Earlier this year, our Occupational Therapy (OT) team started a project, working collaboratively with the University of Huddersfield to support the education of undergraduate occupational therapy students.

A number of these students will be coming to CHFT for their clinical placements. To help these prospective students feel better prepared for their placements, a recent teaching session was held in the University's new facilities, with some of our occupational therapists delivering training to the students. 

They were able to teach the students moving and handling skills, environmental assessments and give them the opportunity to practice their functional assessments in the University's OT house.

An afternoon session was also run by the team in the simulated ward, where students practiced OT initial assessments, using role play with people with lived experience - using the University's Patient, Public and Practitioner Group.

First year student OT, Alexandra Whitlow, attended the training, and is now on placement with CHFT. She said: "I found the session incredibly helpful. Watching experienced OTs demonstrate practical techniques step-by-step helped me to better understand how to apply theory to real-world scenarios. There is only so much that can be learned from journals and articles, so this helped prepare for the reality of working as an OT.

"This session helped me to not only understand my professional expectations but also appreciate the vital role that an OT plays in promoting independence, quality of life and dignity across wider society."

OT Clinical Educator, Jess Loxam, said: "This immersive experience really supported students to get a feel for what they can expect on placement. A number of our OT workforce have a keen interest in supporting students and in teaching, so this was a great opportunity for our staff to also experience and develop skills within an area of interest for them in state-of-the-art facilities.

"I would like to thank all the OTs involved, for helping to make it such a success."

OTs involved include:

• Nabihah Shahid
• Leanne Holroyd
• Michelle Sykes
• Hannah-Louise Mobbs
• Claire Grace
• Sophie Ince
• Jess Loxam