#OTWeek2023 – which runs from 6-12 November – is an opportunity to celebrate all things OT and highlight the role it has in people’s recovery and management of their health conditions. OT Week also gives us a chance to shine the light on our occupational therapists and the impact they make to client’s lives…
What is an Occupational Therapist?
As a profession, Occupational Therapists are on the frontline of health equity and are uniquely placed to understand and tackle the challenges people face. OTs see health inequalities every day, supporting and helping those most in need.
Indeed, OTs are experts in occupations and occupational science – this means the activities that we all complete in our daily lives, ranging from specific tasks such as self-care, to those life roles that we all have.
OTs work with their patients to look at how they approach these activities and to identify the barriers preventing them from completing these tasks or roles.
Taking into account both their physical and mental health, they support them to be able to do the everyday activities they need or want to do to live a healthy and fulfilling life.
What’s the theme for 2023?
World OT Day 2023 concentrates on ‘Unity through Community’, which aims to highlight the role of OTs in collaborating with other colleagues to facilitate participation and recovery.
Thank you from Herts Ability
“We are fortunate at Herts Ability to have a great team of Occupational Therapists working for the charity.
They always have the client’s best interests at heart and take a holistic view to solve any issues they have with driving or mobility.
I want to thank our team for their hard work and dedication. We are thankful to have them on board.” CEO, Sean
“At Herts Ability, we would not be able to function without our wonderful OTs. Long gone are the days where they just used to ride along in the back of a car.
Our Occupational Therapists look to and often do find a way to enable someone’s ongoing or return to independence. They have a unique skill of looking at what the individual can already do and expanding that skill.
Working alongside an OT is great.
They always seem to have an answer or resolution to any problem. At Herts Ability, the OTs are caring and pushy. That is pushy in a great way. The OTs push us as Approved Driving Instructors and they also push our valued clients to help them achieve their goal.” Driving Assessor, James
Get to Know Herts Ability’s Occupational Therapists
Time to celebrate the terrific work of our Occupational Therapists, Sarah and Jane!
Here they are in their own words…
🗣 “I have loved the last six years working in this field (as an Occupational Therapist) and at this place (Welwyn Garden City).
Initially I had a steep learning curve as I grappled with codes for driving licences, understanding the different vehicle adaptations and identifying what a driver requires – physically and cognitively – to drive safely.
I soon settled into a familiar pattern of assessments for mornings and afternoons and love my role!” Jane
🗣 “Since joining Herts Ability I have thoroughly enjoyed being a member of the team; working to Driving Mobility’s standards.
I qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2008. I also gained experience by completing blue badge assessments, chair assessments and home adaptations in Bedfordshire and Essex for different companies and charities as an Independent Occupational Therapist.” Sarah
Finally, let’s finish with two top infographics that perfectly illustrate the important role of Occupational Therapists in our lives!
Remember, Driving is also an occupation. Deprivation of occupations leads to poor health, loss of purpose and meaning in our lives, increased stress and isolation.
For more information on how Occupational Therapy can help you, or to book your appointment with our OTs, please call 01707 324 581 or email driving@hertsability.org.uk
