Posted on: 10 November 2023
Occupational Therapy Week runs from 6 to 12 November and is a chance to highlight the important – but often overlooked – work carried out by occupational therapists.
Organised by the Royal College of OTs, the theme this year was ‘occupation matters’.
It aimed to remind people that occupations are not just work or employment. They are any activity that is important to us.
Occupations are essential to everyday living, they are activities that people do as individuals, in families and within communities to occupy time, bring meaning, belonging and purpose to their lives. Occupations include things people need to, want to and are expected to do.
The role of an Occupational Therapist is to support, promote, adapt and encourage participation in daily occupations. With the aim of maintaining and improving our clients’ quality of life and wellbeing.
Below is a roundup of how services across CNWL have been celebrating their OTs.
OT Conference
Occupational Therapy Week kicked off on Monday with CNWL’s OT Conference.
On the event, Emma Nicklin, Trust Head of Profession for Occupational Therapy, said: “It was such a joy to have our CNWL OT conference on Monday to mark the start of OT week.
“I hope those of you who made it enjoyed it and went away with a passion to talk about occupations, be proud and own your unique professional role.
“Please be loud and proud this week about your role, how essential meaningful occupations are for health and about all the wonderful work you do in your teams.”
Download the slides from the day here.
Emma also spoke at a RCOT events on Tuesday, discussing how she has had to break down barriers by talking about occupations and help people to understand the value of occupations. You can watch a recording of the discussion here.
Milton Keynes Neurological Rehabilitation Team
The Neurological Rehabilitation Team in Milton Keynes decked their rooms with posters busting myths about the role of OTs – primarily that is does not just concern your job or activity of daily living.
OT word search
Our Children’s Occupational Team in Harrow produced a fantastic OT-themed word search, which you can download here.
Ealing Short Term Rehabilitation Team
The Short Term Rehabilitation Team in Ealing went all out this year. They held a range of events across the week – everything from presentations and quizzes to biscuit icing and photography.
CNWL features in Recovery Through Activity book
CNWL’s Tejal Patel, Head OT at the Roxbourne Complex, features in the second edition of Sue Parkinson’s Recovery Through Activity.
Click here to see Tee’s contribution.
