Occupational Therapy News OTnews April 2019 | Page 27

VOCATIONAL REHABILITATION FEATURE
A real work environment to build
skills and confidence
Charlotte Carpenter looks
at the development of the
vocational programme at
West London NHS Trust’s
forensic service, specifically
within the public-facing
vocational café, through
a seconded occupational
therapy post
I
n April 2017, a public-facing vocational café, Café on the Hill, became incorporated into
West London NHS Trust’s forensic service. This was historically part of the trust’s local
services, but now falls under occupational therapy and rehabilitation services.
In September 2017, a one-day a week secondment was offered to a senior
occupational therapist to support a project on improving the clinical experience and support of
service users working within the café, along with redeveloping the environment and increasing
revenue.
The seconded occupational therapist being external to forensic services enabled an
objective perspective on avenues for improvement.
Providing a real work environment
Café on the Hill forms part of a wider vocational programme, within which lie a vast array
of work roles for service users across three smaller café and shop areas inside secure
perimeters of forensic services.
These include: The Orchard Café (women’s enhanced medium/medium/low secure), The
Riverside Café (men’s medium secure) and The Tony Hillis Wing Café (men’s medium and low
secure).
Additionally, there is a small car valeting opportunity for service users and a local community
allotment provision.
OTnews April 2019 27