build a positive sense of self identity , is called ‘ 4 Things about Me ’.
This piece of work is being co-facilitated by one of the patients and an occupational therapist in the personality disorder care stream . It has also been supported by an occupational therapy student on clinical placement within the hospital .
The aim is for the project to be rolled out across the seven wards within the personality disorder service .
‘ 4 Things about Me ’ is a creative , mixed media project . The idea behind the design was decided on in liaison with the patient . It is made up of 18cm-by-18cm card squares that can be divided in any way to hold four designs .
These might symbolise what individuals enjoy , what is important to them , facts about themselves , what their interests and hobbies are , or how they express themselves .
Service users have described the project as a way to show the outside world that they are ‘ not all bad ’ and highlight their ‘ positives ’.
Comments have also been made regarding the benefits of collaborative working from staff and patients , specifically how it allows for discussing shared interests and gives service users the opportunity to express what they find enjoyable .
Some patients have requested to take their boards into visits with family members and friends . This builds on and supports connections with others and suggests a feeling of pride in their completed work .
As a student , being involved in this project has provided significant insight into the occupational therapy process in this setting , the numerous ways in which occupational therapists can use their unique skills to support this client group and the challenges they face in doing so .
One of the difficulties of being a student on a placement is gaining understanding of the patient ’ s clinical needs and risks , alongside building a therapeutic relationship in a short timeframe .
Through discussing some of the topics raised in this project , there has been an opportunity to learn more about the patients , while engaging in a level of well-considered self-disclosure that can be difficult to navigate in this setting , significantly helping to build rapport .
Supporting the initial development of ‘ 4 Things About Me ’ has provided the opportunity to be involved in a directorate-wide project that will be displayed throughout the hospital . Showcasing this work will not only provide patients with a sense of pride , but also play a part in reducing the stigma and its subsequent negative effect on their recovery .
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Words JESSICA LANCASTER , occupational therapy student , University of Derby , RACHAEL HUMPSTON , lead specialist occupational therapist , Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust , and JULIE BERNSTEIN , senior lecturer , University of Derby
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April 2022 OTnews 39