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‘ These groups became a welcome addition to the day-to-day running of the unit . I was pleased to have witnessed such brilliant teamwork , all working towards a shared goal of improving quality of life for the service users .’
One service user fed back : ‘ I ’ ve enjoyed the daily group sessions , they have helped me to learn new skills and try new activities . I have valued spending time interacting and participating in activities with staff and other service users .’
While a nurse said : ‘ I ’ ve seen positive change on the unit through the promotion of occupational balance . Service users are now accessing a wider range of activities in the community and through the unit-based groups .
‘ Staff have also benefitted from the promotion of occupational balance and are feeling more confident to positive risk-take and support with improving service users ’ quality of life .’
The importance of occupational balance has been well documented , with research citing its value in promoting our sense of self , expanding our experiences , improving our health and wellbeing , proving structure to our lives .
A balance of occupations can increase our overall sense of achievement and happiness , when we are able to fulfil all the occupations we need and want to do ( Yazdani et al 2018 ).
We feel occupational balance is an important consideration for everyone , but especially for individuals who spend long periods of time in hospital or institutions .
Backman C ( 2004 ) Occupational balance : Exploring the relationships among daily occupations and their influence on wellbeing . Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy [ online ]. 71 ( 4 ): 195-256 .
Jones C , Jarvis K and Stewart H ( 2024 ) The lived experiences of adults with learning disabilities : taking part in a community gardening group . British Journal of Occupational Therapy [ online ]. 87 ( 2 ): 63-124 .
Department of Health ( 2001 ) Valuing people : A new strategy for learning disability for the 21st Century . London : Department of Health . Available at https :// bit . ly / 3BzlFLc [ accessed 16 December 2024 ].
Yazdani F , Harb A , Rassafiani M , Nobakht L and Yazdani N ( 2018 ) Occupational therapists ’ perception of the concept of occupational balance . Scandinavian Journal of Occupational Therapy [ online ]. 25 ( 4 ): 288-297 .
Words KINGA CZEKAJ , Occupational Therapist , and JENNIFER THAYRE , Occupational Therapy Apprentice , Green Lane Hospital , Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership Trust k . czekaj @ nhs . net . The Daisy Unit has been closed since the writing of this article .
January 2025 OTnews 41