This issue celebrates our LGBTQIA+ members, colleagues and our volunteer members.
- In the UK, June is celebrated every year as Pride month, a time for LGBTQIA+ communities to come together, celebrate their diversity and lift each other up. Over the past year, the RCOT LGBTQIA+ Expert Advisory Group and internal RCOT LGBTQIA+ Colleague Network have collaborated to explore the needs of our occupational therapy community needs from our professional body.
- On pages 16–18, Thomas Williams, Hannah Spencer, Louis Prime and Joanne Baker offer insightful perspectives on ‘behind the scenes’ work and opportunities for personal reflection.
- Volunteers Week, held from 3-9 June, celebrated volunteers and their contribution to society. Over the past year, more than 350 members volunteered with RCOT, making significant contributions to our organisation, communities and the profession. RCOT is reimagining our communities, exploring how technology can help us and evaluating flexible volunteer opportunities. Read more on pages 11–13.
- Also, on page 14–15, we feature the third article in our governance review series, highlighting its importance and detailing two proposed changes by Council for members to vote on at this year’s AGM.
- And if you’ve been waiting for news on how we’re making our Workforce Strategy a reality, on Tuesday 7 May, RCOT met with key decision-makers in government, NHS England and other organisations to discuss how to achieve our goals for the occupational therapy workforce. We bring you the highlights of this roundtable event on page 10.
Read on to discover these stories and more in this issue.
Get featured in OTnews!
Share your story, service development, improvement journey or practice placement experience by contacting Tracey Samuels, our Editorial and Design Manager, at editorial@rcot.co.uk.