Our 2024 award recipients

This award supports UK pre-registration learner/apprentice members to take part in either a role emerging or research placement, an approved practice placement overseas or involvement in a global health project. The recipients are:

• Alisha Knox – work the world overseas placement Tanzania 
• Charlotte Eastick – occupational therapy elective in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.

This award supports innovative or development projects, or any activity likely to have an impact on service users and the profession. The recipient is:

• Katrina Bannigan – EmpowerAgeTM: Writing a manual for an occupation-based health promotion intervention for healthy ageing.

This award supports an individual occupational therapist towards a research or developmental project/activity in a topic relevant to occupational therapy and mental health, that demonstrates relevance to social psychiatry. The recipient is:

• Mary Bamgbade–Ogunlayi – Unveiling the power of professional identity: A critical analysis of occupational therapists' role and practice in the evolving social care workplace.

This award supports a member’s active participation in an overseas activity, including virtual/online participation. The recipients are:

• Kathryn Halsall – presentation at the 1st Occupational Therapy Europe Conference in Krakow, Poland
• Heather Baglee – attendance at the 1st Occupational Therapy Europe Congress in Krakow, Poland.

This award provides support for an individual occupational therapist or student/learner/apprentice member towards an activity that forms part of their education, research or continuing professional development. The recipient is:

• Jay Webster –  Joanna Briggs systematic literature review course.

This award supports the creative use of technology for independence and care, to support individuals, communities or occupational therapy service delivery in a real-world setting. The recipient is:

• Yilin Tan – Gamified rehab

This award provides support to cover travel costs only, which are related to a planned professional development or learning activity. The recipients are:

• Katrina Bannigan – EmpowerAgeTM: Writing and disseminating a manual for an occupation-based health promotion intervention for healthy ageing
• Kathryn Halsall – presentation at the 1st Occupational Therapy Europe Conference in Krakow, Poland
• Heather Baglee – attendance at the 1st Occupational Therapy Europe Conference in Krakow, Poland
• Wendy Foo – attendance and presentation at European Cystic Fibrosis Conference 2024.

Adam Ferry is Director of The OT Service and has curated The OT Show conference programme since conception in 2013.

On receipt of the award, he said: ‘This award provides recognition of the hard work, not only in curating a high-quality conference programme, but in ensuring that my passion for the profession, and its potential, is at its core.'

‘I’m honoured to receive the award, thank Closer Still for their commitment to the show, and to all speakers who have helped us to challenge, reflect, learn and grow.’

Alison Keir, Occupational Therapy Team Lead, Older Adults Mental Health Team NHS Forth Valley, received the Merit Award for the impact she has made to the profession, and more specifically, her significant involvement with raising the profile of occupational therapy in the Scottish Parliament and across local authorities.

She said: ‘I am honoured to have been nominated for this award by occupational therapists in Scotland. I am delighted to have been recognised for my outstanding leadership skills and for my policy work.'

‘I acknowledge the personal recognition for my conscious and gentle persistent commitment and I am grateful for this.’ 

Blaine Robin, Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University, is the driving force behind ensuring the voices of occupational therapists of Caribbean heritage are heard.  

He has been the founder of the International Caribbean writers group and passionately believes this group of occupational therapists are experts of their lived experience and professional embodiment. He creits them as making a significant contribution in the education of future therapists to enable them to become culturally competent when providing interventions for people of Caribbean descent.  

He said on receipt of his award: ‘I dedicate the award to my late parents, father Cuthbert Robin and my mother Delia Robin. This award is also about raising the profile of Black excellence in every part of the profession. Society is better for our contribution in the face of racial and society disparities.’ 

Charlie Chung works in NHS Lothian as Allied Health Professions Stroke Strategic Lead and as a consultant occupational therapist in stroke. He was honoured for his unstinting support of occupational therapists working in stroke and rehabilitation teams across the UK, and the application of his research into clinical practice. 

Charlie’s combined clinical and academic background has also led to his role on the National Advisory Committee for Stroke in Scotland, giving him the opportunity to influence the strategic direction of stroke from the occupational therapy contribution. 

He said: ‘I wish to reinforce the need of the profession to place high value on clinical academic positions, with a particular focus on research which informs clinical practice in occupation. There is a need for our research to be central to the multiprofessional services and agencies that we operate in.’ 

Elizabeth Doherty, known as Liz, is ‘passionate’ about her role as an OT and co-ordinator of the Condition Management Programme in the Western Health and Social Care Trust. 

Liz has had a career spanning 33 years, working in various roles, predominantly in mental health and vocational rehabilitation. She said: ‘I am deeply honoured to be receiving this award from RCOT. It affords the opportunity to celebrate the lead role occupational therapy has in the Condition Management Programme.  

‘My vision is to see further investment to expand this successful work-focused service and change the lives of many more people.’ 

Helen Rushton, occupational therapist and founding member of #OTalk, a weekly tweet chat focused on all topics related to occupational therapy, received her award for the positive impact she has made to the profession. She's had success in raising the profile of OT and building communities for other occupational therapists that support engagement in professional development.

‘This award is a testament to my belief in the power of community and those who have collaborated with me over the years in our joint ventures. Being bold and exploring new avenues can be challenging and scary, but learning is a lifelong journey that I embrace fully.’ 

Janet Nicholson is an Advanced Paediatric Occupational Therapist at the Ronnie MacKeith Centre, Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust. She was nominated for her dedication to children's occupational therapy and to the promotion of occupational therapy as a profession during an NHS career exceeding 40 years.

She said: ‘To receive this award after a career of 41 years – 38 spent in children’s services – is a huge validation for paediatric occupational therapy. My thanks go to Susan Krause for nominating me, and to the colleagues, other professionals, children and families with whom it has been a privilege to work with.’ 

Kalimah Ibrahiim is Associate Professor of Occupational Therapy and Programme Director at Buckinghamshire New University, and has been recognised for her commitment to the profession, advocating for occupational therapy throughout her career.

Kalimah’s active participation in various volunteer roles underscores her dedication to the profession, and she reflected: ‘This award is a recognition of the dedication and passion I have poured into my journey.  

‘It fuels my motivation to continue striving for excellence and inspires me to make an even greater impact in the future. I'm truly honoured and grateful for this acknowledgment.’ 

Kathryn Leigh Smith works as a Consultant Occupational Therapist and Director at ASI Wise and the Merlin Neuro Therapy Centre in Cornwall, where she specialises in Sensory Integration and Neurodevelopmental Therapy.

Her many achievements include developing innovative sensory tools, leading national and delivering support for international research projects, as well as creating educational pathways to support OTs in integrating sensory approaches into services for all, including mental health and neurodiverse populations across the lifespan.  

She said of her recognition: ‘Receiving this award is an incredible honour, recognising my dedication to advancing occupational therapy through Ayres Sensory Integration. I’m committed to continuing innovative practice and education to support all the people we work to support, improving participation and wellbeing across the lifespan.’ 

Odeth Richardson received her award for services to occupational therapy. First, for her role as an occupational therapy manager in a large teaching hospital in the North East of England, and the role she played in supporting her staff and the wider organisation during the pandemic.

Second, for her role as Chair of Council for RCOT and for being an inspirational role model to many OTs and aspiring OTs. She said: ‘This award will help me to push my occupational therapy work forward as it will serve as an inspiration and aspiration for other OTs. I hope to use it to encourage others to also strive to be the best version of themselves that they can be.’ 

Penny Wosahlo has had a diverse career, over two decades long, culminating in running a nationwide occupational therapy company called Think Therapy 1st for the last seven years. Before that, Penny was pioneering palliative rehabilitation in the hospice and end of life care sector. 

She reflected: ‘This award is an honour to receive and will elevate the importance of occupational therapy as an effective way for people to get back to living their lives.  

‘The current UK focus on compensatory/adaptive interventions is short-sighted and creates long-term disability and unnecessary dependence. Restorative functional rehabilitation is a paradigm shift needed to make sure we are adding life to days and not just days to life.’ 

Robert Workman was nominated for his dedication and commitment to occupational therapy and for the connectivity that he brings as a leader in the profession, developed through working in a number of diverse roles throughout his career, including clinician, manager, leader and lecturer.

Winning this award and being recognised for excellence in the profession by RCOT ‘is both unexpected and fills me with pride’ he said. ‘To be nominated for such an award by two colleagues whom I admire and respect makes this all the more meaningful.’ 

We’re delighted to award Dr Carolyn Dunford, Reader in Occupational Therapy at Brunel University London, an RCOT Fellowship.

Carolyn’s dedication to evidence-based and occupation-centred practice, particularly in children’s occupational therapy, has made a significant difference to our profession both nationally and internationally.

You can read about her career in her own words on our blogs page – Proud OT since 1988.

We’re delighted to award Nicola Spalding, Professor Emeritus at the University of East Anglia and visiting Professor at Birmingham Newman University, an RCOT Fellowship.

Nicola’s incredible career and educational excellence are a testament to the power of continuous learning as a way of life.

You can read about the joy she takes in her work in her own words on our blogs page – Reflections.