Welcome to the OT Coach Ezine,
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1) Welcome
2) Challenges in OT
3) OTs Doing It Differently
4) Workshops and Events
5) Endnote
1) Welcome to Novembers offering. October saw the South West Regional BAOT day at Taunton. I met lots of lovely OTs and after listening to Greg Stafford , Public Affairs Officer, I hurried home and emailed 4 Lords in the House of Lords about the Health Bill (Gold star Jen). I listened with interest about UWEs Widening Occupation Weeks, in which their first year students do various voluntary work placments. It really did remind me of the need to “practice what we preach” and really embrace and experience what we recommend to our clients. We give great advice as OTs but I for one know that I struggle to take it!
Later that week, I went to HQ and met with Sharon Tuppeny, Practice Team, to talk about Enterprise and Innovation in OT. In May 2012, there will be a day conference on this, so watch this space! I decided to spend the rest of the day in the COT Library which was well worth the time: I caught up with some recent texts in OT and journal articles: I do find that it is quite difficult gaining access to resources when you work independently.
Did any of you link in to the OT 24 hour Virtual Exchange on World OT day? It was so good, but my favourite was listening to Alice Hortop, the laughter OT. If you missed the exchange, the recordings are available online at www.ot4ot.com.
2) Challenges and changes in OT: Expectation and Uncertainty
In October, I sent a brief eZine requesting your thoughts on the challenges that you currently face in your OT journey. I had some lovely replies, but please keep sending your thoughts. Here is part of an email sent by an OT:
“As an OT myself who graduated over 3 years ago now with high expectations to slot straight into work that I enjoyed and was wonderfully beneficial to others, I would say that on reflection the journey has been rather different!! However, I am increasingly enjoying the challenge of promoting what I do in my freelance work in that I’ve made a commitment to myself to really carve out the type of OT role that I’d like to assume. This has led me down the course of Art Sessions…which has helped me really think ‘out of the box’ and about asking the questions such as, Who do I really want to work with? What are my skills that I can offer? Where is the funding for what I do? All very essential in reality but potentially lost in the mainstream world of OT!…long may OTs continue to grow, discover and share together”
As I read these words, I felt that many of us could relate to this: coming out of any training or programme full of expectations, but rarely having those expectations fulfilled in the way we expect and certainly not in the time scale we were expecting. Holding onto the passion and vision through times which are challenging is so very important, but so is taking steps in the direction you feel is right. What I love about this particular OT’s approach is that rather than leaping into any job, she has chosen to stick with her values and vision, and work in a way that is true to her self. I know this is not easy! Mortgages, rent, the small issue of food, can all push us towards security and certainty. But often it is our impatience and adherence to a time scale and rigid outcome, both of which we are unable to control, that leads us away from our pathway. Life is unpredictable and uncontrollable and most successful people put their success down to being able to deal with a high level of uncertainty. Take a look at this blog post : http://www.copyblogger.com/insecurity/
I read a lovely quote recently which goes “If it all goes well, you get a great experience, if it doesn’t you get a great story” what a great way to reframe things!
Supportive networks, long term, peer support relationships, face to face and virtual relationships keep us going both in good and difficult times. I have made it a “policy” to have coffee with a local peer, often someone who could be considered a competitor, at least once a week. Sharing local knowledge, resources and giving advice cannot be underestimated. So whether you are a new grad or long since qualified, find people locally to collaborate with. Practice what we preach to our clients and develop your own strong social support systems. I met a lovely OT, Zoe Cocksedge, who coordinates a local CPD group for all types of OTs in Cornwall. They all enjoy the support, ideas, friendship, as well as the opportunity to pass on business and develop projects together. What a great way to navigate the uncertainty of changing times.
Please keep writing in with your challenges, thoughts and current issues.
3) OTs Doing it Differently
From university to independent practice – in at the deep end: Rachel Jenkins
Armed with my first class Bsc(Hons) in occupational therapy I thought the job market would open up before me without too much effort. How wrong I was. Firstly there were no jobs. Secondly, my grade counted for little when competing against people with years of experience. As a mature student I have had my share of job interviews over the years but it still shocked me that I couldn’t even get to interview stage for posts I was applying for. However, my university (UWE) had anticipated the need for us to be more creative with our skill set and prepared us to carve our own careers outside of the NHS. But where to start?
I decided to concentrate on charities that I had an interest in and write some speculative applications. After trawling the internet I came across a new charity called Bluebell Nurses, based in Bristol. They support mums with anti/postnatal depression. This was a subject close to my heart as I had experienced postnatal depression with both of my children. I emailed the charity asking if they were looking to use occupational therapists as part of their work. Not expecting to get a reply I then forgot about the email until I received a reply – 2 months later. They were interested in meeting me for a “chat” and to investigate possibilities for my role.
The Bluebell Nurses were about to embark on a group support programme in conjunction with the Teenage Parents Project(TPP) in Withywood. Ironically, I had identified the TPP as a potential new opening for occupational therapy services as part of a final year unit on role emerging fields. Armed with my research notes from this unit I was able to meet with Bluebell Nurses and present a clear picture of how I could support young mums with postnatal depression. Due to the training in presentation skills that my course had provided I was able to convince them that not only could I contribute to the content of the programme but I could also lead the group.
So here I am today – literally thrown in at the deep end. I am running the programme on a sessional fee basis and the feedback so far has been positive. Although I am currently working in isolation from other occupational therapists I have made contact with professionals in a similar field with a view to arranging supervision and possibly mentoring. It’s not how I imagined my first job to be but the freedom and flexibility to design and implement a programme without the red tape and hierarchy associated with the NHS has felt wonderful. I am learning to ask when I need help but also put my trust in my own abilities. My training has provided me with the skills to reflect, analyse and critically appraise what I am doing so I have never felt out of my depth. It is refreshing to have my occupational viewpoint respected and although the work is only part time at present, the charity is new and interest in the service is increasing daily – so who knows where it will lead?
4) Workshops, Courses, Events
Ready Fire Aim!
Whether you thinking about starting a business or enterprise or having been doing so for a while, this workshop will ensure that your business reflects your vision, passion and values. Recruit the power of your Right Brain in this vibrant workshop www.otcoach.com/workshops/
Following the success of this workshop, we have had lots of enquires to run it again. So here’s the plan: 7th February, Leicester £99 early bird before 10th Dec, £119 after Late February, Slough £99 early bird, before 1st Jan, £119 after Price includes all resources, refreshments and light lunch
Warning: this workshop could seriously improve your business.
NLP for OTs We postponed Octobers workshop on NLP in OT, but would really like to re-schedule. Please email with interest so we can plan a new date
Improving the Quality Your Time is of the Essence: Workshop 15th November http://www.improvingthequality.com/index.htm
Harrisons Training For current course dates including “Wellbeing in Dementia, an Occupational Approach” http://www.harrisontraining.co.uk/current_course_dates.asp
If you have a course or workshop of interest that you would like listed, please email us: jen@otcoach.com
5) End note: Books ordered and not yet read: 5 (not too bad!)
Books read: 3 halves
New website written…with just me on it: 1
Number of Krispy Kreme donuts eaten from a string on Halloween: 4
Days spent working in coffee shop: 8
Businesses that I am really liking: www.thebirthingshirtcompany.com
Do you need help starting a new OT business or entreprise? Maybe you already work independently but would benefit from working with a coach to move your business forward, develop marketing plans and new services?
Are you an OT working in the NHS or Social Care and are struggling to find enjoyment and passion in your work?
Call or email us today for a free consultation and see how OTCoach could help you: 07772267004 jen@otcoach.com