Showcase what we do better , be a leader and focus on putting people first , Venus Madden urged OTs
In a session focusing on the theme ‘ breaking through ’ and helping to make occupational therapy more visible to the public and policy makers , so that we can inform policy and service design , Odeth Richardson , RCOT Chair of Council , introduced inspiring occupational therapist Venus Madden , Clinical Fellow to Chief Allied Health Professions Officer England .
She told delegates that Venus ‘ epitomises the theme of breaking through ’; having made the giant leap from Hong Kong to Hampshire [ and ] from young volunteer to national clinical leader , taking the risk to put herself out there nationally along the way .
Karin Orman , RCOT ’ s Director of Practice and Innovation , opened the conversation with Venus about her career and achievements working as an occupationally therapist in the UK and her leadership journey , by congratulating her on her recent Rising Star Award , which members can read all about in the June issue of OTnews .
Having moved alone to the UK aged 18 to study occupational therapy , supported by her parents , she talked about why she stayed in the UK and that , despite her parents ’ pride in her occupation , her mother has only told a handful of close friends what she does .
The reason being , she explained is due to a lack of understanding of what she does . ‘ We need to showcase what we do , who we are and the impact we have on the population ,’ she said . ‘[ For some ] they don ’ t understand what occupational therapy means and they don ’ t understand that OTs can make a change in their lives , until they need it .’
Venus went on to explain that the motivation for her leadership journey is credited both to her family and her own life experience and , in a very honest account , she reflected on how she turned personal frustration on not being included to talk about her profession at her son ’ s school – despite people knowing she is an OT – and experience of bereavement around , to kick start her leadership journey .
Reflecting on what she ’ s tell her 18-year-old self , from her perspective today , she exclaimed : ‘ If I had the chance , I would
Venus Madden love to have said , when life gives you lemons , make lemonade !’
She added : ‘ As a mum with young children it ’ s very difficult to do different jobs , apply for roles that potentially involve you travelling , and you try to keep that balance . But I think you make the most of the situation you are in [ and ] what life events are thrown at you .’
Karin Orman
Venus went on to talk about the newly-launched NHS England ’ s Equity , Diversity and Inclusion improvement plan , with six high impact actions . One of the actions is around how we can support international recruitment of colleagues , ensuring they have equal access to training and development opportunities .
‘ That ’ s something that , nationally and strategically , it ’ s the first time we have had that direction , which is really fantastic ,’ she said .
Venus also touched on the importance of cultural awareness of difference when recruiting from overseas and the need to create a psychologically safe space for everyone .
She reflected on her own experience as a newlyqualified OT , two decades ago , where one of her patients ’ carer made racist and micro aggressive comments about her practice , questioning whether she was qualified to practice on hearing her accent and asking if a colleague would be checking her work .
Sharing this with her supervisor at the time , who labelled the comments as racist and not right , Venus says it ’ s ‘ something that has stayed with me for quite some time ’.
And while ‘ things have changed now ’, she says it ’ s helpful to think about AHPs Deliver , and the focus on putting people first , when supporting
Breaking through : take home message
When it comes to tackling imposter syndrome – which many OTs report experiencing – acknowledge and embrace any negative feelings and question where they stem from , think about self-analysis tools and your strengths , don ’ t call it ‘ weakness ’, call it need , and practise self-compassion .
22 OTnews July 2023