Last month Corinna Thomas (Practice Placement Lead) was in Portugal scoping placement opportunities, fully funded by an Erasmus grant. She had an amazing 4 days working hard and also being a tourist! Here is her blog…..
I have secured a new placement at Cercica ( www.cercica.pt ) which is an impressive centre for adults with learning disabilities providing vocational training. The role of the OT is to assess individuals, grade and adapt activities and contribute to goal planning so that the training (in horticulture, hospitality, book publishing, animal care and handicrafts) are relevant, progressive and accessible. The OTs also provide a paediatric service, assessing children in schools and in their own home. YSJ students have been going on placement at Lares em Cheshire ( www.laresdaboavontade.com ) for the past three years and my visit served to strengthen relationships and I was also able to update the educators on supported learning in practice. Lares is a residential home for 30 adults with physical disabilities, as well as providing a day service to an additional 11 service users. The role of the OT is to work collaboratively with the residents and service users to reach their personal goals in attaining work, accessing the community and independence in self-care.
Both placements are 30 kms west of Lisbon with easy access to the whole country, in particular the beautiful capital city, amazing Sintra (UNESCO World Heritage Site) and long sandy beaches. Eating out is cheap, public transport is efficient and surf schools plentiful! I was amazed by how many people spoke excellent English and how friendly the staff in both centres are.
Working in different countries, embracing different cultures and learning more about different health and social care systems has certainly helped me develop professionally and personally and I highly recommend it.
We are delighted to confirm that 3 YSJOT students will be on placement in Portugal at the beginning of 2017. In total there will be 13 students going on an international placement this academic year:5 students will be going to Bangledesh, 4 to Malta and 1 to France