Page last updated: Wednesday 3 December, 2008 3:13 PM

 

A time for reflection...and for fun!

 

This year has been an interesting one for the Rehabilitation Specialist. We've had the National Occupational Standards, the UK Vision Strategy, the usual posturing from Government, another Rehabilitation Worker's conference, 'insights', 'takeovers' and comment from the higher echelons of RNIB - all normal stuff really. Has your role changed at all - we suspect not.

 

Those of you who've been around since the days of olde will probably be wondering why everybody gets so hot under the collar about all these 'strategic this' and 'innovative thats' - it's happened before and little changes. Is this true? Has any announcement over the last 10, 15, 20 years or more made any difference to the way people receive services? We don't mean the administration - that is evidently more laboured these days - we mean the way we work with people when we see them. We'd hope that you have adopted different styles and methods to add to your experience but is there any fundamental change in attitude or practice?

A priest at a local church recently asked his congregation to consider embracing new ideas. It may be simply having pasta instead of a roast on Sunday, walking instead of taking the car, dressing for dinner or changing the way you pray. What he was trying to say was that we all too easily fall into the same routines and by identifying this in ourselves, we can re-focus our intentions and re-ignite our passions for whatever it is we're trying to acheive.

We thought we should apply this ethos to our work - especially in Le Credit Crunch. As It's a busy time of year for most of us why not try mixing business with pleasure and do something different with the people you see each week. Take people out shopping and get them to practice their mobility around the shopping mall or Town Centre - you can do some shopping yourself. If you're lucky enough to get some snow all the better.

Ask them to make some petits fours or strawberries dipped in hot chocolate rather than day to day snacks - you can then give these to your friends when they visit, it'll save you a bomb and they'll love it! Mince pies work well.

If you're teaching people how to access the internet, surf together for presents, saves you time and money - don't forget your credit card!

Make mulled wine and practice using that Liquid Level indicator - it's amazing how quickly people learn alternative strategies the more glasses they fill. Coping with a brandy fuelled, flaming pud also brings out the best in people! Make sure you have an extinguisher, fire blanket, bucket of sand and fully crewed fire tender on stand-by before you try this.

Instead of sending cards why not have an office poster. Put a blank flipchart sheet on the office wall and allow people carte blanche to do whatever they like - doodle, write a message, list their wishes - saves money.

Finally, save money on your Office Christmas Party - Don't have one!

These are just a few suggestions, we're sure you can come up with more of your own. Let us know and we'll publish the best ones

Happy Christmas to you all!

 

What are your thoughts? - e-mail info@rehabworker.co.uk