This week is Occupational Therapy Week, and with this year’s theme “Participation Changes Everything”, we are shining a spotlight on some of the Occupational Therapy teams, and how they enable people to participate in the things that matter to them.
Helping people in their environment
The Joint Community Rehabilitation team help people live well in their own environment and promote independence, primarily supporting those who are unable to leave the house and experienced a decline in their function and independence.
Reflecting on the theme for Occupational Therapy week, Emily in the Hastings and Rother team, shared an experience that made her particularly proud.
Emily worked with an older patient following his discharge from hospital after a fractured hip affected his ability to carry out everyday tasks at home. Visiting him twice a week, she quickly recognised that his low mood was closely linked to a loss of independence and uncertainty about his recovery. At first, he could not imagine himself walking again.
Through their conversations, Emily discovered that he had a passion for baking and gardening. Using these interests to shape his rehabilitation, she focused on helping him return to the activities he enjoyed most. Together, they worked on walking to the kitchen, improving standing balance through everyday tasks, navigating the step into his garden and building confidence using a four-wheeled walker outdoors.
With Emily’s support, personalised rehabilitation plan and practical adjustments, he gradually regained his confidence and independence. Most importantly, he was able to return to the activities that brought him purpose and joy, demonstrating the life-changing difference occupational therapy can make.
Looking back on the treatment, Emily said:
“By the end of his time with us, he was back in the kitchen getting involved in baking again and getting into his garden. His daughter was very supportive and helped set up raised beds so he could get his hands in the soil again. Although he has not been able to regain his pre-fall ability completely, he is able to participate in activities he loves which was vital to his wellbeing and quality of life.”
More of the team, have shared their reflections of what they’re most proud of, highlighting individual cases where their help has had life changing impact. Read their stories here.
Welcoming our new cohort of occupational therapists
Elsewhere in the trust, a cohort of newly appointed rotational occupational therapists have been taking part in their preceptorship programme, providing a structured transition from being students to working practitioners. Recently, they attended a Millbrook Healthcare equipment familiarisation day, where they had the opportunity to trial a range of equipment they may go on to prescribe for patients.
The session helped develop their practical skills and confidence in assessing and measuring for equipment, including chairs and wheelchairs, while also exploring key considerations when recommending aids such as bath boards and other equipment designed to support people in their daily occupations.
Participation at the heart of occupational therapy
Injury, illness, medical conditions and age can all affect our ability to do the things we need, want and enjoy doing. Occupational therapists have the knowledge and expertise to help people overcome these barriers, enabling them to participate more fully in everyday life.
Working closely with people in our communities, occupational therapists take the time to understand what matters most to each individual. Through one-to-one support, they help set goals and develop personalised plans tailored to their needs.
Their expertise and guidance can be life changing, helping people regain independence, confidence and the ability to take part in activities that may once have felt out of reach. By making practical adjustments and providing specialist support, occupational therapists can have a significant impact on a person’s health, wellbeing and quality of life.
Becki Mahoney, Occupational Therapy student on placement at the trust said:
“After recently joining the Occupational Therapy Leadership Team at ESHT on my Occupational Therapy student placement, I’ve seen what this year’s theme: Participation Changes Everything, really means in practice. It’s given me the chance to get involved in collaborative projects, contribute ideas and build relationships with the teams across the trust.
Through those connections, I’ve seen leadership happening at every level, not just in leadership roles, and by bringing people together, sharing experiences and listening to others, the more connected and engaged we are as an Occupational Therapy workforce. This in turn, then enables us all to support participation for the people we work with in our services.
As Occupational Therapists, participation sits at the heart of what we do, and we see how meaningful involvement can improve peoples’ confidence, wellbeing, quality of life, and identity.
So being part of the leadership team has helped me feel more connected to the wider trust network, and shown me that when Occupational Therapists, support staff, students, leaders, and the people we support, all have opportunities to participate and influence change, we create stronger teams, better services and better outcomes. And that is the ultimate goal.”