The OT Magazine – Jul / Aug 2022

THE

MAGAZINE Issue 47 | Jul/Aug 22 | Improving Independence

Adventure Therapy Exploring the impact that adventure therapy can have on people experiencing psychosis

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COLU M N S

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PRO DUC T S

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CPD

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EVENTS

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MENTAL HEALTH

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About us

The Team

Editor: Rosalind Tulloch Staff Writer: Katie Campbell Designer: Fionnlagh Ballantine Production: Donna Deakin Contributors: Kate Sheehan, Michael Kissoon, Helen Rostron, Hattie Stevens, Louise Kermode, Nicky Bament, Maia Fergus-O’Grady

This month’s issue...

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his issue we learn more about adventure therapy and how it can be utilised to help people experiencing psychosis. OT Michael Kissoon embarked on a sailing trip last year as a form of adventure therapy with a group of young people living with psychosis, and he shares the impact that this amazing experience had on those involved. Find out more about adventure therapy on page 12.

Get in touch 2A Publishing, 20-23 Woodside Place, Glasgow, G3 7QL 0141 465 2960 ot-magazine.co.uk The OT Magazine @ot_magazine enquiries@2apublishing.co.uk

Disclaimer

The OT Magazine is published by 2A Publishing Limited. The views expressed in The OT Magazine are not necessarily the views of the editor or the publisher.

Reproduction in part or in whole is strictly prohibited without the explicit written consent of the publisher. Copyright 2022 © 2A Publishing Limited. All Rights Reserved. ISSN-2056-7146

To mark 90 years since the founding of the Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists, we look into the history of occupational therapy in the UK and discover how the profession was established. You can read more on this on page 26.

We also look into the benefits of swimming, explore the stigma that surrounds people living with stomas and highlight how OTs can help people adjust to life with a stoma, and we look into the importance of creating accessible gardens to ensure people can still enjoy their green spaces regardless of mobility problems.

Louise Kermode gives us a great insight into life as an OT in the charity sector, and encourages newly qualifying OTs to consider this as an alternative option for your career. We also hear from paediatric OT Nicky Bament, who shares her journey of setting up her own practice and her own charity to provide neurodiverse children with the equipment they need.

We hope you enjoy this issue, as always please contact us to share your work by emailing ros@2apublishing.co.uk; we love to hear from you.

The OT Magazine, Editor

Cover image: Nathan Jones

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What’s inside 16

07 What’s New

Bringing you up-to-speed with all the latest news from the health sector

11 Reflections Kate Sheehan reflects on how a fall became a learning experience for her as an OT

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12 Adventure Therapy Michael Kissoon explores the impact adventure therapy can have on people living with psychosis

15 Day in the Life Helen Rostron and Hattie Stevens take us through a day in their lives working in a care home setting

16 Stopping the Stigma How can OTs help to dispel the stigma that surrounds living with a stoma?

21 Product Focus The latest must-have products on the market

24 Dive In The mental and physical benefits of taking a dip in the pool 4

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26 The Origins of OT Celebrating 90 years since the founding of the Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists

28 Green Spaces The importance of creating safe, accessible gardens

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31 The OT Show 2022 Counting down to the event of the year

32 OT in the Voluntary

Sector

Louise Kermode encourages OTs to consider a job in the voluntary sector

Product

Focus 21

38 A Journey to

Independence

Nicky Bament shares her journey to become an independent paediatric OT

41 Cooking with Kids Teaching life skills while supporting development

42 Paediatric Products Innovative products for younger clients

44 Autism Assistance

Dogs

Exploring the impact of man’s best friend on the lives of autistic people

46 Working

Boundaries

Small things you can do to set up boundaries that improve your work/life balance

48 Events Calendar Essential dates for your diary www.

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We explore what’s happening in the healthcare sector, from new products and services to inspirational stories

What’s new?

OTS CAN NOW SIGN FIT NOTES In June, the government announced that more allied health professionals, including occupational therapists, will now have the authority to sign fit notes for patients. The new legislation will come into effect from 1 July 2022 across England, Wales and Scotland, and is designed to relieve the pressure on doctors and GPs. Occupational therapists, nurses, physiotherapists and pharmacists will now be able to legally certify a fit note for a patient in general practice or hospital setting, authorising that the patient is fit for a return to work.

Fit notes, which were brought into use in 2010, provide evidence to

your employer about your absence and any relevant advice on how to support you to remain in or return to work.

with DWP and being bold and progressive, we are happy to have helped opened this new opportunity for occupational therapists.

Previously these notes could only be signed by a doctor, but by enabling more allied health professionals to assess and authorise a fit note, this will not only ease the pressure on doctors and GPs, but will open up more lines of communication for patients to discuss health and wellbeing concerns with the relevant health professional to them.

“Workers and employers are crying out for more help to support people with health problems to stay in work where they are able to do so. These new changes mean occupational therapists are directly able to provide that advice.”

Director of practice and innovation, at The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), Karin Orman, said: “By joining forces

In April this year changes were made that allowed fit notes to be issued digitally, making the process far more efficient for all involved. This further change will further increase efficiency for employees, employers, doctors and GPs.

Southampton OT students collaborate with charity Occupational therapy students at the University of Southampton have partnered with Southampton Living Well (SLW) to help improve mental health and wellbeing among their service users.

in their community and help create activities they would enjoy.

Six students from the university are engaging in activities with the older people supported by SLW, taking part in flowerpot decorating and seed sowing, while getting to know them.

“During the first week, the students chatted with the individuals we support and got to know each other better. They then returned the following week to decorate flower pots together. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed this, and our customers all looked forward to seeing the students again.

Alison Fisher, day opportunities manager at SLW, said: “We were thrilled to be contacted by Fay Hughes an occupational therapy lecturer from the University of Southampton and were so pleased that she had a group of students that wanted to meet some older people

“The week after, they all filled the pots with soil and sowed seeds and our customers are loving watching what they planted grow. Having the students interact and spend time with our customer is fantastic and has really brightened everyone’s days. Intergenerational contact is so

important, and it proves that people of all ages can get along together and share interests.”

Student Emily Edwards said: “As a group of six occupational therapy students we planned an activity based around decorating plant pots and planting seeds. We felt a real sense of connection with the customers throughout the activity, with everyone expressing a part of themself through their pot. Everyone chatted and joked throughout the session, and we all agreed we could have carried on all afternoon!

“We are grateful to the Living Well programme for facilitating this experience and the brilliant work that they carry out.” www.

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SEATING MATTERS LAUNCH SYDNEY GOFLAT™ CHAIR

demonstrates the many benefits of getting patients out of bed as rapidly as tolerated and the negative impact that long term bed rest can have on muscle mass, bone mineral density and impairment in other body systems.

“Time and again we were asked for a lie flat chair but built to the high Seating Matters clinical standard.

The Sydney GoFlat was designed and refined in direct response to clinician feedback. We wanted to help advance early mobilisation, enabling patients to be discharged earlier from the ICU and ultimately from hospital.”

Seating Matters specialise in providing clinical therapeutic seating to hospitals, long term care facilities and families across the world.

They have launched a new seating solution to help transfer critical care patients.

The Sydney GoFlat™ has been designed to enable the safe and efficient transfer of critical care patients from lying in bed to a fully seated, clinically optimised position offering care professionals new

options in early patient mobilisation.

Speaking at the launch of the new model, Seating Matters director Jonathan Tierney said: “We are very proud to launch this new addition to the Seating Matters range. The Sydney GoFlat combines the traditional Seating Matters principles of seating with the benefits of our advanced GoFlat technology allowing lateral transfers.”

Clinical director Martin Tierney added: “Extensive research

“Feedback we have heard during the field-testing phase of this exciting new chair is that in addition to the many significant physical and functional benefits there have been untold mental and emotional benefits for patients. Our very first patient was in an ICU unit in Australia and her occupational therapist thought the Sydney GoFlat was a game changer in her patient’s treatment.”

Seating Matters specialists are providing free demonstrations of the Sydney GoFlat across the UK and Ireland, details can be found on seatingmatters.com.

HSCP pilot finds success A year-long pilot by East Renfrewshire Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) which saw occupational therapists support care home residents had been called a “huge success” and resulted in the creation of a permanent role within the HSCP to allow OTs to continue to provide beneficial treatment.

HSCP identified two care homes Norwood House in Barrhead and Eastwood Court in Giffnock - that could benefit from the addition of a specialist mental health OT to combat the impact of COVID-19 on both the care homes’ staff and residents. With the support of a £5000 grant from the Elizabeth

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Casson Trust, OTs created spaces for patients living with dementia, introduced more dementia-friendly signage, and advised care staff on appropriate activities. In Eastwood Court, they also established The Staying Inn, providing residents with a comfortable pub-like space to socialise in.

Manager of Norwood House

Annemarie McNaught told Barrhead News: “The input of an occupational therapist has helped us become more dementia friendly and the support has already made such a difference to our lovely residents, particularly those living with dementia.”

“I do hope we can continue to work together.”

OT INVOLVES FATBOY SLIM IN DJ WORKSHOP

Legendary DJ and ex-Housemartins bassist Norman Cook, known better as Fatboy Slim, offered a DJing masterclass in his hometown of Hove, Essex last month as part of an NHS project to help people living with severe mental illness.

Cook was joined by Brighton DJs Audio Anonymous/Atomic drop at the session, which is part of Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s arts programme Make Your Mark.

Senior occupational therapist at Sussex Partnership Natalie Rowlands reached out to Cook to see if he might be interested in taking part in the event, funded by the NHS charity Heads On to support people living with severe mental illness, and also sees them taking singing workshops, samba classes and more.

Rowlands said: “We are absolutely delighted to be working with Fatboy

ALDER HEY LAUNCHES “HOSPITAL WITHOUT WALLS” Alder Hey Children’s NHS Foundation Trust has launched its “hospital of the future” to offer hybrid physical and virtual care to children and young people.

Developed in collaboration with Microsoft and Mindwave, its hybrid health platform AlderHey@nywhere seeks to offer solutions to the finite capacity of the hospital, using cutting-edge technology to provide innovative healthcare solutions in a “hospital without walls”.

Managing director of Alder Hey Innovation, Claire Liddy, said: “At the moment, healthcare is most often about treating people that are ill.

What we want to do is to shift to a more preventative model of care that is individualised and tailored and that empowers children and young people to take ownership of their

healthcare and treatment. There are so many different technologies out there now, including wearable technology and devices such as smartwatches that enable you to monitor your health at home. What we needed was a hybrid platform to bring it all together into one place so that families, children and young people could access it, alongside their clinicians at the hospital.

“We think the AlderHey@ nywhere™ platform will allow us to elevate the level and access to care for children and young people who tell us that they want to be empowered to understand and manage their own healthcare and treatment. It also allows us to move to a more preventative healthcare modelling, making healthcare more individual and personalised.”

Slim and Audio Anonymous/Atomic Drop to challenge some of this stigma and bring the sheer joy of music to people.

“It was truly amazing to see the joy on participants’ faces during this workshop.

“One individual told me that it had been a pivotal moment in her life, it was the beginning of a new chapter for her and something she will never forget.

“While there is growing understanding about the role the arts and creativity can play in recovery for people with common mental health problems, much less is known about this for people with severe mental illness, who can often face the greatest stigma around their illness and as a result far fewer opportunities to be creative.”

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REFLECTIONS I

love skiing and have skied for over 43 years with no major accidents. This year however, I fell awkwardly, which resulted in me having a lovely lift off the slopes in a helicopter and experiencing the Swiss emergency care service.

On returning to the UK, I was diagnosed with a ruptured anterior cruciate ligament and twisted meniscus. Surgery followed to repair both, and I spent six weeks in a fulllength brace, non-weight bearing for the first three weeks and partial weight bearing for the next three weeks. The time I spent in the brace was a real learning experience and I wanted to share three things which have really impacted me as a therapist.

MENTAL HEALTH Any surgery leaves you drained as your body is getting over the trauma and the anaesthetic. I had not, however, appreciated the level of fatigue you have from managing your day-to-day life with your leg in a fixed straight position. Everything - and I do mean everything - is impacted: using the toilet (radiators and sinks are very handy ‘rails’ even though I knew I should not use them), getting up and over the shower threshold, preparing a drink or a snack and if achieved, having to stand there to eat or drink as I could not carry anything.

The challenge of doing everyday tasks was exhausting; everything needed to be planned, there was no nipping up the stairs for something I had forgotten or popping out on a visit.

Luckily, I was able to problem-solve my own solutions, order equipment

that would help, and arrange for a driver.

However, the level of fatigue was enormous, and I found myself planning less and less, spending more time at home as it was just easier. This resulted in less social contact, causing my mental health to really feel the impact, and I found as my mood deteriorated it made me want to do even less.

The reflection for me as a therapist has been that we need to work with our clients on fatigue management, and listen to them about what is really important to them, alongside how much they can do, and when they want to do it. Remembering that doing the things we really enjoy and love to do, has a massive effect on our mental wellbeing.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT We take for granted that we can walk out of our home, down the street and get on with our lives.

This is not always possible if you are a wheelchair user, our built environment has not been designed to meet their needs. The simplest things become a barrier; the camber on a pavement requiring all your upper limb strength to keep you from ending up in the road; the lack of dropped kerbs which means you are pushing yourself for much longer distances to find an accessible route; the poorly maintained paving that you cannot get over; the dropped kerbs that fill up with water meaning your hands are permanently wet or muddy, and the limited circulation space in shops and cafes. The list

could go on and on.

The reflection here was that everything takes longer, it takes more thought and more planning having to think about every potential barrier before going out. This results in less spontaneous trips and socialising opportunities.

As a therapist, I need to think more about making glib comments on telling clients what accessible activities they can do, for example, suggesting they go to the theatre, which is the end activity. The planning around this activity has to include the whole activity analysis from the moment you leave your home to the time you return.

PUBLIC ATTITUDE I was surprised by the attitude of the general public to a person in a wheelchair; I thought that we had moved forward in society’s perceptions and understanding of disability, but I was wrong. I was ignored, bumped into, and at times treated with contempt.

How do we acknowledge this and work with our clients on how they manage other people’s behaviour or attitudes whilst maintaining their own wellbeing?

As a society and as therapists we have so much more to learn about the impact, attitude, and design of our society, and as one of my clients said to me last year: “Stop being relentlessly positive, my situation is sh*t, Kate. Please acknowledge that and we can then move forward to making it a bit less sh*t.”

This comment really resonates with me now, and I know that how I work with clients will change from this point onwards.

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Adventure Therapy Michael Kissoon is a senior occupational therapist and service manager at aspire, an early intervention in psychosis team based in Leeds. Michael discusses the impact that adventure therapy can have on people living with psychosis

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urnished skies atop an endless sea are the dramatic backdrop to fervent activity on deck. A change in the wind means a change of sail for a weary team. Working as one, pulling on ropes to the call of the bosun, winching at speed and watching as the sail gets ever closer to the top of the mast. Sinew now straining as the last few pulls are eeked out with cries of “heave, heave, heave”, the final knots securing the hard work in place; all ready to re-do in a few minutes time. This is not a professional crew: these people are living with psychosis, and this is the first time they have ever sailed. This is adventure therapy.

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ASPIRE

We met again as a group on the 7 October 2021 and these select quotes from clients speak for themselves:

aspire is the early intervention in psychosis (EIP) service in Leeds, working with people who are suspected of, or experiencing their first episode of psychosis. We work with around 500 clients aged between 14-65. The aspire team comprises around 65 staff, including occupational therapists, mental health nurses, psychiatrists, therapists (drama therapists, family therapists, CBT therapists), social recovery workers and other specialist workers.

“Because this was such a unique experience, it destroyed the loops I was in… it really worked for me… I am now two years ahead of the process (of recovery).”

There is a range of NICE recommended treatments for the first episode of psychosis, including medication, talking therapy and social recovery. It can be reasoned though, that a life event as impactful as psychosis, requires an equally immense intervention. Adventure therapy (AT) is just such an intervention. The premise of AT is the use of a challenging and unfamiliar environment, typically in nature, to create an intense physical demand, new social interactions, and the learning of new skills. With a shared purpose, teamwork, bonding, adversity and practical skills provide an accelerated experience where clients push their limits to new horizons. It can be a catalyst for pursuing and developing meaningful occupation in the future and the evidence base is growing, particularly for young people.

COLLABORATION Pre-pandemic, aspire linked with other EIP teams around the country (led by the enigmatic Mike Jackson) to collaborate on planning a sailing trip, in relay, to circumnavigate the UK. In spite of a year of COVID delays and a plethora of challenges, the aspire leg of the ‘Voyage to Recovery’ was completed between the 6 - 11 September 2021, from Hartlepool to Ipswich.

Nine clients and four aspire staff, guided by the expertise of three experienced sailors; Pippa the skipper, Davide the first mate and Jake the bosun from the Cirdan Sailing Trust. For six days and nights, the handsome 75ft Faramir was our new home, providing small bunk beds, an everswaying galley kitchen, seemingly endless ropes (“don’t touch that one or you’ll get hurt”), two tiny toilets, and no shower. Some of the challenges faced by all were cramped conditions, a near miss with an oil tanker, some sea sickness, lots of bumps and bruises, lack of sleep, a lot of physically demanding activity and did I mention, two tiny toilets and no shower? On the plus side, we got to sail through two nights, using the stars for navigation, marvelled at the phosphorescence in the sea water as it was parted by the bow, bonded over adversity, had some great food, and witnessed the most amazing sunsets and sunrises you could ever wish for. Sunrise at Runswick Bay at anchor will live with me forever.

THE IMPACT On the coach trip back from Ipswich to Leeds, I could hear stories being shared, bruises being compared, laughing at photos and the swapping of telephone numbers. A group of relative strangers were now buoyed by the strength and support of each other. Everyone had endured healthy physical and mental hardship and realised they were stronger than they once believed.

“I now know that I can achieve more than I thought…

I’ve applied for a new job since returning because I feel more capable.”

“Saw a part of myself that I like, that I hadn’t seen for two years.”

“It was an amazing experience.”

PRACTICALITIES An intervention such as this is not thrown together in an afternoon. It took ongoing liaison with Cirdan, ‘build-up’ events where staff and clients got acquainted (bouldering, walking, campfire, lunch in Leeds), contingency plans for when staff and clients withdrew, food shopping, transport and overall, about £10,000 in costs. All risks needed to be considered and mitigated, promotional material needed preparing and we scheduled planning meetings regularly for months beforehand. The COVID lockdowns were out of the ordinary, but a good example of how a project of this scale can be challenged in myriad ways. My advice for anyone wanting to instigate AT is to surround yourself with a great team, be prepared to go the extra mile, don’t be afraid to get things wrong and delegate, delegate, delegate.

REFLECTION For me, as an OT working in mental health, if I was ever in doubt about the efficacy of occupation, this experience will shine as a beacon of justification. I witnessed unparalleled commitment to the task at hand, to the detriment of any psychotic symptoms that dared to get in the way. I will always remember the bravery of being with someone as they fought through a panic attack, knowing that they could not escape to their comfort zone, because there was no comfort zone.

Getting the sail changed to support the team was what really mattered in that moment and that is where the power of meaningful occupation is at its greatest.

For further information visit commlinks.co.uk and search for “aspire”. You can also follow them on Instagram @aspire_eip_leeds.

For more information about the voyage or aspire, you can email Michael at mkissoon@nhs.net.

n i y a d A .

fe i L e h t Day in Helen of… n and o Rostr Stevens Hattien and Hattie Steitvhens

ost w Rostro an a p g Helen rust e b tly tion T a d n u recen HS Fo a care rset N care in y r a Some rim g ring p settin delive home

What is your current role and how long have you been in it?

We are Band 7 occupational therapists employed by Somerset NHS Foundation Trust (SFT) working in the North Sedgemoor Primary Care Network (PCN), a service established using the Additional Role Reimbursement Scheme funds. We are currently supporting the delivery of the Enhanced Health in Care Homes framework and we began in January 2022.

Describe a typical day…

We support about 540 care home residents who are living with and managing several long-term health conditions, focusing on living well with these conditions and providing an enhanced review of their medical and wellbeing needs. We have a hybrid model of working that sees us based between home, GP surgeries and with the use of virtual tools.

What is the hardest thing about your role?

Starting in a service that did not exist and ensuring you are not duplicating other commissioned services, as well as navigating the complexities of care home residents’ funding steams, and learning how private

. f o e f i l e th

Each month ..

we talk to a differen occupati onal thera t pist to see wh at a typic a l day is for the ma a little mo nd explain re about their role.

Helen d n a n o r t s Ro s n e v e t S e i t t Ha

businesses work.

What is the best thing about your role?

1 The opportunity to identify health inequalities experienced by people living in care homes and respond to them 2 Supporting the development of Somerset’s care home workforce to better meet the needs of their residents 3 Referral route - using cuttingedge artificial intelligence system Brave to understand the needs of our local population.

This is a new way to risk stratify and respond in a proactive and proportionate way. Key aims: anticipatory care, prevent admission and enable wellness conversations 4 Shared documentation: we are piloting the ‘Comprehensive Assessment Framework’ to provide an MDT ‘up to date’ care record. This is accessible by the Somerset Integrated Digital e-Record which is accessible to all professionals across all sectors 5 Using this technology is really exciting as it offers us reassurance that we are seeing the right people. Previously we

may have manually triaged or screened care home residents, with many of them not necessarily being identified to be seen at this stage as they may have been deemed as living well in a supported safe environment. We can now pro-actively support with occupational therapy access earlier, with the added benefit of good team working and innovative tools 6 Providing a clinical service and having opportunities to be part of local and regional service improvement projects 7 Being employed by Somerset FT provides us with a robust organisational governance framework and support in this emerging role, providing professional/peer supervision, carer progression and training 8 Our OT leadership has a vision for providing PCN OT services county wide, recognising our unique contribution to the PCN team. Having innovative OT leadership is powerful as we feel valued and invested in.

You can follow Helen and Hattie on Twitter at the accounts below: @RostronHelen @OTHattie -magazine.co.uk

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STOPPING THE STIGMA OTs can help dispel the myths around life with a stoma

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djusting to life with a stoma can be a difficult transition for many people. For some it will be welcomed, bringing with it a new lease of life, a newfound freedom and an escape from pain, discomfort and illness. However, for many people, it may be a decision that has been outwith their control, not something that they were prepared for and not something they feel positive about.

The stigma that surrounds stomas and colostomy bags is undisputed. Many believe they are reserved for older generations, but the reality is that people of any age can undergo surgery for a stoma. This surgery can be the result of a chronic illness like Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or endometriosis, or due to cancer or trauma to

the abdomen. According to Coloplast, it is estimated that between 165,000 and 200,000 people in the UK are living with a stoma, and approximately 21,000 people undergo the life-changing surgery every year.

There are many myths that surround stomas and colostomy, ostomy and ileostomy bags that have been perpetuated over time, but the positive thing is that nowadays there are many ostomates across the world using social media platforms to dispel those myths and educate society on what life is really like as an ostomate.

As an occupational therapist you can provide some much-needed support to anyone who has recently undergone surgery for a stoma, in both a practical and emotional sense.

LIFE-CHANGING SURGERY Regardless of whether this was a surgery your client had decided upon or it was an emergency surgery thrust upon them, the outcome is still life-changing. Adjusting to a new life and a new body can be difficult and everyone will have their own journey to acceptance of their new way of life. As an OT you can ensure they have all the tools they need, both tangible and intangible, to become comfortable and confident in their new body.

OTs are perfectly positioned to support new ostomates back to full health following surgery and back to leading a full and active life once they have healed. It has been reported that many ostomates give their stomas a name because it helps to de-medicalise the stoma, and it also helps to make it easier when talking to friends, family and healthcare professionals about it. Saying “I am off to deal with Norman” rather than “I am off to change my colostomy bag”, has a far more casual ring to it and evokes a bit of privacy when in a public place.

...it is estimated that between 165,000 – 200,000 people in the UK are living with a stoma 16

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PRACTICAL CARE

Learning how to change a bag, keep a stoma clean and use adhesive will be a bit of a learning curve.

Supporting a client to learn how to do this in their own way and offering any useful tips for making these tasks easier will go a long way to helping your client get comfortable with looking after their stoma. Working with them to figure out the best way to change their bag, discussing what adhesives would be best for their skin, planning what items they should carry with them when they leave the house and creating a changing bag that includes fresh bags, wet and dry wipes, adhesive removal spray, lotion, adhesive, and any other items that me be required. Colostomy UK has a comprehensive website full of information and tips from ostomates on everything from changing a bag, to going to a restaurant for the first time. Many have suggested carrying a peg in the changing bag to help keep clothes out of the way when changing.

Clothing options will be another area that requires some research. Elasticated waistbands and soft materials will be the most comfortable, and there are now a few dedicated brands who are offering stylish and practical choices for ostomates.

LIVING LIFE The most important thing you can do as an occupational therapist working with someone who has a stoma, is to assure them that they can still lead a full and active life. There are myths that stoma patients cannot participate in sports or swimming, that they can’t have sex or reproduce, and that they won’t be able to eat out anymore. These myths are damaging and untrue. Yes, ostomates must be mindful of their stoma and bag, but this should not stop them pursuing anything they want to do. Having a stoma should be looked upon as a lifechanging solution in a very positive way, and for some it will be a life-saving operation. It opens up a world free from discomfort and allows people to live their lives independently and freely, and encouraging your clients to take a look at the body positive movement around ostomates on social media will hopefully bolster their confidence to wear their bags with pride. It is not uncommon to see both men and women proudly sporting their bags on the beach in swimwear nowadays, or to come across funny videos on TikTok describing life experiences with a stoma. This is helping to reduce the stigma surrounding stomas which should help to normalise life with a stoma, but everyone you work with will have their own anxieties and concerns around their surgery and as an OT you can be there to help support and guide them through their journey.

For more information visit colostomyuk.org.

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STOMA CARE Taking extra precautions to care for a stoma helps to reduce the risk of sore, dry, irritated skin. Below are a selection of some handy products that you can highlight to your client when discussing stoma care

BRAVA BARRIER SPRAY This spray leaves a thin, breathable film on top of skin that helps alleviate problems caused by adhesives or output leaking onto the skin. It dries quickly, so a new baseplate can be applied on top of it without compromising the adhesive underneath. This skin barrier is available in two forms: a spray and a wipe. products.coloplast.co.uk

COTTON WHITE STAR KNICKERS These beautiful knickers feature an internal cotton pouch that runs the length of the garment, so it can support it regardless of which side your stoma is on or if you have more than one. The pocket allows the bag to sit away from the skin, which can help reduce skin irritation and help allow skin to breathe. vblush.com

ADAPT CERARING BARRIER RINGS

SILKEN SILICONE STOMA GEL

These barrier rings are useful in that they create a flat, smooth surface around the stoma that also stops output from leaking underneath the ostomy barrier. You can cut them to size, stretch them, or stack them up to help improve fit. It’s infused with ceramides which help to protect the skin, and prevent damage or dryness.

This breathable gel is made from a unique silicone technology - you just spread a small amount of the gel where you need it and wait for it to solidify as it fills in any gaps or creases on your skin surface. It’s flexible, forms a natural barrier around the skin, and can be removed in one piece with no residue left behind. vyne.co.uk

hollister.co.uk

STOMA BAG COVER Stoma bag, but make it bright and colourful. This cover brings some brightness to your life, and is easy to slip on and off when you need to empty your bag. This Etsy store sells lots of different designs, so you’ll have no trouble finding a fun cover that fits your personality and needs.

StomaAccessories @ etsy.com

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SALTS FLUSHAWAY ADHESIVE REMOVER WIPES An environmentally friendly way to remove any residue surrounding your stoma, these wipes are the first to be awarded Fine to Flush accreditation, dissolving in the toilet in seconds and leaving no trace in water systems.

The foil sachets can be recycled via the Meddling Recycling Scheme, making them a zero waste product.

They have a no-sting formula and are gentle on skin. salts.co.uk

Slings Bathing Products l Assessments l Training TM

Bathing R an e

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Automatic Pill Dispensers and Medication Reminders Our products are widely used by Health and Social Care professionals for vulnerable older people and those with learning difficulties who need to be reminded of essential daily tasks such as taking their medication.

Find out more today:

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TM

OTAC 2022 Confirmed dates

Visit an OTAC near you for expert seminars and exhibitors specialising in home adaptations and equipment.

OTAC Chester

OTAC Reading

OTAC Cardiff

The Queen at Chester

by Best Western Wednesday 7th September

Hilton Hotel Wednesday 9th November

Vale Resort Wednesday 7th December

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Occupational Therapy Adaptation Conference

An event hosted by

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@ukotac

How to safely adapt the barrier of stairs for under £1000

Stairs are one of the four most common adaptations to facilitate people being discharged from hospital, remaining in their own homes.

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here is a way to, where appropriate, safely address the barrier avoiding unnecessary risk, without delay, and without alteration to the building fabric.

All for less than £1000.

The answer is simple: re-issue of an AAT S-Max stairclimber.

With thousands already purchased by almost every local authority in the UK, chances are there is one quickly available from equipment stores. You don’t even have to wait for someone to come and install it, so it’s a great option for a short-term resolution as part of a bigger adaptation, or as a long-term, best value solution.

Easy to use, with an impeccable safety record, the AAT S-Max can evolve with the client as their priorities and needs change. When the client no longer needs it, it can go back into the equipment stores for re-issue and enablement of another client to access their home safely, without any alterations or impact on other members of the family.

Find out more: aatgb.com/take-steps-to-deliver-adaptations-for-under-1000/ E: sales@aatgb.com T: 01978 821875 20

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#OTAC

Integrity, Trust, Respect

Product FOCUS Every issue we bring you the latest products from across the market to help you improve the lives of your clients

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MOTOMED LOOP

The versatile MOTOmed is a great way for users to build endurance and strength at home. The LOOP model offers passive, assisted and active training modes - a great low impact way to replace lost movement, boost circulation and help range of movement. Used extensively in UK hospitals and rehab centres. medimotion.co.uk 2

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ID MEN LEVEL 4 PANTS

Incontinence experts Ontex have launched their new iD for Men Level 4 pants. Providing extreme comfort and a perfect fit, the all-round stretch, elastified material has a thin and flexible core to ensure that the pants fit like real underwear. The pants have been designed to stay in place, not lose their shape or become bulky, even when saturated.

This fully breathable material means a healthy skin and no sweating, and they have an odour-control feature. ontex.com

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BLUE BADGE HOLDERS

These fun and bright Blue Badge holders will brighten up the dull standard holders, giving a sense of fun and positivity to the user.

Available in a range of patterns and colours, these holders are handmade to order and there is a separate section for your time disk which can be easily removed if not required.

Gorgeous Goblins on etsy.com 4

PERSONAL ALARM WATCH

This smartwatch is designed to also be a discreet wearable personal alarm, providing peace of mind for the wearer and their family. It features an emergency button on the front that connects to the Taking Care Emergency Resolution team who will assist by contacting friends, family or emergency services. It includes GPS tracking as well, so wearers can be confident when out and about.

0800 085 8032 personalalarms.ageco.co.uk 5

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ALERTAMAT

This wireless deluxe mat is designed to alert caregivers when a patient is at risk of falling or leaving their safe space. The Alertamat comes in a range of colours to allow it to blend into most carpets discreetly, reducing the chance that any patients living with dementia will try to avoid it. It has a non-slip base, and connects wirelessly to the Alerta Wall Point Receiver.

01202 425 070 | dorset-nursing.co.uk

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ADJUSTABLE WALKING STICK

This sturdy, aluminium walking stick boasts bright colours and a beautiful natural wooden handle that provides a comfortable grip. It is lightweight and easily adjustable to ensure you find your optimal height for support.

The purple spotty design will ensure users stand out from the crowd and it is great value for money too.

03330 160 000 completecareshop.co.uk 7

LIQUID LEVEL INDICATORS

This is one of the RNIB’s top selling products, helping to ensure people living with sight loss get their morning cup of tea or coffee safely and easily. The device has three metallic probes that alert on two separate liquid levels; one alerts to stop pouring in hot water if you wish to add milk, the other alerts to the cup being nearly full. The alerts are audible and vibratory.

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0303 123 9999 | shop.rnib.org.uk 8

HIDDEN DISABILITY BADGES

These pretty badges don’t just accessorise an outfit, they make a statement letting the world know that the wearer has a hidden disability. These discreet badges are the perfect way to allow people living with hidden disabilities to let people in public spaces know that they may need reasonable adjustments, or to simply let people know they are open to a conversation about disability.

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Fyne Design Shop on etsy.com

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DIVE IN Swimming is a fantastic way to maintain physical and mental health without putting additional pressure on joints or muscles - and has a terrific community aspect, too

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he global pandemic had a significant impact on many people’s activity levels, with research showing that disabled and elderly people were significantly affected; the Activity Alliance noted that disabled people were less likely to have found new ways to be active during the pandemic, and became less likely to exercise in order to manage mental health.

Encouraging people to return to (or take up) exercise can have significant benefits in many areas of their life: it’s not just good for your physical wellbeing, but as previously mentioned, it’s excellent for clearing your head and managing mental wellness, too. As it’s summer, swimming is the exercise du jour: there’s nothing better than taking a cool, relaxing dip in the pool on a warm summer’s day.

Swimming is a brilliant form of exercise for a whole host of reasons, with perhaps one of the most important being that it’s a non-weight bearing and low-impact exercise. This is because the water supports the majority of the swimmer’s body weight, and prevents a lot of strain being put on muscles and joints while they swim.

This might lead you to believe that swimming is an “easy” exercise, but it’s far from it: water is around 800 times more dense than air, which means the swimmer has to work hard to push through it, resulting in them getting a full-body workout without impacting the joints.

Swimming is also a form of cardiovascular exercise, and can contribute to improving lung capacity, and can help to build up endurance and increase fitness.

It may sound like you need to spend an hour hammering away in the water to feel the benefits of swimming, but that’s not entirely accurate: swimming also has a phenomenal social aspect. It’s not uncommon to see people swimming together in pairs, chatting as they move up and down the pool.

Joining swimming classes also fosters community and forges friendships - water aerobics classes and other

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Water aerobics classes can be particularly beneficial for people with joint concerns, like arthritis or joint pain, allowing them to exercise and increase their range of motion without impacting their joints

water-based exercise classes fulfil this role, as do leisure centres in general, which become a meeting place for people to both meet and exercise. Water aerobics classes can be particularly beneficial for people with joint concerns, like arthritis or joint pain, allowing them to exercise and increase their range of motion without impacting their joints. It’s also never too late to learn how to swim - it’s a life skill, after all - and joining a class to learn how to swim teaches a valuable skill at any age.

As with all exercise, swimming is excellent for helping to manage mental wellbeing. It offers swimmers time to relax, clear their heads and enjoy a little peace and quiet.

Being alone with your thoughts for 45 minutes at a time (or however long they choose) might seem daunting, but that’s why waterproof MP3 players exist! Swim England notes that the exercise can have a positive impact on mental health, helping to boost mood, improve sleep, and reduce stress, while also helping to improve relaxation. Mental Health Swims is a fantastic charity that encourages people to prioritise “dips not

distance” by hosting swim meet-ups where people are supported as they swim, dip, paddle or toe-dip in outdoor swimming locations across the country.

Some people may require floatation equipment or other items to help them swim, or to feel more comfortable in the pool, and these are thankfully relatively easy to acquire. For example, Fledglings offer stylish swimwear and accessories catered for people who experience faecal incontinence, and Cui Wear create swimsuits which can help keep stoma pouches in place for ostomates who may wish to get back into the pool.

Swimming.org’s Poolfinder can help to locate accessible swimming pools in the area. Charitable social enterprise Better offer one-on-one lessons and classes for disabled swimmers (both children and adults) which take place in accessible pools with poolside mobility aids for around £3 per session; their website Better.org.uk - has a pool finder which makes it simple to find accessible leisure centres where their lessons take place.

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Dr Sir David Henderson

THE

ORIGINS OF OT

Occupational therapy in the UK can trace its roots back to the Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists, which would have turned 90 this year.

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n the west end of Glasgow lies the old Gartnavel Royal Hospital. Despite its unassuming nature, the old Tudor-style buildings on the hospital’s grounds were once home to the birthplace of occupational therapy in the United Kingdom, and 2022 marked the 90th birthday of the Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists.

and occupational therapy pioneer Eleanor Clarke Sagle. Henderson was influenced by their approach to occupation, and sought to establish something similar in Scotland. To that end, he appointed Dorothea Robertson as a teacher in occupational therapy in December 1922, and oversaw the building of the occupational therapy pavilion, which would be completed in 1924.

In 1921, Dr Sir David Henderson became superintendent of what was at the time called the Glasgow Royal Mental Hospital. He had previously spent time in America, working in Baltimore’s John Hopkins Hospital alongside renowned psychiatrist Professor Adolf Meyer

Robertson, who had previously worked as a welfare supervisor in a munitions factory in Gretna Green, would learn on the job, and utilise her understanding of the arts that she had refined on a handicrafts course at the Glasgow School of Art. Patients at Gartnavel would

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be referred to the occupational therapy department, where they could undertake a variety of activities like woodworking, basketry, cane chair making, raffia and needlework, china painting, metal work, and rug making. The expansion of the occupational therapy pavilion provided space for men and women - who were separated in the hospital by both sex and class safe and supervised work. Patients would also organise their own entertainment using the central hall that joined the pavilion together, which included folk and ballroom dancing classes, and an Occupational Therapy Christmas Party, first held in 1925.

It was in this hut on 27 May 1932 that the third professional body for occupational therapists in the world - and the first in the United Kingdom - would be born. Encouraged by Henderson, the around 15 women working within occupational therapy settings across Scotland’s mental hospitals to come together and form a new association of occupational therapists in the vein of the American and Canadian associations, which had been formed in 1918 and 1926, respectively. Henderson chaired the first meeting of the Scottish Association of Occupational Therapy, suggesting the association publish their own journal and develop training.

Margaret Menzies, the occupational therapy instructor at Gartnavel, was made the group’s first president, while Margaret Fulton was named secretary-slash-treasurer: some may remember Fulton as the first qualified occupational therapist to work in the UK, having gained her accreditation from the Philadelphia School of Occupational Therapy. Fulton was recommended by Henderson to a friend at the Aberdeen Royal Hospital, which saw her begin working there in 1925. The Scottish Association of Occupational Therapy would meet twice a year until 1939, when meetings would be suspended due to the outbreak of World War Two.

and expanded until 1951, when the World Federation of Occupational Therapists was founded in Sweden during a rehabilitation conference, and it was agreed within the terms of the constitution - drawn up at the First International Congress in Edinburgh three years later that the UK would be represented at the WFOT jointly by the AOT and SAOT (who at this point had changed their name to the Scottish Association of Occupational Therapists). With that decided, the Joint Council of the Associations of Occupational Therapy in Great Britain was formed, with equal representation given to both organisations. Margaret Fulton - one of the founders of the SAOT - was elected as the first president of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists in 1952.

After a referendum in 1969, the two institutions would finally merge in May 1974, forming the British Association of Occupational Therapists in an effort to combine their resources and ensure unity in action on issues of a national level. In 1978, the BAOT would become registered as a trade union, and set up the College of Occupational Therapists, which would be granted a Royal charter in 2017, becoming the Royal College of Occupational Therapists as we know it today.

While the occupational therapy pavilion no longer stands in Gartnavel Royal Hospital, having been demolished some time in the 90s, the effects of Dr Sir David Henderson, Dorothea Robertson, Margaret Menzies, Margaret Fulton, and so many others can still be felt on occupational therapy 90 years later.

This article was informed by the works of Catherine F Paterson, Duncan Pentland and Brian Pentland, and Let There Be Light Again by Jonathan Andrews and Iain Smith.

The influence of occupational therapy was not confined solely to Gartnavel, however. After visiting the Glaswegian hospital and hearing Henderson speak on the merits of occupational therapy in 1924, Bristolian Dr Elisabeth Casson was captivated, and visited the United States to take a first-hand look at the occupational therapy departments in the country. She would return to the UK and establish Dorset House - the first school of occupational therapy in the UK - in 1930. This would become the founding place of the Association of Occupational Therapists in March 1936, which sought to represent occupational therapists in the rest of the United Kingdom.

Both organisations co-existed

the old Gartnavel Royal Hospital

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Green Spaces Exploring the importance of creating safe, accessible gardens

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elaxing in your own back garden on a sunny day with a cup of tea and a good book, or a glass of wine in the evening with a partner can be a tonic like no other for our health and wellbeing. Having our own outdoor green space can be a sanctuary of peace and tranquillity that can bring balance and calm on days where there seems only chaos, and this can be vital for many people.

As occupational therapists you will be aware of the many physical and emotional benefits that gardening can bring to people. The physical benefits from gardening activities can improve health and movement, planting seeds and caring for flowers as they grow can bring a sense of purpose and achievement. Even weeding – a job most people dislike – can provide a great feeling of pride when the end result can be admired.

Caring for a garden, no matter the size, is a commitment and a labour of love for many because the hard work that is put in can be seen in the rewards of the blooming flowers and lush greenery produced. Being surrounded by nature is therapeutic in itself, and the arrival of birds, bugs and beautiful butterflies visiting your very own plants and flowers can provide entertainment for hours and a calming backdrop to aid mental wellbeing.

It is therefore important to consider any patients who want to remain able to access their garden space as they grow older or their mobility or health conditions change. Ensuring accessibility into and around a garden is key, but there are also other areas to be considered, including changes to make for people living with dementia, or people living with sight loss; colours and scents of flowers that are known for their calming properties, plants that will attract wildlife, and accessible planters that will allow people to continue gardening.

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ACCESSIBLE PATHWAYS Ensuring a smooth and wide pathway around the garden is important. This will accommodate anyone using a wheelchair, walker, or any other mobility aids. A smooth path with no obstacles also decreases the risk of falls and provides a safer area for anyone living with a visual impairment. Paving is the natural choice for paths, but consideration must be given to the types of paving stone used to avoid surfaces that are slippery when wet or uneven stone. Many of the popular sandstone or slate paving options are very uneven and can pose real trip hazards, so it would be best to opt for a smooth flat stone to avoid this. Anti-glare paving is also available which can be important for anyone living with a visual impairment. The layout of a path should try to avoid sharp corners or turns as much as possible too.

SEATING AREAS Considering the best place for a seating area that fits in with your clients’ routine is important. If they like to sit outside for their morning coffee, it’s a good idea to find out where the sun hits in the morning, or if they like to sit in the evening sun for an aperitif before dinner pick out the sunniest evening spot. If they have a large space you could even utilise two seating areas and consider one to be a dining area and one to be a relaxing area. Comfort and accessibility should always be addressed with seating options, garden furniture can be low which is not ideal for people who struggle to lower themselves down and pull themselves up from a seated position. Consider garden chairs with high backs, supportive and stable armrests, and comfortable, removable cushions for an easy rescue when the rain inevitably pours. Umbrellas over any seating areas make a good addition to offer a bit of shade for those very hot days too. Benches or seats dotted throughout the garden will also provide good resting spots for anyone who requires them.

HANDRAILS Installing handrails at different points throughout the garden for support can provide security and confidence. Any areas with steps will naturally warrant handrails for stability, but they can also be utilised discreetly in other areas of the garden and even add a nice feature. The material of the handrails should be considered too; metal can be very cold in the winter months and hot in the summer but it is smooth under the touch, wooden or rope-style handrails offer a more natural look and are not as affected by temperature, but you may have the risk of splinters and also weather damage.

SENSORY EXPERIENCE

You can create an immersive sensory experience in a garden that will appeal to everyone. Lavender would make a great addition to a garden as it has a wonderful scent and is well known for its calming properties, it will also attract bees to the garden. Lamb’s ear is a plant with very soft leaves that make it very tactile and appealing to touch.

Planting wildflowers is also the perfect way to encourage wildlife, including butterflies, bees and ladybirds. Including a bird feeder or bird table with seeds out will attract a wide range of birds to feed in the garden, which can be very enjoyable to watch. Watching wildlife is a great way to encourage conversation and if your client is interested they can start keeping a notebook with all the birds and butterflies they see, looking up any they don’t recognise. This activity can provide a purpose and enjoyment.

PLANTING If your client is a keen gardener, they will want to keep up with this activity, and there are many items available to help enable independence in gardening. Raised beds or planters are an ideal option to reduce the need for bending down or kneeling, planter tables are great for wheelchair users as they allow for space underneath so you can get closer to the planter to work. Hanging baskets are beautiful when filled with bursts of bright flowers, but they don’t seem easily accessible. Enter the hi-lo hanging basket from Crocus that works on a simple pulley system that allows the basket to be pulled down to be watered and cared for, before raising it back up when done. You will also find a variety of accessible garden tools with ergonomic handles and easily manoeuvrable, cushioned kneeling stands.

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The OT Show Returns

23-24 November, NEC Birmingham

We can’t quite believe that The OT Show 2022 is only five months away, and this year’s programme is already brimming with interesting content.

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his year sees the conception of a new stream, ‘Contemporary Practice’, which intends to highlight two specific groups:

1 Occupational therapists working in what might be considered ‘non-traditional’ roles, but using their professional title

2 Occupational therapists working in roles that don’t require the registration The purpose is to explore the application of the therapists’ core skills, and how the product of these skills, values and philosophy are measured.

This stream includes therapists working in occupation health, the gaming industry, perinatal mental health, and architecture, as well as CEOs and managing directors who use their occupational therapy skills to manage national and international organisations.

The aim is to identify and promote the far-reaching impact that occupational therapy has or can have within statutory services and beyond.

The programme includes a number of sessions that look to challenge the profession’s engagement with affinity groups, encouraging discussion to ensure that the future of occupational therapy is enriched with currently underrepresented members.

Other streams within the programme that you will be more familiar with include housing, moving and handling, neurology, paediatrics, and mental health, with speakers encouraged to provide content that challenges delegates to critically reflect on current practice, and practical examples that can be applied considered across occupational therapy services.

The Showcase and Innovation theatres remain a key part of the programme. These exhibitor led sessions provide

a direct opportunity to engage with manufacturers and distributors, whilst participating in relevant CPD. The event hopes to provide occupational therapists with the opportunity to engage with each other and market leading product experts. Over the two days, you have the chance to re-connect, reflect, relax, and re-ignite your professional passion, in a safe and supportive educational environment. The OT Show 2021 generated such positivity and energy following the successful virtual event that took place in 2020. Virtual meetings certainly have their place, and many have benefited from their use of this over the last two years, but nothing beats being together, at the same place, with the same goal; to have fun, learn and improve our patients’ or clients’ outcomes.

As usual, The OT Show is free to attend for registered occupational therapists, and whilst we accept that there is a real-life cost, including travel and time away from the office, we are confident that this offers excellent value given the CPD certified conference programme content and opportunities to discuss complex cases with equipment and service providers, providing solutions to real clinical challenges.

We can’t wait to see you all at The OT Show 2022, on 23-24 November, at the NEC Birmingham, for what looks like being one of the best events yet.

Register your interest today: theotshow.com/otmagazine

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Occupational Therapy in the Voluntary Sector Louise Kermode is the head of services at Jami, a Jewish mental health charity based in London.

Louise encourages OTs to consider a job in the voluntary sector and explains what a role in this area could offer

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recently asked a group of occupational therapy students if they had considered a career in the charity sector; it was clear that despite the growth of role emerging placements (Dancza et al, 2019) and expanding conversation about occupational therapy in diverse settings (Withers & Shann, 2008, RCOT, 2019) that the expected path is to graduate and work in statutory settings such as NHS and social services. This was my expectation too - when I graduated ten years ago, I was searching NHS jobs for a band 5 rotation.

All that changed when I received a placement offer from Jami, a Jewish mental health charity in London. It quickly became clear how vital these community-based charities are and how much of a difference they make in people’s lives. Without many of the constraints that exist in the NHS and social services, charities are in a unique position to provide person-centred support to people in a creative an innovative way.

It quickly became clear how vital these communitybased charities are and how much of a difference they make in people’s lives 32

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There is a diverse interplay between faith and culture within the Jewish community. Jami provides an incredible sense of community, belonging and identity for those working for it and receiving its services. As a student I felt supported, encouraged and part of something, so I jumped at the opportunity to start my career as an occupational therapist at Jami.

Jami is an ambitious charity; it has grown in size and reach over the last ten years from a staff team of approximately 20 people in 2012 to over 100 today.

We currently reach in the region of 14000 people each year. We employ occupational therapists, social workers, mental health practitioners and peer support workers, with the mission to enrich and save lives of people impacted by mental illness, distress, and trauma in the Jewish community and beyond.

I am privileged to have been part of this journey. During my first year as an occupational therapist, I became the recovery champion at Jami. This involved being part of a group that implemented organisational changes to embed recovery principles and values. I was given the opportunity to be part of industry conferences, further my knowledge through training and implement ideas in practice. Being part of the introduction and development of peer support at Jami has also been a highlight, this has shaped my own practice as on occupational therapist and directly influences the way I lead service development.

to safely and effectively support people who use our services. This has entailed being part of a strategic review to clarify our purpose, mission, and ambitions for the future. Client centred practice, autonomy, equality, choice, and a focus on occupation all informed this process. Despite my role not being occupational therapy specific, I am still very much working through my occupational therapy lens, models, and frameworks.

The charity sector, and Jami specifically, has been an environment in which I have developed personally and professionally. I enjoy how diverse my role is, the opportunities for learning are plentiful and I can see the impact building supportive communities has on people’s lives. I get to work with an incredible team, collaborate with other organisations across health and social care and work with universities to shape the future of our profession. One of the main challenges is that the voluntary sector is complex, and it can be difficult to navigate at times. Remembering the importance of reflection and taking time to press the pause button is essential.

As the organisation grew, so did my role and towards the end of 2019 I became head of services. Not long after this the pandemic arrived. COVID and the measures taken to prevent it spreading had become a barrier to delivering services, and was creating widespread occupational disruption and deprivation, further exacerbating existing inequalities. Amidst the crisis I drew on my occupational therapy skills and frameworks, working with my team to assess the situation, identify needs, plan interventions, implement, and evaluate.

The occupational therapy process can apply to problem solving on many levels including teams and organisations.

National policy highlights how important the voluntary sector is in responding to health and social care needs (Long Term Plan, 2019; Five Year Forward, 2014). However, there is a lack of clarity in health and social care about the role the voluntary sector plays in service delivery and the challenges within the sector (Baird et al., 2018; Croft and Currie, 2020). It is highly competitive and diverse in terms of size, dominance, and organisational culture.

A vital part of my role is creating the environment needed to operate our services, access the necessary tools and resourses to carry out our work and ensure we are all working towards the same goals. Ultimately

You can find out more about the service by visiting jamiuk.org or follow on Twitter:

This calls for increased use of outcome and impact measures and application of evidenced based practice.

It’s a growing and vital sector where occupational therapists can really make a difference.

@Louloup79 @JamiPeople

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FROZEN FOOD MYTHS Wiltshire Farm Foods’ registered dietitian Maia Fergus-O’Grady debunks the myths associated with ready meals

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ooking from scratch isn’t always the most practical mealtime option, with many of us occasionally reaching for ready meals as a more convenient option instead. Despite their popularity, there are several common misconceptions associated with ready meals; this article aims to explore these and provide reassurance that there are now more suitable and enjoyable options than ever before.

MYTH 1: “I always thought that ready meals were bad for you?”

Whilst there are several ready meal options out there that aren’t particularly nutritious, there are now plenty of suitable options for those wanting to follow a healthy, balanced diet. Most ready meals now use ‘Traffic Light Labelling’ to help consumers easily identify whether the dish is low, medium, or high in fat, saturated fat, sugars, and salt. Several ready meal providers will also have a dedicated ‘healthier choice’ meal range; these are often lower in calories and feature more green and amber traffic lights than the regular meal ranges.

When looking for a healthier ready meal, try to find one that visibly contains a portion of vegetables or fruit, or one that has a symbol highlighting that the meal contains at least one of your five-a-day.

The meal should also ideally contain a portion of carbohydrates, such as potatoes, rice, or pasta.

Carbohydrates are a good source of energy and various nutrients, and wholegrain varieties or potatoes

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(particularly with their skins on) are also good sources of fibre.

Ensuring the meal contains a portion of protein is also important: protein is important for growth and repair and can also help you feel fuller after eating. It can be found in foods such as meat, dairy, eggs, nuts, pulses, and soy products.

At Wiltshire Farm Foods, we’re aware of the real need to provide nutritious, balanced meals to our customers.

We, as dietitians, work closely with our team of in-house chefs, assessing both the serving sizes and nutritional content of each new recipe created. We try to balance the nutrients in each of our meal ranges to provide suitable meals for everyone, regardless of their diet and lifestyle choices.

MYTH 2: “I’ve always been told that ‘fresh is best’ and that frozen food isn’t as good for me?”

Despite frozen foods often being frowned upon, these ingredients often retain the most nutrients when compared to their chilled equivalents. Peas, for example, are often frozen within hours after harvesting, and will remain frozen until the ready meal is cooked at the customer’s home, ‘locking in’ those nutrients until the meal is ready to eat. Certain nutrients will steadily deteriorate if stored for prolonged periods, with refrigerated produce frequently having lower concentrations of certain nutrients than the corresponding frozen produce.

sustainable and taking action, particularly when looking at packaging.

At Wiltshire Farm Foods, we have adopted a world-first closed loop recycling scheme on an industrial scale, through our 100% recyclable meal trays. Used trays are given back to delivery drivers, before being transported up to a recycling facility in Durham. Here, they are broken down into new trays, which are subsequently redistributed to customers.

This commitment to protecting the environment has always been an important mission for Wiltshire Farm Foods – it’s one of the few food companies which doesn’t use any secondary packaging such as cardboard sleeves – avoiding the creation of any needless waste.

Boxes that meals are delivered in are also taken away by drivers and recycled – the only thing left behind is the film!

MYTH 3:

This month is Plastic Free July, and the perfect time to think about how you can cut back on single use plastics. For some tips, visit specialistnutrition.com/blog.

“I have a health condition, and was told to avoid ready meals – does the advice above still apply to me?”

It is worth noting that ‘healthy eating’ looks different for all of us – some people may need to consume more or less of certain nutrients to maintain a healthy weight and feel well. For many conditions, a healthy balanced diet is the most appropriate option; for others, such as malnutrition, calories and protein become more important in maintaining an individuals’ health and wellbeing.

Certain patient groups, for example, renal patients, may need to keep a close eye on specific micronutrients, including potassium and phosphates, the values of which may not always be available in the nutritional information on the packaging. It is always worth contacting the supplier to see if they can provide you with more information on specific nutrients, as some may in fact have the information on their databases that they can send on to the consumer.

MYTH 4: “Aren’t ready meals wasteful with all that packaging?”

There are several brands who have not prioritised sustainability and minimising waste into their ready meal production; however, there are now more companies than ever who are committed to becoming more

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National Helpline 0800 917 7650 www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk

Alcoholics Anonymous has over 4,440 groups and 1,600 online meetings throughout Great Britain dedicated to helping those with a serious alcohol problem learn how to stay sober. Groups are made up of people from all walks of life and all age groups.

Through friendship and mutual support, members assist each other in coping which is made easier by meeting face to face or on-line, others with the same problem.

There are no dues or fees for membership and anonymity is carefully preserved.

Anyone who believes they have a drink problem can contact Alcoholics Anonymous by using the helpline number above or email; help@aamail.org Further information may be obtained from the web-site above or from the General Service Office at the address below.

For information: P.O. Box 1, 10 Toft Green, York.

YO1 7NJ Tel: 01904 644 026

Paediatrics All the latest from the world of paediatrics

SECTION here’s a theme running through our paediatric section this issue, although it wasn’t intentional: independence. We often overlook how important our ability to thrive under our own means is until that feeling is taken from us. Learning life skills that aid us in our independence - how to cook nourishing meals on our own, how to drive so that we can go wherever we please, and so forth - are important, as is noting that everyone has different things they need to facilitate their independence.

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This issue we hear from paediatric OT Nicky Bament, who embraced independence and launched

her own practice in 2015, before creating her own charity to provide neurodivergent children with specialist equipment four years later - you can read her story in her own words on page 50. We look into the importance of cooking with kids on page 53, teaching them a skill that will improve their independence while benefiting their development in many other ways. On page 58, we explore the ways in which man’s best friend can impact the lives of autistic people. We also have our regular array of fantastic paediatric products on page 55.

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As ever, if there’s anything you’d like to be included in our paediatric section, please don’t hesitate to email ros@2apublishing.co.uk.

Read on to find out more...

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A JOURNEY TO INDEPENDENCE Nicky Bament is a paediatric OT who launched her own practice in 2015, followed by a charity to provide specialist equipment to neurodiverse children in 2019. Here, Nicky shares her journey to becoming an independent OT

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have been an occupational therapist since I graduated in 1996. I initially worked in a twoyear rotational post, although I knew I wanted to specialise in paediatrics from being a student out on placement. I felt this rotational post would cement that certainty and also add transferable skills that I could then take forwards into subsequent roles. Ironically, most of my rotation was spent in paediatrics because no one else on my rotation wanted to work in that area, which I had no complaints about, but I did experience an adult acute inpatient ward, which really was a baptism of fire. One day I ended up in A&E having been bitten by a patient whilst taking an arts and crafts group, I also experienced the devastation of a patient’s suicide, and this all tested my resilience, but I drew on my skills as a people person to manage the situations, and although I really admired those that worked there, I knew it wasn’t for me. Even though as a student you go out on placements and I had a varied array, nothing prepares you for being a “real life OT”, and looking back I would have told myself that you can’t possibly be expected to know it all, it’s a constant daily learning process!

In the geographical area I lived in at the time, there were no senior two jobs coming up for paediatrics and so I applied for a couple in Yorkshire and in 1998 relocated to start a fulltime job in an NHS children’s community service. Over the next couple of years, I worked hard in gaining further knowledge and skills predominantly in the area of children with motor skill difficulties, but essentially across the board as the service covered birth to 19 years. I enjoyed the varied experiences and challenges as no two children were the same, and having to think on your feet and often outside the box, in collaboration with a great therapy team who supported each other and I loved the flexibility of managing my own diary. After two years I was fortunate enough to apply and get the senior one role, which I worked happily in over a number of years, however services evolve and change, and it became more apparent that the service was heading away from hands-on treatment to numbers through the door, cutting back on priorities and services that to me were the heart of what I did as an OT. As a result, the service went through some restructuring and some roles were downgraded.

When this was taking place, I knew I needed a plan B because I could see the direction the service was heading and I wasn’t happy. Even though I successfully retained my banding and was a clinical lead, my hands felt tied by management and constraints of budget, so in 2015 I started my own independent company called OT4KidsWithDCD, working mainly weekends and doing the odd after school session. It was challenging and a steep learning curve, but starting a business knowing you still have a regular pay cheque took some stress away.

I decided to specialise in children and young adults

In 2018 I left the NHS after 22 years to become a fully independent OT 38

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My one wish is that independent OTs get the same recognition as our NHS counterparts and we can collectively keep moving our profession forwards with motor skill difficulties because it’s always been a passion of mine. I felt they were the forgotten ones, that services back then provided some level of support but in a generalised way, non-specific and not tailored around what the child actually wanted or needed, to equip them for their future (I know this is changing, but not quickly enough). I also wanted to get back to treatment sessions and hands-on making a difference, which I hadn’t been able to do for years. I felt that these children and young adults could successfully come through for a tailored programme working together with them on areas that they have identified. In 2018 I left the NHS after 22 years to become a fully independent OT.

All this has reignited my passion for OT. I feel strongly, although it’s slowly changing, we are still an undervalued profession, but I love the fact that OTs are now emerging in non-traditional roles, further demonstrating our scope. My one wish is that independent OTs get the same recognition as our NHS counterparts and we can collectively keep moving our profession forwards.

To find out more about the practice and charity visit ot4kidswithdcd.co.uk and equipped4learning.org. uk. You can email Nicky at nivky@ot4kidswithdcd. co.uk for more information.

INDEPENDENCE

Since then, I have enjoyed being able to offer more time to my clients to really get to understand the individual and offer the best strategies for them to develop; be that exercise programmes, self-help strategies or equipment recommendations. I also get to carry out treatment sessions which reaffirms the difference OT intervention can make to someone’s daily life. Additionally, I have designed grips to go on rulers, protractors and a grip for zips, and I am constantly evolving my business.

On the back of working in the community and seeing how little or no funding schools have, particularly for those with and without diagnosis who are neurodiverse, I started a charity called Equipped4Learning which provides specialist equipment for children and young adults who fall under the neurodiverse umbrella across West Yorkshire. This charity is designed to enable them to access their curriculum, yet again my OT training is pivotal in driving this forward.

I feel strongly, although it’s slowly changing, we are still an undervalued profession

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Cooking with Kids Teaching children how to cook is both a skill they’ll use for the rest of their life and a great way to support their development

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ooking is a life skill that can be learned at any age, but teaching children how to cook has additional benefits that help teach them about so much more than just creating a tasty meal! Cooking is a therapeutic exercise which helps people explore their creativity before ultimately creating something that they can both be exceptionally proud of as well as helping to sustain them. Indeed, cooking and baking have recently been heralded as excellent therapeutic exercises which can provide people with an opportunity to relax, create, and destress. In what other ways can it help children?

HAND SKILLS Cooking requires fine motor skills and hand-eye coordination, but we don’t realise until we think about the actions involved in cooking! Using just the right technique and pressure to crack an egg, creaming butter into sugar, icing a cupcake - these all require significant focus, hand strength, coordination, and so many more skills that we take for granted. Hand skills are a very significant aspect of cooking, and bringing food into the mix makes developing these skills more fun and way more delicious.

SENSORY PLAY Who needs slime when you can make dough? Cooking involves dealing with foods and mixtures that cover a huge range of textures and sensations: there’s the way bread dough feels when it’s being kneaded, how spices smell before they’re added to a soup, the way a fruit sounds as you peel it and slice it, or how pancakes sound when the mixture finally touches a searing hot pan. Cooking isn’t just about taste; it engages with each of our senses at every stage of the process.

COMMUNICATION To cook with someone is to work in a team, and it requires constant communication between everyone involved to make sure that everything works to plan.

Alongside this, it takes time management and forward

planning to ensure everything is cooked at the right time and for the right time, and to make sure that all of the ingredients are weighed out properly and present when you need them.

CONFIDENCE BUILDING The feeling of knowing you have created something wonderful in the kitchen is transformative, and can provide such a confidence boost. When a batch of cookies turn out great or you learn how to make the perfect burger from scratch, the feeling of success is immeasurable, wonderful, and provides vital confidence and self-esteem.

EDUCATIONAL Cooking and baking are a kind of science, and following a recipe helps develop reading comprehension skills, and can teach the importance of planning and following direction. Measuring out ingredients for your cooking is a good way of making addition and subtraction fun to learn. Cooking and baking are also excellent for helping children to visualise weights and volumes.

CREATIVITY Want to make a burger in the shape of Mickey Mouse’s head? Absolutely. Is there a reason why chocolate chip cookies can’t also be coloured pink, blue and orange?

No there is not! Can you make a cake in the shape of the Taj Mahal? Probably not but don’t let your dreams be dreams! Cooking and baking encourage the exporting of creativity and decision making.

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Product FOCUS Every issue we bring you the latest products from across the market to help you improve the lives of your younger clients

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Kids

KIDDOSPACE STAMP

Avoid using fiddly name labels that can often be felt by children who are sensitive to different materials by recommending this reliable stamp.

These stamps can be customised to include an image alongside the child’s name and stamped straight onto clothes, socks, bags and other material items to stop them being lost. It must be initially left for 24 hours before washing, but it will not come off in the wash. thekiddospace.co.uk 2

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GLOBBER SCOOTER

The Comfort Play from Globber is a seated scooter that will accommodate kids transitioning from pushchair to ride on, or for any kids who struggle with balance or mobility. The seat provides support and allows for independent scootering to let little ones race around on their own steam, and it also features an LED light with sound horn for extra fun. globber.co.uk | 0344 880 5302 3

MONTESSORI BUSYBOARD

This multifunctional activity board is an excellent educational toy for children, it will help develop logic, memory, fine motor skills and recognition of colours and shapes.

There are so many items on the board for little ones to discover that it will hold their attention, allow them to learn and most importantly, be fun for them.

BabyBooBusyBoard on etsy.com

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ZIPPIE YOUNGSTER 3 FOLDING WHEELCHAIR

This lightweight folding wheelchair not only looks awesome, but it will also grow with a child. The seat width and depth can be adjusted as the child grows, without the need for any additional parts. Designed for active kids who are always on the go, this wheelchair provides great manoeuvrability and solid front stability, and it can fold down to be easily lifted into a car. easymobility.co.uk | 0800 193 4588 5

JELLYFISH BOARD SHORTS

These stylish swimming shorts are designed for boys living with incontinence issues. They have built-in inner waterproof pants to ensure young ones can splash about in the pool or on the beach in a regular-looking pair of shorts with no worries. They have adjustable leg holes and waistband elastic to ensure a snug fit. fledglings.org.uk 6

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SOFT TOUCH SITTER

The Special Tomato soft touch sitter is ideal for any child with mild to moderate postural needs. It can be used at home, or in a school or club setting and it provides the child with stability and support for sitting tasks and socialising, while ensuring increased mobility overall. Available in a range of sizes to support a child through to adulthood. specialtomato.com

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Autism Assistance Dogs The presence of an assistance dog has been shown to have a calming effect on autistic people Exploring the impact that our furry heroes can have on the lives of autistic people

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here is a reason behind the old adage that a dog is “man’s best friend”, the common colloquialism used when talking about our canine buddies.

It should really be updated to “human’s best friend” because dogs do not discriminate between genders.

They also don’t discriminate against sexuality, age, ability, race, religion or on any other basis. Dogs are pure, innocent, intelligent and beautiful animals that make wonderful pets and companions for people, but they can also do so much more.

Dogs have a strong bond with humans, something that has been cultivated over thousands of years; they can be loyal, protective, caring companions and they are naturally intelligent which lends itself well to learning new skills.

Discussions of using dogs to assist blind or disabled people can be dated back to the 1700s, with the first official guide dog being issued to a blind war veteran in 1916 in the UK. Since then, guide dogs and assistance dogs have been trained to assist people with everything from loading the washing machine, to helping dress, to recognising when someone is about to have a seizure.

Their abilities are nothing short of amazing.

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LIVING WITH AUTISM

More recently charities have been set up to train dogs to assist autistic people, who may experience difficulties accessing public spaces due to anxiety or sensory overload, having trouble sleeping, attending hospital appointments, being in busy environments, focusing in educational or work settings.

Autism assistance dogs are trained specifically to assist with these circumstances. They are trained in deep pressure therapy which can help to regulate a person’s emotions and promote a sense of calm. In much the same way that a weighted blanket works, autism assistance dogs can help apply deep pressure therapy to help children or adults sleep, to provide calm during medical procedures, or in high anxiety or emergency situations. They can also alert owners when an alarm goes off for medication reminders.

The presence of an assistance dog has been shown to have a calming effect on autistic people. Having an intuitive dog by their side who will respond appropriately in times of anxiety or uncertainty helps to improve that person’s confidence and ability to interact in social situations, and access the world around them.

BENEFITS FOR CHILDREN Autistic children can benefit in so many ways from the presence of an autism assistance dog. They can help introduce routines for children, they can help them dress in the morning and undress at night, their presence can also help reduce any risk or danger when out in busy environments. Often autistic children may find their environment overwhelming which can prompt them to try to break away from wherever they are, this can lead to them running away from parents or carers. If the child is walking with their canine companion this can provide a grounding feeling that will reduce the risk of the child running away, thereby reducing the risk of harm or injury to the child.

Dogs are pure, innocent, intelligent and beautiful animals that make wonderful pets and companions for people, but they can also do so much more

They are trained in deep pressure therapy which can help to regulate a person’s emotions and promote a sense of calm

These dogs can also be trained to retrieve certain items, this can be anything from a mobile phone to a favourite toy for a child, or ear defenders or sunglasses that help reduce sensory overload. They can also help pick up dropped items, which can be very beneficial for any child that experiences difficulty with fine motor skills too.

The presence of an assistance dog can transform young people’s lives, allowing them to access education, to socialise more easily with peers, and to lead a more active life. The ability to confidently participate in a classroom environment can have an incredibly positive impact on a child’s life, preparing them for future higher education and work opportunities.

Having an assistance dog can also help people be more independent, tackling tasks on their own with their trusty companion by their side, from grocery shopping to accessing public transport. Their presence can help young adults feel empowered and able, something that can then help them to take steps to live independently.

The confidence, empowerment, loyalty and love provided by these loyal companions can have a dramatic impact on the lives of autistic people. The positive outcomes of these partnerships have been documented over the years and serve as proof that dogs truly are a human’s best friend.

APPLYING FOR AN ASSISTANCE DOG If you work with any autistic children and you believe they would benefit from the presence of an autism assistance dog, you can contact a few different charities to start the application process. We have highlighted some of these organisations below: Autism Dogs autismdogs.co.uk Dogs for Autism dogsforsutism.org.uk Dogs for Good dogsforgood.org

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WORKING BOUNDARIES What are some small things you can do to establish better boundaries in work to help readdress your work-life balance

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etting boundaries is one of the most important things you can do in your working life. We often write about how important maintaining a good work-life balance is, and how a positive and wellbalanced life can help you to avoid stress or overwork.

It’s not easy - especially in an age where we are always contactable and have responsibilities - but making a small effort to readdress the balance in your life can do wonders. It’s a balancing act, and it won’t always be perfect, and there will be times where it simply isn’t possible, but when we can do something to ensure a healthy work-life balance, it’s a good idea to try.

With that in mind, setting and maintaining appropriate professional boundaries is one way where you can help to foster a positive work-life balance. In a perfect world, we would have the time and space to balance the aspects of our life which we find relaxing and interesting outside of our working life, but we can’t always live in a perfect world, and as much as we enjoy our jobs and value our roles, everyone deserves time away to recuperate and recharge. That’s why setting healthy working boundaries can be an effective way of readdressing the balance between work and life.

Here are a few small things you could try that may help better adjust your work-life balance by putting healthy boundaries in place in meaningful ways.

SILENCE YOUR NOTIFICATIONS It goes without saying that this will not be possible for everyone - sometimes you might be on call, or you might be responsible for a client or project that requires you to be contactable outside of your working hours, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that, especially when you anticipate that you might have to be contacted when you’re not in work. The issue often arises when we’re not expecting an email or text, and it’s something that we could deal with upon our return to work. However, turning off notification alerts for your work email (or work phone if you’re lucky enough to have one of those) when you’re not working can help put space between you and the office. A recent update to iPhones saw the introduction of the Focus setting, which is brilliant if you work set shifts. The Focus mode you place your phone in will dictate what apps you see notifications for; for example, when in Work Focus, you 46

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...as much as we enjoy our jobs and value our roles, everyone deserves time away to recuperate and recharge

can turn off notifications from social media to prevent you from getting distracted, while in Personal Focus, you can turn off notifications from your work email.

It’s a handy feature which you can set up to reflect the apps you want to see in those periods, and can autoenable at set times so you don’t have to worry about remembering to turn it on or off.

DON’T SWEAT SAYING “NO” As often as we are reminded that we have permission to say no when we need to, it’s a hard thing to comprehend for some. There are times when we will say yes to things that we might not have the time or resources for which can leave us feeling spread too thinly, and overwhelmed with what we have to do. Often, saying “no” feels like we’re turning away opportunities for advancement or giving people an opportunity to question our commitment to work, but we can’t commit to things that we don’t have the time or the energy for. It is absolutely ok to turn things down in our working life when we simply cannot manage them.

COMMUNICATION IS KEY

communicating your needs doesn’t have to be a big conversation or even anxiety inducing

There’s something about communication in a work setting that can leave you feeling a little anxious - you feel like you’re having to lay down the law, when in fact, you’re just politely establishing your working boundaries.

It can be nerve wracking, but communicating your needs doesn’t have to be a big conversation or even anxiety inducing. One small way you can establish your boundaries in work is through your trusty email signature. You may have noticed that people have started adding their working hours to their signature, which is excellent as it gives people a guide to when they can expect a response from you in a nonconfrontational way. Letting people know when you’re taking holidays (which you are entitled to, remember!) so that they know when you’ll be around to communicate is also a great idea, and a small step towards ensuring your work and life are well balanced.

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Yourevents

IN THIS ISSUE we bring you this year’s round-up of events taking place in the OT calendar.

We take a look at the packed calendar of events and exhibitions that are lined up for OTs in 2022!

Get your CPD lined up for the year and plan the events you want to attend this year.

Kidz to Adultz Events Event dates: WALES & WEST – 7 JUL

International Convention

Centre, Newport SCOTLAND – 8 SEPT

Royal Highland Centre,

Edinburgh NORTH – 1 NOV

Manchester Central

Free exhibition dedicated to children and young adults with disabilities and additional needs, their families, carers and all the professionals who support them, the events are packed with exhibitors and boast a great CPD seminar programme. kidzexhibitions.co.uk 6-7 JULY

Naidex NEC, Birmingham Naidex returns in 2022 for an independent living revolution. Boasting a dedicated CPD seminar programme, a wide range of innovative exhibitors, interactive demonstrations and expert speakers, this year’s event promises to be unmissable. nadiex.co.uk

Photo: User Rept0n1x at Wikimedia Commons

OTAC Events Event dates: CHESTER – 7 SEPT

The Queen Hotel, Chester

READING - 9 NOV

Hilton Hotel, Reading

CARDIFF – 7 DEC

Copthorne Hotel, Cardiff

The UK’s only free Occupational Therapy Adaptations Conference and Exhibition. At each event you will find expert seminars and exhibitors specialising in home adaptations and equipment, and invaluable CPD opportunities. otac.org.uk

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2022 Calendar 6-7 JULY

European Neuro Convention NEC, Birmingham Europe’s only trade event for brain and spine experts. Two days packed with workshops and expert industry speakers, the chance to gain free CPD, meet with suppliers and network with likeminded people that can share their knowledge and solutions to improve patient outcomes in the neurological sector. neuroconvention.com 5-7 JULY

UK Care Week NEC, Birmingham The first day of this event (5 July) will take place online and the last two (6-7 July) will be in person at the NEC. The aim behind this exhibition is to unite the care community and address the biggest challenges facing it today, while celebrating the talent of all care workers and discussing change for the future. ukcareweek.com 11-13 JULY

PMG Conference The International Centre, Telford PMG’s annual conference provides an educational, industry exhibition and networking events for professionals working in the field on posture and wheeled mobility. pmguk.co.uk 23-24 NOV

The Occupational Therapy Show NEC, Birmingham A vital date in the OT diary, The OT Show will return this year with an outstanding line-up of speakers, seminars and workshops. The show is dedicated to bringing OTs more CPD opportunities than any other event and the exhibition floor will be packed with organisations catering for the independent living market. theotshow.com

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EDGE services Exceptional Training with a Personal Touch Movin Handl g & Key Tr ing a Certifi iner’s cate Successful completion of the EDGE People or Children Handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate courses will provide delegates with the up to date skills, knowledge and tools to teach others in safer people or children handling skills and to conduct moving and handling risk assessments.

• Healthcare Professionals All EDGE Services Trainers are nurses, occupational therapists or physiotherapists with at least ten years’ clinical experience and at least six years’ training experience.

• Professionally and Academically Accredited All our People and Children Handling and Risk Assessment Key Trainer’s Certificate courses are assured and regulated as Customised Level 4 or Advanced Level 4 Awards by RoSPA Qualifications. They are Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) Approved Learning Awards, certified by the CPD Certification Service and aligned to the Skills for Health Core Skills Training Framework (CSTF).

• Extensive Training Resources, Exclusive On-line Library and E-Learning Module Our training is supported by a professionally produced and fully illustrated 246-page course textbook, proposed documentation for onward training delivery, four video modules demonstrating over 45 moving and handling practical skills techniques, an extensive and exclusive on-line resources library and a user-friendly e-learning programme designed for front-line staff.

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