Occupational Therapy Week 2024

Information from The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)

Occupational Therapy Week takes place from Monday 4 November to Friday 10 November with the theme of the campaign this year of ‘The power of occupational therapy – transforming health and social care’.

Occupational Therapy is one of fourteen allied health professions that, when taken together, make up a significant part of the NHS and social care workforce.

What is Occupational Therapy?

Occupational Therapy plays a vital role in health, social care and society. It enables people to manage their health and care needs and do the occupations that they want, need and like to do.

What are occupations?

An occupation isn’t just your job or activities of daily living – it’s any meaningful activity that supports physical, mental, emotional and spiritual wellbeing. Occupational therapists consider all aspects of an individual and their environments and work with them to create a plan to reach their goals.

Why do we need occupational therapy?

Occupational therapy is a solution to many of the UK’s health and care needs. By prioritising prevention and early intervention, occupational therapists help people manage their health and reduce the frequency and need for crisis interventions and care services.

What’s the value of occupational therapy?

By helping people live well for longer, occupational therapy saves money and reduces pressure on health and social care services. Within integrated health and care systems, occupational therapists can deliver better outcomes and create a more sustainable system for all.

Where is occupational therapy needed?

The occupational therapy workforce needs to be positioned in communities. By working proactively with people where they are, we will empower them to manage their changing needs and reduce pressure on the NHS and the wider health and care system.

Rachael Daniels, Interim Head for Occupational Therapy, says: “During Occupational Therapy Week we are celebrating the power of occupation, our Occupational Therapy students are talking to people who use our services such as mum’s at perinatal forest school ‘Babes in the Wood’, vocational rehabilitation, community mental health and learning disabilities, key influential decision makers within our organisation and colleagues.

“Sharing a summary of their reflections on what occupations mean to them, how they view their occupational balance and the potential barriers to achieving this, offering opportunity to consider what small changes can be made to incorporate more occupational balance. We are looking forward to sharing themes and summaries throughout the week.”

The team will also be sharing positive daily affirmations with those who they are having conversations with about the power of occupation and arranging public meet and greets to celebrate the role of occupational therapy and what occupation means to our wider local communities.

You can follow Occupational Therapy Week on social media using the hashtag #OTWeek.