This year has really highlighted the importance of physical and mental wellbeing. Financial worries, the lack of job security and being separated from loved ones, all with the threat of a global pandemic looming in the background, can take its toll.

With more of us becoming aware of our own wellbeing, there is no better time to consider a career as an Allied Health Professional, or AHP. AHPs make up the third-largest clinical workforce in the NHS, working across a range of sectors from emergency response and diagnosis to mental and physical rehabilitation. Their focus is to help patients live life as fully as possible.

Roles within this area include:

• Art Therapist – using art to help patients address emotional issues that are too difficult to talk about.
• Music Therapist – using the power of music to help people deal with feelings they cannot put into words.
• Drama Therapist – using roleplay, voice work, movement and storytelling to help people explore and solve personal and social problems.
• Speech & Language Therapist – providing treatment and support for children and adults who have difficulties with communication, eating, drinking and swallowing.
• Occupational Therapist – helping people who have difficulties carrying out day-to-day activities because of a disability, illness, trauma, ageing and a range of long-term conditions.

Although challenging at times, these roles are incredibly rewarding and offer a huge sense of job satisfaction.

Sophie Williams completed a MA in Art Therapy from the University of Hertfordshire in 2018. She now works as a Family Care Practitioner for a children’s mental health charity.

“I chose my career path because I have always loved art and I wanted to use my art in a way that contributes to society,” said Sophie.

“The most rewarding part of my job is meeting lovely families and seeing a positive change for a young person. I enjoy working with children because with them I can create, have fun, play and basically act like a big kid.”

Find more about a career as an Allied Health Professional here: We are the NHS: Allied Health Professionals