The Occupational Therapy Skill Exchange: A Different Kind of CPD Learning for OTs

Occupational therapist Emma Shears, has created a new style of CPD sharing for occupational therapists

As an occupational therapist I am committed to lifelong learning. I have been to many conferences and events in my career, but they don’t always hit the spot. Study days can feel expensive and passive. Online webinars are accessible but often leave little room for genuine discussion. Conferences inspire us — but sometimes we leave with pages of notes and limited opportunity to translate ideas into practice.

Last year I went to Australia and attended the Australian Occupational Therapy Conference followed by Bronwyn Paynters ‘Nature day’.  I facilitated a conversation with an Australian colleague and what struck me was how generous we are as professionals both in sharing and listening to the viewpoint of others.  

This inspired me to create The Occupational Therapy Skill Exchange.

What Is the Occupational Therapy Skill Exchange?

The Skill Exchange is an in-person CPD event being held in the East of England, on the Norfolk/ Suffolk border.  It is designed to move away from traditional lecture-style learning and towards active, peer-led sharing. It is structured, intentional and professionally facilitated — but grounded in the belief that occupational therapists themselves hold a wealth of practical expertise that often goes untapped in formal training settings.

Participants are warmly invited to contribute a skill, idea, tool, framework, clinical insight or area of practice that others may benefit from. These are shared in short, focused sessions designed to spark discussion, reflection and practical application. However, contribution is not a requirement. Attendees are equally welcome to come and listen, reflect and engage in discussion without formally presenting.

There will be no lengthy PowerPoints. No hierarchy of keynote speakers. Instead, an environment where curiosity, generosity and professional respect sit side by side.

The venue has been thoughtfully chosen to create space for genuine connection.

This is not a conference. It is a thoughtfully designed, facilitated exchange of knowledge and skills.

Like a Bring and Buy Sale for CPD

Not in the sense of rummaging through leftovers — but in the spirit of exchange. You arrive with something of value you wish to share. You leave with something new. 

The metaphor resonates because it captures something essential: everyone has something of value within their practice.  

Some participants may choose to actively share a tool, an approach to assessment, a creative adaptation, or insights from a specialist field. Others may contribute through thoughtful questions, reflective discussion or by drawing connections between ideas. Experienced clinicians bring depth and perspective. Newly qualified therapists bring fresh thinking and challenge. Independent practitioners, NHS staff and social care OTs all hold different pieces of the wider professional picture.

In the same way that a bring and buy sale thrives on variety and generosity, the Skill Exchange thrives on professional openness. The emphasis is not on polished perfection, but on real-world practice and shared learning.

Why This Model Works for Occupational Therapists

Occupational therapy is inherently collaborative. We work alongside individuals, families and multidisciplinary teams. We value participation, reflection and meaningful engagement. Yet traditional CPD models do not always reflect those same principles.

The Skill Exchange mirrors the way occupational therapists naturally learn best — through discussion, shared problem-solving and contextual examples. It is a unique, collaborative CPD experience created by an occupational therapist, for occupational therapists.

Because sessions are short and interactive, learning is active rather than passive. Participants can immediately ask questions, explore adaptations and consider how ideas translate into their own settings.

The days include clear learning intentions, opportunities for reflection and evaluation, and space to identify changes to practice. This makes it straightforward for attendees to evidence learning in line with HCPC CPD standards.

The Experience

The Occupational Therapy Skill Exchange takes place outdoors over three days, in a beautiful camp ground, creating a setting that feels both focused and refreshing. Being outside offers a natural shift from the usual clinical or office environments many of us spend our working lives in. It allows space — quite literally — to think, reflect and have conversations without the constraints of a traditional meeting room.  There will be plenty of campfire chat to be had too.

The programme flows across the three days with a clear structure, beginning with orientation so everyone understands the format and expectations. Short, focused skill-sharing sessions are balanced with informal discussion, shared meals and opportunities to continue conversations at a natural pace. The extended format allows ideas to settle, connections to deepen and reflection to happen more organically than is often possible in a single study day.

The outdoor setting, with shared space, will create an experience that feels both grounded and energising.

Who Is It For?

The Occupational Therapy Skill Exchange is open to occupational therapists across all sectors and career stages. Whether you are working in the NHS, independent practice, social care, education or a specialist field, your experience has value.

You are welcome to attend whether you plan to share a specific skill or simply wish to immerse yourself in discussion and learning. Both forms of participation are valued.

It is equally suitable for those seeking to reconnect with the profession, expand their network, or just liven up their CPD with something more engaging than a standard study day.

Why Now?

As occupational therapists we are working in increasingly pressured systems. Caseloads are complex. Teams are stretched. Professional isolation is not uncommon, particularly in specialist or independent roles. In this context, CPD can easily become another task on an already full list.  

The Skill Exchange offers something slightly different. It creates a space for reconnection — with peers, with ideas and with the profession itself. I really believe that we do not always need external experts to drive our development; sometimes we simply need structured space to learn from one another.

At a time when sustainability, collaboration and professional resilience matter more than ever, a peer-led CPD model feels both timely and practical.

Join the Exchange

The Occupational Therapy Skill Exchange will take place on 1^st – 4^th June 2026 at Riddlesworth Park Norfolk. Places are intentionally limited to maintain the collaborative atmosphere and ensure meaningful interaction.

Booking early supports the planning and logistics of the event and helps ensure a well-balanced programme of contributions.

Full details, including booking information and cost, can be found at: https://ot-is-fab.my.canva.site/occupational-therapy-skill-exchange

If CPD has begun to feel passive or disconnected, perhaps it is time to try something different. Come with something to share — or simply come ready to engage and connect with peers. Either way, you will leave with more than you arrived with.

Emma Shears

Occupational Therapist and Founder of The Occupational Therapy Skill Exchange