Student education knowledge will make the sessions more accessible .’
Student education knowledge will make the sessions more accessible .’
Overall , the project identifies a vital need for further research in this area , specifically around accessibility , in order to promote increased participation in outdoor swimming as an occupation . We hope that our project can provide a valuable starting point for more research in this area . We look forward to using any opportunity we get to share our experiences from this project , both personal and professional .
Bradley P ( 2020 ) Can cold water swimming combat dementia ? British Journal of Healthcare Assistants , 14 ( 10 ): 488-489 .
Foley R ( 2017 ) Swimming as an accretive practice in healthy blue space , Emotion , Space and Society , 22 : 43-51 .
Law M ( 1991 ) The environment : a focus for occupational therapy , Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy , 58 ( 4 ): 171-179 .
Martin JJ ( 2013 ) Benefits and barriers to physical activity for individuals with disabilities : a social-relational model of disability perspective , Disability and Rehabilitation , 35 ( 24 ): 2030-2037 .
Massey H , Kandala N , Davis C , Harper M , Gorczynski P and Denton H ( 2020 ) Mood and wellbeing of novice open water swimmers and controls during an introductory outdoor swimming programme : A feasibility study , Lifestyle Medicine ( Hoboken NJ ), 1 ( 2 ).
Menzie , A , Mazan C , Borisoff JF , Mattie JL and Mortenson WB ( 2021 ) Outdoor recreation among wheeled mobility users : perceived barriers and facilitators , Disability and Rehabilitation : Assistive Technology , 16 ( 4 ): 384-390 .
Words SASHA TIFFANY and FARIDA NURELDIN , third year occupational therapy students at the University of Huddersfield at time of project , and now newly-graduated occupational therapists . With acknowledgement to Claudia Thompson , Open Water Swim Coach and project supervisor at Swimtopia , and Sarah Fletcher-Shaw , Academic Supervisor and Senior Lecturer at University of Huddersfield . Contact s . j . fletcher-shaw @ hud . ac . uk
A unique experience
This project was unique to me , as I was able to link my professional self and personal experiences being a long-term patient with different mobility needs . Being able to use my experience facing specific challenges in relation to my physical needs and implementing my ways to overcome almost any challenge I face was significantly meaningful .
Assessing not only the environment from an occupational therapy perspective , but including my personal identification of the challenges to reason the final suggestions and recommendations , increased my passion massively .
FARIDA NURELDIN , newly graduated occupational therapist
Looking at activity through an occupational therapy lens
This project placement was a wonderful opportunity to explore an area of interest through an occupational therapy lens , while developing valuable skills and experience in project management and partnership working .
It gave me a greater insight into the multiple challenges experienced by individuals with a range of different mobility needs and health conditions and the enabling and disabling impact of the environment on occupational engagement .
As someone who swims outdoors and experiences the benefits of outdoor swimming , I was surprised to discover how inaccessible the occupation can be for many . This project broadened my understanding of the role of occupational therapy beyond working with the individual to a role with potential to encourage wider systemic and social change .
SASHA TIFFANY , newly graduated occupational therapist
December 2023 OTnews 51