Former #OTalk Team Members
The OTalk team has evolved over the years and have benefited from a number of great Occupational Therapy minds to support the development and running of the weekly OTalk chats whilst supporting the growth of the wider OTalk community.
Founding members of OTalk
Shaan Ellor @ShaanOT
Shaan helped the team in the vision and initial stages of forming #OTalk/#Occhat in 2011.
Chris Genter
Chris supported the team in the initial stages of developing the concept of #OTalk/#Occhat.
Claire @claireOT was part of the founding team back in 2011, she helped develop the concept and supported chats in the early days. She also contributed to the first #OTalkonTour with the team
Kirsty Stanley @kirstyes
Kirsty was part of the founding team back 2011 and an integral part of the team until her departure in 2017. Kirsty continues to contribute to the OTalk community by her sponsorship of the OTalk blog. Veiw her good bye blog here
Clarissa Sorlie
@GeekyOT
Clarissa joined the founding team as a student back in 2011 and has contributed to both the weekly chats, and behind the scenes before deciding to leave the team in 2021 after 10 years of support.
Gillian Gorry
Gill was one of the founding members of the OTalk team, and was a valued member of the team, alway bringing some creative fun. She left in early 2021, read her good bye blog Here at the start of 2021
Helen Rushton @HelenOTUK
Helen was the last of the founding members to leave OTalk in July 2023, which was a great loss to the team. She will always be remembered as an #OTGeek and a driving force behind the community.
In 2024 Helen received a Merit Award from RCOT for her services to the profession. Helen, an occupational therapist and founding member of OTalk, was recognised for the positive impact she has made on occupational therapy, particularly in raising the profile of the profession and building communities that support engagement in professional development.
Reflecting on the award, Helen said, āThis award is a testament to my belief in the power of community and those who have collaborated with me over the years in our joint ventures. Being bold and exploring new avenues can be challenging and scary, but learning is a lifelong journey that I embrace fully.ā
Team mebers who joined the team over time
Kirstie @Kirstie_OT
Kirstie joined the team as a student intern in 2015. She’s was a driving force in promoting OTalk and helping us develop relationships with stakeholders. Her leaving blog can be found here
Kelly Murray @OTontheTracks
Kelly was a huge part of the OTalk team, often working behind the scenes to maintain and develop the website. She first joined OTalk in 2014 while a student occupational therapist and has been central to its growth ever since.
Kellyās creativity, commitment, and many years of contribution have left a lasting impact on OTalk, and her work behind the scenes will always be appreciated as a vital part of its story.
Carolina Cordero @colourful_OT
Carolina joined the OTalk team in 2018 while still a student occupational therapist, bringing fresh ideas and enthusiasm to the community. She played a key role in the development of the OTalk rebrand in 2021, helping to give the project a new look and energy. Carolina has now stepped down as a team member, but her creativity and contributions continue to be an important part of OTalkās story.
Ruth Hawley @Ruth_Hawley
Ruth joined the OTalk team in 2020 and played a vital role in helping the community keep up momentum during the pandemic. An Occupational Therapy Lecturer since 2016, Ruthās areas of interest include mental health, technology use, student education, placements, and supporting people who are homeless.
Paul Wilkinson @Paulwilkinson94
Paul joined the OTalk team in 2022 as a volunteer and supported the weekly chats.
Sam Pywell @smileyfacehalo
Sam joined the OTalk team in 2022 as a volunteer and helped to support the weekly chats.
Former #OTalk Research Team
The OTalk Research Team was created in 2016 to run dedicated monthly research themed chats, which took place on the first Tuesday of every month. These chats offered a regular space for occupational therapy researchers, clinicians, and students to come together to share ideas, discuss projects, and explore how research could inform practice.
Over time different members joined the team, each bringing their own skills, ideas, and enthusiasm. We are incredibly grateful to all the past research team members who gave their time and energy to help keep OTalk Research alive.
Dr Jenny Preston @preston_jenny
Jenny was one of the original members of the OTalk Research Team. As a Consultant Occupational Therapist she combined clinical practice with research, with a particular focus on long term neurological conditions. She has published widely on multiple sclerosis and authored her first book, as well as leading the R&D programme within the Neurological Rehabilitation Service. Jenny is a former Chair of the RCOT Specialist Section for Neurological Practice and a previous member of the RCOT Research and Development Board.
Lynne Goodacre @LynneGoodacre
Lynne was also one of the founding members of the OTalk Research Team in 2016. She was integral to its set up and drive, helping to create a regular monthly space for occupational therapy researchers and clinicians to come together and share ideas about research.
Emma Hooper @hooper_ek
Emma joined the OTalk Research Team in 2016 and contributed both behind the scenes and in supporting hosts to run the monthly research chats. She played an important role in keeping the discussions active and inclusive for the community.
Beverley Turtle @bevaturtle
Beverley is an occupational therapy lecturer and researcher with a background in psychology. Her research interests include stroke rehabilitation and outcome assessment. Alongside her academic work, Beverley enjoys live music, dancing, reading, and watching movies with friends.
Samantha Tavender @SamOTantha
Samantha joined the OTalk Research Team later, bringing her experience as a lecturer in occupational therapy and her clinical background across mental health services and children, young people, and families. Her research interests include lived experience of occupation, womenās health, and the student experience. At the start of her PhD, she was keen to support others in embedding research and evidence-based practice into their everyday roles.
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