The OTalk Team
The OTalk team has continued to evolve and change since it was first developed in 2011. Over more than a decade the chat and wider community have grown and adapted in many different ways.
We are incredibly thankful for the input and commitment of the many occupational therapists who have been part of the team along the way. Their energy, creativity, and ideas have helped to shape OTalk and inspire innovation.
These former team members can be found here.
Current Team Members
OTalk is volunteer-led led and today the team is two people. Together, Rachel, Emma, and Nikki are leading OTalk into its new chapter on the RCOT Communities platform.
Rachel Booth-Gardiner
Rachel joined #OTalk in 2015 and remains a core organiser. She is the Lead Occupational Therapist at Tees, Esk and Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust with over 20 years of experience in mental health and learning disabilities, and has held multiple leadership roles. Rachel is the Network Lead for the Royal College of Occupational Therapists Northern and Yorkshire Regional Network, co-founded AbleOTUK in 2021, and is a Unison Disabled Members Officer. She has also served as a Public Governor for an NHS Foundation Trust.
A blogger, feminist, and disability activist, she focuses on equity, diversity, belonging, and accessible continuing professional development. In 2023, she received a Merit Award from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists for services to the profession. Rachel is currently studying for a Master’s in Inequality and Society at the University of Sunderland.
Dr Nikki Daniels
Dr Nikki Daniels is the Head of Professional Development at the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. She is passionate about learning and development through communities, believing deeply in the power of learning from and with each other.
Nikki joined #OTalk in 2016 as part of the research team, helping to run the monthly research-themed chats on the first Tuesday of each month. With many years’ experience as a lecturer supporting occupational therapists at master’s level, she brings a rich understanding of professional growth and reflective practice.
New Team member as of 2025
Emma joined #OTalk in 2025 as part of the volunteer team, helping to run the monthly chats on the second Tuesday of each month. She was keen to give back, having found the chats so informative when she was a mature student in 2021 and 2022. She also came on board at the point when #OTalk moved to the RCOT Communities platform as its new home, supporting the transition and helping to shape this next phase of the network.
She is a community occupational therapist in Hertfordshire Community Trust, working in Discharge Home to Assess. Previously, Emma trained as a mechanical engineer and worked in consultancy across a variety of sectors. From this, she brings strong problem-solving and listening skills to her current role.
Natasha joined #OTalk in 2025 as part of the volunteer team, helping to run the monthly chats on the second Tuesday of each month. She was keen to get more involved with the wider OT community, having felt separated from it through working in a niche and specialist field.
She also came on board at the point when #OTalk moved to the RCOT Communities platform as its new home, supporting the transition and helping to shape this next phase of the network.
Natasha is an Occupational Therapist specialising in Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) and Assistive Technology, and works at Ace Centre. She is very passionate about the importance of communication as an occupation, while also being central to most of our other occupations.
Natasha is originally from Australia, and has been living and working in the UK since 2018.
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