Occupational Therapy News OTnews October 2018 | Page 15

AWARDS REPORT
A
lmost 90 invited guests gathered together on Wednesday 19 September, on the 34th floor of
The Shard, one of London’s most iconic modern buildings, for RCOT’s annual Celebration of
Excellence in Occupational Therapy Awards.
Held to acknowledge and celebrate members’ achievements, including students just starting
out on their occupational therapist journey, as well those already very senior and experienced in their career,
these annual awards are presented to members who have demonstrated excellence in their field of work and
are making an aspirational contribution to the profession.
This year, four members received a Merit Award, 12 received an RCOT Annual Award for Education,
Research and Continuing Professional Development, five received a UK Occupational Therapy Research
Foundation (UKOTRF) Research Grant, one a UKOTRF Early Researcher Award and one extremely
distinguished member was conferred a Fellowship Award.
Professor Sheila The Baroness Hollins, RCOT president, gave an opening address in which she said the
event was ‘all about championing’. She added: ‘To me, a champion is a true ambassador for a cause they are
deeply invested in. Today we are here to celebrate the incredible work and outstanding achievements of our
occupational therapist champions, and of the profession as a whole.’
She spoke movingly about her own affection for occupational therapy, on both a deeply personal and
professional experience, as a psychiatrist working with people with learning disabilities, and she noted that the
‘variety of settings in which occupational therapists can provide life-changing support’ is ‘reflected in the array
of awards being handed out today’.
In addition to the award winners present, Baroness Hollins also welcomesd a number of other special
guests in attendance.
RCOT has joined with the Elizabeth Casson Trust to produce a sterling silver pin for all of the Casson
Memorial lecturers, past and present, as an accolade for delivering the prestigious Elizabeth Casson Memorial
Lecture at RCOT’s annual conference, and a handful of past lecturers who were in attendance on the day
were applauded by their peers.
RCOT chairman of council Dr Patricia McClure then took to the stage to introduce each award winner, who
was invited up to receive their award from chief executive Julia Scott.
Following the presentations, Julia thanked RCOT’s supporters, members and their guests, for sharing in the
day’s celebrations, saying: ‘What a lot we have to celebrate today and we do so in a fitting environment. While
we may be 34 floors up, for our award winners the sky’s the limit.
‘The occupational therapy profession is on the up, delivering new and innovative services in the rapidly
changing world of health, care, work, criminal justice, research and housing. And it is the people who win
awards, or honours such as delivering the Casson Memorial Lecture, who are key to our forward momentum.’
She went on: ‘Awards and fellowships are fairly standard offers from professional bodies and i