Occupational Therapy News OTnews October 2019 | Page 45

ACTIVITY FEATURE The ‘win win’ of fundraising I Louise Ward explains how residents of a specialist brain injury rehabilitation service pulled together to take part in fundraising activities to support a local rugby player who obtained a life changing injury during a match n October 2017, an occupational therapist from the Oakleaf Group, a specialist brain injury rehabilitation service for adult males, arranged for a small group of residents to attend a training session at Northampton Saints RFC. It was hoped that the session would provide opportunities to promote social skills, community integration, enjoyment, and discussions about goals, motivation and healthy living. It would also allow residents to access a sport they previously enjoyed without the overstimulation that would arise on a match day. The Saints staff and players were truly fantastic on the day, The act of helping instead of being helped has been empowering, with noticeable improvement to motivation, self esteem and confidence. The relationships between the residents also improved that week, as they offered each other encouragement and support. They also feel a kinship with The Saints, which has opened their world up and made them feel part of the wider community. They became focused on what they can do, rather than their deficits and loss. The project concluded with the key residents delivering the discussing everything from healthy eating to cars and music with the residents. They expressed genuine interest in the residents’ stories and progress, offering praise and encouragement. Six months later, one of those players, Rob Horne, experienced a life-changing injury during a match and the residents wanted to help. The occupational therapist began planning a week of fundraising, which included a rugby-themed ‘mufti day’ and sponsored events. The residents who wanted to be involved were supported to set their own daily goals, with one walking 750 steps, another cycling for an hour, and the third raising his head eight times each day for a week. These goals were realistic, but challenging; the gentleman completing the head raises had very little active movement six months previously. In addition to cycling, one of the residents who attended the weekly Breakfast Club cooking session was keen to cook and sell bacon and sausage sandwiches for the cause, something that he would not have thought possible just two years ago previously. In addition to the therapeutic benefits of the activities themselves – attention, memory, social skills, sequencing, motor skills, stamina, tolerance, balance and communication, to name a few – the benefits of the fundraising have been far reaching. £382.49 they had raised to the rugby club. Again, the players and staff were fantastic and reinforced the sense of achievement, some spending a great deal of time talking with the residents, particularly Luther Burrell, who had a few arm wrestling matches with them. Each resident was presented with a trophy by Harry Mallinder – these now have pride of place in their bedrooms with photographs to remind them of their significant accomplishments. The project had evolved from gathering ideas, collaborative goal setting to occupational engagement. Finally, delivering the funds raised for a very worthy cause was one of the most memorable days of my career. The transformation in the residents – seeing them engaging with the squad and being encouraged and treated as equals – was truly special. Some people have continued to build on the goals set for their sponsored tasks. Having seen the social, psychological and physical benefits of this project, fundraising will certainly form part of our toolkit in the future. © GettyImages/ronniechua Louise Ward, highly specialist occupational therapist at The Oakleaf Group, a specialist brain injury rehabilitation service for adult males in Northamptonshire, email [email protected] or visit: www.oakleafcare.com. The author would like to thank the Northampton Saints, staff, residents of Oakleaf and their families for their support. OTnews October 2019 45