Don ’ t look back – stay connected to your profession
Tracey Samuels talks to several members who are all active ambassadors for the profession through their work to support RCOT and its networks
Have you ever considered volunteering for one of the many opportunities on RCOT ’ s boards and committees , but then swiftly pushed the thought from your mind , thinking it ’ s not for you , you don ’ t have the time , or even the confidence ?
You are probably not alone . There are so many volunteering opportunities available with your professional body throughout the year , it can seem difficult to know where to start . But joining the committee of one of RCOT ’ s Boards , Regions or Specialist Sections could be a great personal and professional move .
RCOT Regions and Specialist Sections are branches of the Royal College . The Regions are dedicated to supporting members locally by providing networking , development and learning opportunities as well as funding through lifelong learning grants , while Specialist Sections provide professional direction and leadership for occupational therapists working in specialist areas of practice ; they share information , network and promote good practice .
Members of the committees often say being a part of RCOT engages and motivates them to make positive change , and that they have been fully supported to learn new skills , share fresh ideas and help build a stronger local or specialist area presence for themselves and their occupational therapist peers .
Emma Davies , Denise Neild and Haley Whelpton are three members who have been dedicating their time to support the Regions .
Emma is Chair of the South East Region , having joined the committee seven years ago when she was a band five occupational therapists working as the only occupational therapist on a ward , and wishing to seek out contact with her peers – ‘ and I haven ’ t looked back ,’ she exclaims .
Haley , who works in a non-occupational therapy role , is Chair of the Northern and Yorkshire Region Committee . She joined the committee as she wanted to ensure that she stayed connected to the profession .
‘ This seemed like a good way to do it ,’ she says , ‘ and to make contacts across the region . It allows me to maintain my CPD and keep up-to-date on what ’ s happening both politically and professionally in occupational therapy . I wanted to give something back , and to serve my profession in some way .’
Denise is Vice Chair of the Scottish Northern Region and is currently in her third year in post . Of what motivated her to get involved , she says : ‘ Initially I had no real intention of joining the committee . I had managed to arrange to link in with one of the committee ’ s Roadshows and been impressed with the quality of the event from such a small group .
‘ However , I work in Shetland , where it is difficult and expensive to attend events and this led to a feeling of being isolated . I wanted to explore the option of using video conferencing to create better links with the wider occupational therapy community ; this was pre-pandemic , so still a novel way of joining events .’
She adds : ‘ I spoke with Stacey Abraham , RCOT membership engagement officer , and discussed how our remote Shetland team of occupational therapists could create stronger links with the Royal College . I got such a positive response , and it was suggested that I join the committee in some capacity , as this would create a direct link with RCOT and enable me to forge links within my Region .
‘ After giving it some thought , and with a lot of reassurance about how well I would be supported , I decided to give it a go .’
Everyone takes something different away from the experience , but Denise says : ‘ I have learnt so much about the work of RCOT that I wasn ’ t aware of – even though I ’ ve been a member since I qualified .’
While Haley reflects : ‘ It ’ s been less than a year , but I think it has confirmed what I always suspected , that occupational therapists are some of the nicest people . It gives me great joy to work in my role ; I learn every time we do an event and every time we meet . It is said that you are the sum of the people you spend your time with , and after I have spent time with the committee , I feel nothing but positive .’
However , it ’ s no secret that encouraging members who have perhaps never engaged with RCOT before to volunteer for one of the many opportunities on offer can be a challenge .
56 OTnews July 2021