Occupational Therapy Week: Event celebrates Cumbria’s OT professionals

The hybrid event, welcoming visitors in person and online, saw the university bring together staff and students from the occupational therapy team within its Institute of Health with representatives, OTs and professionals from North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, Cumberland Council, Westmorland and Furness Council, and Cumbria, Northumberland, Tyne & Wear NHS Foundation Trust. More than 70 were in attendance.

National OT Week is focusing on ‘Prevention and Early Intervention’.

The University of Cumbria event has put a spotlight on the vital role occupational therapists play in supporting individuals to live meaningful lives through early intervention and preventative care.

Opening the event, Associate Professor Tom Davidson, Director of Allied Health Professionals at the University of Cumbria, reminded delegates of the vital role and expertise that occupational therapy holds now and in the future as modern healthcare and focus of the country’s long-term NHS workforce plans moves from treatment to prevention.

Above: Delegates at the OT Week celebration event at University of Cumbria's Carlisle campus

Attendees heard from Laura Earl, founder of The Hiking Household, who shared her personal rehabilitation journey following a brain tumour diagnosis in 2023 and the transformative impact of occupational therapy on her recovery.

Former nurse Laura has become a passionate advocate for outdoor wellbeing and family-friendly walking in Cumbria. Her story is a powerful testament to the profession’s ability to help people adapt, recover, and thrive.

Laura said: “Even though you can read textbooks and materials, you can’t buy lived experience. I’ve been very fortunate that the OTs that came into my home and worked with me have been fantastic. We’ve worked together, but without the OTs I would have been absolutely lost. They were able to help me make a sandwich, put the washing out, teach me things that are really important things to me to be able to do.

“I’m honoured to be invited to speak to the students and professionals as it demonstrates there’s a real person, real people, behind all of this and that we have lives, families and goals that we want to achieve, whatever our situation. Being able to attend events like this and shape their work first hand in this way is important because what they are going to do in the future will really make an impact.”

Susie Wilson, Professional Lead for Occupational Therapy at the University of Cumbria, said: “We are delighted to host this event during Occupational Therapy Week, bringing together occupational therapists and student occupational therapists from across Cumbria. This is a joint event, organised in collaboration with our practice partners to celebrate the value and impact of our profession.

“Occupational Therapists have much to offer in supporting people’s health and wellbeing whether it’s recovering from illness, adapting to change, or finding new ways to do the things that matter most. OTs help people engage in the everyday activities that give life meaning and purpose.

“We’ve been especially fortunate to have Laura Earl speaking about her experiences of receiving occupational therapy during her recovery from a brain tumour. It’s a powerful reminder of the difference occupational therapy can make.”

Joni Mitchell, Head of Occupational Therapy for North Cumbria Integrated Care NHS Foundation Trust, said: “This event was a great opportunity for us to bring all our expertise together. It is really important that we all work together to help people better manage their health, recover from injury or illness, and reduce the frequency and need for crisis interventions and care services.

“Occupational therapy helps people to live and age well, supporting participation in activities that are meaningful to that individual.”

Doreen Singleton, Principal Occupational Therapist and Service Manager for Cumberland Council, said: “This event offered a valuable platform to highlight examples of best practice from various organisations and to hear directly from someone with lived experience. In Cumberland, Social Care Occupational Therapists play a vital role in preventing, reducing, and delaying the escalation of care needs. They support individuals in accessing the right advice and services, empowering them to make informed decisions and improving their quality of life.

“The event also helped to strengthen connections across the health and social care landscape in Cumbria and deepen appreciation for the impact of Occupational Therapy in our communities.”

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