Ruth Sparkes - Rehabilitation & Welfare Rights Advisor

Ruth is a Rehabilitation & Welfare Rights Advisor within the Client Rehabilitation Service, which is part of the Injury Services group at Ashtons Legal.

Ruth started her career working for a large composite insurance company handling negligence claims, including injury and disease. This line of work gave her exposure to many seriously injured claimants and the challenges that they face following injury or diagnosis.

After many years in this industry, Ruth completed a qualifying law degree and changed direction specialising in welfare rights. Ruth has a lifetime of experience in handling welfare rights matters, both in a personal capacity and through her previous work at a local disability charity. With family members who are profoundly deaf, Ruth is also proficient in British Sign Language.

Ruth has extensive first-hand experience in several areas of disability and welfare provision, including disability and welfare benefits, education, social care and NHS provision and has supported claimants to attain their rights up to and including representation at Tribunal.

Ruth is passionate about supporting people to attain the provision that they both need and deserve and is persistent and determined in her approach to achieve the best possible outcome.

Ruth is part of both the Suffolk Advisor Network and the Tribunal User Group which amongst other things helps her towards keeping up to date with what provision is available both locally and nationally.

Outside of work, Ruth enjoys spending time with friends and family.