Editor’ s note
Editor’ s note
Welcome to OTnews
We open this issue by exploring how one London borough is reshaping housing design to better meet the needs of neurodivergent residents and those with learning disabilities. On pages 12-15, Marney Walker explains how residents, planners and service providers came together to co-create practical tools to deliver more inclusive, accessible homes.
Our cover story continues the theme of collaboration and innovation. Joseph Courtney reflects on how a role emerging placement led to his first newly qualified post, leading a project on green therapy and sustainability. His reflections, on page 18, show how creative opportunities can shape both careers and services.
We then turn to assertive outreach – once central to community mental health but scaled back over the past 15 years. With new national guidance reviving the focus on assertive, intensive care, five OTs share their experiences of this practice area on pages 22-24.
This issue also marks an important change. From October, OTnews will move to six editions a year. The RCOT Board of Trustees agreed this shift as part of our commitment to environmental sustainability and responsible use of resources – helping us reduce print runs and make best use of members’ fees, while focusing more time and care on each issue.
Each issue will be expanded with more features, member voices and deeper insights. Between print editions, the OTnews email will bring you a fresh feature and highlight powerful stories from the archive, connecting past perspectives with current challenges and opportunities.
For many of you, OTnews is a familiar and valued part of membership – a place to connect, reflect and celebrate the profession. That won’ t change. Its purpose remains the same: to inform, inspire and connect occupational therapy professionals across the UK.
You’ ll continue to receive the magazine in both print and digital formats. The enhanced digital version is already arriving in your inbox, and if you’ d prefer to go paper-free, you can now opt out of the print edition via your online member account.
OTnews sits alongside a growing, evolving membership offer, including RCOT Communities, your CPD portfolio and BJOT.
We know this is a change, and we want to hear your views through our drop-ins and direct messages. To find out more, visit www. rcot. co. uk / latest-news / otnews-new-schedule. Thank you for continuing to read, contribute to and shape OTnews.
I’ d love to hear from you
Cover image: © Sabrina Bracher via Getty Images
If you have any feedback about this issue of OTnews, or would like to contribute a short article or feature for a future publication, please email me at: tracey. samuels @ rcot. co. uk
Tracey Samuels Editor
September 2025 OTnews 3