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Current opportunities to get involved
Current opportunities with us
Are you ready to take your professional development to the next level while making a meaningful impact?
We’re on the lookout for passionate volunteers to help us build dynamic and thriving communities within RCOT. Our new practice, professional, and regional networks have recently launched and we need your energy and expertise to make them a success.
Find out more
Why volunteer with us?
- shape the future: be at the forefront of creating vibrant communities where members can connect, share and grow together
- develop new skills: gain valuable experience in leadership, collaboration and professional development that will enhance your career and meet CPD requirements
- build strong connections: network with like-minded professionals and form lasting relationships within your area of practice
- make an impact: lead initiatives that reflect the needs of your community and drive positive change.
- recognition: receive acknowledgment for your contributions and achievements
- supportive environment: benefit from a comprehensive onboarding journey, peer support groups and an annual reflection process to track your progress.
Find out more about our networks here.
Transforming health and social care campaign
Use our resources to build an understanding of the value of occupational therapy, its role in health and social care and where it needs to be positioned to have maximum impact. Get your resources here.
Innovation Hub is a space for the occupational therapy workforce to learn together about leading change.
Join our digital Innovation Hub community and share your innovations or search our database of real-world improvements. To become an early adopter, submit your improvement journey by sharing a challenge, change idea, or completed project.
It takes 15-30 minutes to answer questions about your service challenges and ideas. We welcome submissions from everyone in the occupational therapy workforce. Find out more about our Innovation Hub.
Open consultations give our members a chance to take part in our work at a strategic level. Contribute to our response to policies and legislations affecting the profession and delivery of services. Discover our current open consultations.
The Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ annual awards support funding for learning, development and research activities.
There are eight awards, offering a total of £9,500 in funding.
Check each award category for eligibility and find out how to apply on the RCOT Annual Awards page.
Deadline for applications has been extended to Monday 15 September 2025.
Become a learner ambassador and – not only will you get complimentary membership – you'll be part of a supportive team that values your input and celebrates your achievements every step of the way.
You'll find a full list of responsibilities and available support on our Learner Ambassadors page.
You can play a key role in raising awareness of occupational therapy during OT Week and beyond. To support your activities, you have access to a set of digital resources designed for general OT Week promotion – perfect for getting people ready for the week and promoting your local activities.
Read more on the OT week webpage.
We want to hear your thoughts on Learning and Development.
This is your opportunity to influence our revised and expanded Learning and development standards for pre-registration education and early career occupational therapists (‘the Standards’).
The standards help to improve the education provision for future OT students and learners.
The survey closes on 30 September 2025.
Our networks and cafés
Our new network is the perfect space for RCOT members interested in research. Whether you're a learner, early career or experienced researcher, or just curious to learn more, we welcome you to join us.
Wednesday 24 September 2025
A focus this month on leadership placements - book now
12.00-1.00pm, Wednesday 29 October
Interested in applying for one of our Research and Innovation Fund grants? Come to our October Research Café to hear from Angie Thompson, Research and Development officer at RCOT to find out more, including hearing previous grant winners’ tips and what a good grant application looks like.
Visit our Research Café page for details on how to join this session
Current opportunities within our profession
Support and care for parents who experience early pregnancy loss in England
The aim of the Sunflower Project, led by the University of Bedfordshire, is to understand the challenges and identify priorities in early pregnancy loss care in England, from the perspective of individuals who experience miscarriage and healthcare professionals who provide their care, to collectively identify policy-driven solutions to improve psychological outcomes for individuals who experience trimester one pregnancy loss (<13 weeks gestation).
If you have experienced an early pregnancy loss and would like to share your experience, take part in their national survey, or find out more about the project.
UK Health Alliance on Climate Change (UKHACC) is launching a survey for AHPs across the UK to gather their ideas on how to reduce the environmental impact of our care.
Take the survey - share your views
Why should AHPs be interested in UKHACC?
- climate change is the greatest global health threat facing the world in the 21st century, but it is also the greatest opportunity to redefine the social and environmental determinants of health
- AHPs are well-placed to provide solutions and need to be prepared for changes as our world changes
- your profession’s voice should be heard at all levels.
This is the first stage of UKHACC's work to identify the top actionable carbon reduction interventions for each AHP profession.
Please also share this survey with your networks.
Results back by the end of March. If you have any queries, please contact Frances.Slowie@nhs.net.
The National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) has announced their Programme Grants for Applied Research (PGfAR). It aims to grow a portfolio of research programmes led, co-led and shaped by the insight of health care professionals or methodologists that have been historically under-represented across NIHR as research leaders and/or co-applicants.
They're seeking to drive transformational changes for patients and the public, with particular interested in funding research that purposefully aligns with the UK Government's Health and Growth missions and DHSC Areas of Research Interest 3: ‘Shaping and supporting the health and social care workforce of the future’.
To find out more, please take a look at the ring-fenced funding opportunity and sign up to our webinar on 30 June.