We’re excited to welcome our new Chief Executive, Gary Waltham. His priority is simple: to listen, learn and work with you to make RCOT the best it can be. There are lots of ways to connect with Gary and share your ideas: https://bit.ly/4jju4Uw

Let's start 2026 by sharing inspiration with each other. What are your goals for 2026?

Merry Christmas to everyone celebrating. We’re wishing you moments of warmth, joy and connection. 🎄

Out now - Your December 25/January 26 OTnews issue 👉🏼 https://bit.ly/4sfZm2U [Video says 'OTnews: Have you read your December/January issue yet?'. Front cover of OTnews rolls in from the left side. It has two people on it - one looks to be supporting the other who is picking up a glass.]

We won't be monitoring our social channels during the festive period – 2pm on Wednesday, 24 December 2025 to 9am on Friday, 2 January 2026. If you send us a message during that time, we’ll get back to you in the new year. 💚

This has been a wonderful project - working with practice educators, placement coordinators, learners & schools to develop guidance for the successful delivery of school-based placements. Introducing more learners to the wonderful world of school-based OT practice! Download link below ⬇️

More teams are turning to school-based OT placements - so we’ve created a guide to make it easier. It’s full of real examples and simple steps for clinicians, educators and learners. 📘 Download your copy https://bit.ly/4akCk4e

Calling all OT learners and early-career OTs 👋 Join us on 21 January for a virtual session designed to help you feel confident, connected and supported throughout studies and in your career. Member or not, register here 🔗 https://bit.ly/4pZhbkP

To everyone marking the Festival of Lights, we wish you warmth, joy and peace 🕎 Supporting people to take part in the traditions that matter to them is a vital part of meaningful occupational therapy. Hanukkah sameach ✨

Our November policy work included launching our Right Support, Right Time campaign, meeting policymakers across the UK to share OT insight and much more. Learn more 👉 https://bit.ly/48sQFug

What are the ethical considerations when recommending equipment or adaptations that might limit a child or young person’s movement? This guidance explores how to balance safety, independence and participation while making decisions that protect rights and promote wellbeing. https://bit.ly/49QlkCK

This month, the placement and research cafes come together for a joint event exploring the experiences of marginalised occupational therapy students. Thursday 11 December 2025, 1-2pm. Details of how to join: https://loom.ly/05IIkUs

Three occupational therapists represented the OT profession in evidence sessions for the Casey Commission on Social Care. FInd out more about the evidence sessions, our future plans and have your say in the Commission: https://loom.ly/uGfsqsI

We see the challenges our members in Higher Education are facing and we stand with you. Redundancies and job insecurity threaten the future of occupational therapy education and research. Read our full statement and find out how to get support: https://loom.ly/Oz5qxak

Happy faces all round from us at the end of the OT Show. It means a lot to us to connect with you face to face and to hear what you need to help us shape what we do next for you. Thanks for a great couple of days 💚

What a great first day at the OT Show yesterday. We can't wait to chat to even more of you today. Come and see us at 📍stand B40. 💚 You can also catch our sessions on professional growth and influencing housing policy 👉🏼 https://loom.ly/uIj_hXI

We’re at the OT Show – come and see us! 📍 Stand B40 Chat with us about how RCOT supports you and your practice and catch our sessions on tech, professional growth and influencing housing policy. We’d love to hear from you. 💚

💚 Meet Kate Harris, an occupational therapist with CityCare’s Community Stroke and Discharge and Rehab Team. She helps people rebuild skills and confidence after a stroke through personalised, goal-focused care: https://loom.ly/cjsQ-dk #RightTimeOT

We’re heading to the OT Show – and we’d love to see you there! 📍 Stand B40 Whether you’re curious about tech, passionate about professional growth or ready to influence housing policy – there’s something for you. Will we see you there? https://loom.ly/uIj_hXI

It’s #AHPSupportWorkerWeek! 🎉 We want to recognise the incredible contribution of our occupational therapy support workforce. Your dedication, compassion and skill make a real difference every day. Thank you for everything you do to help people live well. 💚

Two weeks left – have your say! 🗣️ ⏱️It takes about 20 minutes to give your feedback on our draft Professional Standards, but it shapes practice for the next five years! Read the draft and share your thoughts before 11.59pm, Sunday 7 December 2025. 👉🏾 https://loom.ly/P36TqgU

💚 At Treloar School and College, OTs help students like Malita and Zara build confidence and new skills through adaptive tech and creativity. Read more: https://loom.ly/_r4ARlA #RightTimeOT

Whether you want to talk about your membership, reflect on one of the talks you've heard or meet a few of the faces behind your membership body – we cannot wait to connect with OTs from across the UK at the OT Show next week! https://loom.ly/uIj_hXI

We’re aware that our website is currently unavailable. This is due to a global outage affecting many websites, not just RCOT. The issue is with Cloudflare, a major internet service provider, and they’re working to fix it as quickly as possible. (1/2)

‘In my role as an occupational therapy apprentice, I’ve seen how social prescribing can unlock potential and restore hope in the community.’ 💚 William Dyett shares how OTs are making the case for prevention and wellbeing through social prescribing. Read more: https://loom.ly/ZC8zBkk #RightTimeOT

Meet Phoebe, an occupational therapist at St Christopher’s Hospice, as she shares what her role involves and how she helps people live well every day. 💚 🎥 Video credit: St Christopher’s Hospice

'Occupational therapy is a low-cost, low-carbon and high-impact solution – making it a vital part of the NHS’s green future' says Jacqueline Gordon, RCOT Board member and Clinical Sustainability Manager for Sussex Community NHS Foundation Trust. Read article: https://loom.ly/eImv8XI #RightTimeOT

We kicked off #OTWeek2025 with our event, From Crisis to Prevention: Leading the Future of OT! 💚 Hosted by Karin Orman with Dr Charlie Chung, Amanda Atkinson and Carolyne Hague MBE, the panel explored how OTs can drive change. Catch up: https://loom.ly/I64Ihb8#OTWeek2025#RightTimeOT

No occupational therapist should feel intimidated while practising. We stand with all health and social care professionals who have been reported as feeling 'deliberately intimidated' by flags displayed across many parts of England during the summer. Read our response: https://loom.ly/26Yy2Ag

Thank you to Shari Sasidharan and the occupational therapists at Princess Royal Hospital in Telford for sharing what they love about their work and for showing how varied and valuable their roles are. 💚

Working with members, we've launched an Armed Forces community space on RCOT Communities. RCOT members can log in today and find a great discussion post full of resources for remembrance. 👉🏾 https://loom.ly/H75DTO8

'They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.' – Laurence Binyan #LestWeForget #RemembranceDay

A glimpse behind the scenes at Royal Bolton Hospital 💚 Specialist occupational therapist Sophie Jackson shares what a day in her life looks like – helping people regain confidence and live well for longer after illness or injury. Read more: https://loom.ly/rfXzTyo #OTWeek25 #RightTimeOT

OT Week launched it – now it’s time to lead it. 💚 Right Support, Right Time: Unlocking the Power of OT is our year-long campaign to put occupational therapy where it belongs – at the heart of health, education and social care. Get involved and take action: https://loom.ly/mQq6mbY #RightTimeOT

Meet Warren, an occupational therapist at Oxleas NHS using non-contact boxing to support people’s mental health. 🥊💚 His charity, Off The Ropes, helps people build confidence, purpose and wellbeing through meaningful activity. Read more: https://loom.ly/HERfNHQ #OTWeek25 #RightTimeOT

A big thank you to the OTs at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary for showing how they help people get the right support at the right time. 💚 Video credit: NHS Grampian #OTWeek25 #RightTimeOT

Sustainability in the NHS isn’t only about technology – it’s about people. 💚 Jackie Gordon explains how occupational therapy offers a low-cost, low-carbon, high-impact way to build a greener NHS: https://loom.ly/4jmSgeI #RightTimeOT #OTWeek25

Carolyne Hague MBE calls for a collective voice – OTs, communities, social workers, nurses, policymakers and more to shape a health and care system built on inclusion and innovation. Read the blog 👉🏼 https://loom.ly/dj0t1ow #OTweek25 #RightTimeOT

#OTweek25 #RightTimeOT Greener practice, better outcomes involves helping people recognise the benefits of sustainability for our health. That's why I've been working on an OT intervention programme which includes the topic 'Protecting our Environment'. It's the right time for this.

This week we are celebrating #OccupationalTherapy Week. #OccupationalTherapists are integral members of our teams, playing a crucial role in improving the lives of people living with physical, mental, developmental or emotional challenges: www.dpt.nhs.uk/occupational... #OTWeek2025 #OTWeek #OT #NHS

This is a great illustration of the power of OT in schools - helping to create inclusive & accessible learning environments that enable all children to thrive, achieve & enjoy life!

Well - I'm actually retired ... mostly ... but I'll make an exception for the Casson lecture. One last hurrah!

💚 Occupational therapy supports greener practice and better outcomes. By helping people live and work in ways that protect their health and the planet, occupational therapists build a fairer, more sustainable future. #OTWeek25 #RightTimeOT

From supporting independent living to reducing waste in services, OTs are helping people and the planet. 🌍 Share your ideas for greener practice, tag us and use #OTWeek25 and #RightTimeOT 💚

We kicked off #OTWeek2025 with our online event, From Crisis to Prevention: Leading the Future of OT! What an inspiring start to the week. 💚 If you couldn’t make it, catch up now and join the conversation: https://loom.ly/I64Ihb8

Diolch! to the amazing OTs who presented to MSs at @senedd.wales today as part of #OTWeek25 It was fantastic to speak to @jeremy-miles.bsky.social - Cabinet Secretary for Health & Social Care and @mabonapgwynfor.bsky.social - Plaid Cymru health spokesperson about #RightTimeOT tinyurl.com/bdf24nrb

Occupational therapists play a vital role in keeping people independent. Their proactive, person-centred approach helps prevent unnecessary hospital admissions, supports recovery at home, and limits the need for long-term care. Happy #OTWeek25 to our amazing OTs! 💙

With the reforms to special educational needs and disabilities delayed until 2026, we’re highlighting how children are key to the nation’s future health. 💚 Karin Orman explores why prevention should be legislated for, so people get the right support at the right time: https://loom.ly/OLy3e90

To continue celebrations for #OTWeek25 watch this video from NHS Careers about OT behind the scenes. Hear from Michelle, NHS Lothian acute team lead for Children and Young People about her role 📹💚 www.careers.nhs.scot/blog/ahps-be...

Meet our Occupational Therapy Team! As it’s Occupational Therapy Week, we want to take the opportunity to thank them for their life-enhancing work. Occupational therapists work with a range of adults and children including those with physical, mental and/or social problems as a result ... (1/3)