News

RCOT award £5,000 to create new therapeutic guide – Therapeutic Use Of The Trampoline

Callum MacKinnon (Founder and Lead Occupational Therapist – bounceOT) has been awarded a £5,000 grant from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) Specialist Section for People with Learning Disabilities (SSPLD). The funding was made available after RCOT SSPLD launched their new Innovation Awards this year. The committee met today and we reviewed the applications....
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Glasgow ASN school train 6 new staff in rebound therapy – Play Leaders

I enjoyed the training today it was informative and i now feel more confident to take on this work with the young people I support. I felt everyone’s opinions were valued. Overall i enjoyed it.  We previously blogged about working with Ashton Secondary School in Glasgow here – Glasgow ASN school certify 11 staff as...
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Pimp my ride(s)! New branding for new cars

At the start of this year, we blogged about purchasing a new car for staff to use – BounceOT invest in purchasing a car as part of new business growth plans We needed to buy this car to make sure that different staff working at BounceOT are able to get out and about in the...
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OT selected as 1 of 10 UK entrepreneurs for new Scale Up programme & £5,000 grant

The Pfizer UK Social Enterprise Programme 2023 is designed to support leaders who are ambitious about growing and expanding their impact and work. I credit my ability to be 6 years in business as a result of key business support prgrammes and grants from my start up days. SSE Scotland’s Trade Up Programme was key...
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Top 10 Tips for Setting Up a Social Enterprise

Callum (Founder & Occupational Therapy Lead at BounceOT) published an article with Glasgow Caledonian University Occupational Therapy Department – Top 10 Tips for Setting Up a Social Enterprise We wanted to share it here for you to read via our website too! Hello! I’m Callum – an Occupational Therapist and Social Entrepreneur. I’m honoured to have...
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New Year, New Wheels!

BounceOT invest in purchasing a car as part of new business growth plans Our newest asset was dropped off recently by Cazoo We needed to buy this car to make sure that different staff working at BounceOT are able to get out and about in the local community. In addition to running our busy therapeutic...
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Recruiting – Play Leader (Term-Time) at New Struan School, Alloa

Here at BounceOT, we work at Scottish Autism‘s New Struan School on Tuesday and Thursday mornings between 9am-12pm. We have been providing inclusive activity sessions and rebound therapy since 2017! This was originally blogged about by the school – you can read it here: Rebound Therapy at New Struan School We are looking for a...
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Recruiting – Play Leader (Weekend Cover) in Stirling!

Here at BounceOT, we are looking for new Play Leader(s) to come and support our small team to facilitate some fun activities on a Saturday (primarily) – either weekly, or fortnightly. The opportunities for other weekend work (Sundays) and/or during mid week is subject to your capacity and our availability. Deadline – Friday 26th May...
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£10,000 grant awarded to improve mental health and wellbeing for adults in Falkirk

The Falkirk Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund new fund, launched by Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership, aims to help organisations widen access to community-based services in the Falkirk area which target health and social inequalities or improve health and wellbeing. Patricia Cassidy, Chief Officer, Falkirk Health and Social Care Partnership said: “Our colleagues...
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OT publishes article in popular journal PMLD Link – “Rebound Therapy: exercise and fun on a trampoline!”

PMLD LINK was established to make a difference to the lives of children and adults with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD). Callum MacKinnon (Founder & Occupational Therapy Lead) has published an article about BounceOT and the use of rebound therapy [the therapeutic use of a trampoline] in PMLD Link’s Winter 2022 edition of the...
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If you are told not to access BounceOT – Parents & Carers

Update by Callum MacKinnon (Founder & Occupational Therapy Lead) I’m more than happy to be challenged on this topic – but I will not let anyone be denied access to support that would benefit them…especially when it is more than likely fully funded from our end, and it would help improve their quality of life....
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2 new staff hired to support more families in Stirling!

I am very excited to be part of the amazing bOunceT family. At BounceOT (bOunceT) we recently recruited 2 part time staff as Play Leader’s! This was part of the bank recruitment model that we blogged about a few months ago – You can read the blog here! ‘‘Bank’ staff recruitment model adopted by bOunceT...
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BounceOT shortlisted to Young EDGE final – Scottish EDGE Round 20

BounceOT has been shortlisted to the final of Scottish EDGE‘s Round 20, in the Young EDGE category. Overall, such a positive business proposal, making a real difference to the clients that have been supported and now looking to roll out the proven model further! Judging Panel – 1st Stage Assessment Scottish EDGE is a competition...
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Wheelie good fun! New bikes for staff as new employee benefit

Brian (Play Leader) with 1 of the 2 new bikes The Leadership Team at bOunceT have made a new employee benefit available to core staff working evenings and weekends – a brand new bike! This benefit comes at the same time that all staff are signed up to the Level 1 Heathcare Plan with Westfield...
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‘Bank’ staff recruitment model adopted by bOunceT – Hiring Now!

bOunceT are recruiting a small ‘bank’ of Play Leader staff – apply now! Deadline – Monday 24th October 2022 @ 12pm This is an exciting time to join a motivated team, and well-established service, delivering activity-based therapeutic play sessions to children and adults with disabilities and their families. Details about the role, pay, and benefits...
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New health cash plan – for a happier & healthier team!

From September 2022, all staff employed at bOunceT will automatically be enrolled into a Level 1 healthcare plan with Westfield Health. The employee benefit was originally promoted through the Forth Valley Chamber of Commerce – as part of a membership benefit to all businesses in Forth Valley area. The Leadership Team have rolled out the...
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ASN Primary School certify 5 new staff as Play Leaders in rebound therapy – Stirling

BounceOT successfully facilitated a second round of rebound therapy training with Education staff at Castleview Primary School in Stirling. This brings the total number of Castleview’s staff certified as Play Leaders in rebound therapy to 10 [since 2018]. Located in Raploch Community Campus, Castleview supports children with a range of severe and profound additional support...
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What is rebound therapy & how can it help? An Occupational Therapist’s opinion

“The activity on the trampoline not only stimulates the cardiovascular system, but also provides significant mental stimulation at the same time. It’s fun for C – it’s one of the few times I see him laugh!” Callum MacKinnon (Founder & Lead Occupational Therapist at bOunceT) was asked to write an article for PMLD Link about...
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Social Media Assistant hired for 6-month work placement – Young Person’s Guarantee

Following on from the success of the Kickstart Scheme – where we hosted 3 young people’s work placements, click here to read about it – bOunceT has been lucky enough to secure further funding from Stirling Council to facilitate another 6 months of work for 1 of the young adults. Viktor (Social Media Assistant) was...
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Danielle’s final year OT student placement – GCU

Introduction Danielle recently completed her final year Occupational Therapy placement (through Glasgow Caledonian University). She was 1 of 2 students following a 2:1 supervision model. This is known as a Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) placement model. Francesca and Callum from Bounce OT previously blogged about their experience being part of the official Practice Education training...
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Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund – what we did to tackle social isolation & loneliness

The Scottish Government launched The Communities Mental Health and Well-being Fund for adults in October 2021. To date, the Fund has supported nearly 2,000 community projects delivering various activities and programmes. Here at bOunceT, we were awarded £10,000 grant funding at the start of 2022 to fund 4 months worth of project activities. We blogged...
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Bounce OT provides targeted sensory support for pupils at Kinnaird Primary School – Falkirk Council

Over the last few months, my OT students and I have been working with the amazing pupils, and fab teaching team, at Kinnaird Primary School in Larbert.
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Kickstart-ing 3 young adult’s careers at bOunceT!

The Kickstart Scheme provides funding to employers to create jobs for 16 to 24 year olds on Universal Credit. Callum & Eliza were always easy to reach out to for any kind of support, I knew they were only a message away, which kept me on the right track even when working from home. The...
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bOunceT awarded place on Stirling Council Framework after successful tender

bOunceT has been awarded a place on the Social Inclusion Framework after successfully completing a competitive tender by Stirling Council. bOunceT are now an approved supplier on the framework and are already receiving referrals from Stirling Council’s Children with Disabilities Social Work team. Many of the families who are supported by this team are entitled...
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Imogen’s remote final-year OT placement from London!

Hello! My name is Imogen. I am a final year occupational therapy student from Brunel University, and my time at bOunceT was to be my fourth and final placement before graduating. Previously I have experienced a placement working with the elderly in community and two in a hospital setting working with neurological conditions, therefore, I...
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Full-time Play Leader hired for new project at bOunceT

Brian Stretton has been recruited by bOunceT to fill the new full-time Play Leader position, made possible by generous funding from The National Lottery Community Fund Scotland [for a 3 year project starting April 2022]. I’m looking forward to working with the children, young people, and adults, who access the service as I went to...
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Lien’s international OT placement – from Belgium to bOunceT!

Following on from our blog about Lien arranging her work experience at bOunceT all the way from Belgium, I wanted to update you about her time with us! I really want to say thank you. It was so nice and I’m really grateful that I could visit your amazing organisation and country! Lien came over...
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bOunceT recruiting full-time Play Leader to support OT team for new 3 year project

bOunceT are looking to hire a new full-time addition to the team on a 3 year fixed-term contract. This post will hopefully be extended for a further 3 years, or made permanent, subject to funding in 2025. [Job Advert below] Despite the role of a Play Leader already being established within the organisation, this position...
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team - Ally Ross

Ally’s DIY OT placement at bOunceT

Introduction Ally Ross (OT Student from Glasgow Caledonian University) wanted to make the most of her time off between studying and placements, so she reached out to me in the hope to arrange a few days shadowing the OT team at bOunceT. Cut a long story short, Ally was able to arrange 4 days placement...
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From Belgium to bOunceT – Lien’s international OT work experience

Lien Andries is an Occupational Therapy student living in Belgium. She initially contacted Callum MacKinnon (Founder & Lead Occupational Therapist) at bOunceT a few months ago to organise an OT student exchange in the hope to gain work experience for her CV. Despite challenges with formalising the agreement due to COVID restrictions and other processes...
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bOunceT to expand therapy services to South Lanarkshire with PAMIS

Specialist OT staff, Play Leaders, and OT students on placement at bOunceT will begin delivering services to new families in a new local authority area. This new partnership is the result of joint innovation with PAMIS. The aim of this project is to provide high quality – and FUN – activities to individuals living with...
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team- Euan

New Graduate OT hired for project work after successful placement at bOunceT!

Euan Scott successfully completed his final year Occupational Therapy (OT) placement at bOunceT [from Queen Margaret University] in 2021, and now has secured a part-time role in the company as an Occupational Therapist. “In my final year of studying OT, I was lucky enough to be introduced to bOunceT as an OT service operating in...
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bOunceT to share in £400,000 Mental Health fund

Forth Valley: £345,800 of large grants given to 29 organisations and a further £66,215 in small grants given to 21 organisations bOunceT Innovative Occupational Therapy: awarded £10,000 for project expenses until March 2022 – new mental health project to support adults with disabilities, and their parents/carers. More news about this project below. Stirling Voluntary Enterprise...
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Mary – Online OT Placement (University of Brighton)

Hello everyone, my name is Mary and I am a student Occupational Therapist from University of Brighton! When I first learned that my last occupational therapy placement was to be remote with bOunceT, initially I was surprised and confused about how this would work…especially since at the services typical therapy sessions involve the use of...
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Ian – OT Student Placement (QMU – Queen Margaret University)

Hello! My name is Ian and I am a 1st Year Occupational Therapy student at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. I recently completed a six-week practice placement at bOunceT along with my fellow student Jenny. As a first OT placement, it was a fun, interesting, supportive, and rewarding place to be. bOunceT showed me how...
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Coaching Parents Online – My Final Year OT Student Placement – Lois, RGU

Hello, everyone! My name is Lois Taylor, I am a fourth-year occupational therapy student from Robert Gordon University RGU (Aberdeen) and I have just finished my final year OT placement at bOunceT. One of my key responsibilities this year was to be involved in a new and upcoming project where I followed the evidence and...
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Canada

Working online from Canada! Julia – Occupational Therapy (OT) Graduate

Hi, this is Julia! I have been working behind the scenes with bOunceT on an exciting new project to develop our new product – Meaningful Moments. I wanted to share the story of how I came to work with bOunceT all the way from my home in Canada, what remote working has been like for...
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Staff Stories - Naomi Youngman: Play Resource Officer

Occupational Therapy in the 3rd sector – Naomi’s experience (from OT student to OT)

I was lucky enough to have my first placement of my MSc Occupational Therapy course at bOunceT. What struck me most was the person-centred nature of their practice; this is a company that really values and listens to the perspectives of parents and carers. I also appreciated how much effort went in to creating enjoyable...
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Staff Stories: Julia Wilson – Play Resource Officer

Hi! My name is Julia and I am one of the newest bOunceT recruits. I have just graduated with my Masters in Occupational Therapy from Glasgow Caledonian University and am joining the team as a Play Resource Officer. I will be working remotely from my home on the east coast of Canada. When applying to...
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Staff Stories: Alicia Gibbons

Staff Stories: Alicia Gibbons – Play Leader

Hello, My name is Alicia and I am the new Play Leader and Marketing Assistant at bOunceT! From an early age, I have been passionate about working with children and young people especially those with unique differences and gifts. In Primary School, I always found schoolwork challenging compared to my peers. I found that swimming...
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Social Enterprise – the future of Occupational Therapy (Callum’s MSc journey)

  Highlight: May 2021: “Social Enterprise – The future of Occupational Therapy”  (Part of ‘Callum’s MSc journey: Advancing Practice in Occupational Therapy’ series) Introduction to my ‘MSc journey’ series of blogs… In my role as Occupational Therapy Lead at bOunceT, I have been studying some modules from the innovative Post-Registration Masters in Occupational Therapy at Queen Margaret University in Edinburgh. I started this course in...
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Student Placement Feedback – Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) Occupational Therapy (OT)

We have recently said goodbye to a group of 4th year Occupational Therapy students from Glasgow Caledonian University, it was great to get to know them and have them as part of our team for a short yet memorable placement experience at bOunceT! We had a total of 4 students within this placement group –...
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4th birthday

Lockdown Birthday – bOunceT – from 2017 to now, and for another 4 years!

Some of the bOunceT Team (those not working from home – but socially distanced between perspex glass and plastic screens!) Left-Right: Shai (Marketing Officer), Nadia (Play Resource Officer OT), Francesca (OT), Alicia (Play Leader), Naomi (Play Resource Officer OT), Callum (OT Lead) Oh and we can not forget Julia (Play Resource Officer OT) who joined...
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adapt and thrive fund

Adapt & Thrive Fund – COVID recovery grant to adapt bOunceT and thrive as a business!

Introduction by Callum (Founder & Occupational Therapy Lead)Hi, my name is Callum and I am the Founder, Executive Director and Occupational Therapy Lead at bOunceT! The last 12 months have been challenging to say the least, but my team and I have made the most of turning these challenges into positives! This short blog is...
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Fantastic 4 new interns GCU

bOunceT hires ‘fantastic 4’ new interns from Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU)!

We previously hinted that we were growing our team here at bOunceT in our ‘New Year, New Office!‘ blog post. We feel that after giving them some time to settle in, now is the perfect time to introduce them to you. They have all come from Glasgow Caledonian University and we are excited for you...
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Defining ‘rebound therapy’ & where it fits within Occupational Therapy

Highlight: September 2020 –“bOunceT” Occupational Therapy (OT) model of rebound therapy. Callum MacKinnon (Founder & Occupational Therapy Lead) at bOunceT Innovative Occupational Therapy CIC reflects on his journey from learning about rebound therapy, to setting up a rebound therapy service, then developing this into a specialist occupational therapy service. Definition Rebound therapy is not a...
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