Make an impact with RCOT

Have a question, idea or update to share? Join RCOT Communities, our online engagement and social learning platform. On RCOT Communities you can join networks and post on discussion boards. This is a great way to connect with other members, seek advice, share learning and start conversations.

How to get involved: Join RCOT Communities and start a new discussion or comment on an existing conversation on a network discussion board. If you're new to the platform, visit the Get Support area for guidance on using RCOT Communities and accessing our how-to guides.

Find our more about RCOT Communities here.

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 practice, professional and regional networks need your energy and expertise to make them a success.

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.
• Gain recognition: receive acknowledgment for your contributions and achievements.
• Thrive in a supportive environment: benefit from a comprehensive onboarding journey, peer support groups and an annual reflection process to track your progress.

How to get involved: Read more about our network leadership opportunities and the different role profiles. Once you've found a role you're interested in, complete our short expression of interest form via the link on the role profiles page. Or you can contact the Professional Development team at [email protected]. 

Practice networks on RCOT Communities include resource libraries where members can access useful guidance, tools, websites, publications and other resources relevant to their area of practice.

If you know of a publicly accessible resource that could benefit members, we can add it to a network's resource library. If you have a collection of resources on a particular topic, we can also help organise them into a dedicated folder, making it easier for members to find and use them.

How to get involved: Contact the Communities team through RCOT Communities to suggest a resource or discuss creating a resource folder, or share the resource in the practice network discussion board and we'll spot it.

Our network leaders plan and deliver a range of CPD activities for their community members, including community conversation, knowledge exchange sessions and journal clubs. Upcoming activities are listed on RCOT Communities, and we're always looking for members to lead and contribute.

How to get involved:

• If you'd like to develop and deliver CPD activities, consider becoming a network leader (see 'Join our vibrant community of volunteers' above).
• If you'd like to suggest a topic or discuss opportunities to contribute to specific sessions, please contact the leaders of the relevant networks. You can contact network leaders on RCOT Communities by going to the 'Network leadership team' section at the bottom of your respective network welcome page and sending them a message.

Our Improvement Database showcases real-world improvement projects from across the occupational therapy workforce. It offers an opportunity to discover how others are addressing challenges, testing new ideas and improving services in practice.

Search the database to explore improvement journeys, connect with changemakers, and engage with projects by liking and commenting on project boards.

How to get involved: Visit our Improvement Database to explore projects and connect with changemakers. Engage with projects by liking them or sharing your thoughts in the comments.

Our Innovation and Improvement Hub is a collaborative community for members interested in leading and supporting change. It brings together members from across the occupational therapy workforce to share ideas, learn from one another and contribute to improvement and innovation.

This is the space for you if you're identifying a challenge, developing a change idea or reflecting on a completed project. The community provides opportunities to share your experiences and support the development of improvement practice across the profession.

How to get involved: Join our Innovation and Improvement Hub to connect with others and discuss a challenge, change idea or completed project.

Bring together members who share a common interest, area of practice, workplace, location or project. Group conversations provide a dedicated space within RCOT Communities to connect, share knowledge, ask questions and collaborate with others.

Hosted through the RCOT Communities messaging function, group conversations can include up to 100 members, making it easy to build focused networks and support learning, discussion and peer connection.

How to get involved: Visit RCOT Communities for step-by-step guidance on creating and managing a group conversation.

OTalks are live, text-based discussions on topics that matter to the occupational therapy workforce. Hosted on RCOT Communities, they provide an opportunity to share ideas, explore challenges, support CPD and connect with members from across the profession.

If there's a topic you're passionate about and would like to discuss with others, consider leading an OTalk. Sessions are supported by the OTalk leadership team.

How to get involved: Join the OTalk community and look through previous session discussions. Then contact the OTalk leadership team on RCOT Communities if you'd like to host a session.

Our representation work wouldn’t be possible without the valuable contributions of our members. Opportunities to represent RCOT are shared through relevant networks on RCOT Communities, depending on the nature of each request.

How to get involved: Opportunities are highlighted in relevant networks on RCOT Communities. Join the networks that are relevant to you, and keep an eye out for these opportunities. Full details of each role's responsibilities and expected commitment will be provided with each opportunity.

Find more information on how organisations can request RCOT involvement here.

We want people everywhere to value the life-changing power of occupational therapy. That’s a big aim, but we can achieve it by working together.

As part of the occupational therapy community, there are many ways you can raise the profile of occupational therapy. We have guidance and tools to help you:

• prepare your story
• act locally
• be a media spokesperson
• influence decision-makers
• get social.

How to get involved: check our profile raising tools and talks.

We want to show people everywhere the life-changing power of occupational therapy.

How to get involved: Tag us in your photos on Facebook or Instagram so we can share and celebrate the work you do every day.

Have a story to tell? If you'd like to showcase your work or share an occupational therapy experience, we'd love you to consider contributing to OTnews. 

How to get involved: Read more about OTnews and our author guidance.

Do you have a topic you're passionate about, a piece of learning to share, or an experience that could benefit other members? Writing a blog for the RCOT website is a great way to share your insights, raise awareness of an issue and contribute to professional conversations across the occupational therapy workforce.

How to get involved: Contact the Membership Marketing team at [email protected] to discuss your idea or submit a draft blog.

Some tips for writing a blog:

• Typically, between 300-500 words, but if you want to go longer, then please do.
• Write in your natural, almost conversational voice.
• Don't worry about referencing or citing unless you think it's necessary.
• If in doubt about where to start, consider who, what, when, where, why and how or set yourself a question and seek to find an answer.
• It can feel daunting, but we will support you and double check spelling, punctuation and grammar.

Member stories and those of the people our profession supports can really highlight to the public and other OTs why awareness moments are essential. If you have something you'd like to say about OT or your role in relation to an awarement moment or recognition event, we'd love to work with you and share it.

A short 10-30 second video on your phone talking about why the recognition event matters to OT or a 300-500 word blog (see above) can have a lot of impact.

How to get involved: Contact the Membership Marketing team at [email protected] with your idea or content, along with your name, any honorifics you'd like us to use, a short biography and a photograph.

Ready for your next career move? Whether you're looking for opportunities in the UK or internationally, in the NHS or private sector, our jobs board has opportunities for you.

How to get involved: explore our jobs board and discover your next role.