In our latest blog we meet our National Team Lead and Occupational Therapist, Liz Fletcher who shares some insights into her role, the impact of physical activity on health and wellbeing and what it's like to work for Sport for Confidence.  
 
'I'm Liz and I'm the National Team Lead for Sport for Confidence. Our National work is connected to the Sport England system partner, supporting the implementation of their Uniting the Movement strategy. We have four main strands to implement - demonstrating how we as Occupational Therapists and coaches support people with disabilities and long-term health conditions, providing choice and opportunities to be active, showcasing the value of coaches and Occupational Therapists and the important role they play across the sport, leisure, health and community sectors, and how their collective skills build and strengthen the work we are carrying out at Sport for Confidence. 
 
Previously I worked in the NHS since the year 2000 and qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2006. I have since worked in mental health services, forensic, community, crisis and home treatment. I became interested in systems, processes and have a strong desire to improve healthcare to ensure we focus on people’s holistic health and social needs and concentrate on what is important to them. This led me to start a leadership year with Health Education England in 2017 and then I spent a few years in the NHS Quality Improvement and Clinical Risk team which I loved as I could still draw on my Occupational Therapy skills. 
 
I wanted to become involved with Sport for Confidence because it’s a forward-thinking organisation that understands the value sport and physical activity can have on people’s lives. I believe completely in the occupational focus and approach applied to unravel the multifaceted barriers for people who want to be physically active but opportunities to do so may be limited. And now I can’t see myself working anywhere else so that says something! 
 
The best thing about working for Sport for Confidence is the unwavering commitment by all to keep trying and thriving for better outcomes for people with disabilities and marginalised groups, I love how we place lived experienced at the forefront in our discussions and how we can use this to improve what we do. 
 
For anyone thinking of applying for a role with Sport for Confidence I would say that it’s certainly a change from a large organisation and initially it felt very daunting and scary to be honest after 20 years working in the NHS. I felt like I was moving to an unknown environment. I was out of my comfort zone and felt insecure initially. However, I believe in taking chances and being led by my heart as much as my head. My values aligned with their mission and wanted to play my part in making Sport for Confidence a success. The perceived risk turned out to be a life changing positive and the last three years has had an incredible impact on my life. I love my job and the people within Sport for Confidence. I still work in partnership with healthcare organisations, and I love this link as a value the NHS and what it’s there to do. I now feel able to add value from a different corner of the health and sports world. My advice therefore is GO FOR IT! Step into the unknown.' 
 
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