Occupation

Abstracts
Posters
teams that offer support to people experiencing acute mental
health issues as an alternative to hospital admission.
References
Buchain P, Vizzotto ADB, Henna Netto J, Elkis H (2003)
Randomised controlled trial of occupational therapy in patients
with treatment resistant schizophrenia. Revista da Psiquiatria,
25(1), 26–30.
Parkinson S., Forsyth K., Kielhofner G (2006) A Users manual
for the model of human occupation screening tool (MOHOST)
Version 2.0
Realising Potential
Scottish Government (2012) AHPs as agents of change in health
and social care – The National Delivery Plan for the Allied Health
Professions in Scotland, 2012–2015 http://www.gov.scot/
Publications/2012/06/9095
Keywords
Mental health, Practice development, New or emerging roles,
NHS
Contact E-mail Addresses
Claire.L.Martin@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk
Author Biographies
Catherine McIntosh, Specialist Occupational Therapist within
NHS Lothian Edinburgh Intensive Home Treatment Team (IHTT).
P91
Development of a kawa model workshop for
patients of an adult community mental health team
Dellow R 1 , Skeels H 2 , York St John University 1 ,
Bournemouth University 2
Introduction: A Kawa Model workshop was developed to help
promote occupational engagement and recovery for service
users of the adult community mental health team who were
referred to the occupational therapist for treatment.
Methods: The Kawa Model (Iwama 2006) uses the metaphor of
a river to describe a person’s life story and current circumstances
(Kawa cross-section) and help them to share elements with
others that they feel are significant (Iwama 2006 Iwama 2013).
Participants were introduced to the Kawa Model with a short
presentation and then supported to create their personal crosssections.
The eight week workshop focused on developing
participants’ understanding of and use of the Kawa Model. A
final Kawa cross-section was created by each person to measure
change.
An outcome measure of the intervention was the development
of a social group to help reduce social isolation, encourage
friendships and an on-going support network.
Results/conclusions: Using the Kawa Model has proved to be an
effective way to enable people with mental health difficulties to
explore and share their problems and work together collectively
and individually to find solutions and strategies to improve life
flow (river water), reduce or remove problems (rocks), examine
environmental influences (river sides and bed) and utilise
qualities/skills (driftwood).
Impact on service users: The Kawa Model encouraged
communication between participants during the workshop
sessions, helping them to identify common experiences/themes
such as depression, poor motivation and poor self-esteem. Being
able to share personal stories without judgement and facing the
stigma of mental illness helped to increase confidence, selfunderstanding
and self-management.
Clear implications for occupational therapy: The Kawa Model
proved to be an effective tool to enhance understanding of
participants’ difficulties, set goals and inform future personalised
treatment.
References
Iwama MK (2006) The Kawa Model: Culturally Relevant
Occupational Therapy Philadelphia: Churchill Livingstone
Elservier
Iwama MK (2013) Occupational Therapy News Future-proofing
OT for a multicultural world 21(3), 35
Keywords
Mental health, Service improvement or transformation,
Innovative practice, NHS
Contact E-mail Addresses
bekimitchell@hotmail.com
Author Biographies
Beki studied occupational therapy at York St John University and
qualified in 2011. She has since worked in both physical and
mental health settings. Beki’s current role is senior occupational
therapist/care co-ordinator with her local community mental
health team.
Beki has a strong interest in the Kawa Model and has presented
some of her work at the World Federation of Occupational
Therapists Congress which was held in Japan in 2014. She is
currently using the Kawa Model in practice as part of recovery
focused courses/workshops she delivers for service users. Beki
also has interests in Animal-Assisted Interventions and suicide
prevention.
Hannah is an occupational therapy student in her final year
at Bournemouth University. She was enthused to join the
profession after a variety of experiences throughout her
employment working alongside occupational therapists.
Hannah has previous placement experiences in physical and
mental health settings and has developed a keen interest in
the Kawa Model since having Beki as a mentor and having the
opportunity to co-facilitate an innovative workshop based on
this model.
Hannah is keen to explore many areas of occupational therapy
once qualified and is hoping to inspire others to utilise the Kawa
Model throughout other areas of practice.
P92
Improving the low secure ward environment beyond
Star Wards
Kobelis E, Cygnet Healthcare
A safe and comfortable environment with access to fresh air,
exercise and meaningful occupations is essential in determining
recovery for mental health service users (Mind Ward Watch,
2004).
Having achieved Star Wards, we are focused on improving
the ward environment. The Occupational Therapist led on the
project involving service users and the MDT, enabling the service
users to take ownership of the environment.
A general observation of the ward was made and found that
a lot of resources were locked away in cupboards, the outdoor
space was dull and the walls were bare. Service users were
reporting feelings of boredom and spending increased time in
their room leading to occupational deprivation and alienation.
The following initiatives were introduced:
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