Closomat to host webinar exploring RCOT’s Building Health into Homes report
Closomat is inviting occupational therapists to explore the findings and practical implications of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ landmark Building Health into Homes report during a free webinar on Thursday 20 August.
Titled ‘Building Health into Homes – Why Housing is Every OT’s Business‘, the webinar will be led by Lauren Walker, Professional Adviser at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
Attendees will have the opportunity to hear directly from one of the report’s contributors about its key findings, recommendations and relevance to occupational therapy practice.
Building Health into Homes was launched at a reception hosted by the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Housing and Care for Older People.
Developed through a programme led by RCOT and Foundations, the report examines the relationship between housing and health and sets out evidence-based recommendations intended to influence future housing policy and practice.
Closomat was the principal sponsor of the report, providing funding to support its development and publication. The manufacturer said its involvement reflects its long-standing commitment to promoting independence, dignity and wellbeing through accessible home design.
The report challenges the perception that housing is only relevant to occupational therapists working in specialist housing or social care roles.
Instead, it argues that all occupational therapists can help improve health outcomes by considering a person’s living environment as part of holistic assessment and intervention.
During the webinar, Lauren will discuss the report’s key findings and explain why housing considerations should be embedded across all areas of occupational therapy practice.
She will also explore how closer collaboration between health, housing and social care services can improve outcomes for individuals and communities.
The session is aimed at occupational therapists working across acute care, rehabilitation, community services, mental health, paediatrics, social care and independent practice.
Stephen Edwards, Director of Marketing at Closomat, commented: “At Closomat, we’ve long believed that the homes people live in have a profound impact on their health, independence and quality of life, yet housing is still too often considered separate from health and care.
“We’re proud to have supported the development of Building Health into Homes and are delighted to welcome Lauren Walker to discuss the report with occupational therapists.
“We hope this webinar encourages practitioners from every setting to recognise the important role they can play in improving health outcomes by considering where people live.”
Lauren Walker, Professional Adviser at RCOT, added: “Building Health into Homes demonstrates why that thinking needs to change.
“By considering people’s living environments, occupational therapists across every area of practice can help improve health, independence and wellbeing.
“I’m looking forward to discussing the report’s findings and exploring how we can all make housing part of everyday occupational therapy practice.”
The event will form a special edition of Closomat’s regular professional webinar programme and will give occupational therapists the opportunity to engage directly with RCOT about one of the profession’s most significant recent policy publications.
The free webinar, Building Health into Homes – Why Housing is Every OT’s Business, will take place on Thursday 20 August.
