Great afternoon teaching at the University of Lancashire to Human Being in context psychotherapy students on the benefits of art in mental health - really engaging students & an enjoyable experiential session at the close - “I am a book” activity

Getting ready for teaching on Monday at University of Lancashire - the benefits of art in Mental Health - been doing it since COVID ….theme this year Human Being in context: I am a Book we don’t have gallery space this year …so looking at other ways of doing things. ❤️OT & Art.

Happy New Year folks

Just need to fine tune the beast

Not far off completion - more detail at the top of the head ; the ears & legs

today….Facilitated brain injury training…then helped out at our Festive Fayre (best moment was when 2 medical students attended & had no idea what a tombola was ….mixing with the working class) - ended with a clinical session & supervision (I hear that’s what your paid for…it’s been said before)

The benefits & purpose of the arts are so evident when involving those with neurodiverse needs - often ignored it’s good to see this at long last happening & getting the recognition- art is good!

When you take your art dog for a drive & don’t need to walk her. Look at your surroundings- motion; change in shapes, tones, colours - & the abstract shapes & patterns of the lights

Stuff I’ve been working on simultaneously in readiness for Christmas gifts …have more things on the go - adds spice to life…busy time at work - lectured last week at University on service development & today I’m presenting on Cognitive Rehab model - oh & it’s our Festive Fayre today ❤️art ❤️OT

itchy looking at us this morning - the furriest he’s been since COVID …a beaut of a dog & looking forward to his trim on Monday

We had a fantastic LGBTQ service User alphabet Group last evening. New members & a visit from Sofie Fowler & Sarah Hicks (OTs) giving us a presentation on an elderly transgender woman. Lots of discussion & good to see occupational therapy at the centre.

Latest commission

Art room is full

Been having a 1:1 with a service user who wants to complete a portrait of his sister. A tip - don’t focus on the detail - use broader, simpler techniques to get the effect - it works! Occupational Therapy ❤️ Art - learning by doing…

And music with our Music Instructor & a service user playing a viola

It was our 1st Transgender Awareness Event in OT at Guild Lodge - not a great turn out - but we still went ahead. so important to raise awareness & educate. Great presentations that made you think & service user played his viola …..onwards & upwards.

Puppicino time

Good to see art work completed in an occupational therapy intervention with a service user who has a brain injury - in an actual Museum - namely the Harris Museum & Art Gallery, Preston- great museum & always community focused

So- a service user has a photo of his mom- states he has no artistic skills- wants a portrait doing. This is what we did in an occupational therapy session. We looked at Pop Art & came up with this process- it’s being printed on material. Let’s see the next stage ❤️ OT & ART

Interesting discussions at our OT LGBTQ service user group “the Alphabet”. Looked at LGBTQ History month ; finalised what we are doing next week for Transgender Awareness Event & we agreed we will have a talk on transgender elderly person. Oh & we had a member play the viola for us!

Joe the Lion

Felt I needed a bit of Bowie

Finishing touches - always go for the pop art background

So day 3… coming on well & nearly done ….art is an occupation that probably surpasses my work role as I’ve got older

Bit more this morning

It’s Occupational Therapy Week ….proud to be one & imagine a world where we had more Occupational Therapists …..the stuff that’d get done!!

Worked on Marc today - stuff in my head

Start of another cat portrait day 1 - blocked out likeness; colours & shapes- next to add detail ….painting for me is problem solving; planning & having internal conversations

Play about #OccupationalTherapy cooking group in a secure setting. Planning to get some of team along ☺️ www.bushtheatre.co.uk/event/after-...

Brilliant day yesterday officially opening the Music Studio in OT….creative arts pathway in OT continues to grow!!!

I need to do a website & get my art out there & sell

Gizmo is just about near completion

Added a bit more - not far off completion

Sound & rhythm from rubbish

As part of Black History Month in OT we started a creative project called Rubbish Rhythm - focusing on sound as well as making objects visual. Used “rubbish” to make these - & it’s not going to be a one off - looking at a performance & exhibition- Black History has & still influences us all

Occupational Therapy - Novel ways to engage & motivate service users - find out what they like/love - be persistent & consistent - & show genuine interest - oh & use creativity - it works

You do a painting of one cat & get asked for another

My cat portrait has gone down well either way the cat

Today

We have a brilliant vacancy for a Band 6 Occupational Therapist at Guild Lodge Forensic Services Inpatients. Great team; great opportunities & loads of focused occupational assessments & interventions. You know you want to apply….go to the NHS jobs website - closes in 2 weeks!!!

Husband