Reclaiming narratives and empowering communities
Cynthia Ndebele, Occupational Therapist, reflects on her journey into occupational therapy – a transformative role-emerging placement to support asylum seekers in Leeds, and what it means to ‘reclaim narratives’.
This piece first appeared in OTnews in October 2024, pages 30-31.
You can read all back issues of OTnews, dating back to 2018, online (member-only benefit).
My name is Cynthia Ndebele, and my journey into the field of occupational therapy is deeply rooted in personal experiences, resilience and a desire to uplift marginalised communities.
I was born and raised in Harare, the bustling capital city of Zimbabwe, known for its vibrant culture, rich history and resilient people. Growing up, I was unaware of the occupational therapy profession and its transformative power. It wasn’t until much later, after moving to England, that I discovered the profound impact occupational therapy could have on people’s lives.
At the age of 18, I left Harare to pursue new opportunities in England, a move that marked the beginning of a new chapter, filled with both challenges and growth. Here, I studied for a BA in Psychology and Management, which was my first degree.
I worked as a senior support worker, due to lack of opportunities in the field. This role involved helping individuals to navigate their daily lives in healthcare settings. While it was fulfilling, I still lacked awareness of the broader spectrum of rehabilitation services, including occupational therapy.
A turning point
The turning point in my life came when my father had a stroke – a deeply personal and emotional experience. As he struggled to recover, I witnessed the incredible work of occupational therapists, who helped him regain not only his physical abilities, but also his sense of independence and dignity.
I began to ask questions and learn more about this profession, which seemed to offer holistic support – not just focusing on physical recovery, but addressing emotional and social needs as well.
My father’s journey to recovery inspired me to explore occupational therapy as a potential career path. I wanted to understand how I could help others in the same way the therapists had helped my father.
This newfound interest led me to apply to Leeds Beckett University, where I was thrilled to be offered a place to study occupational therapy. Little did I know that this decision would open doors to new possibilities, both in my professional career and in my understanding of the world.
A transformative experience
During my studies, I had the opportunity to engage in a role-emerging placement, a non-traditional form of placement that allows students to work in settings where occupational therapy is not yet established.
This experience was transformative, pushing me to think creatively and apply my skills in environments where the need for occupational therapy was apparent, but the services were lacking.
My placement involved working with asylum seekers in Leeds, a group that often faces significant barriers to integration and occupational engagement.
Asylum seekers come from diverse backgrounds and, like me, many had left their home countries under difficult circumstances, seeking a better life. However, upon arriving in the UK, they often encounter challenges such as cultural isolation, language barriers, mental health struggles and difficulty accessing services.
These factors can prevent them from engaging in meaningful occupations, leaving them feeling disconnected from their new environment and from themselves.
Empowering people to participate in their new community
Inspired by my experiences with asylum seekers, we developed the ‘Welcome to Leeds’ pack – a resource designed to help newly-arrived individuals engage with their new environment and build a sense of community.
Occupational therapy is rooted in the belief that engagement in meaningful activities is essential for wellbeing and we wanted to create a tool that would help asylum seekers connect with their surroundings, find resources and begin to reclaim their sense of identity and purpose.
The pack includes information about local services, cultural organisations, language classes and places of worship. The goal wasn’t just to provide practical help, but to empower individuals to participate in their new community in a meaningful way.
Many asylum seekers arrive in the UK after experiencing trauma and loss and the pack aims to offer a sense of belonging and direction, helping them take the first steps toward rebuilding their lives.
By promoting occupational engagement, the pack helps asylum seekers regain control of their own narratives. It acknowledges that they are not just passive recipients of care, but active participants in their own journey.
This initiative aligns with the broader goals of occupational therapy, to empower individuals to live fulfilling lives by enabling them to engage in activities that are meaningful to them.
Black narratives and celebrating our successes
The concept of reclaiming narratives is deeply personal to me as a Black woman who has lived in both Zimbabwe and the UK.
Growing up in Harare, I was surrounded by the rich stories and histories of my people, but I have also witnessed how, in both Zimbabwe and the UK, Black narratives are often overlooked or misrepresented.
Whether it’s the removal of African history in colonial education systems, or the lack of representation in Western media – Black stories are frequently marginalised.
Reclaiming narratives is about taking control of our own stories, both as individuals and as a community. It’s about highlighting the contributions and achievements of Black individuals that have been ignored or downplayed in mainstream discourse.
In the UK, there is a long history of Black individuals making significant contributions to society, from healthcare to the arts, but these stories are often left untold. By emphasising these narratives, we shine a brighter light on the full complexity of Black heritage, celebrating our successes while challenging the narratives that have often reduced us to stereotypes or victims.
As an occupational therapist, reclaiming narratives means acknowledging and addressing the unique challenges faced by individuals from Black backgrounds. It means recognising that systemic inequalities impact health outcomes and access to services and ensuring that the care we provide is culturally sensitive and responsive to the needs of diverse communities.
Occupational therapy is not just about physical rehabilitation; it’s about promoting occupational justice. This concept is central to my work and my philosophy as an occupational therapist.
Occupational justice means ensuring that everyone, regardless of their background or circumstances, can engage in meaningful activities that contribute to their wellbeing.
For asylum seekers, this means breaking down the barriers that prevent them from participating in their new communities. For individuals from racially minoritised backgrounds, it means addressing the systemic inequalities that affect their access to services and opportunities.
Occupational justice is about ensuring that everyone’s narrative is valued and that everyone can live a fulfilling and meaningful life.
My journey from Harare to the UK, from support worker to occupational therapist, has been shaped by a commitment to empowering Black and marginalised communities and reclaiming the narratives that have often been overlooked.
Through initiatives like the ‘Welcome to Leeds’ pack and my focus on promoting occupational justice, I aim to create spaces where everyone regardless of their background can engage in meaningful occupations and take control of their own stories.
Reclaiming narratives is not just about honouring the past, it’s about shaping the future. By challenging the dominant narratives that have minimised the contributions of Black individuals and other marginalised groups, we can create a more inclusive and just society, one where everyone’s story is told and celebrated.
Through occupational therapy, I hope to continue playing a role in this mission, helping individuals and communities reclaim their narratives and thrive.