient and rehab care domain. His speciality is in the rehabilitation and chest physiotherapy domain.

Kerry Sunley - Dietician

Kerry qualified in MSc Dietetics at Teesside University and has worked in the areas of nutrition support, weight management, type 2 diabetes and coeliac disease to name a few!

Kerry is an animal lover and out of work she enjoys long walks with her dogs in the countryside and spending time with her family.