Sophie Allison of Central and North-West London Mental Health Trust addresses placement setting, roles and outcomes, challenges and considerations of volunteering as an OT in Sri Lanka. COT Annual Conference 2010 (22-25 June 2010)

1. Working as a Volunteer Occupational Therapist in Sri Lanka Sophie Allison Central and North-West London Mental Health Trust

2. Outline Description of Placement setting Roles and Outcomes Challenges and considerations What I gained Any questions?

4. Employed by NGO-Nivahana Society

5. Aims of NGO to develop, primary, secondary and tertiary mental health services in the Central Province through partnership with the Ministry of Health

7. OT Role To work with local OTs to share skills and support development of their services To support development of residential rehabilitation services To introduce training in mental health community rehabilitation to primary care workers

8. 1. Develop OT Services 3 locally trained OTs in Central Province covering 2 day services Lack of clinical/managerial support/links to other OTs Space/income- reliance on income generating projects Limited allied health professionals providing psychosocial interventions

9. Volunteer actions/outcomes Formal /informal training goal setting, groupwork , OT models Assessment formats/goal sheets/documentation Diversifying range of therapeutic activities more structured groups with outcome measures Supporting managerial skills-setting standards Job descriptions/policies and procedures

10. Supporting MDT work – community training –consultancy role in rehabilitation services patient services Developing links with other services/ promoting role of OT /management structure Assisting with project proposals/funding -establishing new day centre with MDT

12. 2. Residential rehabilitation units 2 units -adults severe and enduring - clients aiming to stay for approx 6-12months Remote settings- previously abandoned hospitals Medical officer and untrained staff Clients from all over the province Family contact variable

14. Diversifying the range of therapeutic activities

15. Use of individualised goals and care planning

19. Previous training in basic mental health

20. Training changed to include child mental health

21. Focus on training the trainers and providing training packages

24. Political changes –local /national

25. Adjusting expectations

26. “Not another public holiday!”/pace of change

27. Sustainability

28. Being different

30. A broader view of service development and different model /approaches Having time to think Increased clinical confidence and generic skills And ......