Reimagining communities
We know how valued communities and the networking opportunities they offer are to our members so we're reimagining our communities model and exploring how technology can help us connect and collaborate more effectively.
Our vision for communities
Our vision is to create inclusive communities where all members can find a place to share, learn and network based on their region, area of practice, career level or professional interest. We want all members to benefit from the wealth of experience across our diverse membership. We'll do that by developing a series of practice, professional and regional networks.
Join our vibrant community of volunteers?
RCOT Communities
Our networks will be inclusive and easily accessible spaces for all members, enabling you to find, meet and come together with others with a shared interest and support your development needs.
They'll be hosted on RCOT Communities, a new community engagement platform enabling members to be part of more than one network at any time. You'll be able to enjoy and access a wide range of activities and resources and participate in community sharing and collaboration with each other - all as part of your RCOT membership.
RCOT Communities is currently being tested by a selection of members and groups and will be available to all members in 2025.
What our new approach to communities will offer members
When it launches, RCOT Communities will offer members the opportunity to:
- explore an area of practice or professional issue
- connect and network with others across career levels and with diverse experiences
- share resources and access learning and development opportunities
- use your expertise to curate and create activities, opportunities and resources which support the development of the occupational therapy workforce and service provision in focused areas
- find opportunities to be advocates and leaders within areas of expertise and to represent the voice of occupational therapy at a strategic level.
More about our new networks
Together with our volunteers, we’ve agreed the following practice networks will be ready for you to engage with when we launch. You’ll see they expand on our previous specialisms to recognise further areas of practice.
| Acute and emergency care | Healthy ageing | Neurological practice |
| Children, young people and families | Inclusive built environments | Oncology |
| Dementia care | Learning disabilities | Palliative and end of life care |
| Frailty | Long-term conditions | Primary care |
| Health and work | Mental health | Social care |
There will also be regional networks and two professional networks: Research Connect and Independent Practitioners. We'll have a good range of networks for launch but will continuously refine these based on member's needs.
Transitioning to our new approach
To make way for this new community model, all our current communities will be changing the way they operate so we can transition them to the new model and be ready to launch the networks for all members in 2025.
We'll continue to develop our communities including more targeted ones in due course.