When I (Olly) and Ella first started our physiotherapy placement with reclaim mobility, we
knew there would be plenty of patient interaction, learning opportunities, and clinical
experiences.
We spent lots of time travelling across Essex and realised quickly my car would
become our second workspace. Community rehabilitation is unlike any placement we’ve experienced before. One day you might be visiting a client in a busy town centre, and the next you’re driving down winding
country roads to reach a tucked away house. There were definitely days when the sat nav
seemed to have a life of its own. We had to result in asking members of the public for
directions and signs to help guide us to our destination. However, we did a good job making
sure we arrived promptly every time.
At first, the travelling was tiring. Early starts, navigating unfamiliar roads, between visits took some getting used to. Over time it became part of the routine. I learned how to plan journeys efficiently, make the most of travel time, and appreciate the variety that each day brought.
Writing SOAP notes in the car between visits was a fun experience we developed with our
educator Nicola.
We would speak about notes of patients and writing them between visits to
publish later on the app. Whether parked outside a patient’s home or in a quiet side street,
those few minutes became invaluable for documenting assessments, treatment plans, and
reflections while everything was still fresh in my mind. As in the first week we realised how
leaving notes till the end of the day was a tough task for our brains.
One of the highlights of the placement has been seeing the incredible range of environments
where people live and receive rehabilitation. We’ve visited some impressive care homes,
each with dedicated staff working tirelessly to support residents’ wellbeing and
independence. It has been fascinating to see the different facilities, rehabilitation spaces, and
approaches to care across the county. Equally memorable have been the visits to people’s
homes.
Community physiotherapy offers a unique glimpse into patients’ lives that you simply
don’t get in a hospital setting. From housing estates, little hidden houses to family homes,
every visit gives an incite to the patient at the centre of the care. Being welcomed into
someone’s home is a privilege and often helps build stronger therapeutic relationships.
Travelling far and wide across Essex has also taught us the importance of adapting treatment
plans to real-life environments. Instead of imagining how a patient manages at home, you can
see firsthand the stairs they climb, the spaces they move through, and the challenges they face
every day.
Giving back functional activities of daily living was extremely rewarding. This
has helped me understand the value of patient-centred rehabilitation. Although the long
drives and busy schedules can be exhausting, they’ve been balanced by the rewarding
experiences and learning opportunities that come with community practice. Every journey
has led to some familiar faces by the end of placement and a lot of new ones. Seeing progress
firsthand and gaining a deeper understanding of how physiotherapy can improve
independence and quality of life was visible to myself and Ella throughout our placement.
Looking back, the miles travelled across Essex have become invaluable learning experience,
helping us grow not only as a physiotherapy student but also as a future healthcare
professional. Having a laugh and a pit stop along the way to get lunch was also time to get to
know the people you’re working with, which comes as a bonus to having a lovely placement
