I still live with chronic illness, but now I’ ve seen what can be achieved despite it. That small moment of encouragement created a whole new path for me.
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What role has art played in your life, both before and after you began working in healthcare?
Art has always been part of who I am. I received a Fine Art degree in my twenties, but never really pursued it professionally.
My dad is a woodblock printmaker and has always encouraged me to keep going with it, but it wasn’ t until my forties, particularly after entering healthcare and experiencing illness, that I returned to art in a deeply personal way.
It became a tool for healing, reflection and communication. It helped me process my own experiences and reconnect with meaning.
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You’ ve now finished your second year of study. How has your experience so far compared to your expectations at the start?
At the start, I didn’ t think I could do it and I faced criticism from those who thought I couldn’ t either. That doubt, both my own and from others, was hard to push through. But now, through hard work, dedication and a passion for the subject, I’ m on track for a first-class degree.
Every step has been a reminder of what can be achieved when you find purpose, community and self-belief – even if that belief starts in someone else.
I have a wonderful group of friends and colleagues and have found practice placements have been especially transformative, giving me a real-world insight into what life as a qualified OT will look like.
Above: Leila Nelson with her painting Crow
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You work as a support worker in an acute psychiatric ward for older adults. How does this role influence your studies – and vice versa?
I took the role after an incredible placement with older adults in psychiatric care, which really opened my eyes to the potential of mental health occupational therapy, particularly in older adults.
Despite my own past mental health struggles, I knew this was where my heart lay. The role has given me valuable experience in a clinical environment and reaffirmed the importance of therapeutic relationships.
What I’ ve learned, both in practice and in life, is that I can’ t always take away someone’ s difficulties, just as I can’ t always take away my own. But what I can do is help create the conditions where change becomes possible.
I don’ t need to‘ fix’ anyone. My role is to support, to believe and to offer tools and opportunities so people can rediscover their own strengths.
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You’ re keen to continue with post-graduate education; what areas of research are you most excited to explore?
Yes, I’ ve been offered the opportunity to apply for a funded MRes, which is incredibly exciting. Originally my dissertation was a literature review on meaningful engagement for older adults with psychosis, however I quickly discovered how little research exists in that area, so I had to broaden the focus to general mental health.
That gap only increased my passion to specialise in research in psychosis and later-life mental health. I’ d love to explore how meaningful occupational engagement – even in small, simple ways – can support recovery, connection and dignity in this oftenoverlooked population.
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How has occupational therapy influenced not just your career path, but your personal sense of purpose?
OT has completely reshaped how I see myself. I still live with chronic illness and face ongoing challenges, but now I know what’ s possible. Occupational therapy has taught me that while we may not be able to take someone’ s pain or difficulties away, we can support them in building a life around what still matters.
It’ s also helped me feel like a person of value; someone who can walk alongside others in their journey. Many of the people we support don’ t have belief in themselves at first and that’ s where we, as professionals, step in.
We hold that belief until they’ re ready to carry it for themselves. That’ s what gives my work meaning every single day.
September 2025 OTnews 33