Allied Health Professions Day: Celebrating those who help residents live independently

Bury Council marked Allied Health Professions Day on 14 October 2026 by recognising the vital contribution of occupational therapists and the many other allied health professionals who support residents to live healthier, safer and more independent lives.

Working collaboratively across Bury Council, NHS Services and wider community partnerships, allied health professionals play an essential role in helping people overcome challenges, maintain their wellbeing and achieve the outcomes that matter most to them.

Occupational therapists (OTs) are among the professionals making a significant difference to residents across the borough. Working across Children’s and Adult Social Care, Intermediate Care and Housing Services, they support people with disabilities, long-term health conditions, mobility difficulties and changing support needs. By identifying strengths, removing barriers and finding practical solutions, they help people remain independent, achieve personal goals and improve their quality of life.

Allied Health Professions Day also celebrates the contribution of physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, dieticians, podiatrists and other allied health professionals. Working together across health and social care, these professionals play an important role in rehabilitation, recovery, preventing avoidable admissions to hospital and supporting people to return home and regain independence.

Councillor Tamoor Tariq, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said:

"Allied Health Professions Day gives us an opportunity to recognise the dedication, expertise and compassion of the many professionals who support residents across Bury every day.

"Occupational therapists, alongside the wider allied health professional workforce, help people overcome challenges, maintain their independence and achieve goals that are important to them. Their work often takes place behind the scenes, but it has a profound impact on people, families and communities.

"On behalf of Bury Council, I would like to thank all our allied health professionals for the difference they make every day and for the vital role they play in helping residents live healthy, safe and independent lives."

Sophie Fletcher, an Occupational Therapist within Bury Council's Adult Social Care Reviewing Team said:

"Occupational therapists look beyond a diagnosis to understand what matters most to a person and what is helping or hindering their independence. We work alongside residents to identify strengths, overcome barriers and find practical solutions that enable them to do more for themselves, whether that's returning home, accessing their community or carrying out everyday activities safely. Sometimes a relatively small change in equipment, support or environment can make a significant difference to a person's confidence, wellbeing and ability to live independently."

Michelle Moore, an occupational therapist within Bury Council's Housing Service added:

"Housing Occupational Therapists use their understanding of health, disability and how homes and living environments affect daily life to help people access homes that support their needs and independence. Whether we're supporting hospital

discharge, allocating adapted housing, helping people remain safely in their communities, reducing social isolation or preventing homelessness, the right home can have a profound impact on a person's health, wellbeing and quality of life."

The work of allied health professionals reflects Bury's LET'S Do It! approach, which focuses on building on people's strengths, putting relationships first and helping residents live healthy, independent and fulfilling lives. By working alongside individuals, families, communities and partner organisations, allied health professionals empower people to achieve the outcomes that matter most to them, demonstrating how Bury is turning its commitment to prevention, independence and person-centred support into everyday practice.

As Bury celebrates Allied Health Professions Day, the council is proud to recognise their expertise, compassion and commitment to working together to make a lasting difference to individuals, families and communities across the borough.

Notes for Editors