Manx Care’s Occupational Therapy team have successfully delivered its Occupation Matters Programme for its second time.
The programme aims to help service users identify personal goals related to their occupations and explore the barriers preventing them from achieving them.
Occupation Matters focuses on key areas including meaningful occupation, community engagement, daily routines, mental and physical activity along with healthy eating. Throughout the programme, participants have the opportunity to develop valuable skills such as problem-solving, decision-making, communication and condition self-management to support independence and engagement in meaningful daily activities.
Feedback from attendees highlights the positive impact the programme has had on their mental health, confidence and overall wellbeing, helping reduce symptoms of depression and social anxiety. Many people reported feeling better equipped to manage anxiety, build social connections and take positive steps towards their goals.
Participant feedback included:
- ‘I feel like I can be more sociable’
- ‘Occupation Matters has changed my life’
- ‘I know it’s about now using the skills to keep building my life forward’
- ‘It’s made me more confident’
- ‘Helped me meet new people’
If you are over aged 18 and are experiencing moderate to moderately severe common mental health problems, such as anxiety, depression and trauma, you can find details on how to self-refer via the Community Wellbeing Service webpage.
Entry to the programme is subject to referral and confirmation that the individual meets the eligibility criteria.
Occupational Therapist, Cassie Haywood, reflected:
‘We are extremely pleased with the outcomes of the Occupation Matters Programme, which has now been successfully delivered twice. We recognise that mental health challenges can affect many people across the Island, so it is incredibly rewarding to see participants grow in confidence and make positive changes that matter to them.
By listening to, engaging with and supporting our service users, we can help individuals develop the skills, routines and confidence needed to improve their wellbeing and quality of life. Seeing participants leave the programme feeling more connected, capable and optimistic about the future is a fantastic achievement for everyone involved.’
Pictured (left to right): Matthew, Jo (Occupational Therapist), Jane, Kay, Jay, Ben, Tracey (Occupational Therapist Technical Instructor) and Cassie (Occupational Therapist).
