Karen Bayley

After many years living overseas and working in both the private and charitable sectors, I chose to pursue a career in occupational therapy. My last job in China was financially rewarding and enjoyable, but I felt a lack of purpose and meaning. My extensive experience volunteering and establishing community groups in the UK and abroad shifted my focus towards more purposeful activities. This led me to return to the UK and enrol in an MSc in Occupational Therapy at Coventry University.

I chose occupational therapy to make a meaningful difference, believing my diverse life experiences and transferable skills would be valuable in this field. I enjoy engaging with people, being creative, solving problems, and participating in meaningful activities. This role appeals to me because it offers hands-on experience and allows me to apply the theory I learned at university, leveraging my transferable skills.

My previous roles have required autonomy, adaptability, cultural awareness, strict confidentiality, and teamwork. I have experience as a lecturer/trainer, designing and delivering activities and lessons to learners of all levels. My MSc included modules on client-centred practice and using therapeutic self to build rapport and collaborate. We trained to adhere to RCOT and HCPC standards and the hospital’s core values, focusing on pride, honesty, critical reflection, and compassion.

I have some background in anatomy and movement from my training as a Bowen practitioner, which I continue to build upon. I participated in the IC4 Life programme, a collaborative project with European students to design innovative adaptations using technology to enhance individual and community life. This opportunity allowed me to explore new perspectives and solutions.

With a rich employment history, life experiences, and extracurricular learning, I am a passionate and versatile newly qualified Occupational Therapist. My MSc studies also provided hands-on experience in clinical and community healthcare settings, focusing on assessments, personalised therapeutic interventions, and holistic approaches like yoga and breathwork. I have managed volunteer programs, facilitated educational workshops, and contributed to team development. My professional experience includes clinical placements in early psychosis, hospital discharge departments, secure mental health units, physical organic wards, and care farms. I have worked effectively with dementia patients, individuals with mental health conditions, learning difficulties, and physical disabilities.

Additionally, I have served as a Therapy Assistant Bank on a medicine ward and an Activity Coordinator in a secure mental health unit. Adaptable to various environments and cultures, I am skilled in assessment and intervention planning, volunteer management, education, and holistic therapy. Committed to enhancing patient quality of life, I am eager to join a forward-thinking healthcare team dedicated to holistic, patient-centered care.