Rachel's story

Rachel has worked in different teams across the Together Trust over the years. Read her blog below to find out what she’s learnt over the years, and why she’s kept coming back to the Together Trust throughout her career. 

My Together Trust journey

Before I joined the Together Trust, I had experience supporting people with acquired brain injuries, learning disabilities, mental health needs and behavioural needs. I studied counselling and psychotherapy at university and was taking a year out to decide if I wanted to do my master’s degree in counselling or pursue my goal of studying occupational therapy.

During this year, I started working for the Together Trust as a support worker at Bridge College. Whilst working at Bridge College, I had the amazing opportunity of working alongside the occupational therapy (OT) team. The team allowed me to take part and observe some sensory sessions.

I became passionate about the young people I supported and felt strongly about people not 'doing things for them'. But teaching the skills to the individuals so they can complete tasks for themselves instead.

After spending three years at Bridge College, I decided to go back to university and study occupational therapy. During my final year of the course, we had to organise our own final placement. I knew this might be difficult because learning disabilities is such a specialist area for an occupational therapist, and band five positions are few and far between. But I decided to make a call to the Together Trust and try my hardest to be accepted for a placement. 

During my time on placement at the Together Trust, I felt my passion and drive to help these young people return. On previous placements, I had experienced mental health, orthopaedic paediatrics, a fire station and working in the community. On reflection, I knew during my final placement that the passion I had about supporting people with learning disabilities and emotional and behavioural difficulties wouldn’t be found in every environment. So when I graduated and I was looking for jobs, nothing felt suitable for me at the time. 

One afternoon when I was job searching, I came across a position on the Together Trust website for an occupational therapist. I worked hard on my application and sent it across as soon as I could. I’ve been working as an occupational therapist for the Together Trust ever since! 

Throughout my career, I’ve never been able to compare another job to the Together Trust. I’ve been lucky enough to come back many times in my career and training. Working for the Together Trust has provided me with so many opportunities.

As a qualified occupational therapist working for the Together Trust, I’ve developed personally and professionally. I work across multiple school environments and meeting individuals from varied backgrounds. I have been qualified for a year and I am happy to say that I am not only proud to be an occupational therapist, but I am proud to work for the Together Trust. 

I’m proud to have colleagues who work in maintenance, teachers, support workers, in admin and in therapy. Their jobs are just as important as any and I am lucky to work alongside each and every one of them.