STUDENT EDUCATION FEATURE
Following liaison with Dr Lisa Taylor regarding the development of the peer enhanced e-placement ( PEEP placement ) at the University of East Anglia ( Taylor 2020 ), we participated in a PEEP acquisition package workshop
As a result , hybrid PEEP placements were created by the occupational therapy programme at the University of Plymouth . This initiative was as a direct response to the challenges of practice education during the COVID-19 pandemic and build upon the established expertise of role emerging placements , providing opportunity to extend the use of virtual technology .
Rapid change was needed to address the challenges imposed by COVID-19 , and while change is our business , as occupational therapists the need for speed in our development of this slightly different placement model did provide challenges .
Two organisations in Cornwall agreed to host the first two ‘ pioneer ’ placements and help us to reflect on the learning processes and opportunities for further development of the placement model .
To begin with , the students expressed the commonly reported worries at the beginning of a role emerging placement , and supervisors were equally a little unsure about how the placement learning could be both enhanced and challenged by the extended use of technology and virtual environments .
However , on completion , the students unanimously reported a meaningful learning experience that had significantly contributed to their understanding of the role of occupational therapy in community settings .
The students , long-arm supervisors and supervisors from the organisation were all firmly of the view that this placement offers a rigorous , enjoyable and innovative addition to the placement models agenda .
These placements were full-time for five weeks , delivered online , with some site visits where relevant and possible , due to the government guidance at the time . Two students were on each placement with further peer facilitated sessions for the four students .
The settings Sterts Theatre and Arts Centre is an unusual theatrical setting – a 400-seat amphitheatre located on the side of Bodmin Moor , in the open Cornish air , yet protected from the rain by a massive canopy .
Sterts usually has a diverse programme of over 90 live theatre , music and dance events each summer , and expects to host approximately 17,500 visitors a year . Sterts hosts visiting productions and develops in-house shows , promoting opportunities for those who wish to develop skills in communication , creativity and confidence .
The site does , however , hold many access challenges for anyone with a disability and the key objective of the Sterts placement was to undertake an access audit and offer advice and guidance for future changes to their environment , to advocate inclusion and independence for any disabled audience or cast member .
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My interaction with the students has been very positive . All in all I found the student ’ s approach was friendly and engaging .
Memory Matters is a Community Interest Company ( CIC ) in the South West of England that delivers a range of projects and services to support people living with dementia . There is a dedicated team who share an ethos of compassion , kindness , fun , curiosity and willingness to embrace new ideas .
It was obvious from the outset that the goal of Memory Matters of ensuring that every person diagnosed with dementia , as well as those close to them , should have access to support to lead a happy and fulfilled life fitted well with occupational therapy .
Memory Matters deliver a range of services and cognitive stimulation therapy ( CST ) sessions , currently delivered online , which was a key focus for the occupational therapy students .
Student experiences Drawing on our previous life experience and cultural diversity , from all four peers , two of whom are international students and three being mature students , really helped us shape our thought processes , learning , reflections and formulate smart objectives , for future clinical practice . With the current climate limiting our opportunity for a traditional placement , we felt like we were taking the initiative with a roleemerging placement with gusto . The structure on our role emerging placement felt so tangible compared with the hierarchy within a clinical placement . All of us felt fortunate to have long-arm supervisors with so much experience with their genre and role emerging placements .
As the placement progressed our confidence improved immensely . This was recognised by our convivial and supportive placement educators .
Our involvement at Sterts Theatre and Arts Centre had a direct impact on its processes and future , supporting it to gain funding to maintain its service for the community . We were able to illustrate some effective inclusive design features , from an occupational therapy perspective , to help future participants to engage and feel part of the community .
We produced an audit report , which highlighted some important features and adaptations to consider around access and the environment , to make it more inclusive for everyone .
At Memory Matters we facilitated remote cognitive stimulation therapy groups . We began to build a true connection with the group facilitators and beneficiaries , first , learning experientially to observe the style and format of the sessions . We then learnt how
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