Taking the Leap: My Journey to Setting Up Peace Lily OT

Hello, and welcome to the very first blog post for Peace Lily Occupational Therapy!

I’m Dawn, and I’m delighted you’ve found your way here. This marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for me - stepping into the world of self-employment and building a service that brings together everything I value: inclusion, creativity, and helping people thrive.

For several years, I’ve worked across healthcare and education - from paediatric therapy in schools to orthopaedic rehabilitation in hospitals, and most recently, supporting children with additional needs in specialist therapy services.

Alongside my professional journey, I also discovered the therapeutic joy of sewing, training as an accredited curtain and roman blind maker. Over time, these two threads of my life began to weave together: the structured, evidence-based world of occupational therapy and the calming, creative power of sewing.

Setting up Peace Lily OT has allowed me to merge these experiences into a practice that’s truly holistic. Through clinical occupational therapy, I support children with special educational needs and neurodiverse adults in the workplace. Through Threads & Therapy, I offer sewing-based wellbeing workshops that provide community, mindfulness, and skill-building.

Why “Peace Lily”? For me, the peace lily is a symbol of calm, resilience, and hope. It thrives in all kinds of conditions and continues to grow even when overlooked. That’s exactly what I want for the people I work with — the opportunity to flourish, regardless of their starting point.

Starting my own practice hasn’t been without its challenges, but I’m fuelled by the belief that therapy can be compassionate, creative, and empowering. I hope this blog will be a space to share insights about occupational therapy, practical wellbeing tips, and reflections on community and creativity. Thank you for joining me at the very start of this journey - I’m so excited for what’s ahead.