The value of shared learning
Rachel Weston has recently embarked on raising awareness of LGBTQIA + amongst older adults in an inpatient setting through a history group
As occupational therapists , we know that it is important to understand our clients ’ interests , as they can play a central role in their recovery . We also understand that supporting our clients in engaging in meaningful activities can also promote satisfaction and pleasure in doing , or even learning , those activities .
History allows us to reflect back on past events with a modern lens of understanding . It can create conversations about events in history that have , for want of a better word , ‘ haunted ’ our current day . It is such a diverse subject that you can be discussing the Battle of Hastings one week , and then facilitating a conversation about the Civil Rights movement the next . Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust ’ s Littlestone Lodge in Dartford runs a history group based on the Recovery Through Activity handbook by Sue
Parkinson ( 2014 ). The group focuses on three main components : vocational , social and community activities .
The history group The communal opportunity to discuss historical topics – new and old – encourages continued lifelong learning and ongoing social interactions and improving interaction skills within an inpatient setting . For nearly a year now , I have facilitated a weekly history group to cover such topics . We have discussed a variety of topics in the group , most of which were chosen by a client each week , ranging from the Battle of Trafalgar to the Stonewall Riots .
Each topic is chosen a few days prior to the group , to give sufficient time to research and make a handout for each group .
On occasion , I have had clients join me in active research of the topic if they wish to do so . This has helped build clients ’ self-efficacy and , in turn , had a positive impact on their wellbeing .
Preparation and content Using a wide range of sources to create balanced content , it takes around 90 to 120 minutes to prepare each session . Handouts will vary in length , with coloured pictures interspersed between writing .
30 OTnews December 2021
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