#79 Helping to see the person behind the patient  with OT Justine Robinson

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Justine Robinson, Occupational Therapist and Wellbeing Services manager at the Pilgrims Hospice. I learn about the role of an Occupational Therapist and we talk about how therapy work can help find the person in a patient. I learn too about the innovative Blackbird project, the story behind the project and how it is helping to make precious memories.

Key messages from guest

• Justin is an Occupational Therapist with 25 years experience

• Justine describes how an illness can prevent a person from engaging in the things that are important to them

• Occupational Therapy enables someone to “become a person again”

• Justine describes the importance upstreaming discussions to plan ahead and avoid crises

• The importance of role models for communication is highlighted

• Legacy work, the ability to reflect on a life an a life’s stories is a key part of Justine’s role

• Creative writing is a valuable area of Justine’s work and a way of supporting memoirs and stories

• Blackbird is a voice recording project giving people a space to think about and record memories

• Justine talks about working with people who have traditionally had barriers to accessing palliative care

• Justine closes by reminding us all of the importance to engage early with planning ahead

Resource

• Read about The Blackbird Project

• Let the music play on: Neil creates lasting legacy with the Blackbird Project 

• #InAGoodPlace: Preparing for death, dying and bereavement

• Listen to the podcast: “Talking about dying doesn’t make it happen” – A conversation with The Waiting Room Revolution

• Roundtable on End of Life Care and Bereavement

Bio: 

Justine has been an Occupational therapist for 25 years. She has worked at Pilgrims hospices for the last 12, starting as an OT, she currently works as therapy and wellbeing services manager, looking after OT, physio, complementary therapy and pilgrim’s therapy centres. Justine’s interests related to ACP include using creative approaches to engage people who experience barriers and inequalities to accessing good palliative care and holistic ACP. She leads on the Blackbird project which is a voice recording project to enable people with life limiting illness time to reflect on their life and record what matters to them.