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News
New fully-funded Fellowship open to OTs
This summer , to mark the 75th anniversary of the Elizabeth Casson Trust , the trustees are proud to announce its first fully-funded Fellowship .
The Fellowship represents a ground-breaking opportunity for occupational therapists to follow in Elizabeth ’ s footsteps , demonstrating tenacity and drive to deliver an innovative project of their choosing ; a project that will create real impact with colleagues both in and outside the profession .
With all the challenges this may bring , the trust will support the Fellow to grow and develop personally and professionally through a mentor and any continuing professional development needs around the RCOT pillars of practice .
The ambition of the trustees is to shine a light on the innovative , creative and catalytic change that occupational therapy can bring to people ’ s lives .
The Fellow will have been qualified for a minimum of five years and present a project idea that emphasises the trust ’ s values and is aligned to its strategy and work already being funded . It must further the profession in a real-world way and support the trust ’ s inclusion goals .
The trust is keen to hear from occupational therapists working in any field who are unsure if their project would meet the remit for the Fellowship . Please read , listen or view the information on the website bit . ly / 3XC6qYr . Or email the trust to arrange a conversation with a trustee secretary @ elizabethcasson . org . uk .
The ambition of the trustees is to shine a light on the innovative , creative and catalytic change that occupational therapy can bring to people ’ s lives .”
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Obituary : Baroness Masham of Ilton ( 1935 – 2023 )
Baroness Sue Masham was a former Vice President of our professional body ; she took the role very seriously and attended many special events around the country and when I was Chair of RCOT Council , she hosted a major event at York Minster with the Princess Royal , our Patron .
In 1994 , she was highly involved at the Royal Albert Hall and Imperial College , when I chaired the World Congress . We had participants from 72 countries , including three ambassadors from European nations , professors , practitioners , and senior eminent people from around the world .
The then-famous Actor Robert Urquhart acted as the main compere for the special opening ceremony and Sue really enjoyed his jokes and his serious concepts for the profession .
Sue Masham made everybody feel welcome . She was just as happy talking to the junior occupational therapist as she was to Jackie Stewart , the racing driver , who attended and introduced the Broadcast BBC Concert at the Royal Albert Hall in the evening .
I remember once when I had arranged to meet her at the House of Lords , she and the other wheelchair users had come back to the building after a weekend break to find the carpet in one of the main Lords corridors had been replaced .
The new carpet was so lush , it made movement of a wheelchair almost impossible and I had to push her round that day . After a major complaint , some special spray treatment of the carpet resulted in an easier ride ! Even new carpet at the House of Lords could be improved by her support .
So many people benefited from her energies and efforts ; even Steve Ford , our Chief Executive , had met her in his previous role working for the MS Society .
The last time Sue and I met was when , once again , she agreed to support an organisation I am part of – the European Group for eTechnology – when we were holding an event at the House of Lords , hosted by Lord Richard Best . During the Lords event , Sue Masham was her usual cheerful self , welcoming the visitors to her place of work , making sure that everybody in the room had an opportunity to discuss their topics .
A couple of weeks before she died , Sue emailed me and told me she was not feeling well , then sadly her adopted daughter , Clare , contacted me to report the sad news of her death .
Such is our loss now . Not only the longest serving member of the House of Lords and one of the first women Baronesses , but without doubt one of the hardest working people in the place . The EKTG International Ambassadors exchanged emails the day after Sue Masham died asking : How do we make sure that Sue Masham is really remembered ? We , as occupational therapists , can only ask the same question . We do hope that some of you will do that .
Words MAGGIE ELLIS , Occupational Therapist , FCOT , FISPO , HCRP
July 2023 OTnews 11