Occupational Therapy students take storm at Harlington Hospice
Temi and Venetia, Occupational Therapy (OT) students from Brunel University arrived at Harlington Hospice with the aim to implement aspects of OT into the service. The students worked hard from the beginning to identify the needs of the local community. Building rapport with the locals has been a privilege and a great deal of fun and en-joyment. A relaxation group has been set up which takes place every Monday at the Reg Hopkins Centre, 1.30-3.30 being described as "a lovely group, it is nice not to be judged and just be accepted, a place to share experiences and helped with finding an inner calm".
The group created a dynamic learning environment where people feel supported and leave feeling ‘relaxed’. An informal art group has proved a huge success. A ‘tree of life project’ has been developed which features individually handcrafted leaves from all those involved with the Hospice. This has been a particularly lovely project as everybody from volunteer, patient and employee has joined in. "I found the art work very therapeutic….. seeing the end result of the tree of life was fantastic, it was nice to be a part of a group activity whilst also retaining your individuality". This is now on show in the Hospice. The overall experience has provided invaluable learning, challenges and memorable moments which will be fondly remembered.
