Royal College of Occupational Therapists

04/09/2026

What does occupational therapy look like in the community? In people’s homes? And what would happen if your local politician could see it for themselves?

Meet the OT gives Members of the Senedd the opportunity to spend a day alongside an occupational therapist and see the profession in action.
By experiencing the role first-hand, decision makers can gain a clearer understanding of the breadth and impact of occupational therapy in community settings — from supporting people in their own homes to helping them participate in everyday life.

Read our blog via the link in the comments, and email [email protected] if you’d like to invite your local MP/MSP/MS/AM to experience occupational therapy first-hand.

03/09/2026

New episode alert 🎙️

The Advanced Practice podcast is back, and this week we're getting into Influencing Change at Scale with Jerry Stickney.

Advanced practice in OT is moving fast and these are the conversations shaping where the profession is headed next.

Whether you're leading change in your service or just starting to explore advanced practice, this one's for you.

Listen to the full episode 👉

In this episode of RCOT’s Career Conversations about advanced and c...

02/09/2026

Netflix, we're ready whenever you are 🎬

If you had 30 seconds to tell the world one thing about occupational therapy, what would it be?

📸

01/09/2026

We welcome this announcement, which will help reduce financial barriers for occupational therapy students in England. Supporting learners with placement costs is an important step towards making the profession more accessible and strengthening the diversity of the future occupational therapy workforce.

In the last academic year, more than 9,500 people were studying to become occupational therapists, with over 7,900 of those learners based in England. We are proud that occupational therapy attracts people from a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and characteristics, bringing diverse perspectives that help the profession better understand and support the communities it serves.

This investment is a positive step towards ensuring that financial circumstances are not a barrier to pursuing a career in occupational therapy:

From 2026 to 2027, eligible healthcare students can get travel and accommodation costs upfront, easing financial pressure and supporting rural placements.

01/09/2026

Congratulations Anita Atwal! Welcome to the Fellowship 🏅

Your work in culturally responsive practice, equitable access to services and safer hospital discharge, along with your commitment to mentoring emerging researchers and practitioners from underrepresented backgrounds, is exactly why this recognition is so well deserved.

Thank you for everything you do. 👏

31/08/2026

What's on? 📌

We've got a few dates worth adding to your diary this autumn. 🍂

Whether you're looking to learn something new or connect with the OT community, there's something here for you.

Find out more and book your spot 👉https://bit.ly/4icVA7E

28/08/2026

Follow along OT Hannah’s week 👀

From hospital to mental health settings, she offers a glimpse into the variety this profession offers.

What did your day look like today?

28/08/2026

A new episode of the advanced practice podcast is out now. 🎧

Advanced practice in occupational therapy is evolving and the conversations shaping where the profession is headed are ones every OT needs to hear. This episode dives into Leading through Curiosity with Eleanor Corbett and it's well worth your time. 👉

Listen to the full episode 👉 https://bit.ly/3SyayKX

In this episode of RCOT’s Career Conversations about advanced and c...

27/08/2026

Nature as medicine 🦦 🌳

Across the country, occupational therapists are working alongside organisations like Natural England to bring nature based therapy to more people who need it.

In Bradford, this has grown into weekly allotment groups, nature support worker roles and new partnerships with mental health teams. One participant shared how the allotment gives them "a purpose to get up in the morning."

OTs, does your workplace have access to green space?

Take a look at how these projects are changing lives 👉 https://bit.ly/4g7IZ4e

26/08/2026

People choose to dedicate their lives to occupational therapy for many different reasons.

Maybe it was seeing OT in action. Maybe a conversation sparked something in you. Or maybe it was something else entirely.

However you got here, we're glad you did, and we'd love to hear your story 👇

📸 Pictured here is CEO Gary Waltham on one of his many trips across the UK, listening directly to OTs on the ground.