Ashleigh loving life in the Wheatbelt

Occupational Therapist (OT) Ashleigh has built a career caring for communities across the Eastern Wheatbelt while becoming an active member of the Merredin community.

Despite loving her job and the impact it has on members of her community, Ashleigh almost didn’t become an OT- only considering it after a freak accident more than a decade ago.

This turning point opened her eyes to the important role OTs play in helping patients recover, improve, and maintain skills needed for daily living and working.

Ashleigh described this first interaction with an occupational therapist, and how it drove her to take that path at university.

“I valued how occupational therapy had a holistic, client centred approach and assisted in enabling people to participate in the variable activities of everyday life,” she said

“Occupational therapy really helped me when I needed it, and now it’s a privilege to offer this same support to the communities I grew up in.”

When asked if she’d recommend becoming an OT in the country, Ashleigh didn’t hold back, enthusing about the interesting and varied work, as well as exceptional work-life balance on offer.

“Working in the country has its challenges given the bigger scope of practice, but this also means I’ve developed a broad range of skills. This has allowed me to continue developing and grow my career really quickly at WACHS.

“Outside of work I absolutely love living in the country. There is so much that working in the country offers, with beautiful regional WA right on your doorstep,” she added.

Ashleigh is thriving in Merredin and said the sense of community is one of the highlights of her job.

“I love building a connection with people and as simple as it sounds, a hello or thank you in passing while doing your food shopping is something you don’t get anywhere else.”