Service development
Occupational roles were a key element of the programme , with participants developing confidence by taking on active roles in brainstorming outings , identifying preferences and goals , as well as problem solving difficulties related to the outings ...”
Service development
Feature
A fter the pandemic , the Hereford Neighbourhood Mental Health Team sought to increase its occupational therapy offer , given the increased demand for occupational therapy in the service .
As a small team of occupational therapists working in mental health roles , our resources were scarce . We decided to speak to occupational therapists Louise Wiggins and Alison Newport , who offered us a licence to deliver the Occupation Matters programme within Hereford .
This included training , documentation and initial supervision to deliver this evidence-based group intervention to help meet the occupational needs of our service users .
The Occupation Matters programme ( Newport and Clarke 2020 ) was inspired by Lifestyle Redesign © for older adults ( Clark et al 2015 ). Their research demonstrated significant impact on a person ’ s ability to participate in meaningful activities , which had a positive impact on both mental and physical health .
The programme ran for 20 sessions , focusing on a number of core themes including occupation , community , meals , routine , being active , roles and endings . The group programme involves practical activities , discussion and facilitated reflection , with participants planning and organising outings and the session activities .
The group must work together to come up with solutions to their barriers to occupational goals , supporting each other to make positive changes . Five individual sessions support the programme .
Through this whole process there is a focus on the ‘ doing ’ to enable a sense of being , belonging and skills development , for example problem solving , decision making , communication , negotiation and condition management .
The programme was felt to be most helpful for secondary care clients who appear complex and ‘ stuck ’ in their recovery . Eligibility criteria included those with significant difficulties with engaging in meaningful occupations , reduced motivation , limited roles , social isolation and difficulties engaging in their local community .
The programme seeks to improve occupational functioning by engaging individuals in meaningful and purposeful activity to improve physical and mental health .
The Occupational Self-Assessment ( OSA ) was used to facilitate goals for the programme , with the OSA scale being repeated to form an outcome measure . We used the QPR and CORE for self-assessment , and the Model of Human
Occupational roles were a key element of the programme , with participants developing confidence by taking on active roles in brainstorming outings , identifying preferences and goals , as well as problem solving difficulties related to the outings ...”
Occupation Screening Tool ( MOHOST ) was also rated before and after the intervention , by both facilitators .
Participants , who ranged in age from 30 to over 60 , had varied diagnoses , including personality disorder , anxiety , bipolar and schizophrenia .
Running the group programme
The Occupation Matters module was a good introduction to the programme . It allowed participants to engage in conversations to support their motivation for change through stimulating ideas , shared interests and understanding of the connection between occupation and health and wellbeing .
Occupational story telling was a motivating aspect of the programme ; using Wilcock ’ s ( 2007 ) ‘ doing , being , belonging and becoming ’ to strengthen the link between occupation , the self , other and health and wellbeing .
Occupational risk-taking was also an important aspect for both participants and clients . The programme requires OTs to think in the moment , make decisions , as well as avoid planning / problem solving for clients .
We were encouraged not to prepare for sessions too much , given that participants were required to support delivery of the programme . A key example of this would be the being active group ; when attending the hotel , participants were encouraged to take the lead with speaking to staff to find out where to order coffee etc .
Occupational roles were a key element of the programme , with participants developing confidence by taking on
July 2023 OTnews 35