• Engage with the future workforce who are training , at college , or on placement and with their facilitators and educators .
• Link with educators , facilitators and strategic bodies to promote effective and imaginative training .
• Canvass to and advocate for organisations striving for excellence in health and social care , promoting groups that support these aims .
• Link with sections for retired AHPs within the respective professional bodies .
The Future of @ Ret-AHPs
I would welcome increasing the diversity of AHPs giving voice on the forum . I value the volume from occupational therapy colleagues , but would love to hear the voice of other professionals .
The value of aligning the account with # WeCommunities , to discover if this adds value to this platform , is still unexplored .
Hopefully , the platform will become something that is shared in its curatorship , is shared for its voice , and the community of @ Ret _ AHPs goes from strength to strength .
My future of ‘ retired not retiring ’
In December 2021 , the Devon LAS REP project finished and we were pleased to have a short slot on local television (
www . bbc . co . uk / news / ukengland-devon-59804170 ), outlining the value of such placements . Engaging with BSc occupational therapy courses has definitely been valuable , so I shall be looking for more opportunities in this area .
In the impasse , I considered whether to continue with ‘ planning ’ my 2022 endeavours , or following the previous year ’ s more organic approach . There is no obligation , which I value , but I harbour a desire to be involved .
However , 2022 has started with me signing up for a second round of GCuOT simulation , and building more links for occupational therapists in retirement , especially for student education and in supervision .
I have been approached by HEE ( South West ) to present at one of its events and I also hope to bring ‘ free-form crochet ’ as an activity to my local regional occupational therapy group .
Several retired occupational therapists continue to speak regularly through the Retired OT Facebook page about the benefits of retirement and also of our intent to remain involved in the profession .
Prior to the election , all candidates for RCOT ’ s Chair of Council were also invited on our Twitter account to add to their manifesto their intended actions for supporting retired occupational therapists within RCOT .
Reading and resources
Advocating for fully or partially retired occupational therapists and promoting the wealth of legacy skills has been my primary goal . Where I have not had the time and opportunity to speak up for my profession , I now look to add my voice to facilitate change .
Ultimately , retirement is a transitional process ; maybe it is a ‘ rite of passage ’, but it is an activity where we have a choice as to whether to direct the process and influence the outcome by being a driver , or we can step back and be a passenger .
There was no choice but for me to be a driver . As an occupational therapist , it is inherent in the psyche of the profession to influence change , to promote occupational engagement and to minimise occupational disruption .
In a time where occupational disruption was present through a national lockdown , the strategy I followed has enabled me to transition into retirement without the normal ‘ lunches ’ and other social engagements that ease transitions .
The value I have found in engaging with friends and organisations on social media has been invaluable .
Words SUE HILSDON , an Occupational Therapist in the South West of England
54 OTnews July 2022