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Occupational Therapy Excellence Awards 2025 Winners Announced


The second Occupational Therapy Excellence Awards took place on 20th June this year, honouring the incredible work of occupational therapists, professionals, and organisations in this sector.

 

A glittering lunchtime ceremony was planned for a sunny Friday afternoon at the National Conference Centre in Birmingham. Guests received a red-carpet welcome at the elegant entrance and were ushered in to enjoy a glass of fizz and to network and meet colleagues and peers before lunch.

 

The venue served as a fitting celebratory venue in a large ballroom with luxurious banqueting tables and the stage set for an afternoon of accolades. We were lucky enough to be in attendance as the official media partner of the Awards, to enjoy a delicious three-course lunch as we excitedly anticipated the beginning of the ceremony. We were also honoured to be presenting an award on the day, alongside the event’s show partner The OT Show who were also in attendance to support this event.

 

The Awards were once again expertly led by Rosie Pickering, one of the organisers of the Awards, and she seamlessly took us on a journey to celebrate the winners and the profession of occupational therapy.

 

The room was filled with enthusiastic winners and supportive cheers and claps resonated around the room following each award. There was a true show of peer support and celebration throughout the day, it was a fitting tribute to the profession, and we can’t wait for next year!

 

Judges

A big thank you is extended to the judges who were involved in reviewing this year’s entries:

 

Suzy Baker, SEND Educational Content Lead, Twinkl

Matthew Box, Director, Inclusion.me

Joanna Sale, Director, Dignity Access

Kate Sheehan, Director, KSOT

 

Winners of the OTE Awards

 

AWARD WINNERS 2025

 

PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE CATEGORIES

 

 

The Paediatric Regional Acquired Brain Injury Service provides expert consultation and training to staff working with children who have experienced an acquired brain injury. The service-facing service, aims to upskill staff across Northern Ireland, working in any sector, who may encounter these children. The goal is that the hidden difficulties associated with children's acquired brain injury will be better recognised, understood and ultimately the needs will be better managed within health, education and the wider community.

 

Excellence in Adult Practice

 

The ARBI Unit in Belfast, is a residential rehabilitation unit for individuals with diagnosis of alcohol related brain injury, commissioned by Leonard Cheshire who recognised the challenges in accessing services for this population. I have developed, implemented and progressed the neurorehabilitation service, which is now used as a model of excellence for services in Wales and Republic of Ireland. The programme focuses on engagement in meaningful activity, neuroeducation, addiction management, personal wellbeing and cognitive rehabilitation. The service has greatly improved quality of life for residents, resulting in safe return to the community with an alcohol relapse rate of only 17%.

 

Excellence in Rehab and Reablement

 

Cheshire and Merseyside Rehabilitation Network (CMRN) is a collaboration of organisations delivering rehabilitation services from hyper-acute to community rehabilitation across the region. Occupational therapists are a core member of the MDT and actively participate in education and quality improvement initiatives across the network as well as leading in specialist rehabilitation services such as Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness and Vocational Rehabilitation Pathways.

 

Excellence with mental health

Winner – Trauma OT Trauma OT is a York based occupational therapy service that offers a non-judgemental and compassion-focused approach to practice. We provide assessment and treatment for children and adults who have been exposed to trauma and are experiencing a range of functional problems, including difficulties related to being neurodivergent, dissociative symptoms, sensory processing issues, and emotional dysregulation. Focusing on sensory and attachment-based issues we help people repair and re-build their lives using occupational therapy in its purest form. Trauma OT work collaboratively with individuals, parents/carers, schools, local authorities and other independent organisations and health professionals.

 

Excellence with Neuro

 

The Paediatric Regional Acquired Brain Injury Service provides expert consultation and training to staff working with children who have experienced an acquired brain injury. The service-facing service, aims to upskill staff across Northern Ireland, working in any sector, who may encounter these children. The goal is that the hidden difficulties associated with children's acquired brain injury will be better recognised, understood and ultimately the needs will be better managed within health, education and the wider community.

 

Excellence in Work and Health Rehab Service Winner - Kemple View Hospital, Priory Group

 

Strengthening vocational pathways to help service users identify roles, build belonging, and empower recovery through skill development and job opportunities.


OTE Award winner

 

Excellence in Community Services/Peer Support Winner - Moffat Makomo

 

This initiative addresses the challenges neurodiverse children face with toothbrushing, focusing on sensory processing, motor skills, emotional regulation, and postural control. Rather than emphasising dentist shortages, the program supports children through interdisciplinary collaboration, integrating occupational therapy, nursing, and oral health education. Practical workshops for parents and SEN schools provided tailored strategies, including sensory-friendly toothbrushes, tasteless toothpaste, and engaging apps like Pokémon Smile. Training sessions equipped staff with tools to support children effectively. By addressing the root causes of toothbrushing difficulties, this project empowered families, improved oral hygiene habits, and established a sustainable model for long-term support in SEN.

 

Excellence in Integrated Service

 

The Rapid Intervention in End-of-Life (RIPEL) Project has reduced hospital admission and length of stay for those who wish to remain at home for end-of-life care. This has been achieved through the integration of the SPC (specialist palliative care) multi-disciplinary team and non-specialist acute and community services. SPC occupational therapists re-designed the SPC therapy team to integrate into RIPEL with increased visibility. Consequently, RIPEL became integrated within routine SPC therapy service provision, alongside existing services. Successful patient outcomes and positive feedback, alongside high levels of occupational therapy involvement in RIPEL demonstrates SPC occupational therapy excellence in integrated services.

 

Excellence in Training

 

The Peer Support Worker (PSW) Training Programme was developed to address a gap in structured, high-quality training for individuals with lived experience of mental health challenges who wish to support others. The programme is underpinned by occupational therapy research and models to provide a rigorous standardised training.

 

Excellence in Emerging Roles

 

The value of occupational therapy within hospice care is widely known, however locally the role was unfamiliar and misunderstood for many years. Through the application of an occupational therapy model of practice, specific assessment methods and intervention and evaluation of outcomes, the value and impact of the profession is now firmly established. Having the opportunity of an emerging Advanced Care/Clinical Practitioner (ACP) role, work has taken place and will continue to be embedded to showcase the value of occupational therapy within hospice care and ensure Lindsey Lodge evolves and fulfils its organisational ethos of being ‘always there to care.’

 

Best Start-up Winner - Cognishine

 

Cognishine is transforming occupational therapy through an innovative digital platform designed specifically for occupational therapists. With personalised, evidence-based activities tailored to enhance functional outcomes, the platform empowers OTs to deliver effective, engaging, and goal-oriented interventions. It supports diverse cultural and linguistic needs, ensuring inclusivity and relevance for all clients.


OTE Award winner

 

Excellence in Charity Sector

Winner – Designability

 

The Wizzybug Loan Scheme, run by disability charity Designability, provides fully funded long-term loans of Wizzybug powered wheelchairs. Specifically designed for very young children who are experiencing difficulties in their ability to walk, Wizzybug fills a vital gap in the provision of early years powered mobility. Founded in 2013, over 1500 families having benefitted from the Wizzybug Loan Scheme, with 2024 achieving the highest number of Wizzybug handovers to date. Once a child outgrows their Wizzybug, it is returned to the charity where it is refurbished and ready to be loaned to another family.

 

 

Cup-O-T exemplifies excellence in the charity sector, delivering innovative, evidence-based, and impactful mental health interventions. Through collaboration, creativity, and occupational therapy expertise, we are transforming young people’s access to mental health support and improving their long-term wellbeing. We are striving to support system change and create a community that collaborates to have a larger impact. We are proud to be the VCSE representative on local Health and Wellbeing Boards and co-lead for the mental health priority delivery group.

  

 

SUPPLIER CATEGORIES

 

Best Professional or Business Service Provider

 

We are a trusted service provider to case managers supporting individuals with scar management following catastrophic injury.

 

Excellence in Telecare

Winner – Cognishine

 

Cognishine revolutionises Telecare with a device-agnostic digital platform that seamlessly delivers remote therapy on any internet-connected device—smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop—without requiring downloads, logins, or specialised hardware. The platform’s interactive shared boards and screen sharing capabilities enable dynamic, engaging tele-practice sessions, supporting both synchronous and asynchronous interactions. Clients can access activities by simply clicking a link or scanning a QR code, ensuring maximum accessibility and independence. By removing technological barriers and integrating with any teleconferencing tool, Cognishine empowers therapists to deliver flexible, effective, and client-centred telecare.

 

Excellence in Equipment Innovation

 

The WashPod range of temporary, disabled wetrooms has been designed by modular specialists and inclusive design architects to provide a rapid, dignified bathing solution like no other. They allow people to remain in their own home, or to return home, when access to their bathroom is no longer possible due to disability or immobility. With eight different sizes to suit most needs and spaces, both internal and external, they can be rented or bought and installed in as little as half a day. They are re-useable and plug ‘n play, which means that they require no major adaptations.

 

Best Specialist Trainer Winner – Parent Health Hub

 

Alice is a specialist occupational therapist and founder of the Parent Health Hub, a platform dedicated to helping parents manage emotional challenges such as overwhelm, outbursts, dysregulation, stress and anxiety. Alice has worked in healthcare for over a decade and recognises the indispensable link between parental health and child development. The Parent Health Hub applies this philosophy to parenting challenges, offering personalised consultations, workshops and online courses to address the health needs of parents both at home and in the workplace. These courses are accessible to individual parents or organisations seeking to support employee wellbeing and retention.


OTE Award winner

 

Excellence in Software and Software Development

Winner - Cognishine

 

Cognishine revolutionises occupational therapy with an Agile SaaS platform that evolves through continuous clinician feedback and a lean development approach. New for 2025, Cognishine introduces adaptive catalogue reshuffling, allowing therapists to dynamically reorganise activities based on their settings and caseloads. This personalises workflows to match unique therapeutic needs. The platform is fully device-agnostic, requiring no specialised hardware or logins, ensuring seamless access on any device. Shared self-practice boards promote engagement through links or QR codes. By embracing agility, relevance, and clinical effectiveness, Cognishine sets a new standard in software development and digital therapy.

 

Most Effective Social Media Influencer

Winner – Dr Teresa Joyce

 

I have used TikTok to promote the occupational therapy profession, provide general advice regarding neurodevelopmental disorders, and to support occupational therapy students. This account has been very successful, gaining 26,000 followers and 100,000 weekly impressions. I have also received feedback from students and parents thanking me for my videos and sharing the real-world impact that they have had. Multiple students have used my videos to improve their work, as well as to better manage their time and stress. My videos regarding developmental coordination disorder have also resulted in me being featured on the BBC to discuss the condition.

 

Excellence in Technology

Winner - Cognishine

 

Cognishine revolutionises occupational therapy with a device-agnostic digital platform that ensures seamless access to therapeutic activities on any device—smartphone, tablet, laptop, or desktop—without the need for specialised hardware, software, or logins. Clients can engage in self-practice simply by clicking a link or scanning a QR code, promoting independence and continuity of care. This user-friendly and cost-effective approach eliminates technological barriers, enabling therapy anytime, anywhere. With support for multiple input methods and multilingual resources, Cognishine empowers therapists and clients alike, setting a new standard for accessible digital therapy.

 

EFFECTIVENESS CATEGORIES

 

Effectiveness in Online Resources

 

Alice is a specialist occupational therapist and founder of the Parent Health Hub, a platform dedicated to helping parents manage emotional challenges such as overwhelm, outbursts, dysregulation, stress and anxiety. Alice has worked in healthcare for over a decade and recognises the indispensable link between parental health and child development.

 

The Parent Health Hub applies this philosophy to parenting challenges, offering personalised consultations, workshops and online courses to address the health needs of parents both at home and in the workplace. These courses are accessible to individual parents or organisations seeking to support employee wellbeing and retention.

 

Best Employer

 

Helping Kids Shine is a dedicated paediatric therapy practice empowering children and young people with additional needs to thrive. We are entering the Best Employer category to celebrate our commitment to staff wellbeing, growth, and fulfilment. Through regular supervisions, wellbeing meetings, and continuous training, we create a supportive, collaborative environment where employees feel valued and heard. Our flexible working practices and focus on work-life balance promote staff happiness and sustainability. By recognising our team’s dedication and the positive, inclusive culture we’ve built, we aim to showcase Helping Kids Shine as an exceptional and inspiring place to work.

 

Effectiveness in Recruitment, Training or Motivation

 

The Adults Academy at Surrey County Council is a leader in workforce development, supporting 2,000 staff, including 200 OT practitioners. Through innovative recruitment, training, and career progression initiatives, the Academy has strengthened the OT workforce, increasing recruitment and improving retention despite national workforce challenges. Its award-winning Preceptorship Programme scored 100% on the NHS self-assessment and has shaped practice across the UK. The Academy offers apprenticeships, leadership training, and international recruitment support, ensuring a skilled, resilient workforce. Recognised nationally, it remains committed to professional growth, best practice, and high-quality care for Surrey residents.

 

Bright New Star

Winner – Cognishine

 

Cognishine is revolutionising occupational therapy through a digital platform tailored for OTs. It provides personalised, evidence-based activities designed to enhance therapeutic interventions and improve client outcomes. Catering to diverse cultural needs with multilingual support, Cognishine empowers OTs to deliver engaging, goal-oriented sessions. In Q2 2025, a major redesign will categorise activities by skills and goals, allowing for more targeted interventions. The platform promotes multidisciplinary collaboration, enhances client engagement, and supports sustainable practice by digitising therapeutic resources. Cognishine is redefining modern occupational therapy, driving positive change and advancing therapeutic delivery and accessibility.

 

 

As a student OT apprentice, Emma has a unique ability to understand and engage people, her influence reaching beyond the constraints of the acute hospital environment to social innovation and community projects. We know what a star Emma is, and would like to celebrate that with the wider OT community.


OTE Award winner

 

Most Innovative Practice

 

The primary care group programme focuses on enhancing mental health support through structured, group-based interventions. It aims to reduce reliance on one-on-one appointments by offering scalable, preventative care, psychoeducation, and community engagement. Key interventions include Mental Health Skills Groups, ADHD/Autism Screening, and Neurodiversity workshops. The programme integrates technology, such as virtual sessions and digital tools, to increase accessibility and engagement. Positive feedback from participants highlights the effectiveness of the interventions in managing mental health, fostering peer support, and improving self-care. The initiative successfully reduces GP pressure, shortens wait times, and empowers patients to manage their wellbeing independently.


 

Most Effective Independent Practice

 

Since starting Children's Therapy Solutions (CTS) in 2007 as a sole trader, Rowan Bradley has expanded CTS to have the requirement for three clinics based across the East Midlands - Melton Mowbray, West Midlands - Solihull, and the North West - Warrington, with the first clinic opening its doors in 2014. With over 200 active current clients, CTS are extremely proud to have the excellent facilities available to offer an invaluable service to support and treat clients with a range of complex needs and difficulties with their daily personal and educational challenges, trauma and attachment, physical and sensory integration difficulties.

 

 

Helping Kids Shine empowers children and young people with additional needs to overcome challenges and thrive. As an independent practice, we deliver highly personalised occupational therapy and speech and language therapy, tailored to each child’s unique strengths and goals. Our flexibility allows us to provide creative, evidence-based interventions in homes, schools, and our therapy space. By entering the Most Effective Independent Practice category, we aim to celebrate our team’s dedication, recognise the life-changing impact we make, and showcase how our bespoke, child-centred approach drives meaningful, lasting outcomes for children and their families.



GRAND PRIX AWARD

 

WINNER – Cup-O-T

 

Cup-O-T have received this award for their outstanding contribution to mental health and wellbeing. As a leading charity, Cup-O-T delivers innovative, evidence-based interventions for young people, grounded in occupational therapy principles. The organisation is committed to empowering individuals through peer support, training, and collaborative approaches that drive system-wide change. Their active leadership as the VCSE representative on Health and Wellbeing Boards demonstrates their influence in shaping mental health services. Cup-O-T’s dedication to improving access, promoting inclusion, and supporting recovery makes them a standout leader in the sector.


OTE Award winner




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