Occupational Therapy staff from across the South Eastern Trust came together for a special celebration event in Ards Hospital, to mark Occupational Therapy Week 2025.
The event, attended by Chief Allied Health Professional Officer, Michelle Tennyson, recognised the valuable contribution that Occupational Therapists make to their patients and provided an opportunity to pause, reflect and celebrate the incredible work they do every day.
This year’s theme, “Right Support, Right Time: Unlocking the Power of OT,” highlights how Occupational Therapists empower people to live life to the fullest by supporting them to participate in the everyday activities that matter most.
Presentations were delivered by Michelle Tennyson and Dr Gill Ward from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, with South Eastern Trust Lead Occupational Therapist, Caroline Baisley, showcasing the range of Occupational Therapy services provided across the Trust area.
Occupational Therapists Joshua Kendall and Michelle Davidson also shared personal insights into their journeys into the profession and why they chose Occupational Therapy as a career.
Joshua explained, “I became an Occupational Therapist as a kind of transition of care, having previously worked in youth work and wanting to develop further into care practice.
I really enjoy the creativity of the role and treating the person as an individual, looking at their environment, their social and cultural background and working collaboratively to find solutions that fit their lives. It is the creativity and individualistic approach that drew me to Occupational Therapy over other professions.”
The afternoon concluded with an awards presentation recognising staff for their outstanding contribution to improving patient care.
Technical Instructor, Paul McCormack, was named Support Worker of the Year for his expertise in assisting Occupational Therapists with wheelchair assessment and provision. Nicola Jess, from the Community Equipment Service, was awarded Runner-up in the category, who is affectionately described as the “Equipment Guru” for her extensive knowledge and attention to detail.
Four Rising Star Awards were presented to Occupational Therapists, Stefanie Harrington, Lauryn Hanna, Hannah Jones, and Rachel Muir, who each demonstrated exceptional commitment, compassion and dedication to their patients and Service Users.
Hannah Watson was crowned Outstanding Occupational Therapist of the Year. Hannah works across three Community Mental Health Teams in the Ards locality and was nominated by several multidisciplinary colleagues. She has been praised for her dedication and leadership in a challenging role as the only Occupational Therapist within a team of 30 Nurses. Joint runners-up in this category were Christine McMahon and Jane Mitchell,
The Occupational Therapy Team of the Year Award went to the Adult Learning Disability Team, a dynamic group of six therapists supported by a technical instructor and two Occupational Therapy staff members. The team has achieved measurable improvements in occupational performance, health and well-being for individuals and families and are leading the way with innovative approaches and continuous professional development. Runners-up included the Early Review Team, House 10 Mental Health Team and the Healthcare in Prison Mental Health Team at Maghaberry.
Congratulating all Occupational Therapy staff for their continued innovation and dedication, Chief Allied Health Professional Officer, Michelle Tennyson, said, “It is fantastic to be able to celebrate the value of all Occupational Therapy colleagues and Assistant Practitioners. What is critically important is not just profiling our profession, but profiling the difference we make every single day.”
“Our Health Minister has set a clear vision for supporting people to live well in their own homes and communities. The culture, values and skills of Occupational Therapists are integral to making that vision a reality. This is a really important time for Occupational Therapists to shout out loud about what they can contribute.”
Caroline Baisley, added, “Occupational Therapy Week is a key opportunity to recognise the wide-reaching impact our profession has on people’s lives. The theme this year focuses on ensuring the right support is delivered at the right time, bringing our services to people in a preventative way to help avoid crises and promote independence.”
