Nichola Quarmby

I graduated with a Bachelor of Occupational Therapy from the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa, in 2021. Following graduation, I completed my community service year at a tertiary hospital in rural KwaZulu-Natal, where I gained experience across a wide range of Occupational Therapy settings. I then went on to complete a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship & Innovation at the University of Edinburgh in 2024 before returning to clinical practice.

Over the past two years, I have been working in specialist paediatric education settings, supporting autistic children and young people with a range of sensory, motor and functional needs. During this time, I have developed a particular passion for paediatric Occupational Therapy and enjoy helping children participate more successfully in everyday school activities. I am especially interested in expanding my knowledge and experience in Sensory Integration.

One of the things I love most about my role is building meaningful relationships with children and finding creative, play-based ways to help them achieve their goals. I also value the collaborative approach at Words First, where we work closely with families, teachers and other professionals to ensure strategies are embedded across each child’s daily environments.

The Words First value that resonates with me most is having the student’s best interests at heart. I believe that when every decision is centred on what is best for the child, we create the greatest opportunity for them to thrive.

Originally from South Africa, I love spending time outdoors and by the sea. Whether I’m hiking, swimming, surfing or scuba diving, you’ll usually find me outside. I also enjoy spending time with family and friends, and if you asked them to describe me in three words, they would probably say I’m loyal, kind and fun – with a slight obsession with country music!