As part of Occupational Therapy Week 2020 (2nd-8th November), the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) has launched a campaign to inspire people from all backgrounds to become occupational therapists.

RCOT wants to encourage people from a variety of backgrounds to qualify as occupational therapists and ensure the profession reflects the diversity of the population it serves.

Although there are over 41,000 occupational therapists, across the UK there is still a significant shortage and the profession is included on the UK's Shortage Occupations List.

Through a social media campaign, #ChooseOT, RCOT is reaching out to school students and the people who support them to encourage more people to consider occupational therapy as a career.

Julia Scott, RCOT chief executive, said: "I'm sure I speak for our members in saying that being an occupational therapist is the best job in the world. It brings immense benefits and opportunities, and training to be an occupational therapist leads to a nationally and internationally recognised qualification.

"No two days are ever the same. You can change people's lives on a daily basis working in the NHS, social care, schools, prisons, the

emergency services and in the private and voluntary sector. The list is almost endless.

"The profession needs people from all backgrounds. So if you are a problem solver, people person, good at sizing up situations or enjoy helping people - now is the time to #ChooseOT."

More information on how to become an occupational therapist can be found on RCOT's careers website.