A newly trained Occupational Therapist is already making a difference to young people at her Worcestershire workplace, after retraining and reshaping her career.
Emma Nokes graduates from the University of Worcester this week with her MSc in Occupational Therapy and has already stepped into a new position at her current employer, community interest company Bonterre.
“We had an Occupational Therapy student come to Bonterre on placement,” said the former Youth Worker. “I loved seeing how the therapy was tailored to the individual needs of the person, and when I looked into the course it really appealed to me.”
Bonterre, based near Worcester, provides alternative education for children and young people who are not thriving in mainstream school settings. The company has grown significantly in recent years.
“When I started four years ago, we would have 6 or 8 students a day, now it’s up to around 25,” she said. “We’ve grown, so in addition to youth workers, we have a psychotherapist, and me as an occupational therapist.”
Emma said she is thrilled to continue working at the organisation, making the shift from youth work to occupational therapy without having to leave the place she feels passionately about.
“As I was nearing the end of my course, I really didn’t want to leave Bonterre, but I also really wanted to be an Occupational Therapist,” she explained. “I spoke to my employers about beginning to offer Occupational Therapy here and they were absolutely on board, so once I qualified, I began in a new role here.”
She added: “I am so grateful for the support I got from my colleagues and my managers throughout my course. I really couldn’t have done this without their flexibility, support, and love.”
Emma said the support she received at the University made a crucial difference during what was a demanding period of balancing work, study, and family life.
“It hasn’t been an easy journey,” she said. “Worcester is a fantastic university. My Personal Academic Tutor was so supportive and understanding of my personal situation. With the pressures of being a working mum doing a Master’s, life did get stressful at times but everyone at the University made sure my placements were accessible and that I had the flexibility I needed.”
Reflecting on the course itself, Emma said the academic and practical challenges helped her grow professionally and personally.
She said: “The course was really varied, and I learned so much. I felt supported, but also pushed. I was told ‘come on, you can do this,’ and that encouragement really helped me, especially when I was outside my comfort zone.”
“I feel incredibly lucky to have been so well supported by everyone,” she added. “It’s incredible to have had the idea to retrain and then get to stay on at a workplace I love.”
Looking back on the journey, Emma said it still feels a little unreal. She added: “It’s a huge achievement, and I do pinch myself sometimes and realise it has all actually happened!”
To find out more about opportunities to train in Occupational Therapy, visit the University of Worcester website.
For information on courses at University of Worcester visit www.worcester.ac.uk or for application enquiries telephone 01905 855111 or email [email protected]