At BounceOT, we’ve had the privilege of hosting students from Glasgow Caledonian University and City St George’s in London during OT Week. Here’s what the week means to them—and what they’ve learned about the power of occupation.
Occupational Therapy Week is more than a celebration—it’s a movement to raise awareness of the transformative role occupational therapists play in helping people live life to the fullest. This year’s theme from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, “Right Support, Right Time: Unlocking the Power of OT,” reminds us that timely, person-centred interventions can change lives.
Claire’s Perspective: A Career Change with Purpose
For Claire, OT Week carries a special significance. As a mature student transitioning from a previous career, she reflects:
Changing careers to pursue occupational therapy comes with challenges—balancing study, family, and work—but it also brings a deep sense of purpose. My past experiences enrich my practice and give me unique perspectives. OT Week reminds me why lifelong learning matters and why meaningful occupation is at the heart of what we do
Claire’s story highlights one of the profession’s strengths: its diversity. People enter OT from all walks of life, bringing resilience, creativity, and empathy that shape the future of care.
Beth & Niamh: Behind the Scenes at BounceOT
As student occupational therapists on placement, Beth and Niamh share what OT Week means to them:
To us, occupational therapy is about enabling people to do the things that matter most. It’s creativity, problem-solving, and compassion in action.
At BounceOT, that philosophy comes alive through inclusive, play-based interventions.
From therapeutic trampoline sessions to sensory-rich activities, the focus is on participation—helping children and adults build confidence, movement, and connection.
What We’ve Learned
- Learning through doing: Joining sessions in the therapeutic play space, observing and supporting rebound therapy and sensory play.
- Thinking holistically: OT isn’t just about impairments—it’s about life, environment, roles, and relationships.
- Seeing progress in non-linear ways: Small gains in confidence or self-regulation ripple into daily life—mealtimes, socialising, community participation.
- Working with families: BounceOT champions inclusion, ensuring sessions are wheelchair-friendly, autism-friendly, and family-centred.
- Applying theory to practice: Linking sensory processing and motor skills theory to real-time interventions.
Opportunities Beyond the Play Space
Their placement also opened doors to wider learning:
- Attending the 8th National Conference for OT in Diverse Settings—seeing innovation across the profession.
- Meeting Scottish Autism to discuss the LDAN Bill—understanding OT’s advocacy role.
- Training with PAMIS on safe, person-centred moving and handling.
- Visiting Craighalbert Centre and New Struan School—witnessing OT’s impact across the lifespan.
Each experience reinforced a key truth: OT creates possibilities, not limitations.
Why Early Intervention Matters
BounceOT embodies the RCOT campaign message: shifting from crisis-driven care to prevention. By offering inclusive, accessible spaces and supporting families early, BounceOT helps reduce future breakdowns and dependency—embedding meaningful occupation at the core.
Looking Ahead
OT Week reminds us that occupational therapy is about more than interventions—it’s about listening, involving, and empowering. As Beth and Niamh put it:
“Even small changes in how someone engages in life can accumulate into a big difference.”
For Claire, Beth, and Niamh, this week isn’t just a celebration—it’s a call to action. To keep unlocking the power of OT, one meaningful occupation at a time.
Want to learn more about BounceOT and how we champion inclusive, preventive occupational therapy?
Visit our website - Home | BounceOT | Activity Based Occupational Therapy in Stirling
