A peer-assisted , long arm , project-based placement
Charlotte Keeble and Gulmira Small describe a recent split placement in North Lanarkshire , which saw the students spend two days in a clinical neurorehabilitation setting and three days working on a scoping exercise and facilitating group sessions with Headway North Lanarkshire .
O ccupational therapy learners Charlotte Keeble and Gulmira Small recently took on a ‘ unique ’ final placement that combined inpatient neurological assessment at Murdostoun Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre , with the facilitation of a community-based group at Headway North Lanarkshire , part of Headway UK .
The initial phase at Headway involved the two getting to know the group members , exploring local community assets and meeting with other Headway UK stakeholders .
They held a focus group to identify strengths and areas for development , while the latter part of the placement saw Charlotte and Gulmira collaborating on a detailed scoping exercise , proposing sustainable development strategies focused on member perspectives , financial and staffing sustainability and long-term partnerships .
Throughout the period , they also gained insights into the specialist multidisciplinary rehabilitation at Murdostoun .
Placement educator Gillian Munday ensured the two had many opportunities to observe and lead inpatient assessments , manage small caseloads , and develop goal setting and person-centred intervention skills .
While the supportive environment at Murdostoun facilitated innovative , evidence-based practice , maximising the students ’ learning experiences .
Doing things differently
In December 2022 , the team at Murdostoun Brain Injury Rehabilitation Centre , part of the Active Care Group , had news that its valued Headway North Lanarkshire group was closing , due to volunteers retiring .
Gillian explains : ‘ The Headway North Lanarkshire branch is a small group , with just a single activity group that meets once a week for two hours . Yet despite this , it provides a valuable peer support base for the group members .
‘ With the generosity of our employers here at Murdostoun , a small team of us stepped in with a short-term goal of helping to keep the group
38 OTnews November 2024