Black History Month
Black History Month
Feature
‘ An instrument of change through others ’
We hear about occupational therapist Noma Makhanda , who is working to ensure the workforce and the wider occupational therapy profession reflects our populations .
O
ccupational therapist Noma Makhanda studied at Sheffield Hallam University as a mature student , where she recalls that she was one of the few Black people on the course , if not the only one .
Over the years she has been involved with a number of pieces of work that have demonstrated her dedication to Equality , Diversity and Inclusion .
The North East and Yorkshire ( NEY ) Black Asian Minority Ethnic ( BAME ) Network was established in September 2022 and officially launched on 17 January 2023 . It intends to raise awareness of racial disparity and progress with the anti-racism agenda , aligning with the AHPs Deliver strategy .
Noma has been deputy chair for the network since its inception and has stepped into the role with confidence and enthusiasm for raising issues experienced by BAME staff and patients . Noma is also the chair of the Chief Allied Health Professions Officer Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Strategic Advisory Group ( CAHPO BAME SAG ) at NHS England .
Noma has a passion for coaching and developing people and she uses this to push for progression and development of AHPs – especially those from minoritised groups and protected characteristics for representation – so that our workforce can reflect our populations .
Noma has been heavily involved in the international recruitment programme at Rotherham Doncaster and South Humber NHS Foundation Trust ( RDaSH ). Having emigrated to the UK over 20 years ago , she is keenly aware of the issues incoming staff may face and works personally with the internationally recruited AHPs to make sure their transition is as smooth as possible .
Most recently , as an occupational therapist who joined RDaSH from Nigeria , she gave a presentation to senior trust leadership about her experiences joining and stated that seeing someone who ‘ looked like her ’ and who was also an occupational therapist , was a big part of her choice to join the trust .
Noma is also part of the Race , Ethnicity and Cultural Heritage staff network at RDaSH .
She reflects that at the start of her career as an occupational therapist she would be in whole service meetings and the room lacked visible diversity . Only recently is this beginning to change – her work on challenging unconscious bias in recruitment is beginning to shift
Noma Makhanda the workforce to be more reflective of our population , enabling us to understand and therefore break down barriers around social justice and health inequalities .
Noma has also guest lectured at Sheffield Hallam University on her leadership journey as a woman from a BAME background , discussing the barriers she has experienced and how she has managed to make these into opportunities .
This has been delivered not only to students , but also to university lecturers , developing their engagement with the reality of being a BAME occupational therapist . Noma recalls how one student who was considering dropping out of the course until Noma ’ s lecture . They received some support from Noma and chose to continue , and are now an equality champion and part of the minoritised network at the university .
Noma reflects that she is most proud of the development of her coaching skills in these networks , seeing herself as an instrument of change through others . She is keenly aware that she does not have separate parts to her identity , but feels these all ‘ add to ’ her as a person , so she is able to turn up as an AHP , an occupational therapist and as a Back woman , with the whole being greater than the sum of those identities .
In the next few years , Noma would like to see the identity , skills and strengths of occupational therapists recognised and celebrated more and to see more diversity in recruitment , to attract more future AHPs in health , social care and more .
Words adapted from an interview originally written by JON ROUSTON , chief AHP at RDaSH , with NOMA MAKHANDA
October 2023 OTnews 31