Showcasing support for people with a learning disability
Health and social care professionals were invited to an event last week to learn more about the role of Occupational Therapy in improving the lives of people in Worcestershire with a learning disability.
Held at Perdiswell Young People Leisure Club in Worcester, the event was run by Community Occupational Therapists from Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, which is the main provider of mental health and learning disability services in the two counties. It focussed on the importance and benefit of Occupational Therapy for individuals with a learning disability.
Occupational Therapists help to understand what the individual wants to achieve, get to grips with the issues they face and work with them to find out what kind of support they need. They can help prevent crisis, reduce behaviours of concern, improve self-esteem and mental health through their interventions such as skill building, sensory profiling, and goal setting.
Over the day there were a range of sessions available including top tips for families, carers and care providers from our Specialist OTs, and an activity for adults with learning disabilities. Service users and their families also shared their experiences at the event.
Victoria Stevens, Occupational Therapist in the Worcestershire Community Learning Disability Team 
said: “There is a range of support available for people living with a learning disability and our objectives are to support them to lead fulfilling and independent lives. Occupational Therapy plays a key role in that, and it was great to be able to showcase the support we can provide.
“We have received lots of positive and valuable feedback from attendees including one that stood out saying “It was good to show case-studies. Everyone’s needs are different, and we appreciate the support of OT, it changes lives!”
Robert Mackie, Deputy CEO at Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust, who attended the event, said: “I was really delighted to see so many of our partners there learning more about the service and working out how we best support each other to provide outstanding care. It was also a great pleasure to meet with members of our team and hear about some of the wonderful work they do with such dedication, skill, and passion. They really are a great credit to our Trust.”
Thumbnail image: L-R: Ruth Stevens,Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship Student, Jo Campbell, Victoria Stevens, Matthew Armstrong-Sly and Victoria North, Occupational Therapy Apprenticeship Student.