Showcasing the profession in Wales: ‘Meet the OT’ experience
Welsh MSs meet OTs to see occupational therapy in action
We are always looking for ways to demonstrate the power of occupational therapy to key stakeholders and decision makers.
In Wales in the last year we’ve had a member give oral evidence to the Senedd’s health and social care committee on the future of GP services, a group of OTs giving presentations on their work to MSs and we ran an interactive game in the Senedd for MSs to understand the struggles some children face whilst learning.
We’ve also been developing a new engagement opportunity called ‘Meet the OT’ designed to give Members of the Senedd (MSs) a firsthand insight into the vital role occupational therapists play in supporting people in their homes and communities.
What is a Meet the OT?
Meet the OT gives MSs the opportunity to shadow an OT for a day and see occupational therapy in action. During the visit, the OT carries out their normal role, typically focusing on home or community-based support, whilst explaining what they’re doing, the long-term benefits to the person and any other challenges or opportunities to the MS.
Following the session, the MS will have a greater understanding of occupational therapy, the benefits of preventative and early intervention, and the role occupational therapists play in helping people participate in the occupations that matter to them.
We then follow up with them to ask them to champion occupational therapy in the Senedd by asking questions to the minister, pushing for more funding or pressing the government into undertaking our five steps to a healthier nation.
With 96 MSs we’re keen to make sure that everyone can have the opportunity to undertake an experience and that we ensure all OTs get a chance to take part and showcase their work.
Our ambition is for all 96 MSs to have the opportunity to take part in Meet the OT, while ensuring occupational therapists from a wide range of settings can showcase their work and its impact.
Can you host a Meet the OT visit?
You don’t need to be in Wales to get involved. The same principles apply wherever you work: real examples of occupational therapy in action help decision makers understand our impact and why investment in the profession matters.
If you’re interested in hosting a visit, please contact your RCOT policy and public affairs lead via [email protected]. They’ll talk you through what’s involved, answer any questions and help you start conversations with your manager, communications team and governance colleagues. Once the right approvals are in place, RCOT will work with you to identify a suitable elected representative and agree dates, timings and briefing materials.
Hosting your representative is just one way to raise the profile of occupational therapy with decision makers. If hosting a shadowing visit isn't possible in your setting, there are lots of other ways you can showcase the impact of your work, from sharing case studies and speaking at local events to engaging elected representatives through RCOT's profile-raising resources.
Showcasing the Power of OT
Every occupational therapist has stories that demonstrate the impact of our profession. Whether it's helping someone remain in their own home, supporting a return to work, enabling participation in education or reducing pressure on health and care services, these real-world examples can help decision makers understand the value occupational therapy brings.
By inviting elected representatives to see occupational therapy in action, we can move beyond describing what occupational therapists do and show the difference we make every day. These experiences can be powerful in building support for investment in services, workforce growth and earlier access to occupational therapy.
Image
Opportunities like this allow us to showcase how occupational therapists are working in primary care, delivering early, evidence-based interventions and the positive impact these services have on people’s everyday lives."
Abby Hewitt, Flintshire Primary and Community Care and Early Intervention Service Team Lead