Connect, Reflect, Grow

13/04/2026

During a recent supervision session, a supervisee & I reflected on the unique approach of Occupational Therapy.
This is what the supervisee said (permission to share provided) … I love it!

This is where OT is different …

• We look at the whole person
• We home in on glimmers
• We build on the glimmers
• The ‘goodness’ expands
• This creates less opportunity for mental health challenges
• The primary focus is no longer on the ‘bad stuff’

08/03/2026

04/03/2026

Last Wednesday, on behalf of Wellbeing Therapy Solutions, I attended the lovely Create and Grow Club, facilitated by Nat and Mel from Cosby Yarn Bomb.

Our mental health session focussed on “Steps Into Spring” and included:

🌷Spring affirmations
🌷Some key dates for March (& ideas for activities to mark them) &
🌷Ways to look after our wellbeing in spring

We closed the session by considering the following:

“One thing I can do to support my wellbeing this week is …”

Mine was to spend some time outdoors in the fresh air….. what about you…? 🌳

25/02/2026

19/02/2026

I wholeheartedly believe this. 💛

It isn’t about waiting for the “big stuff” to bring happiness - joy can be cultivated on a daily basis & helps diffuse the more challenging aspects of life.

What is one thing that would bring you joy today?

Mine is visiting a friend.

04/02/2026

A gentle reminder on this misty, February day that whilst Spring edges ever nearer, nature gently unfurls & takes her time.

We are part of nature, too 🌷

Alt text: Spring bulbs growing through snowy ground with the quote, “Be patient with yourself. Nothing in nature blooms all year.”

31/01/2026

On Wednesday, in my role for Wellbeing Therapy Solutions I facilitated a session on “Late Winter Wellbeing” for the Create and Grow Club, run by the fabulous Cosby Yarn Bomb.

Discussions included ‘Imbolc’ a Gaelic/Celtic/Pagan festival that takes place on February 1st, (halfway between the winter solstice & spring equinox), ways to make our evenings more “Hygge” and the changes we are observing in the natural world (& just how hopeful these can feel).

As always, some interesting & supportive conversations took place.

27/01/2026

Kate Jackson, Occupational Therapist and founder of Wellbeing Therapy Solutions will be facilitating this supportive group.

Please share with anyone who might benefit.

Grief doesn’t come with a timetable, a rule book or a neat little finish line.

It can be loud, quiet, messy, gentle and everything in between.

This five-week course at Ulverscroft Manor offers a calm, nurturing space to pause, talk and feel less alone, whether your loss is recent or something you’ve been carrying for a long time.

Led by Occupational Therapist Kate Jackson, the sessions gently explore emotions, grief and bereavement theory, and practical coping strategies, all held within a supportive group setting.
🕰 Fridays, 1.00pm–3.00pm
📍 Ulverscroft Manor
📅 6th, 13th, 20th, 27th February and 6th March
💷 £25 for the full five weeks

If you or someone you know might benefit from a space like this, you’re very welcome.

Booking via
https://bookwhen.com/shuttlewoodclarke
For more information, please contact Kathleen on 07860 639693
A gentle reminder that you don’t have to do this alone 🤍

20/01/2026

If you’re in need of a safe, supportive space to learn some Mindfulness skills & are based in or around Leicester, please check out the Pause Project.

Kate and Daisy will give you a warm welcome & will share their skills & expertise with you.

Please see below for further details: 👇

12/01/2026

There was an interesting article in The Guardian last week on the myriad of ways that art, and creativity in general, positively impacts both our physical and psychological wellbeing (e.g. people who regularly visit museums and galleries have nearly half the risk of developing depression).

Regularly engaging in creative activity is key to my own wellbeing (see some photographic evidence below!)

To learn more, the article suggests some strategies for incorporating creativity into your routine.

Please see below:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2026/jan/07/art-could-save-your-life-creative-ways-make-2026-happier-healthier

05/01/2026

This compassionate post from Navigate Neurodiversity Occupational Therapy feels like a gentle & supportive way to approach the start of a new calendar year ✌️

Things we’re leaving in 2025 ✌️

Some things need to stay in the past…

As a disabled OT working with my fellow neurodivergent adults, these are a few of the many things I reckon we should be ditching for 2026.

Here’s the thing - your aren’t broken. The systems around you? Often they are. And you deserve support & care that actually gets that.

I’m curious - what would YOU add to this list? What are you ready to leave behind? Let’s crowdsource this together 👇

alt: things we are leaving in 2025.
Being mean to ourselves for finding something hard, that others don’t,Excluding the disabled friend from being able to access plans/events,Feeling guilty for saying “no”, The idea that there is a “right” way to socialise or enjoy yourself,Not being “disabled enough” for
support/equipment,Rest as a reward,Plushies and fidgets being only for kids.

31/12/2025

It's that time of the year when social media will be awash with people sharing their highlights of the year.

Whilst it's lovely to see the things people value enough to share, societal views of what "success" looks like can be somewhat narrow. For example, major fitness achievements, career highlights and international travel are simply not realistic, relatable or meaningful markers for many. This can lead to negative self-talk and unhelpful comparison.

Instead, I invite you to take a more gentle reflection on the year & have shared some of my own insights / things I feel grateful for.

Something I've learnt...
This year, I read that butterflies migrate. I did not know this! The Monarch Butterfly and The Painted Lady are 2 well known examples.

Something I've accepted...
It doesn't matter how shiny that new piece of stationery looks, it isn't going to transform my organisational skills! I need to put regular, practical strategies in place.

Something I want to continue...
Creativity is really important for my wellbeing. This year, I have attended a lovely local art class, and would like to continue exploring creative opportunities next year.

Something I'm proud of...
This spring, I grew tomatoes from seed for the first time. This was a success and I was able to share plants with my neighbours.

What are your reflections on the past year? Please feel free to share below. ☺️



AltText: Four images (a Painted Lady butterfly, a lightbulb with the word creativity written across it, notebooks and tomatoes growing) with text that states, "A gentle reflection on the year"

AltText: Text prompts stating, "Something I have learnt", "Something I want to continue", "Something I have accepted" and "Something I am proud of."