Introductions from Odeth and Steve

I believe that every member has a crucial role to play and it’s vital that everyone, and I mean everyone, feels welcome and heard within our professional body. My priority is to help engage with all our members and ensure that equality and inclusion is at the heart of all the work we do for you.    

I’m incredibly proud of the way we’ve co-created our Equity, Diversity and Belonging (EDB) Strategy. It’s been shaped and guided by a wide range of voices and perspectives across the profession, including members, staff and public contributors. 

We’re learning from past mistakes, and we’ll continue to learn, develop and change along the way. We might not always get it right, but we’ll take action and we’ll learn and adapt as we go. 

Delivering occupation-focused, person-centred intervention is at the heart of what we do. We can only do that well by recognising that each of us is unique and influenced by our environments and experiences. That’s why it’s essential that, as occupational therapists, we work hard to show leadership in this area.     

We believe we’ve created a bold, ambitious strategy that recognises the challenge of becoming an anti-discriminatory and anti-racist organisation; an organisation that not only meets but exceeds our legal obligations and works hard to deliver our organisational values and professional standards. 

Of course, words alone are never enough. So, we’ll keep working with our members, staff and stakeholders, both to deliver this strategy and continue to learn. 

For us, equity, diversity and belonging aren’t optional extras that only affect certain people. These issues affect everyone, both within and beyond our profession – and we are all responsible. 

Occupational therapy helps you live your best life at home, at work – and everywhere else. Occupational therapists help people of every race, gender, sexual orientation, age, religion, class and ability to do the things they need or want to do. Yet, as a profession, we don’t currently reflect the population we serve. 

Every experience of racism, discrimination and injustice is unacceptable and inexcusable. Yet our staff, members and learners continue to have negative experiences.                 
Every voice has a right to be heard. Yet many in our profession remain unheard and under-represented. 

It’s clear that as an organisation, we’ve got things wrong in the past and that change has been slow in coming. We take responsibility for our part in the longstanding and perpetuated discrimination within the profession.         

We’ve got a long way to go. We might not always get it right. But we are committed to anti-racism and anti-discrimination in every context.                 

Our Equity, Diversity and Belonging Strategy will guide us on our journey to creating a culture of authenticity and belonging, where everyone is welcomed, celebrated, supported, recognised and valued. Where everyone feels they belong as their true and authentic selves. I’m really proud that it’s been created from the views and voices of our members, stakeholders and staff. 

Equity, diversity and belonging is all our responsibility. I promise to always champion equity, diversity and belonging, to oppose discrimination, and demonstrate effective allyship. 
Together, we’ll create an organisation and profession that we can all be proud of.