OTnews October 2023 | Page 4

Contents

Contents

Regular pages

6 News

Professional and policy news from around the UK

Black History Month

Black History Month 2023 is all about ‘ Saluting our Sisters ’ and celebrating the exceptional achievements of Black women who are breaking barriers and shattering stereotypes in various fields . And in this issue , we hear from 18 incredible occupational therapists who talk about their heritage , culture and identity , activism , education and practice

58 UNISON

An update on the trade union ’ s campaign for equal pay

12 13

14 16

Guest editorial Kalimah Ibrahiim and Dr Blaine Robin
Working as an educator at the intersection of culture and identity Aicha Djalo Balde
A Caribbean perspective of occupational engagement Odeth Richardson
Reading Black literature to connect with Black identity , history and consciousness Eden Samuels-Coke

22

24 25

26

Profile of a primary care mental health practitioner Kosiwa Nicholls
Mentoring of an occupational therapist
Ebenezer Baiden
Celebrating Black history through occupation
Leah Berry
A career more by design , than chance Dr Ellen Adomako
Why return to practice ? Roxanne Mitchell-Nembhard

17

My story , my heritage , my career journey
Jennie Alexander

27

Navigating and adapting to the experience of migrating twice in a lifetime
Elizabeth Glace

18

20

The people who have inspired me the most Margaret Michael
The shoulders of resilience on which I stand
Sherlyn Graham
Setting the scene for my career as an occupational therapist Emma Da Silva

28 31 32

Efforts to redress the imbalance of educational attainment Dr Blaine Robin
‘ An instrument of change through others ’ Noma Makhanda
My journey – a minority , even in a majority Mapule Masemola-Ralehika
24

21

Self-reflection as a guest lecturer Sarah Selina Macmillean

34

Operating in multiple roles Sherrille Adwoa Tayson
4 OTnews October 2023