Occupational Therapy provides practical support to empower people to facilitate recovery and overcome barriers preventing them from doing the activities (or occupations) that matter to them.

This support increases people’s independence and satisfaction in all aspects of life. “Occupation” as a term refers to practical and purposeful activities that allow people to live independently and have a sense of identity. This could be essential day-to-day tasks such as self-care, work or leisure.

Occupational Therapists work with adults and children of all ages with a wide range of conditions.  They can work in a variety of settings including hospitals, community settings, housing, education, voluntary organisations or as independent practitioners.  An Occupational Therapist is trained and skilled to help people of all ages overcome the effects of disability caused by illness, ageing or accident so that they can carry out everyday tasks or occupations.

What does an Occupational Therapist do?

An Occupational Therapist will consider all of the person’s needs – physical, psychological, social and environmental. This support can make a real difference giving people a renewed sense of purpose and enabling them to continue to do the daily activities that maintain their health and wellbeing that are of importance to them.  Occupational Therapists help people to develop a personally satisfying routine of everyday activities that creates a sense of purpose and enhances the person’s recovery journey.

Daily life is made up of many activities (or occupations). When Occupational Therapists work with people with disabilities they focus on:

  • Enabling clients to function at an optimal level, despite barriers.
  • How activities which the person needs or wants to do can be modified or adapted to make them easier.

  • How clients feel about themselves and their ability to tackle problems.

  • How the physical and social environment can be altered so that restrictions are reduced.

Occupational therapists will:

  • Work with individuals, families and support workers so they understand the importance of taking part in everyday activities.
  • Help people to live independently.
  • Support people into mainstream voluntary work or employment.
  • Support people to develop parenting skills.
  • Help people improve their self-care.
  • Help people manage their money by learning budgeting skills.
  • Support people to live independently by providing systems to assist including modifications to their home or assistive technology to support.
  • Help people to access and use mainstream leisure activities.
  • Provide advice on how much assistance a person may need to live independently in the long-term.
  • Understanding the difficulties and working with the person to find ways of having more social contact.

If your needs are complex, or you’re unsure how to manage your situation, you might benefit from the support of an Occupational Therapist.