Step First Podiatry helping you feel better from the feet up

Our mission is pretty simple… to provide premium and accessible Podiatry and Foot Care to the people of St Helens within a warm and welcome clinical environment.

The long-term goal is to develop a multidisciplinary clinic, incorporating health and wellbeing, whilst maintaining our core focus on high-end podiatry.

foot clinic st helens

Our Story

Having worked both within the NHS and the private sector for several years Lynne felt that the time had come to open her own clinic. Utilising the knowledge and experience she gained working for other practitioners, an old plumber’s merchants was converted into a brand-new clinic, and in March 2011 ‘Cambridge Road Chiropody’ was born. Over the following 9 years she built up a busy clinic, adding staff members and more podiatrists as business increased.

In late 2019 it was felt the business had outgrown the premises, and a new property was sought. Due to the success of the clinic over the years, Lynne was able to buy her own premises, relocating her business to a more central location. Rebranding was required and ‘Step First Podiatry’ was created. Lynne now works with a team of podiatrists to help offer a range of services and expertise.

PRACTICE OPENED

Cambridge Road Chiropody opened in March 2011

TEAM GROWS

Podiatrists Sam Wallwork, Louise Stone and Donna Baker join Cambridge Road Chiropody.

NEW PREMISES

Clinic moved to 97 Corporation street in St Helens town centre and rebranded to “Step First Podiatry

ADDITIONAL SERVICES OFFERED

2022: Laser therapy and Swift for verruca’s added.

2024: Curacorn treatment and Footscan technology added.

TEAM GROWS AGAIN!

Podiatrists Susan Keech, Rofiat Bello and Emma Brookes join the team.

ADDITIONAL SERVICES OFFERED

2025: New Laser machine and ABPI device added to improve laser therapy and enable us to perform advance diabetic assessments.

Meet The Team

Lynne Ellison - BSc (Hons) Pod.
Lynne Ellison - BSc (Hons) Pod. Practice owner
Step first Podiatry is run by Lynne Ellison, who has many years’ experience in the Podiatry profession. She graduated in 2007 from Durham School of Podiatric Medicine. Lynne previously worked as a Podiatrist for the NHS in Cornwall for 2 years, before relocating to the Northwest. There she began working for numerous private practitioners, gaining valuable experience before deciding to open a clinic of her own.

In 2011 she opened ‘Cambridge Road Chiropody’, and after 9 years of successful trading she was finally able to purchase new premises. Relocation meant that a new name was required, and in 2020 ‘Step First Podiatry’ was born.
In her spare time, she enjoys walking, looking after her dogs Lucy (Shih Tzu) & Izzie (Brussels Griffon) and has a keen interest in metabolic health and the Keto & Carnivore diet, attending conferences all over the country.
HCPC REG. CH28800

Sam Wallwork - BSc (Hons) Pod
Sam Wallwork - BSc (Hons) PodSenior Podiatrist
Sam has a wealth of NHS experience after spending 10 years working in Manchester. He gained his qualification, in 2007, from Durham School of Podiatric Medicine. He developed an interest in routine podiatry care, biomechanics and nail surgery, whilst also seeing a range of high-risk patients. In 2013 he joined Cambridge Road Chiropody, on a part time basis, to perform the nail surgeries. In 2018 Sam wanted a change from the NHS and decided to become full time at Cambridge Road Chiropody, now Step First Podiatry. In his spare time, he enjoys playing golf, watching football (specifically Liverpool) and cooking.
HCPC reg. CH29339
Susan Keech
Susan KeechSenior Podiatrist
Sue graduated from Salford university in 2001 and spent more than 22 years in the NHS before moving into private practice in July 2023. Not long after joining the NHS Sue worked in a consultant lead clinic in Southport hospital focussed on helping patients with Rheumatoid arthritis. Later Sue moved location to South Sefton and went on to manage the Podiatry team for 15 years, during this time Sue maintained her patient contact and developed her interest in nail surgery. During her final years in the NHS Sue worked in West Lancs and her caseload was looking after high-risk patients with chronic wounds, working closely with vascular and diabetic consultants to achieve best outcomes for patients and prevent amputations. During this time as well as managing a caseload Sue became the lead for nail surgery and since joining Step first Podiatry has developed her local anaesthetic knowledge and skills to be able to deliver Curacorn and Podtox treatments. Curacorn is a new innovative product to cure problematic corns. Podtox is very new and can help to resolve plantar fasciitis, hyperhidrosis (excessive sweating) and give relief for Morton’s neuroma.
Sue’s interests outside of work include playing pickleball, DIY and looking after her grandchildren.
HCPC reg. CH15038
Louise Stone - BSc (Hons) Pod
Louise Stone - BSc (Hons) PodAssociate Podiatrist
Louise has been practicing Podiatry since 2014 when she qualified from Salford University. Louise has a broad range of both NHS and private practice experience. Throughout her professional career in podiatry Louise has developed a wealth of clinical experience, Louise works in the High-risk diabetes foot team as well as running a children’s clinic in St Helens. Louise is registered with the Health and Care Professions Council and a Member of The Society of Podiatrists and Chiropodists.
HCPC reg. CH33365
Rofiat Bello
Rofiat BelloAssociate Podiatrist
Rofiat joined Step First Podiatry in July 2024 and now works on Fridays and Saturday alongside her full-time NHS work. She is an accomplished Podiatrist with a special interest in Biomechanical assessments.
HCPC reg. CH34878
Emma Brookes
Emma BrookesAssociate Podiatrist
Emma is our newest Podiatrist, starting in November 2024. She is an enthusiastic, knowledgeable degree-qualified Podiatrist, who works on Tuesday and Thursday evenings at Step First Podiatry. She also works for the NHS and is quickly gaining valuable experience on her way to becoming an accomplished Podiatrist. In her spare time, she enjoys exercising, foreign travel and walking her dog.
HCPC reg. CH35351
Fergus Ryan
Fergus RyanPractice Manager
Fergus previously worked as an Accountant for several firms over a 25-year period, before going full time as the clinic manager in 2025. He has been involved in growing the clinic since the beginning, alongside his partner Lynne. As the clinic has grown over the years it has required more time on the administrative side of things, and the time came in summer of 2025 to go full time.
In his spare time, he enjoys the occasional round of golf, trail running, gardening and walking his favourite dog Lucy and an additional dog called Izzie. Neither dog is very large.
Steven Kay
Steven KayAssistant Practice Manager
Steven previously worked as a sales manager for a flooring company, then for the last 15 years he has worked in health and social care, in various settings such as children’s home, mental health hospital and supported living completing 2 level three diplomas and extensive training along the way.
Steven loves to watch football and rugby league, especially his beloved Liverpool and St. Helens. He also loves to spend time with his wife and son and enjoy rides out to discover new places around the country.
Jan Knockton
Jan KnocktonReceptionist
With over 5 years at Step First Podiatry, Jan is one of our reception team who will always greet patients with a warm smile and her cheerful conversations. Renowned for her lovely phone manner, Jan creates a warm and friendly atmosphere that puts everyone at ease.
When she’s not at the front desk, she enjoys socialising with friends, exploring new restaurants, supporting Liverpool FC and walking in the countryside. Above all, she treasures spending time with her son and three daughters and five grandchildren.
Donna BakerAssociate Podiatrist
Donna has been with Step First Podiatry since its inception in 2020 and was with us in the ‘Cambridge Road Podiatry’ days as well. She is an experienced degree-qualified podiatrist with a great deal of experience both at the NHS and within private practices across the Northwest of England. In her spare time she enjoys walking, reading and walking her dogs.
HCPC reg. CH20588

Take the Next Step Towards Pain-Free Movement

If you are living with ongoing discomfort or unexplained pain, a biomechanical assessment can provide the answers you need. At Step First Podiatry, we combine clinical expertise with advanced technology to deliver accurate diagnosis and effective, long-term solutions.

Book your appointment today and take the first step towards understanding and improving how your body moves.