News in brief
Renewals take place Wednesday 1 October
Your RCOT membership gives you expert support, trusted resources and a strong professional voice. Stay connected to everything that matters in occupational therapy with powerful tools and updated benefits in 2025-26. From career development to community, we’ re here for every step of your journey. Look out for renewal information this month. Discover your benefits www. rcot. co. uk / discover-membership / yourbenefits-2025-26.
# OTalk relaunch: The power of connection
After a two-year hiatus, # OTalk relaunches this September on the RCOT Communities platform – a space for occupational therapists to connect, reflect and grow together. With a 12-year history of fascinating OT-led discussion, # OTalk remains independent and not owned or run by RCOT. We’ re excited they’ ve chosen our platform as a safe and structured home for these conversations to continue. Find out how to join the network at www. rcot. co. uk / latest-news / otalk-relaunchpower-connection.
Last chance to comment on our revised learning standards
The future of our profession depends on you. We’ ve drafted updated Learning and Development Standards to support the next generation of OTs. Tell us whether or not they’ re fit for purpose before 11.59pm, Tuesday 30 September. Review the proposed standards at www. rcot. co. uk / latest-news / learning-anddevelopmentstandards.
Local mental health team wins Most Innovative Practice Award
The Nottingham West PCN Mental Health Team has won the Most Innovative Practice category at this year’ s Occupational Therapy Excellence Awards.
The PCN covers 12 GP practices across the three Broxtowe neighbourhoods of Beeston, Eastwood and Stapleford. The award recognises the amazing group work and programmes it offers.
In February the team held its first Practical Approaches for Neurodiversity workshop, providing
Above left to right: Nikita Kaur, Mental Health and Wellbeing Coach, Catherine Seals and Amelia Thayer, Mental Health Occupational Therapists, and Tracey Colman, PCN Business Manager, from Nottingham West PCN
individuals with an in-depth look into neurodiversity and practical strategies to improve daily functioning.
The team also offers virtual screening groups for individuals who feel they may have Attention-Deficit / Hyperactivity Disorder( ADHD) or autism and would like to explore it further.
The screening groups are led by staff with an understanding in neurodiversity, who can provide guidance and referrals to specialist services as needed. During these sessions, participants receive psychoeducation on autism and ADHD, as well as practical strategies and tools to help manage related challenges. The mental health occupational therapist will then handle any onward referrals to more specialist care.
In addition, a mental health skills group consists of six 90-minute sessions, which has been run both in-person and virtually, focusing on managing stress, anxiety and depression. Launched in April 2024, these sessions continue to run regularly to meet ongoing demand.
Catherine Seals, PCN Mental Health Team Lead and Mental Health Occupational Therapist, said:‘ This award win is a celebration of the dedication, creativity and collaboration that have gone into building our group programme.
‘ I am incredibly proud of what the team has achieved together over the past two years. Every step of the way, we’ ve kept our patients at the heart of everything we do – and this award is a clear reflection of that commitment.’
8 OTnews September 2025