The OT’s Perspective: Say hello to the Cardiff Independent Living and Rehabilitation Centre
By Stuart Barrow
Ever since I was young, I always wanted to do something to make people’s lives better.
I believe passionately that the more we help our fellow humans in life, the more meaningful our life becomes; it’s something of a maxim that I’ve attempted to live by for the past 40 years.
Of course, it’s what led me into occupational therapy and then into adaptations. It was there that I found real value and meaning – allowing people to live their best life possible – no matter their personal circumstances – was so rewarding.
OTAC was the next step, empowering as many occupational therapists as I could, as well as helping retailers of life-changing equipment and services get their message out to a wider audience.
For a while now, I’ve felt that there’s been a logical final step for me and my team and I’ve been working hard at it, dotting the Is and crossing the Ts.
And finally, I can now officially reveal that the Cardiff Independent Living and Rehabilitation Centre will be opening in 2021.
The centre will feature a fully equipped Changing Places facility, a sensory room, a rebound therapy room and sensory integration throughout. Plus, it’ll be available for OTs, retailers and manufacturers alike for training, treatment, assessments, along with whatever else it can be useful for.
Our own occupational therapy practice will operate out of the centre and we’ll also be running live, in-person training from the training suite too.
“I’ve long felt that the more integrated OTs and the commercial sector can be, the better the end product delivered to the client: The centre is the next step in that direction.” Stuart Barrow
We’ll have plenty of on-site parking, a good-size kitchen and it’ll be perfectly located, just off the A48 in east Cardiff, making it easily accessible for those who are travelling.
In short, it’ll be a one-stop-shop for occupational therapists and the companies and individuals who work closely with them and I know that it’s going to add a huge amount of value to our community.
How can you get involved?
I firmly believe that our industry is stronger as a whole, rather than as fragmented people working in silos.
I’ve long felt that the more integrated OTs and the commercial sector can be, the better the end product delivered to the client: The centre is the next step in that direction.
I believe that companies will be able to get a huge amount of value from using the centre, either to liaise with occupational therapists or to hold their own sessions and demonstrations there.
Simply put, it will be a space designed and devoted to improving people’s lives and if that’s what your product is devoted to, you’ll find a warm welcome at the Cardiff Independent Living and Rehabilitation Centre.
If you’d like to talk personally about how you can get involved with the Centre, and how it may be able to help you achieve the goals of your organisation, I’d welcome a conversation – call me anytime on 02921 900402 or email me at stuat@promoting-independence.co.uk
Stuart Barrow of Promoting Independence is a member of the British Association of Occupational Therapists panel and a recognised contributor in the field of home adaptations. His experience is sought by manufacturers and service providers looking for an expert opinion. He also runs the Occupational Therapy Adaptations Conference
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