Welcome to The Wellness Lab

Barnstaple's wellness centre, offering diverse therapies and fostering a vibrant wellness community in the heart of the town.

Gavin Kervill

Bsc (Hons)Acu Lic ac. MBAcC

Gavin specializes in pain management and cancer care. He has recently returned to the UK from the Cayman Islands after moving there in 2016. During his time there he worked directly for the Chief medical officer of the Cayman Islands, conducting treatments to coincide with world leading systemic stem cell therapy treatments for multiple sclerosis. He also worked for a busy physiotherapy clinic, seeing many sports related injuries and post surgical issues. The highlight of working with this clinic was the success he had treating stroke patients. During his time on island, he worked extensively with the Breast Cancer Foundation and Jasmine, a local hospice. This work lead to an opportunity to be a key note speaker at the 2022 Caribbean Palliative Care Conference. Where he addressed many doctors, nurses and other healthcare providers from around the world on Acupuncture’s role within palliative care.

“In my experience, anything to do with wellness should be treated by someone like me, pharmaceuticals do not treat a lot of issues effectively enough, people are starting to realize that improvements are often quicker, safer and more permanent.”

Gavin’s goal is to integrate clinically proven acupuncture more effectively into general care at an affordable cost. He feels a lot of people are missing out on relief. While simultaneously managing a long list of medications with accompanying side effects. Thus over burdening an already challenged health care system.

Gavin’s clinical training at University included extensive training in western diagnosis as well as traditional medicine. Focusing on anatomy, physiology and pathogenesis but also red flags and pharmaceuticals. The reason for training like this is as he says, a lot of patients that see him don’t want to see the doctor. Sometimes he has to tell them firmly, that they need to. He has a degree in acupuncture, is a member of the British Acupuncture Council (present on the Professional Standards Authority Register) and also a diploma in emotional intelligence coaching. Gavin has practiced acupuncture in several countries around the world.

Before starting Acupuncture in 2007 Gavin owned and operated a martial arts school, teaching Combat Karate and mixed martial arts. With an early stint playing rugby at a high level for Bath RFC, Gavin has had his fair share of injuries and has managed his own chronic pain for some time now. Experiencing spinal surgery in 2022 himself, he considers himself an advocate for western medicine as well as Eastern. Growing up with several doctors and other medical professionals in the family he has seen both sides more than most in his position and is therefore intent on his patients receiving care from the most appropriate source.

“My goals for the Wellness Lab are to foster a calm, welcoming venue for a collective of like minded therapists that will provide plethora of effective and affordable treatments to North Devon”.

Philippa Delve

Registered Massage Therapist

“For me, massage is more than just a treatment — it’s a way to truly help people feel better, inside and out. I find it so rewarding to see someone walk in tense, tired, or in pain — and leave feeling relaxed, lighter, and happier. It’s therapeutic for me too, and there’s nothing better than knowing I’ve made a positive difference in someone’s day. If you’re looking for a safe, supportive space to unwind, heal, and recharge then you’re in the right place! I look forward to welcoming you..

Growing up in a deaf family gave me a deep appreciation for the importance of connection, care, and non-verbal communication from an early age. That upbringing naturally led me into a 20-year career in care, supporting elderly individuals as well as those living with learning disabilities and mental health conditions. I absolutely loved that work — it was challenging, fulfilling, and full of heart. Over time, I felt called to do even more to help people — especially in ways that supported both their physical and emotional wellbeing. That’s what led me to begin my journey into massage therapy in 2018. Since then, I’ve continually built on my skills and qualifications to offer a wide range of treatments tailored to each person’s needs.

Lizzie Duggan

Since 1999 I have worked in the health and fitness industry teaching group fitness classes and working in gyms. Over the years I have trained and specialised in different areas of health and wellness and have gone where I have felt the biggest need.

I have noticed over this time the need for specific women's health fitness through prenatal and postnatal to peri/post menopause. I saw whilst working predominantly with pre and postnatal women that there were a lot of women suffering with a feeling of weakness in their pelvic floor, peeing when laughing or sneezing or a heaviness and dragging feeling in their pelvis. I wanted to help and that's when I moved more into women's health and pelvic floor rehab after finding Hypopressives and Pilates in 2014.

With so many women feeling lost and unsupported, facing surgery as the only option. I could see the need for another option, a holistic approach combining a multi discipline approach.

Fast forward to now and women around the world have improved their symptoms and avoided surgery through the exercises we have done together. A lot of the symptoms of pelvic floor weakness affect 1 in 3 women and is not something you only suffer with when you are older, we see women in their late twenties and early thirties all the way to their 80'st. It is never too late, you are not alone, there are a lot more women suffering in silence and embarrassment than you think and we want them to know, there is help and support for them.

Get in touch to find out if I can help you.

Pilates, Yoga and Hypopressives

Louis Wicking

Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist

We're excited to welcome Louis to the wellness lab! Starting in January, Louis is the sole practitioner at Entire Physiotherapy in North Devon a Musculoskeletal Physiotherapist, Sports Rehab specialist and Pilates Teacher.

Louis studied Physiotherapy at the University of Brighton, he initially completed his Acute Hospital Inpatient Junior Rotation's at the local NHS Trust (Maidstone & Tunbridge Wells) before specialising in Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy and Rehab.

Louis is trained in Mulligan Concept manual therapy and sport massage, he uses technologies within his practice mainly Isokinetic muscle testing to provide objective measures to guide rehab. He is also excited to be the only practitioner locally offering ‘Shockwave therapy’ as of February.

Before becoming a Physiotherapist Louis was a personal trainer and got a lot of satisfaction out of helping people accomplish their goals. Playing football for Plymouth Argyle youth squad, he had a hip injury. Which required rehab from a physio. This fuelled his passion to combine his love of helping people achieve their goals with helping them recover physically.

In his spare time he enjoys Mountain Biking, Climbing, Trail Running and also running after his young family!

Acupuncturist and owner

BA, MSc, MCSP

Catherine Goddard

Reflexologist and health coach

I find immense satisfaction in my work - it gives my clients so many benefits like deep relaxation, better sleep, enhanced mood and improved circulation.

The pressures of life today are enormous, and it sometimes can feel overwhelming. Through my own personal experience of workplace stress, I have learned how to find balance in life and can share practical tools for self-help which enables my clients to reduce stress and create a sense of wellbeing.

I started training in Holistic therapies over twenty years ago, gradually building up my qualifications. In parallel, I held a managerial position within a company where my responsibilities included employee welfare, which enabled me to leverage my training in holistic wellness.

I also previously volunteered as a Complementary Therapist in Exeter, where I offered various treatments, including reflexology for ‘end of life’ and dementia patients. Whilst in this role, I had the opportunity to qualify in holistic palliative care and Reiki. I learned a lot from this experience – notably the importance of compassionate care.

Following a recent move to North Devon, I am now working as a volunteer Reflexologist with the North Devon Hospice. I am also particularly interested in women’s health and supporting women through their menopause journey.

Lianne Coombes

Level 3 Trauma Informed breathwork coach

I am really passionate about holistic wellness and especially people having their own toolkits and knowledge for wellness and self regulation. Having had my own experiences of anxiety, I know how powerful a tool it is and it's something that we all have free access to.

In my Breathwork, Mindfulness and Meditation classes I will share breath exercises that can be used in any moment to self regulate, reduce anxiety, brain fog or increase energy as well as daily exercises that you can incorporate into your daily routine to keep you more naturally in a balanced, centred state, improve sleep and generally help you to be the most awesome version of yourself.

We will also incorporate mantra meditation which is a rest for your mind that is 4 times more powerful than sleep, another tool to help you perform at your best.

Finishing each session with some diaphragmatic training in the form of a guided breath meditation, laying down, wrapped up in blankets allowing you to completely come to rest. My attendees find it to be a delightful hour of education, space to practise and time to rest so I would love to see lots of you in my classes at the Wellness lab!