Sharing my occupational identity
The OT workforce is growing and becoming more diverse. But for many Black staff, learners and communities, their experience does not always convey a steady passage into the profession. Increasing numbers of research publications, particularly from students, are now reporting the lived experience of racism in occupational therapy training.
We reached out to our Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (B.A.M.E) network on RCOT Communities to ask if anyone wanted to share their experience or change and inclusion projects.
Dr. Blaine Robin has worked in Adult Social Care, Medicine for the Elderly, Surgery, Orthopaedics, Adult Mental Health, Community Mental Health for Older People and Children with Disabilities.
In 2010, he completed a PhD at the University of Greenwich. In 2016, he began a teaching career at South Essex College of Further and Higher Education. He has continued to develop his teaching roles at Oxford Brookes University, Leeds Beckett University and Buckinghamshire New University. He is also a board member of the kidney donation charity in the Black Community – Gift of Living Donations (GOLD).
He is the lead editor of a new textbook, Caribbean Perspectives of Occupational Therapy in the United Kingdom – releasing in July 2026. In addition, he's Associate Editor for two academic journals – 'Human Occupation and Well Being Journal' and 'Groupwork' – Both accessible through our Digital Library.
What I think about during Black Inclusion Week
For me, Black Inclusion Week means sharing something about my occupational identity as I have traversed from working-class origins through to the profession of occupational therapy.
My name is Dr. Blaine Robin, and I currently perform various roles: educator, researcher, clinical lead, writer, independent OT practitioner and author. I have held these roles since the year I qualified in 1994.
Before 1994 – and alongside my role as an OT – I have worked in the following roles: hospital kitchen porter, hospital clerk, builder’s labourer, domiciliary carer, semi-professional footballer, factory worker, college tutor, shop assistant, newspaper deliverer, bailiff, elected politician, board member, company director, grounds person and landlord.
A tale of two cities
For work and business, I currently travel between South Yorkshire and Alperton in the London Borough of Brent (where I was born and raised).
In Brent, 65% of residents are from Black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds. This compares with Sheffield’s 21% – the nearest large city to my home.
London will always remain special to me, and it epitomises inclusion and race consciousness in all public sector workspaces. It is well documented that London’s Black Community have fought long and hard against racial oppression.
My home in South Yorkshire offers an environmental contrast away from the heavily concrete aspects of metropolitan London. I decompress by walking in the countryside and gardening.
My anchors
For Black Inclusion Week, I also think about my Christian faith and how it helps me to build and maintain my spiritual wellbeing every day of my life.
For social and cultural aspects of my life, I tap into African and Caribbean support networks in spaces like Sheffield, Bradford and Huddersfield – who have a long tradition of Black-led Education, Cultural and Health initiatives.
Our sincere thanks to Dr Blaine for sharing his occupational identities.
He is currently a member of two research teams:
- Epistemic Exclusion of Patients in Patient Safety Evaluations (Kings College London)
- Equity in Black Health Adults (Teeside University)
If you’re interested in connecting with him or learning more about Black inclusion – head over to the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (B.A.M.E) network on RCOT Communities.