Northgate Park ’ s occupational therapists have established and developed a bespoke Vocational Pathways Programme . Here , we hear about its successes , from some of those therapists involved , alongside partners and service users .
Vocational pathways
Northgate Park ’ s occupational therapists have established and developed a bespoke Vocational Pathways Programme . Here , we hear about its successes , from some of those therapists involved , alongside partners and service users .
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Main picture ( left ): A service user with a crew from Pegswood Community Fire Station .
Above top : Another service user with site porter , Simon Osborne . Above bottom : A service user stands with the crew of NFRS
he occupational therapy team at Northgate Park , part of Cumbria , Northumberland , Tyne and Wear NHS Foundation Trust , has established a bespoke Vocational Pathways Programme for service users , which has seen exponential growth over the past two years .
This started with just one hour a week for a service user working in the site café . It now includes over 25 hours a week of therapeutic time in a variety of roles , both on the hospital site and in the community .
This is felt to use a person ’ s performance capacity , their values and interests , to create a sense of purpose and an invaluable tool for recovery . It has been part of several successful transitions into the community from a secure setting and has led to a less restrictive and improved quality of life for a number of people .
We are delighted with its success and it ’ s an example of what can be achieved when there is an emphasis on togetherness with staff teams and service users .
A working environment has been developed where there is no hierarchy in terms of a person ’ s value ; everyone is entitled to the same privileges , as far as possible within the context of a secure hospital setting and associated community placements .
We believe this maintains the core occupational therapy values of equality , freedom , altruism and justice , and
30 OTnews November 2024