The five newly-qualified OTs, were recently commended at an event at the Lantern Centre in Preston, alongside nine other trainee student nursing associates who also recently completed their two year programme.
Occupational Therapists (OTs) play a crucial role in healthcare and mental health recovery by helping individuals regain independence and improve their quality of life. They work with people of all ages who face physical, cognitive, emotional, or social challenges due to illness, injury, or disability.
Using a holistic approach, OTs assess patients' needs and develop personalised interventions to enhance daily living skills, promote mental wellbeing, and support meaningful engagement in work, education, and social activities.
In mental health care, OTs are particularly valuable in managing conditions such as anxiety, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), schizophrenia, and dementia.
Their work not only improves functional abilities but also reduces hospital readmissions and reliance on medical interventions. By addressing both physical and psychological aspects of health, occupational therapists serve as essential bridges in multidisciplinary care, ensuring patients receive comprehensive support to lead fulfilling lives.
The event was attended by representatives from University of Central Lancashire (UClan) and our Practice Education Facilitator Team who support the quality and development of student placements by working with educators, universities, and healthcare providers. They provide training, guidance, and pastoral support to practice educators while ensuring compliance with professional body requirements and promoting educator development.
Anthony Young, from the Practice Education Facilitation (PEF) Team, said:
“We are extremely proud of the hard work and determination our students have shown throughout their challenging programmes.
They have represented themselves and the Trust impeccably within internal and external placements at our partner organisations including Blackpool Teaching Hospitals, Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, East Lancashire Teaching Hospitals, University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay and many more.
We are delighted that our newly qualified occupational therapists Salma, Alex, Stacey, Amy and Nicola have all been offered positions here at the Trust. Alongside our student nursing associates, Stacey, Lauren, Sarah, Shirley, Ateeq, Laura, Mark, Tracey and Timothy who are also in roles here at LSCft.
We would like to say a huge congratulations.”
The newly launched occupational therapist degree apprenticeship is a three year programme delivered in partnership with Sheffield Hallam University and it is funded by the Trust. During their studies, each student completed 1,000 hours of placements and the qualification equals the same entry route for the BSc in occupational therapy.
We deliver two registered nurse degree apprenticeship programmes, one in partnership with the University of Central Lancashire (UClan) and the other in partnership with University of Cumbria, both have been running simultaneously since 2017, and takes two years to complete.
Nicola Heaton, Occupational Therapy Apprentice, has developed her career at the Trust. She commented:
“I’m incredibly proud and privileged to step into my occupational therapist (OT) role on a dementia ward at The Harbour.
I recently celebrated 10 years of working in the Trust but also achieving a first-class honours degree in occupational therapy, which is something I never imagined after leaving school with no GCSEs.
My journey from support worker, through various roles in the older adults’ occupational therapy team, to newly qualified OT, wouldn’t have been possible without the degree apprenticeship. Balancing study, work, and family commitments wasn’t easy, but the support from my mentor and manager and the wider Trust made all the difference.
To anyone considering an apprenticeship, I’d say go for it. There’s never a perfect time, but the opportunities for growth and development are life-changing. Thank you to the Trust and my colleagues for helping me achieve this dream.”
Anthony Young, Practice Education Facilitator concluded:
“We look forward to watching the clinical development journeys of all of our new OTs and trainee student nursing associates as they progress.”
More information available on LSCft’s website if you are considering an apprenticeship.
You can look at the Trust’s current vacancies on the website.
