keytoindependence

A LITTLE INTRO

I think knowing where to start is always the hardest part of any occupation we embark upon. Whether that be organising a party or a trip, choosing your children’s school, redecorating a room in your home, completing an assignment for college, choosing a career ,the list is endless and somewhat daunting but start we always must!

I have been an occupational therapist for over 20 years and of course I started somewhere.

Having been inspired by an OT at a school careers day at a mere 15 years old, I went on to complete my A levels, met the love of my life, moved to York to undertake my degree before moving back to Blackpool to start a rotation in both mental and physical health in 1999.

I rather floated into the specialism of home adaptations in my early 20s as promotions came up and before I knew it I was progressing up the career ladder not really giving it a thought.

I worked both in the NHS and social services sector, assessing and advising people who required home adaptations. I became a lead in supervising staff, training students, working within very busy departments. I worked hard, I carried large caseloads until one day 5 years ago I decided that the path I had found myself on was not perhaps the path I had originally set my sights on. Life had changed, I had new priorities with my family and I found myself at a fork in the road. For the first time in a very long time I realised that I needed to embark on a new journey, a new path, a new start, yet where to start? I had gone full circle.

With the encouragement of family I decided to embark on self employment. I took a leap of faith.

I founded Key to Independence Ltd, an Independent Occupational Therapy practice in Lancashire which provides tailored support and specialist experience to individuals of all ages who are struggling with daily activities at home, school or work.

The company has been a labour of love allowing people in our care the attention they deserve, creating home environments which meet their needs and in turn improving their health and ability to engage in meaningful occupation.

As well as being an OT Im a mum of 2 teenage boys and a funny french bulldog.