Occupational Therapy Week falls from Monday 2nd to Sunday 8th November this year, and throughout the week we are going to introduce you to some of the wonderful OTs at St Barnabas Hospice, and talk about the difference they make for our patients.
Next up, it’s Rachel Marjoribanks who has been an occupational therapist at St Barnabas Hospice since 2014.
Rachel said, “I cover the north-west of Lincolnshire, working both within the Inpatient Unit and out in the community.
“I always knew I wanted to work with people and I love problem solving. Unfortunately I didn’t know that occupational therapy existed at age eighteen, but one psychology degree later I randomly came across an occupational therapy website. I read one page about what OTs do and decided it was for me! Three more years of studying and I then began my occupational therapy career.
“I love the opportunity for positive risk taking – enabling people to get out of bed, be more mobile and achieve their goals of independence when prior to our input they have felt like there was no hope and they were just waiting to die. Getting a gentleman out into the garden to feel the sunshine on his face when he was ‘supposed to be dying’ is a personal favourite memory of mine.
“My favourite thing about this role is the freedom we have to think creatively and truly be patient centred. We have a great line manager – Jenny – who is our biggest supporter in this!”
Our occupational therapists all do an amazing job and we couldn’t be prouder of them. Well done everyone, and please keep up the great work! #ChooseOT