Occupational Therapy Week 2026: Participation Changes Everything
OT Week launches on 2 November 2026 with Participation Changes Everything
Across the UK, there is growing recognition that support should work around people's lives, not the other way round. As services increasingly focus on prevention, participation and person-centred support, occupational therapy has an essential role to play.
Participation is fundamental to health, wellbeing and quality of life. It means being able to do the things that matter to us, including learning, working, caring for family, connecting with others, enjoying hobbies and contributing to our communities. Evidence suggests that participation is one of the strongest influences on health and wellbeing. Occupational therapists are experts in enabling participation, helping people take part in the occupations that matter throughout their lives.
That's why OT Week 2026 will focus on Participation Changes Everything. Throughout the week, we'll showcase why participation matters, position occupational therapists as experts in participation and raise the profile of the profession.
Why Participation Changes Everything
Being able to learn, work, connect with others and do the occupations that matter is fundamental to health, wellbeing and quality of life. Participation is one of the strongest influences on health and wellbeing, which is why it matters so much to people's ability to live well.
Occupational therapists are the experts in participation. They help people take part in the occupations that matter to them, enabling participation in family life, education, work, leisure and society. Participation is the outcome occupational therapists enable every day.
Across the UK, there is growing recognition that support should work around people's lives, not the other way round. As governments and system leaders look for ways to strengthen prevention, improve participation and organise support around people's lives, occupational therapy has an essential role to play.
Why we're focusing on this now
Members have told us they want RCOT to do more to raise the profile of occupational therapy, strengthen our influence and lead change on the issues that matter most.
Participation Changes Everything is the first step in responding to that ambition.
Through OT Week, we'll come together to showcase the impact of occupational therapy, strengthen the profile of the profession and build momentum for future influencing work. It will also help lay the foundations for a major new campaign launching in the new year.
Stay connected to the campaign
Follow these steps to receive updates on our policy and influencing work, opportunities to get involved, and annual campaign news:
1. Log in to your online account.
2. Click the person icon in the top right corner.
3. Select My Contact Preferences.
4. Scroll to Areas of Interest and select Government Policy and Influencing.
A campaign for the whole UK
Across the UK, there is growing recognition that support should start earlier, work better together and be organised around people's lives.
While policy contexts differ across the four nations, there is a shared focus on prevention, participation and support closer to where people live, creating important opportunities for occupational therapy to shape future approaches to support.
Start today
RCOT members can start or join conversations that are already beginning on RCOT Communities. From planning local events to discussing what your specialist area of practice could look like in ten-years’ time – a network and community is waiting for your voice.
You can also start exploring our profile-raising toolkits to find inspiration, support and practical guidance.