What’s on in August 2021? Occupational therapy, brain injury and neurorehabilitation events
We’ve rounded up some of the main events on offer this August for anyone interested in occupational therapy, brain injury and neurorehabilitation – as a service provider or user!
You will find all the links to these amazing events at the bottom of the page.
Trail of two cities
A team from The Children’s Trust will be following a trail through two cities when they take part in the 2021 London Landmarks Half Marathon on August 1.
The 13.1-mile closed road course is the only half marathon to go through both ye olde cities of London and Westminster.
And, fittingly, the runners will be taking in some of the most famous landmarks on route.
“This is not your average half marathon!” exclaimed a spokesperson for the charity.
“From cultural landmarks and heritage to the city's quirky and hidden secrets, runners get to explore the capital on a route like no other!”
The race takes in:
- Pall Mall.
- Big Ben.
- St Paul’s Cathedral.
- Nelson’s Column.
- The Gherkin.
- The Shard.
- The Tower of London.
- The London Eye.
The Children’s Trust runners will be wearing its branded vests or t-shirts and will be cheered on by supporters armed with refreshments - and even providing sports massages.
If you’re taking part, it’s not too late to pin your colours to The Children’s Trust. More information below. [1]
Oceans of ideas
The Indian Federation of NeuroRehabilitation (IFNR) will be welcoming leading speakers from across the globe at the Asia Oceanian Congress of NeuroRehabilitation 2021 (AOCNR 2021).
The three-day conference from August 6 will kick off with workshops in which delegates can improve some of the state-of-the-art neurorehabilitation topics on the conference agenda.
Patients support groups will also be given a chance to share care advice in a public forum. [2]
Designs on disabled driving
The lure of the open road may be one of the reasons drawing disabled drivers to the UK’s Motability charity.
But it’s hoped The Big Event – a two-day annual exhibition of Motability Scheme vehicles and services - will prove equally enticing when it goes virtual for the first time this month.
Visitors will have online access to:
- Lease vehicles from 27 car manufacturers.
- Wheelchair Accessible Vehicles (WAVs) and adaptations.
- Scooters and powered wheelchairs.
- Scheme advisers and live chat.
For further information about the August 6-7 show and to register, see below. [3]
You may think that you do not have any children with an acquired brain injury in your school - but due to the hidden nature of this disability, how can you be sure? 
Child Brain Injury Trust
Brain injury in schools
Understand more about childhood acquired brain injury at an interactive virtual workshop with expert guests of the Child Brain Injury Trust (CBIT).
Over two mornings, the event will provide insights into:
- Childhood acquired brain injury.
- Areas of difficulty.
- Childhood brain injury myths.
- Learning strategies.
- Active participation tasks.
With children spending around 30 hours a week in school, the charity views that time as “probably one of the most influential elements of a child’s rehabilitation following an acquired brain injury”.
A CBIT spokesperson added, “We know that the quality of support and capability of those within the school can have a major impact on the outcomes for a child or young person.
“Very few educational staff have any awareness or understanding of the issues that a child may face on their return to school, as this is not covered by any basic training, even for Special Educational Needs staff.
“The Child Brain Injury Trust’s training on childhood acquired brain injury aims to fill this knowledge gap. The workshops provide a no-nonsense, jargon-free approach to childhood acquired brain injury.”
The event, supported by the Eden Dora Trust for Children with Encephalitis, has been split between the mornings of August 17 and 18. More details are below. [4]
“It is essential to understand the pros and cons of virtual learning related to educating students who experience a brain injury.” Brain Injury Association of North Carolina
ABI student support
Not all students with brain injury can attend school, of course, and not all schools can stay open in a covid pandemic.
So, there’s another welcome webinar this month to help support online learning for students with brain injury.
The ‘Remote Learning with Brain Injury’ session will include strategies to support anyone with a brain injury trying to learn online.
The webinar on August 17 will also help with:
- Understanding online learning needs during brain injury recovery.
- Identifying the benefits and downsides to remote learning.
- Working with parents and schools to better support students.
The educational event is one in a series being run by the Brain Injury Association of North Carolina and is open to all with registration. [5]
Step forward!
The Children’s Trust is taking to the hills this month for its annual fundraising walk to aid child brain injury.
With covid safety high on the agenda, the Step Forward Walk 2021 will occur in the Surrey Hills – an area of outstanding natural beauty - on 21 August.
The walk will start in waves between 10 am and noon and finish at the charity’s national rehabilitation centre in Tadworth.
Entrants can choose a 10- or 5-mile walk across Banstead Heath and the North Downs Way, with an entry fee of £10 per person. (Dogs go free.)
The minimum sponsorship target is £150 per individual or £250 for families, and place numbers are limited. See below to sign up! [6]
Top research tips
Research academics will be giving guidance on writing case studies for publication at a webinar this month.
The qualitative researchers from The British Association of Brain Injury and Complex Case Management (BABICM) will also be offering top tips on producing rousing research posters.
Dr Alyson Norman, Associate Professor of Clinical and Health Psychology at the University of Plymouth, will be among those sharing their expertise at the free August 31 event. [7]
