TogetherUp: It Takes A Village

"It takes a village"—we all know that saying when it comes to raising a family. Recently, I've been reflecting on how this sentiment applies to running a supervision practice. Truly, it takes a village of dedicated individuals to overcome challenges and provide high-quality supervision and professional development opportunities to both local and internationally qualified occupational therapists (OTs) and allied health practitioners. TogetherUp's services are built on this foundational concept. Our 'villagers' are made up of a diverse range of people, and it’s this broad spectrum of guidance and support that we embrace. Some of our villagers are industry experts, others are leaders in the field. And some are just warm and fuzzy (like my dog, Harley).

Family and Friends: The Heartbeat of the Village

Family and friends take an active role in the TogetherUp village, providing cheering background noise as though we're running the final lap of an Olympic event (how could I resist making an Olympic reference?). They offer unwavering support, both emotionally and practically, working behind the scenes to ensure everything runs smoothly. Their encouragement and belief in our purpose provide the motivation needed to keep pushing forward.

Supervisors: The Guiding Lights

At the core of TogetherUp are our dedicated supervisors. Our highly experienced practitioner supervisors offer a unique combination of skills: the ability to stretch supervisees' clinical and professional skills while providing a nurturing and supportive space for them to share and grow. Their diverse clinical and professional backgrounds offer practitioners access to a wide scope of expertise. What’s most valuable about our supervisors is their investment, dedication, and commitment to enhancing the skills and expertise of others in the pursuit of improved services for clients.

Practice Directors: Champions of Growth

I am incredibly grateful for the practice directors who place immense value on their team's learning and development by engaging TogetherUp services. Their collaboration with our team, insights into on-the-ground challenges, and aspirations for their practice and the communities they serve help TogetherUp to grow and adapt.

Colleagues: Partners in Progress

TogetherUp has colleagues who work in a similar space, and it’s such a pleasure to be part of their journey, encouraging their growth and celebrating their success. Additionally, their industry insights and collaborative spirit help shape TogetherUp into a dynamic and innovative practice.

Practitioners: The Heart of TogetherUp

TogetherUp has the pleasure of supervising a diverse group of practitioners. Their rich cultural backgrounds and varied experiences help shape our practice into a dynamic and curious entity. This melting pot of ideas, perspectives, challenges, and joys ensures TogetherUp remains adaptable and resilient. Our practitioners' dedication to building their skills and their continuous pursuit of learning embody the essence of our village.

The Broader Community: Our Extended Village

Our extended village includes industry partners, leaders, recruitment agencies, and other organisations that support our work. As an example of this support,? I was fortunate to meet with an industry leader last week who generously gave me 90 minutes out of her very busy schedule to share her perspective on the opportunities for enhancing the OT profession. These partnerships help us identify gaps in our processes and procedures, giving us a broader perspective and a greater appreciation of diversity in thought and practice. They play a critical role in our success, enabling us to provide high-quality services to our community members.

Harley: The Warm Fuzzy

Finally, I must mention Harley, my dog, who sits at my feet and sometimes hides under the desk. He constantly provides comfort, warmth, time out, and loyalty on those hard days.

Launching New Initiatives: Strengthening Our Village

Are you interested in expanding your village? You'll be pleased to know that TogetherUp is launching a number an exciting initiaives that factilate connection with others professionals, with the first one being for internationally qualified OTs. We can' wait to share more in the coming weeks.