On Tuesday 17 September 2019, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) celebrated the 20 winners of its annual Celebration of Excellence in Occupational Therapy Awards at the Shard, London.
The awards recognise individuals’ lifelong contributions to the profession, and the dedicated members who are pioneering new ways to bring occupational therapy to the public. Research awards and grants also provide financial support to those at every level to advance their work.
Julia Scott, RCOT Chief Executive, said: “It is wonderful to acknowledge and celebrate the achievements of our award winners – whether just starting on their occupational therapist journey, or those already very senior and experienced in their career – they are all fantastic ambassadors for the profession.”
Together, the 20 winners represent a snapshot of some of the profession’s most exciting work in 2019.
Merit Awards
Merit Awards recognise excellence in the RCOT membership and this year were awarded to two members.
Anita Cooper, Clinical Lead – Therapists and Rehabilitation at the United Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, for driving the introduction of occupational therapy degree-level apprenticeships, and developing the workforce.
Linda Gibson, Senior Occupational Therapist, Edinburgh Community Rehabilitation & Support Services, for pioneering digital support and leading change in stroke care.
Fellowship Awards
Fellowships are awarded for exceptional service and outstanding contribution to the profession during a member’s career.
Shelagh Morris OBE, recently retired Deputy Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, NHS England, for creating a legacy of improved opportunities for Allied Health Professions (AHPs).
Dr Jenny Preston, Consultant Occupational Therapist, Clinical Lead Neurological Rehabilitation, NHS Ayrshire and Arran, for leading change in neurological rehabilitation.
Dr Kate Radford, Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Nottingham, for unique contributions to the profession across both research and education.
Suzanne Rastrick OBE, Chief Allied Health Professions Officer, NHS England, for leading – and listening to – AHPs in England and promoting their role in transforming health, care and wellbeing.
Hazel Winning, Lead Allied Health Professions Officer, Department of Health Northern Ireland, for promoting the role of, and advocating for, AHPs in Northern Ireland.
UK Occupational Therapy Research Foundation (UKOTRF) Awards
UKOTRF Awards support members working on projects that meet the identified research priorities in occupational therapy.
Dr Mellissa Prunty, Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Brunel University London, received a Research Priority Grant to look at the differences between keyboard and pen use for adolescents with handwriting difficulties.
Dr David Haines, Principal Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, University of Brighton, was awarded a Research Career Development Grant to develop an occupational therapy tool for support workers to engage people with intellectual disabilities in activity.
Dr Gemma Bradley, Occupational Therapist and Senior Lecturer, Northumbria University, also received a Research Career Development Grant to explore service-user and stakeholder views of an occupational therapy-led Pulmonary Rehabilitation programme and co-produce best practice recommendations.
Apply for next year’s awards from the new RCOT Research Foundation
In 2020, the RCOT Research Foundation will take over from UKOTRF in developing research capability and capacity within the profession. Applications for the 2020 RCOT Research Foundation awards open in early October. Find out more.
RCOT Annual Awards for Learning, Development and Research
Josephine Virgo, Occupational Therapist, East Sussex County Council, Mental Health
Intermediate Care Outreach Service, was presented the AMPS-ESI UK and Ireland Award to complete the Assessment of Motor and Process Skills (AMPS) Online Training Course, and subsequently undertake occupational performance assessments to measure change before and after occupational therapy intervention.
Katherine Blanchard, received funding from the Barbara Tyldesley Student Award for an international placement in a paediatric setting in Lisbon, Portugal.
Sally Scott-Roberts, Occupational Therapy Lecturer, Cardiff University and Independent Occupational Therapist, was given the Innovation Award to evaluate an innovative project-based model of practice-based learning aimed at supporting the future of the profession and professional practice.
Wendy Cumines, Occupational Therapy Lecturer, Cardiff University and Independent Occupational Therapist, used the International Travel Award towards a sabbatical visit to Vietnam where she delivered teaching sessions and clinical supervision to the first ever occupational therapy students at Ho Chi Minh City University.
Victoria Wilkinson, University Lecturer, University of Bradford, received the Institute of Social Psychiatry Award to support a scoping review which will assist developing her PhD topic, relevant to occupational therapy and mental health.
Niamh Kinsella, Lecturer in Occupational Therapy, Queen Margaret University, and Lorna Sankey, Occupational Therapist, Norfolk Community Health and Care NHS Trust, each received the Pearson Award to support an activity that forms part of their education, research or continuing professional development.
New for 2019, the Constance Owens Early Researcher Award was given to Dr Charlotte Brooks, Occupational Therapy Lecturer and Macmillan Cancer Rehabilitation
Lead, University of Southampton, to fund her post-doctoral research activity. The project will use qualitative interviews to explore the impact of cancer–related fatigue on occupational engagement.
Also a new addition, the RCOT Student Award for Entrepreneurship was given to Jade Hearson and Rachel Rule, occupational therapists, Livewell Southwest, who co-founded Sense-Aware, a bespoke sensory hub to support the mental health and wellbeing of people in Plymouth. The funding will help provide an interactive projector for adults to play, interact with others and explore their environment.
Apply for 2020 Awards now
Applications are open for the 2020 RCOT Annual Awards and will close on Tuesday 29 October 2019. Find out more.