At our King’s Norton Hospital in Birmingham, a dedicated team of professionals supports the journey to recovery for patients over 18 with severe and complex mental health conditions.

Among them is Kaim, an Occupational Health Therapist committed to helping patients regain their independence and reduce hospital readmissions.

In this interview, Kaim shares the Occupational Health team’s approach to occupational therapy, their collaborative efforts, and their positive impact on patients’ lives.

What does occupational therapy at King’s Norton Hospital entail?

Kaim: Occupational therapy is about therapy through activities. The aim is to promote independence and improve overall functioning, helping patients engage in meaningful activities to enhance their quality of life.

We work as a team here – Aisha and I as Occupational Therapists (OTs) and Chelsey and Regan, as the Occupational Therapy Assistants (OTAs) – to run various groups for patients.

One key focus is our Active Rec initiative, which includes gym sessions, community football, and boxing. We also take patients on mindfulness walks.

We facilitate activities like cricket or football in the courtyards for those who can’t leave the hospital grounds. These activities encourage physical and social engagement, combining skills from psychology and mindfulness practices.

What kind of activities do you run to help with practical life skills?

Kaim: This is a big part of our work. Helping patients build practical skills that they’ll need in the community is important. For example, we have a kitchen skills group, where patients work on their cooking abilities, improving everything from their cognitive function to their everyday living skills.

We focus on safety, learning new skills, and giving them structure so they’re better prepared for life after the hospital.

We also run groups in partnership with other disciplines, including music therapy, art psychotherapies, and psychology services. A recent addition is animal therapy, with a therapy dog coming in once a week, introduced by Aisha.

Not everyone connects with traditional therapies, so we’ve found that these alternatives help some of our patients.

How do you ensure that the therapy you offer suits the diverse needs of the patients?

Kaim: That’s a key part of what we do. Every patient is different, and not everyone wants the same help. Some patients don’t respond well to traditional talk therapies, and others might not be up for physical activity.

We’re all about offering choices.

Some patients prefer engaging with a therapy dog, while others benefit from more physical activities like community football or boxing. We also run community meetings where patients can give us feedback – positive or negative, which directly influences what we do.

It’s important that the patients feel heard, and we work with them to figure out what they need.

What partnerships or external resources do you collaborate with?

Kaim: We’re very committed to connecting our patients with resources outside the hospital that can support their recovery. For example, we have strong links with Aston Villa Football Club, where the club help support our patients with football activities.

We also partner with local boxing gyms and have connections with Fircroft College of Adult Education, a mental health college in Birmingham, to help patients transition into education or work.

We also work with Shawtrust, an employment agency that helps our patients find work once they are ready. We’re proactive in ensuring our patients are set up for life after the hospital.

How do you incorporate feedback from the patients into the therapy you provide?

Kaim: We have a system called ‘You Said We Did’, where we log actions and feedback.

For example, patients requested a pool table, so we got one. Our patients also requested community outings, so we’ve built links with external organisations and facilitated monthly trips.

We also track our progress using action plans, which helps keep us accountable. If an action hasn’t been met, we take it seriously and review why it has not happened.

What impact have you seen from your work with patients?

Kaim: The impact has been positive. Some of our patients had been in and out of the hospital 20 or 30 times. But after engaging with our therapy programs, they’ve transitioned into supported accommodation, and we’ve seen them thrive in the community.

After working with us, we’ve had patients who have gone on to volunteer, work, or even attend college. One of the key quotes we live by here is, “Therapy breaks revolving door patients.”

We aim to break the cycle of readmissions and help people live independent lives outside of the hospital.

Have there been any misconceptions about occupational therapy or your team’s approach?

Kaim: Absolutely.

One misconception is that therapy is often forced onto patients, which can make it feel unhelpful. We’ve learned that treatment only works if the patient wants to engage with it. It’s not about pushing them but offering them space to engage when they’re ready.

Some of our patients have expressed how refreshing it is to have us spend time with them without a white coat and papers. It’s about building relationships and treating them as individuals, not just as patients.

Sometimes, a patient just needs someone to listen, not just more therapy.

What skills has the team developed from running these initiatives?

Kaim: The most significant skill we’ve developed is being patient-centred and taking the time to understand each patient.

It’s not just about what’s on paper but how the patient presents themselves and what they need.

Aisha made a good point about being “all ears” sometimes. It’s not always about giving therapy; sometimes, patients just need space. That’s what we do: provide patients with the time and attention they need to feel heard and supported.

We’ve also learned much from collaborating with other departments, such as music therapy, psychology, and external organisations.

We thank Kaim for taking the time to do this interview. If you would like to learn more about Kings Norton Hospital and its work supporting adults of all genders with severe and complex mental health conditions, click here.