Occupational therapists have taken their expertise to the public for the first time , with ‘ OT Life Hacks ’
On 7 November , the first day of Occupational Therapy Week 2022 , RCOT launched its first ever public health campaign , ‘ Lift up your everyday with OT Life Hacks ’; expert advice to help people take small , positive steps to lift up their everyday lives .
Each day during the week , new life hacks were added to the campaign website and shared across social media using # OTHacks .
The first series of hacks included advice for elderly people on maintaining muscle tone and tips for everyone on how to develop healthier habits and stick to them .
Occupational therapists also provided advice for parents , such as encouraging ‘ messy play ’ to help boost self confidence in young children , many of whom were deprived of social engagement due to lockdown restrictions .
Young people were also able to benefit from specialist advice on how to learn new skills or manage stressful situations such as preparing for exams or managing their mental health .
‘ Often , it ’ s the things we love to do that can most benefit our health and wellbeing , such as a walk with a friend , dancing or having the family round for a home cooked meal . That ’ s why our advice is practical , achievable and meant to be fun ,’ said Karin Orman , RCOT Director of Practice and Innovation as the campaign launched .
‘ We hope this campaign will encourage everyone to take steps towards improving their health which , in turn , will help reduce pressures on health and social care services for illnesses and conditions .
‘ From increasing our activity levels to ideas to improve our mental health , we can all take steps towards preventing worsening health conditions in the choices we make .
‘ Those choices , from hobbies and exercise to food choices and opportunities to socialise , have been limited in recent times , and this has had a detrimental impact on many of our lives .
‘ But now , many of these limitations have gone and we believe it ’ s the right time to refocus our attentions on making positive changes to improve our health and wellbeing . Occupational therapists have the expertise and knowledge to help people get more out of life – and now we ’ re bringing examples of that knowledge directly to the nation .’ For more information on the campaign visit www . OTLifeHacks . co . uk or search # OTHacks .
Local council arranges for Mersey Gateway to be lit in green to celebrate the occupational therapy profession
© John Eyres
To celebrate World OT Day on 27 October , Halton Borough Council lit Mersey Gateway Bridge up in green ( left ), to celebrate not only the efforts and hard work of all the occupational therapy staff working within Bridgewater Community Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust , but all the local occupational therapy staff working within social care and other local NHS providers in the locality .
Officially opened by Her Majesty The Queen on 14 June 2018 , the Mersey Gateway is a multi-million-pound transport scheme between Runcorn and Widnes in Cheshire , England . The main part of the project was the construction of the ‘ Mersey Gateway ’ toll bridge spanning the River Mersey and the Manchester Ship Canal .
Rachael Cross , an occupational therapist with Halton Community Neurological Rehabilitation Service , told OTnews : ‘ I feel this a unique way of celebrating our profession and it was lovely to be able to drive over the bridge over and see it in person ’.
10 OTnews November 2022