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Prime Minister ’ s daily Points of Light award goes to an ‘ inspirational ’ occupational therapist
Above : Pasna Salis , volunteer occupational therapist and founder of Weekday Wow Factor
On 8 December 2021 , Pasna Sallis , an occupational therapist and the founder of ‘ Weekday Wow Factor ’, received the UK ’ s 1,809th Point of Light award from the Prime Minister .
The award is in recognition of her work organising a range of fun activities for adults of all abilities to improve their mental , physical and social health , and reduce loneliness , ageism and inequalities .
After a 19-year career with the NHS , Pasna , from Glasgow , set up the initiative as a means of working further with people in advanced stages of dementia , using leisure activities to help enhance health and wellbeing and reduce social isolation .
One of Pasna ’ s flagship activities is the ‘ Daytime Disco ’, which runs on weekday afternoons from a Glasgow nightclub , where people can enjoy non-alcoholic drinks and food , dance to favourite songs and make new friends .
Other activities have included surfing trips , rural walks , yoga and tai chi sessions , and murder mystery days , and throughout the pandemic , Pasna has ensured all activities can continue as far as possible in a virtual capacity .
Pasna said : ‘ We are absolutely blown away and delighted with this recognition . We are a small , grassroots community organisation . We co-design and deliver exciting
opportunities with adults to awaken the inner child .
‘ Our community members have been helping to lift the community spirit through our unique activities , such as a virtual Daytime Disco , virtual walking , virtual cycling over video conferencing and faceto-face , lifting each other up . We thank everyone involved in recognising the ‘ Weekday Wow Factor ’ community and the work we do .’
Launched in April 2014 in the UK and developed in partnership with the US programme first established by President George HW Bush in 1990 , Points of Light are outstanding people who are making a change in their community .
Every weekday the Prime Minister recognises an inspirational volunteer by writing to them and personally thanking them for their work . Volunteers also receive a certificate and an online announcement .
Pasna also received a Tweet from Professor Ian Welsh OBE , chief executive at Health and Social Care Alliance Scotland , saying : ‘ Pasna , your spirit and endeavour exemplifies the resilience and imagination in the Scottish third sector .’ www . pointsoflight . gov . uk
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January 2022 OTnews 11