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Sport For Confidence teams up with University of Essex to offer fully funded PhD studentship
Sport for Confidence CIC has teamed up with a PhD student from the University of Essex to explore the impact of the social enterprise ’ s national systems partnership with Sport England .
Jointly funded through Essex ’ s School of Health and Social Care and Sport for Confidence , Erica De La Garza joined the Sport for Confidence team in January 2024 , arriving in Essex from the US , where she will be located throughout the term
Erica De La Garza of her three-year tenure .
The PhD studentship follows Erica ’ s successful completion of a master ’ s degree in public health from Boston University and enables her to follow her academic interest in programme evaluation , epidemiology and biostatistics .
‘ This is an incredible opportunity for me , personally , to continue my professional development journey , but also for Sport for Confidence to explore the implementation and impact of a national systems partnership on tackling health inequalities through physical activity ,’ says Erica .
‘ As part of my master ’ s degree I conducted an epidemiology research study focused on adults diagnosed with Down Syndrome and it was through this work that I heard about this UK-based PhD .’
Erica will be fully integrated into Sport for Confidence , reporting into CEO and founder Lyndsey Barrett , supported by Liz Fletcher , occupational therapist and national team lead , working as part of the organisation to support a culture of collecting and utilising data to promote learning and inform practice .
Lyndsey says : ‘ Analysing the impact of our strategic decisions is hugely important to the future success and growth of our organisation and has always been an integral part of our process at all levels of the business .
‘ Working with Erica and the University of Essex will not only help us to gain a deeper understanding of the value our Sport England partnership delivers , but will also enable us to share findings with other systems partners , extending the learnings and ultimately driving greater success across physical activity , health and social care sectors .’
While Erica conducts her work through Sport for Confidence , she will join an active cohort of doctorial students at the University of Essex . She will also be able to lean on the expertise of academics , such as supervisors Dr Anna Pettican , from the School of Health and Social Care , and Dr Paul Freeman and Dr Andrew Brinkley , from the School of Sport , Rehabilitation and Exercise Science . For more information about Sport for Confidence , visit : sportforconfidence . com . For more information about the
University of Essex visit : essex . ac . uk .
News in brief
Explore our tender opportunities in occupational therapy
RCOT has three exciting tender opportunities available for Higher Education Institutions ( HEIs ) or independent consultants interested in shaping the future of occupational therapy and occupational therapy education . For all opportunities we ’ re actively encouraging those from historically under-recognised and excluded groups to apply ( such as those who identify as part of the LGBTQIA + communities , racially minoritised communities or those living with a disability or long-term condition ). Learn more about our tender opportunities at https :// bit . ly / 43OPHED .
It ' s not too late to join the Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture
At 6.30-8pm , Wednesday 24 April 2024 you can join our Elizabeth Casson Memorial Lecture , The time is now , delivered by Professor Katrina Bannigan ( see also pages 18-19 ). In 2021 RCOT ’ s Chief Executive , Steve Ford , observed that the profession feels like ‘ the underdog ’ with other professions being better at grasping opportunities . This lecture will explore how we need to capitalise on individual successes to create a social movement for the value of occupation . This argument will be illustrated with an example of occupation-based practice in public health . Get your ticket at https :// bit . ly / 48sy4Lq .
RCOT support with fitness to practice available
Being reported or self-reporting to the Health and Care Professions Council ( HCPC ) for a fitness to practice issue can be a very stressful and anxietyprovoking experience . If this has happened to you , we want you to know that you ’ re not alone , and we ’ ll support you . The RCOT Professional Advisory Service is a member benefit and here to help you . It offers non-judgemental support , advice and guidance , signposting to resources , clear explanation of the fitness to practice process , and collaborative working with UNISON ’ s Professional Services Unit , where appropriate . If you need support 020 3141 4630 professional . advisoryservice @ rcot . co . uk or visit www . rcot . co . uk / node / 8155 .
April 2024 OTnews 11