A message from the chief executive
Dear members
This will be the 15th and final end of year message that I have penned as your chief executive . Where have those years gone ? Indeed , where have the 38 years gone since a newly qualified occupational therapist proudly donned her new uniform for the first time and posed ( with her cat , Humphrey ), for the moment to be captured …
Well , the years may have rushed past in the blink of an eye but they have been well spent in my view . My career in occupational therapy has made me the person I am , shaped by the people I served and those that cared for them , the wonderful colleagues I have had the pleasure of working with along the way , many of whom are now friends , and the generous managers and leaders who have nurtured my talents and encouraged me to move forwards .
Occupational therapy has given me so much more than it has asked of me . Of course , just as many of you are experiencing right now , there have been challenging times along the way , but the fundamental values and beliefs that every occupational therapist holds close to their heart have stood me in good stead .
I will leave the Royal College in the new year in a healthy position , both financially and in reputation . Your loyalty , support and occasional challenge has made the organisation what it is today .
I have always said that in order for a profession to be recognised and valued , it needs a membership association , and of course , a professional body is nothing without its members ; we are inextricably linked together .
I want to thank you for your long-standing loyalty to the Royal College , you are the life blood of the organisation . Those that have volunteered to get involved with the work of RCOT , be it by standing for council or a board , membership of a region or specialist section , getting involved in working groups , or in any other capacity , are the beating heart of the Royal College . Your commitment keeps everything in motion .
While the organisation has grown in terms of staff and members under my tenure , we cannot achieve anything valuable without your ongoing engagement .
Many of you will have heard me say before that RCOT has roughly 75 staff and all of them work overtime to raise the profile of the profession and speak up for it , but if all of our 34,000 members lift up their voices , imagine the amplification .
This year ’ s Occupational Therapy Week has been a wonderful example of our collective voices being amplified and reaching new ears and audiences , so please don ’ t ever stop speaking up for occupational therapy ( see pages 14 to 19 ). I know I won ’ t .
Its been a heck of a year , whatever your field of endeavour . Whether you are a practitioner , support worker , student , apprentice , retired member , educator , researcher , commissioner or manager , or in another leadership role , we at the Royal College are so very thankful for your continued commitment , through extraordinarily challenging times .
As occupational therapists we are used to high level of demand and periods of uncertainty , but this year has brought overwhelming and swift changes , huge pressures , stress and exhaustion to us all , in some shape or form . But we have risen to the challenge and will , I am confident , continue to do so .
I have been so impressed by the willingness , creative solutions and agility you have all shown in response to COVID-19 and I continue to learn and refine my thinking about the potential of our profession when I hear of your achievements .
Together we really are a thriving professional community and it has been an honour and a privilege to be your chief executive .
Thank you for being the committed professionals that you are . Thank you for your warmth and friendship . Thank you for the hundreds of opportunities I have had to speak to you at your local events or at our national conference . Thank you for the laughs , the conversations and the kindness and joy you have shared with me . I wish you all much happiness ; may you all enjoy rewarding and fulfilling lives and careers .
I hope that you will have some time to take a restorative break as the year comes to a close . This year , more than ever before , you all need some time to recharge your batteries for whatever 2021 brings .
I have every confidence in your ability to endure , whatever the circumstances , and I am confident that you will support each other and continue to be loud and proud .
With my very best wishes
Julia Scott , chief executive
OTnews December 2020 7