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AOTI Ann Beckett Award
Ann Beckett (1927-2002) was one of the first occupational therapists in Ireland. She was devoted to people, nature, music and her profession. Ann was an outstanding occupational therapist, who through her work enriched many lives by her humanity, humour and her practical approach to life.
The AOTI Ann Beckett Award Committee was formed by Ann’s colleagues and is a sub-committee of AOTI. The purpose is to:
- Celebrate the life and work of Ann Beckett
- Showcase occupational therapists’ practical interventions
The award is presented annually by AOTI. A commissioned sculpture is presented as part of the award to the successful participant.
The competition is not an academic exercise, but rather an enriching process for occupational therapists to demonstrate the core principals of occupational therapy in practice. Members of AOTI can apply or be nominated for the award by their colleagues and clients.
The committee look for practical projects and creative interventions which empower clients.
The Award is supported by O’Neill Healthcare
The closing date for entries for 2017 is the 31st of July 2017. AOTI members can download the application form on the AOTI website and return it to info@aoti.ie.
The 2016 Ann Beckett Award was won by The Discover Recover Theatre Project in Wexford.
The project group was led by:
- Mairead Connaughton - OT
- Paula Lowney - Senior OT
- Niall O’Muiri - Community Mental Health Nurse
Clients shared their experiences through story-telling and live theatre performances. The team facilitated and coordinated the “A Face in the Crowd” public performances. The project involved enlisting of community partners and collaborators.
An off shoot from the project involved workshops in secondary schools for students in transition year. The project succeeded in fostering of awareness of mental health issues (and recovery) and opened the dialogue with secondary school students. This initiative embodied the awards core principles of empowerment, fostering community engagement, client involvement and enjoyment, sustainability and originality.
Previous winners:
2015 Trinity College Dublin Careers Pathways initiative, a transition to employment project for students and graduates with mental health difficulties
2014 Jenny Smith and Neasa Caulfield, with their project 'Sharing Skills'
2013 Fiona Mulholland & Brendan Rooney, Central Mental Hospital, Dublin for ‘The Hen Project’
2012 Rodrigo Frade, Sligo/Leitrim Mental Health Services, for the development of a Men's Shed for Sligo Town
2011 Margot Barry and Patrick Hynes, Sensational Kids. A very practical, activity based social skills group for children aged 7 years to 12 years who presented with various difficulties including Aspergers Syndrome.
2010 Theresa Peacock ‘Organic Garden & Relaxation Area Community organic garden & relaxation area for mental health service users
2009 Rosemary Dillon ‘ Motorbike Restoration Project’ A project where participants with Acquired Brain Injury stripping, restored and reassembled a vintage motorbike
2008 Alice Rajaratnam ‘Drawing Smiles Programme’ A new approach to enhancing perceptual and learning skills, self confidence, motivation & stress regulating ability for those with spina bifida and hydrocephalus.
2007 Mary McGrath ‘Home-based Memory Rehabilitation Programme A service established by Belfast City Hospital to provide cognitive rehabilitation in the area of memory for persons with early stage dementia and support for their caregivers.
2006 Eithne Kenny ‘Seating for Doing’ Maximising independence in a long term care unit through innovative seating and mobility systems.
2005 Frances Corozza ‘ Paediatric Powered Mobility’ A team approach to powered mobility in the Central Remedial Clinic.
2004 Linda Welford ‘The Otters Programme’ A sensory motor and pre-handwriting scheme in a local school.
How to apply
To apply, just download the application form on the righthand side of the page
Guidelines and rules
- Applicants must be current members of AOTI
- The project must be located in Ireland
- The project must have been initiated within 18 months of the application
- The commissioned sculpture is the property of the AOTI and must be returned to the Committee each year.
- A replica trophy is given to the nominated lead therapist
- Client consent and confidentiality must be respected
- Applications must be in by closing date on application form
- The award will be presented at the AOTI annual conference
- Applicants will be invited to present a poster or presentation at the conference
- In the event of the conference being cancelled, the award will be presented at the AOTI AGM
Marking Criteria
The projects will be marked under the following headings. All categories below have equal weightings.
- Empowerment of clients
- Clients’ enjoyment
- Outcomes for clients
- Involvement of clients
- Fostering integration and community awareness
- Sustainability of the intervention
- Originality
- Promotion of occupational therapy
- Educational value for occupational therapists
- Relevance to occupational therapy principles
Adjudication Process
The committee will adjudicate between applicants on the basis of the initial application and a subsequent visit to short listed therapists and clients involved with the interventions.
The visits by committee representatives are an opportunity for the clients and occupational therapists to reflect on and celebrate their achievements. This is a vital part of the process of being considered for the award.
The judges’ decision is final.