Elderly woman holding on handrail in bathroom.
This week is Occupational Therapy Week.

Lift up your everyday this Occupational Therapy Week

Hull City Council is shining a spotlight on a rewarding career in Occupational Therapy for this Occupational Therapy Week.

Occupational Therapy Week is a national awareness campaign designed to celebrate and raise awareness of occupational therapy work and giving people the knowledge to make changes that will have a positive impact on their lives.

Occupational Therapists and Occupational Therapy Assistants work with people to help them to live as independently as possible at home. This may be done through advice on how to do things differently or may involve the identification or supply of a wide range of equipment, aids and/or adaptations.

Councillor Linda Chambers, the portfolio holder for Adult Social Care and Public Health said: “We are extremely proud of the contribution that our occupational therapy workforce make towards helping people in this city to live their lives as independently as possible.

‘’They help people to help themselves by supporting them to overcome challenges, such as completing everyday tasks or activities.’’

Victoria Goldsbrough, Principal Occupational Therapist at Hull City Council said: “The main role of an Occupational Therapist is to analyse what people do in their everyday life, whether that’s brushing your teeth, going to bed at night, preparing dinner or going out to work. If somebody has any issues in doing everyday activities, an Occupational Therapist can support with that.’’

Hear more from Victoria in the video below:

Hull City Council recruit talented people and support them to be the best that they can be. There are also opportunities to train and develop in the role.

Emma Hopwood is an Occupational Therapy Assistant at the council who is currently undergoing an apprenticeship to become an Occupational Therapist. She said: “I’ve found staff within the council to be more than happy to help, including the placement educators, mentors and learning facilitators. I think it’s very positive that they’ve always got time to help me when I need it.”

People working in Adult Social Care often come through various routes, but it’s a person’s qualities which lead to success. Michael Stothard, an Occupational Therapy Assistant at the council said: “I used to be a professional vocalist, in a duo called ‘The Leading Men’ who performed in pubs and clubs whilst caring for my nan. The care and support I used to give to my nan made me want to go into adult social care and support vulnerable adults, to give them aspirations of an independent life at home with their loved ones, friends and family.”

People working in Adult Social Care often come through various routes, but it’s a person’s qualities which lead to success. Michael Stothard, an Occupational Therapy Assistant at the council said: “I used to be a professional vocalist, in a duo called ‘The Leading Men’ who performed in pubs and clubs whilst caring for my nan. The care and support I used to give to my nan made me want to go into adult social care and support vulnerable adults, to give them aspirations of an independent life at home with their loved ones, friends and family.”

To access support from an Occupation Therapist, please call 01482 300 300 and ask for The See and Solve Team or you can email see&solve@hullcc.gov.uk.

Do you have the passion to support people to live independently and enhance well-being in the city? There are numerous vacancies available in Adult Social Care on the Hull City Council website or the Proud to Care Hull Website.

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