Reflecting on The OT Show 2025: Turning Inspiration into Action

As the doors close on The OT Show 2025, many of us are returning to our practice environments feeling energised, challenged, and full of new ideas. This year’s conference programme was one of the strongest to date, rich with dynamic speakers, evidence-informed sessions, hands-on workshops, and vibrant discussions that showcased the evolving depth and breadth of occupational therapy. But the true value of these two days lies not only in what we heard, but in how we now choose to reflect, apply, and embed that learning.

The programme’s diversity is one of its greatest successes. From emerging technologies supporting rehabilitation, to co-production in mental health, to innovative approaches in paediatrics and social care, the sessions highlighted how occupational therapists continue to adapt in an increasingly complex and pressured health and social care landscape. The strong presence of lived experience voices reminded us why our work matters, grounding academic insights in real-world narratives.

Yet, as inspiring as the programme was, conferences can easily become a whirlwind of quick notes, passionate conversations, and spur-of-the-moment ideas, only to fade once we return to packed schedules. That is why intentional reflection is so important. Reflection allows us to pause and make sense of what resonated most, to identify specific learning points, and to translate inspiration into meaningful practice change.

You might start by revisiting your notes and asking: Which sessions challenged my current thinking? What new tools, frameworks, or perspectives could enhance my practice? How can I share this learning with colleagues or service users? For some, reflection will involve integrating new evidence into treatment plans; for others, it may mean initiating service improvements, advocating for resources, or exploring collaborative projects sparked by conversations.

The OT Show has always been a place to reconnect with and further explore our professional identity, to celebrate the creativity of occupational therapy, and to recognise the collective impact of our work. The success of this year’s programme is evident not only in the packed theatres and engaged discussions, but in the motivation so many attendees expressed as they left.

Now is the moment to build on that momentum. By reflecting purposefully and applying our learning, we ensure that the insights gained at The OT Show 2025 continue to ripple through our teams, our services, and ultimately the lives of the people we support.

We hope the ideas you gathered continue to inspire you long after the event and we look forward to seeing how this shared learning shapes the future of occupational therapy in the year ahead.