VdTMoCA Foundation (UK) Research CPD event in conjunction with MOTION.
This event was attended by 200 delegates and much positive feedback as been received.
If you were unable to attend the event or would like to view the presentations again please visit our You tube channel via the links below:
Introduction to Research Methodology - Jonathon O'Brien (University of Liverpool)
Developing a research proposal - Karen Morris (University of Cumbria)
Top Ten Research Priorities - Jenny MacDonnell (RCOT) & Dr Mary Birken (MOTION)
An overview of my research experience and service evaluation in a high secure environment - Charlotte Carpenter (West London NHS Trust)
Small scale qualitative projects - Sophie Faulkner (University of Manchester & Greater Manchester Mental Health NHS Trust)
We look forward to hosting similar events in the future.
Always here for our members and wider community.
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Formal training in the VdTMoCA in the UK
The VdTMoCA Foundation (UK) does not currently provide formal training in the VdTMoCA, but supports interested parties in learning about the model and developing knowledge and skills for application of the model into practice through its book publications, resources within the members' forum, hosting specialist training days, running a Forensic Special Interest Group and sponsorship of the ICAN International Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability conference in the UK.
Providers of formal training in the VdTMoCA can advertise training on the VdTMoCAF (UK) website for a fee. For information regarding this please contact louisejeffries@vdtmocaf-uk.com
ICAN Training
Training courses in the UK are provided by the International Creative Ability Network (ICAN) which was set up in response to clinicians' requests for training.
Consultant occupational therapist and co-author of the VdTMoCA, Dr Wendy Sherwood PhD, MSc, DipCOT has developed and delivered training in the VdTMoCA for occupational therapists, OT support workers, nurses and MDTs over the last 15 years. In response to lead occupational therapists' request for easily accessible training in the UK, and the increasing use of the VdTMoCA abroad, the majority of VdTMoCA training is online. The online courses have been very well received, particularly because they enable participants to learn at their own pace. Participants can also revisit course content as often as needed during the course, and freely download useful resources. A regular email-based newsletter on the VdTMoCA is also available.
Advanced VdTMoCA knowledge can be gained through online modules, but also through a face-to-face two day course on Applying the VdTMoCA to occupational therapy for people with a personality disorder.
Information on all courses and CPD opportunities can be downloaded from https://www.ican-uk.com, where you can also find information on an ICAN Award for Research in the VdTMoCA, and the ICAN International VdTMoCA Conference which takes place every two years.
Dr Wendy Sherwood also delivers lectures and OT Society presentations for occupational therapy programmes in the UK, and presents at conferences nationally and internationally.
ICAN training testimonials:
"The slides were presented very clearly, and I really appreciate the narration and explanation. It gives the slides more 'context'. I also appreciated the photos/pictures/video- they certainly help me to visualise much better.
I enjoyed the training; the narration helps to bring life to the learning. It also gives me some time to mull over the information taught- a pause button away :)"
"Overall, it was a great course not only for therapist who have not used this model, but also for those who may have had some experience trying this model out. It provides a comprehensive overview of the VDTMoCA from its fundamental theoretical assumptions and concepts all the way to using this model to guide us in practice, which I feel is very helpful.
I really enjoyed the online course, due to the way I take in information and learn it was very helpful to have the slides and the workbook to note take. I also liked the content and felt it went into enough detail. I am feeling confident to now place this into a new service!"
"Information was concise, not too lengthy. Content broken down to chapters made things more manageable. I enjoyed the specific case examples. It's like listening to client stories. Was also great to see the actual products that clients completed.
Super appreciative for the course. Enlightens me on new treatment approaches with some clients that I had previously felt stuck or lost with."
Activity Participation Outcome Measure (APOM)
The APOM is an outcome measure specifically designed for occupational therapists in mental health settings and based on the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA). The APOM covers eight domains of activity participation (see graph).
Each of these domains consists of several items. An occupational therapist will assess or rate a mental health care user on these items using a 18 point scale. The scale is based on the levels of Creative Ability as described by Vona du Toit.
OTs working with the VdTMoCA in neuro or physical fields might also find the outcome measure helpful but it has not yet been validated for those groups. OTs are welcome to attend training to venture research in this direction.
APOM training is available as a face-to-face workshop or online training.
Cost of training (face-to-face or on-line) = £100 per person.
Eligibility for APOM training: an occupational therapist trained in the VdTMoCA and with at least one year of experience in using the model.
Terms and conditions need to be agreed to before training commences.
Please contact Daleen Casteleijn at daleencasteleijn61@gmail.com for more information.
Research
If you are interested in completing, are at the stage of putting together a research or service evaluation idea or are in the process of completing research, please get in touch with the VdT Model of Creative Ability Foundation (UK) Research Officer.
The VdTMoCA Foundation (UK) needs to have a clear picture of research activity and interests to inform its research strategy and support researchers. As a result, the VdTMoCA Foundation (UK) maintains a database of literature to support OTs and support workers in their professional development activities. i.e. to be able to read about the model for the purpose of gaining ideas for research, identifying possible common areas of interest for networking or writing literature reviews.
If you are a member you can also contact us if you would like to network with other colleagues in similar fields of practice, or to access a research sample via our network of VdTMoCA practitioners. Whilst popularity in the model is growing within the UK and on a global scale there is a need for some substantial research.
Please contact the Research Officer to confirm your research activity or interests: toriwolfendale@vdtmocaf-uk.com