Today, on 25 October 2025, we celebrate 14 years of OTalk – a community that began with a simple but powerful idea: to bring occupational therapists, students, and anyone interested in our profession together for open conversation, shared learning, and connection.
OTalk launched on Tuesday 25 October 2011, marking the very first of what became a long tradition of Tuesday evening chats at 8 pm. The aim was to create a regular online space where occupational therapists could meet to discuss ideas, reflect on practice, and build a sense of community across settings and geographical boundaries.
When OTalk began, social media was still finding its place in professional life. Twitter (as it was then known) offered a new opportunity to connect, discuss, and reflect in real time. That first chat set the tone for what would become a thriving weekly event, one that shaped a generation of occupational therapists’ approach to professional development, connection, and reflection.
From Hashtags to a Community of Practice
Over time, OTalk grew into a recognised and respected space for continuing professional development (CPD). Each week, occupational therapists, students, educators, and researchers came together to explore themes that mattered to them from leadership and creativity to wellbeing, inclusion, and evidence-based practice.
The OTalk Team, entirely volunteer-led, made all of this possible. The project was (and remains) grassroots in every sense, shaped and sustained by the energy, time, and commitment of occupational therapists who believed in the value of collective reflection.
From its earliest days, OTalk also went beyond the tweet. The team began to challenge the perception that social media was not a professional space. We presented locally and nationally on how Twitter could be used as a tool for CPD, reflective practice, and even as an intervention in promoting participation and engagement. These conversations helped shift professional thinking about how social platforms could be harnessed for good within health and social care.
You can read more about OTalk’s story – and the volunteers who helped make it what it is – on our website: History of OTalk
You can also learn about the former OTalk Team members who helped build and sustain this community over the years.
Adapting and Evolving
As the digital landscape changed, so too did OTalk. The transition from Twitter to X, alongside the removal of free scheduling tools and restrictions on interaction, made running weekly chats increasingly difficult for a volunteer-led team.
In 2023, after twelve years of continuous weekly conversations, we made the decision to pause and reflect on how best to continue supporting our community in the future.
That reflection led to a new chapter. This year OTalk relaunched through the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) Communities platform, providing a dedicated space for members to connect, share ideas, and learn together in a supportive environment.
However, we also recognised that hosting OTalk exclusively through the RCOT platform made it inaccessible to those who are not RCOT members. OTalk has always prided itself on being open to all, from students and early-career therapists to retired practitioners and international colleagues. We are now exploring future platforms to ensure OTalk’s reach can expand again, while remaining true to its roots as a grassroots, volunteer-led project that values openness and inclusivity above all else.
Why OTalk Still Matters
Fourteen years on, OTalk’s purpose remains as strong as ever: to provide space for dialogue, reflection, and connection across the occupational therapy community.
We are proud that OTalk has:
- Offered an accessible and inclusive platform for reflection and shared learning
- Connected occupational therapists across roles, settings, and countries
- Supported students and new practitioners to find confidence and belonging
- Amplified voices often under-represented in professional spaces
- Challenged perceptions of social media and demonstrated its value for professional growth
- Adapted creatively to changing technology and professional needs
Looking Ahead
We are delighted to share that OTalk is growing again. Over the past month, we have welcomed new team members, who bring fresh energy and ideas to help shape the next phase of our community. We will introduce them soon, and we are excited for what lies ahead.
As we look to the future, we remain guided by the same principles that have sustained us for 14 years: accessibility, inclusion, curiosity, and shared learning.
Join the Celebration
To everyone who has ever joined a chat, hosted a discussion, or supported OTalk in any way, thank you. You have helped create something special that continues to shape and strengthen the occupational therapy community.
We would love to hear your reflections as part of today’s celebration:
- How did you first discover OTalk?
- Did you ever host a chat or join one that inspired you?
- What is your favourite OTalk memory?
Please share your memories below. Your voices, as always, are what make this community what it is.
Here’s to 14 years of conversation, connection, and collaboration and to the next chapter of OTalk.
OTalk 