THE ABLE LABEL: DRAGONS DEN PANEL

Our founder Katie was invited along to Canterbury Christ Church University on Monday. She formed one of four on the panel of the Occupational Therapy (BSc) Hons final year group assessment day for their Innovation and Entrepreneurship module. The module aims to utilise the group’s knowledge of occupation to investigate and respond to emerging opportunities for service development and entrepreneurial practice. The course enabled students to develop abilities in collaboration, negotiation, planning and presentation within deadlines. 

Katie said, “This module is fantastic for the students as it really encourages them to think outside the box and think practically as to how they can solve problems faced by their industry. They're able to take what they have learnt from the course and what they have experienced working in industry and take it one step further. They can apply it them in a way that they perhaps would not have been considered otherwise”. 

Sat on the ‘Dragons Den panel’, Katie was seated between the Universities Student Enterprise Manager, helping students with career development and also an Occupational Therapist specialising in mental health.

Canterbury Christ Church University Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)
students presenting for the Innovation and Enterprise module

Katie said, “The standard of the studens work was extremely high. The attention to detail was very apparent and it was evident that these students had put great thought and effort into the module, which they all clearly enjoyed. They all generated business plans to support gaps in the market they had identified, encouraging them to take ideas to the next level considering how to make them a feasible business”. 

So much consideration had gone in, the groups has no issues with answering questions that the panel through at them after their presentations as they’d all clearly done their homework!

Katie concluded, “It is so great to see young talent being encouraged to think entrepreneurially. There were so many brilliant ideas in the room. Bringing groups together to encourage group working and also start considering how to make feasible businesses from the ideas was wonderful to see and be involved with”.

The students will find out how they did in a few months time and Katie looks forward to sitting on the next panel in May.

If you would like to find out more about Canterbury Christ Church University and the Occupational Therapy course, you can do so by clicking on the links below:

Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University – Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons) course

INTO THE DRAGONS DEN

Canterbury Christ Church University

Canterbury Christ Church University has been around for over 50 years and based in Kent, plays a huge role in making a positive difference to peoples lives.

Katie our founder was fortunate enough to be invited along to the Occupational Therapy (BSc) Hons final year group assessment day for their Innovation and Entrepreneurship module. The module aims to utilise the group’s knowledge of occupation to investigate and respond to emerging opportunities for service development and entrepreneurial practice. The course enabled students to develop abilities in collaboration, negotiation, planning and presentation within deadlines. Katie said, “What I liked so much about this module in particular is that it has really encouraged students to think outside the box. It is encouraging them to take their learning’s and apply them in a way that they perhaps would not have considered previously”.

Sat on the ‘Dragons Den panel’, Katie was seated between the Universities Student Enterprise Manager, helping students with career development and also the business manager who leads several business modules at the University.  

Canterbury Christ Church University Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)
students presenting for the Innovation and Enterprise module

Katie said, “We were all overwhelmed by the extremely high standard amongst the four groups of eight we assessed. There was a real buzz in the room as each group stepped up to give their presentation. The attention to detail was fantastic and it was evident that these students had put much thought and effort into the module, which they all clearly enjoyed. Some groups had even gone to the effort of creating prototypes and websites to support their ideas. This was all within the six weeks timeframe they were given! They all generated business plans to support gaps in the market they had identified, encouraging them to take ideas to the next level considering how to make them a feasible business”.

So much consideration had gone in, the groups has no issues with answering questions that the panel through at them after their presentations as they’d all clearly done their homework!

Katie concluded, “It is so great to see young talent being encouraged to think entrepreneurially. There were so many fantastic ideas in the room and bringing groups together to encourage group working and also start considering how to make feasible businesses from the ideas was wonderful to see and be involved with”.

The students will find out how they did in a few months time and Katie looks forward to sitting on the next panel in May.

If you would like to find out more about Canterbury Christ Church University and the Occupational Therapy course, you can do so by clicking on the links below:

Canterbury Christ Church University
Canterbury Christ Church University – Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons) course

OT WEEK 2015

OT WEEK 2015

This OT Week, we wanted to highlight how The Able Label can benefit OT’s and those individuals they work so tirelessly in supporting.

What is an Occupational Therapist (OT)?

We take most daily activities for granted. These could be simple things like shopping and getting dressed, or more complex things like raising children or studying. For some individuals however, being unable, or finding it difficult, to do these things, can have a huge impact on our quality of life. This is where the assistance of a qualified occupational therapist (OT) comes in.

The British Association of Occupational Therapists, refer to therapy provided by specially trained, qualified staff “who help people of all ages who are suffering from physical, mental or social problems as a result of an accident, illness or ageing to do the things they want to do.”

How can The Able Label help OT’s?

The Able Label clothes are all specifically designed to make dressing easier. However, where we are different from other adaptive clothing companies is that we also consider quality, comfort and style. By creating the perfect blend of function and fashion, The Able Label is helping OT’s to fulfil their role of helping those they work with to the things they want.

The clothes encourage independence with the easier Velcro fastenings and colour co-ordinated internals whilst boosting confidence as individuals feel comfortable, able to maintain their style and this shows.

All styles have been through rigorous focus group testing with those who would benefit from the clothing as well as OT’s.

Some of the key features of the range include:

• All clothes are eligible for VAT relief
• Velcro fastenings
• No overhead dressing
• Trousers pull on in regular and short leg

• Extra long, hidden zips at cuff on cardi and hem on trouser for easier access
• All styles available in sizes 8–22

• Colour co-ordinated internals to help cognitive difficulties
• Breathable fabric with extra stretch for comfort
• Easy to mix and match creating different outfits
from only a few items
• Quicker, easier and safer dressing for carers assisting with dressing

Find out more on how The Able Label clothing can benefit OT’s and the individuals they support by visiting our website: http://www.theablelabel.com.

The OT Show

The Able Label will be showing alongside Access Independent at the OT Show 25^th – 26^th November. We will be on stand B34 and even have a catwalk planned at 10:15am both days in the Innovation Theatre. If you are there, come and visit the stand and catwalk. We would love the opportunity to show you the benefits of the clothing first-hand!

We are also looking for OT ambassadors. If you are about to move into or already in the independent sector and are looking for an add-on, we would love to hear from you. Please email info@theablelabel.com.

Otherwise we hope to see you at the OT Show!