Harbour Farm Occupational Therapy
Occupational therapy is a person or client-centred health profession concerned with promoting health and wellbeing through occupation, occupation being everything you do in your daily life, from the moment you wake to your going to bed, and even to improving your sleep pattern. As an occupational therapist, I am interested in not only the usual daily activities su
ch as washing, dressing, getting in and out of bed or a bath and on and off a chair or the loo but also in enriching leisure activities, be they physical, like walking, gardening and sailing, creative, like painting, ceramics and felt making, or in spiritual and cultural matters. After initially assessing each individual’s environment, in order to meet that person’s particular requirements, I can prescribe the appropriate equipment, give advice and guidance on its use and even train carers. Although my experience has mostly been with adults, my own dyslexia has been invaluable in helping me to understand the issues faced by younger people, when studying and learning. People of all ages with physical, mental or social problems, the result of accident, illness or ageing, could all benefit from occupational therapy. I met my husband, Clive, when we were both working on a neurological ward and this stimulated my interest in neurological and reactive mental disorders, particularly their rehabilitation. In researching evidence based equipment, I found a programme called Cogmed which I think may be of benefit; the programme was in combination with other occupational therapy tools and I was happy to learn that it had been trialled with a wider client group when researching neurological interventions, including dementia. As many of you know, Clive died suddenly, earlier this year, and many of you have donated generously towards suitable neurological rehabilitation equipment. Some of you will have encountered me in the course of my work for the local authority but recent events have led me to set up as an Independent Occupational Therapist under the name of Harbour Farm Occupational Therapy, based in the Winchelsea area. Through The College of Occupational Therapists, I keep abreast of current products and developments within health and social care. The Rye, Winchelsea and District Memorial Hospital have generously offered me office space and a group room within the building so I can practice, offering, initially, one day a week. I have already been given a referral for an assessment by SSAFA and wish to continue getting referrals in order for the business to grow and, I hope, benefit the community. Harbour Farm Occupational Therapy officially launches during Occupational Therapy Week, itself starting on 3rd November 2014 and finishing quite aptly on Remembrance Day, 9th November 2014
