Head of Clinical Services
I was attracted to an occupation which had the potential to bring about positive change to someone's life and Occupational Therapy fits the bill for that perfectly. Getting to work with someone after they have experienced a setback due to ill health or an injury is an opportunity to join them on a journey of self-exploration and discovery. The unique skills of Occupational Therapy enable you to work with a broad focus across all aspects of their life and to tap into someone's motivations and allows you to work in a creative way, negotiating boundaries and limitations, either external or self-imposed, and find ways around (or sometimes through!) them. Having honed my skills working within the NHS and Social care systems, I started to recognise how procedural and 'tick box' the version of Occupattional Therapy I was practicing had become. Instead of being led by a client’s needs, regardless of the budget restrictions, I felt my practice was being led by all the things I couldn't do and working in teams where I felt isolated and was having to become confrontational and challenging just to do the work I was being paid to do.
Working with Think Therapy 1st has freed me to work in a highly supported environment to work with people to actually do what I started off wanting to do.... be involved, in whatever small way, towards supporting someone towards positive change. The team have all worked to a high level across all areas of healthcare individually and are generous and inclusive with sharing their knowledge and ideas always. It does sound cliched I know, but I do feel I belong to this really healthy family that have one another's backs at all times, communicate positively to ensure the environment remains inclusive and supportive and all share the desire to use our skills to support people at times in their lives when they are at a vulnerable point. All quirks are celebrated and encouraged, and for myself, the positive and nurturing work environment has increased my confidence in all aspects of my professional and personal life.
Evolving, rewarding and essential… Occupational Therapy is so important!
When I'm not working, I love singing in a choir and doing anything outdoors in nature and spending time with friends and family.
