Campaign
The power of OT – transforming health and social care
Campaign
Feature
RCOT ’ s year-long campaign aims to help raise the profile of the power of occupational therapy in transforming health and social care . There are many ways you can raise the profile of occupational therapy and this month we look at some of the resources available to support you .
W
e launched our 12-month ‘ The power of occupational therapy – transforming health and social care ’ campaign in OT Week 2024 .
The campaign will help us deliver our vision for an expanded occupational therapy workforce , positioned to have maximum impact in improving people ’ s health and quality of life .
By taking part in the campaign , you can help build a better understanding of the value of occupational therapy and where it needs to be positioned in the future to have a maximum impact in improving people ’ s health and quality of life .
The campaign resources provide you with the narrative , briefing guides , presentation and graphics to help you talk about the value of occupational therapy in health and social care .
This includes different versions of text you can use when talking and writing , including social media posts , a 30-second introduction , conversation prompts , copy for newsletters or websites , facts , quotes and story examples . There are three ‘ Power of OT ’ narratives , and the short version is shared in the box opposite .
Our profile-raising toolkit will help you promote occupational therapy to colleagues , influential decision-makers and others . You can also come along to a profile-raising café to share ideas and get support ( see box ). Find the toolkit and café session at www . rcot . co . uk / profile .
Where possible , work with other occupational therapist colleagues , so you can spread the workload . There are some things you can do that don ’ t take too much time , and others that will take some planning . You don ’ t need to do them all , but hopefully there are some ideas here that you ’ ll want to try . To find everything you need visit www . rcot . co . uk / otweek24 . And read more about our Workforce Strategy and action plans at www . rcot . co . uk / workforce-strategy .
Campaign narrative
Occupational therapy plays a vital role in health , social care and society . It enables people to manage their health and care needs and to do the occupations that they want , need and like to do . An occupation is any activity that supports physical , mental , emotional and spiritual wellbeing .
Occupational therapy is a solution to many of the UK ’ s health and care needs and should be positioned in communities to focus on prevention and early intervention . By helping people manage their health , it saves money and reduces pressure on health and social care services .
Occupational therapy is key to many people ’ s better futures and must be included in the strategic planning and allocation of resources to manage health , education , housing and care needs in the UK .
Come to our next profile-raising café with Michael Rosen
Want to know more ? Come along to one of our profileraising cafés for members to connect with other OTs and share ideas . Our next one will look at the art of storytelling , at 1-2pm on Wednesday 12 February , with renowned children ’ s author and
Michael Rosen occupational therapy advocate Michael Rosen . Book your place now at www . rcot . co . uk / profile .
© Billie Charity
January 2025 OTnews 13