Cygnet Hospital Bierley held an OT drop-in session in which there were discussions and a variety of information leaflets regarding how OTs help people in numerous settings including mental health. It also gave a chance for service users to speak about how OT has helped them within their recovery journey and to ask any questions they had.
Many service users were interested in why, as OTs, they chose to do the course, how long it took to complete and what it consisted of. They were not only interested in the OT’s role in mental health but other settings OTs work in. Some of the service users even suggested that OT would be a career they would like to pursue once they have left hospital.
Other activities at Bierley included a basket weaving session held as a tongue-in-cheek jibe at the misconceptions about what OT does. The service users particularly enjoyed this and described this activity as ‘theraputic and relaxing.’ An art session was also carried out to brainstorm thoughts on OT and how it aids recovery.
Cygnet Hospital Wyke and Cygnet Lodge Brighouse collaboratively focused on the three core components of occupational therapy; self-care, leisure and productivity. In order to do this, the therapy team set up a working café. Service users selected, created and sold the buns, cakes and cookies themselves, helping to convey their abilities in self-care, leisure and productivity.
This event encouraged service users and staff to come along, meet some new people and discuss OT, within a relaxed and friendly environment. There was also an opportunity for service users to write about and share “what OT means to me” on a set of post-it notes before combining them into a display. Below is a selection of the comments:
- “Improvement in the quality of life through or after a difficult time.”
- “An opportunity to get rehabilitated.”
- “Being creative with your time and making the most of every moment.
- “Your day is always better with ‘OT’ in your cup.”
- “Regaining your place in society.”
- “Enjoying life and helping others.”
- “Fun!”