Occupational Therapy News OTnews January 2019 | Page 28

REPORT DIVERSE ROLES S d n o y e b d n a y t i n fi n i To eptember saw the University of Brighton welcome delegates back for its third national conference for occupational therapists working in diverse settings. Following the success of previous years’ conferences, over 70 practitioners, researchers, academics and students from all over the UK came together in Eastbourne for an event facilitated by Dr Channine Clarke and Sarah Mead, who have a long-standing interest and passion for this area of practice. Kate Sheehan gave an inspiring keynote speech, which took delegates to ‘infinity and beyond’ and challenged them to embrace innovation and creativity in the commercial sector, highlighting how our only barrier to developing the profession is our imagination. Enid Grennan then shared her experience of working with asylum seekers living in Home Office accommodation, reinforcing the importance of meaningful occupation at this difficult time. Mubeena Tarzi spoke about empowering children’s self-identity and deciphering the role of paediatric occupational therapy in acute oncology, before the process and success of developing diverse practice placements at the University of Brighton was shared by Tracy Szekely, encouraging delegates to think about offering student placements in less traditional settings. After an opportunity for networking, Luci Carnall-Moore facilitated a very engaging and humorous workshop, where she shared the development of her ‘community corner’ through various community projects and engagement. Delegates worked together to share creative ideas for how occupation can be promoted to enhance wellbeing in local communities and the idea of an occupational therapy festival was planted. Helen Coombes and Amy Dickens then gave an interesting presentation about their role supporting students as mental health advisers at Nottingham University and Amanda Brodala promoted the valuable role for occupational therapists working as a best interest assessor for the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards. 28 OTnews January 2019 Dr Channine Clarke and Sarah Mead report from the third national conference for occupational therapists working in diverse settings Claire Gough and Claire Hines demonstrated how the profession can play an important role in a Carers Health Team, highlighting how occupational overload is often experienced by many carers. Channine and Sarah shared with delegates a website they have been developing, which has been named the Community of Practice of Occupational Therapists Working in Diverse Settings (COPOTDS). This is becoming a well-used resource and occupational therapists are encouraged to send in case examples of their work that can be uploaded to the website and shared amongst the community: http://blogs.brighton.ac.uk/copotds/. Once again, feedback was very positive from all those who attended, valuing the opportunity for continuing professional development, networking and sharing best practice. One delegate stated: ‘I have to admit that since I qualified in 1999, I have found listening to occupational therapists talk about role identity and how to justify our profession quite depressing. We appeared rather stuck in a loop. This was very different; there were so many really inspiring, creative and forward thinking presentations. It wasn’t so much about “how we might do it”, but more about what is already happening everywhere.’ Dr Channine Clarke, academic lead, occupational therapy, University of Brighton, and Sarah Mead, freelance occupational therapist, now working and promoting occupational therapy in diverse settings in France The authors would like to hear from occupational therapists with case examples of their work in diverse settings, to help the development of the resource section of their website. Please contact Dr Channine Clarke: [email protected]. © GettyImages/Rocketpixel