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International Creative Ability Network

Training, Resources, Support & CPD in the
Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability

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The Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA) (Van der Reyden et al. 2019) is an Occupational Therapy practice model originating from the theory of creative ability developed by South African Occupational Therapist, Vona du Toit (du Toit, 1974; du Toit, 2015).  
This model's unique contribution to the Occupational Therapy profession is understanding people in terms of sequential levels of creative ability. The term creative refers to one's ability to change in response to life‘s demands (the creation of oneself), as well as creation of tangible things and solutions to problems. From a developmental perspective, each level of creative ability is comprised of interrelated volition, motivation and action (behaviours, skills, performance). Identifying and understanding a person's level of creative ability enables therapists to understand and provide therapeutic intervention for people of all degrees of volition, motivation and ability (Van der Reyden et al. 2019). Such knowledge can also guide intervention by other disciplines, family, carers and health and social care support staff (Van der Reyden & Sherwood, 2019; Jeffries, 2021).

The VdTMoCA is client-centred, ability and recovery focused. Occupational Therapy is offered to match what the person has volition, motivation and ability for, but which also poses a challenge, mastery of which has the potential to result in growth in volition, motivation and ability. The individual's experience of having his/her motivation (needs) met, and experiencing ability to do activities of daily living, both motivates and enables him/her to engage. Through engagement, behaviour and skills are developed towards the next level. Equally, the model informs intervention to maintain and/or prevent decline in ability, e.g. when improvement and growth into higher levels is not possible, or a person has a progressive condition such as dementia.

The model provides a detailed guide to the selection, structuring and presentation of intervention (Casteleijn & Holsten, 2019). This includes the use of activity, activity groups and differing situations as the core of Occupational Therapy treatment, but informs all interactions with the individual, including how to approach him/her, structure self-care intervention, and how to develop a meaningful routine that attends to all aspects of daily living including use of free time (leisure). Therefore, this model has effectively enabled a multidisciplinary approach (Murphy, 2021; Quan & Zywicka-Rospond, 2017), including family and carers in the design and delivery of care plans according to the person's level (Schon et al. 2017). This supports individuals to meet their potential.

The model provides a means of measuring increase and decrease in motivation and ability, including the Creative Participation Assessment form (Van der Reyden & Sherwood, 2019) and the Activity Participation Outcome Measure (Casteleijn, 2010, 2012a, 2012b). The latter is available to Occupational Therapists with depth of knowledge and experience of assessing creative ability.

The VdTMoCA is of particular interest to mental health and learning disabilities practice, but is applicable to any service including working with people in wellness (Joubert, 2021) and for staff development (Wilson & Casteleijn, 2017; Zywicka-Rospond & Khatri, 2015). The model is purported to be effective for all diagnoses and severity of illness/problems (Van der Reyden & Sherwood, 2019). For example, in relation to mental health clients, clients perceived as unresponsive and difficult to engage can receive therapeutic intervention from day one rather than waiting for clients 'to get a bit better‘ in response to medication whilst potentially being deemed as 'not ready‘ or 'unsuitable for OT‘. Through this model, therapists may realise that it is not that clients are unsuitable for Occupational Therapy, but that the occupational therapy traditionally offered, may not have been suitable for these clients. Therapists realise that they are able to work therapeutically with these and all clients (all levels of creative ability).

For Occupational Therapists, the model brings together all the core aspects of Occupational Therapy practice (activity analysis, grading, purposeful activity, activity groups, therapeutic use of self and the non-human environment), enabling occupational therapists to be occupational therapists through the application of activity as a powerful therapeutic tool.

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The theory of creative ability and the VdTMoCA have been used extensively for over 40 years. The model has gained a great deal of interest in the UK and is known to be in the curriculum of four BSc (Hons) / PgDip OT programmes, and explored at several others through problem-based learning and OT Society’s. The model is used in approximately 21 NHS Trusts and 9 Independent healthcare providers, charities and other agencies. The largest field of practice is forensic (VdTMoCA Foundation UK, 2013; 2016), including Broadmoor High Security Hospital (Carpenter et al, 2021; Carpenter 2018; 2018a) and has been used at a therapeutic community prison for people with a diagnosis of personality disorder and learning disability/intellectual impairment (see Wilson, 2017; Sherwood, 2017).
The VdTMoCA is also applied to intervention in stroke rehabilitation,  low secure forensic, dementia care, for children with     sensory problems/sensory integration, acquired brain injury,   complex needs (mental health), and for developing/attending to     spirituality, as reported in 13 chapters within Perspectives on the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: practice, theory and philosophy, edited by Wendy Sherwood, 2021.

Dr Wendy Sherwood Dip COT, MSc, PhD is a Consultant Occupational Therapist recognised nationally and internationally as an expert in the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability (VdTMoCA), and is a co-author of the model.

Wendy founded the VdT Model of Creative Ability Interest Group in 2005, becoming the VdTMoCA Foundation (UK) Community Interest Company in 2012. Wendy is a contributing author and co-editor of the first full text on the VdTMoCA (see Van der Reyden, Casteleijn, Sherwood & De Witt, 2019), and co-authored and edited two texts on the practical application of the model in acute mental health (Sherwood et al. 2015) and learning disabilities/intellectual impairment services (Sherwood, 2017).

As the owner of ICAN, Wendy provides training and CPD initiatives for Occupational Therapists, support staff and Multi-disciplinary teams nationally and internationally.  A broad range of initiatives are provided to enable newcomers to the VdTMoCA to gain confidence in applying basic knowledge to practice, and for more experienced practitioners to gain advanced knowledge and skills for challenging aspects of practice. With expertise in enabling Occupational Therapists and other disciplines to learn and apply the VdTMoCA to multidisciplinary practice in Japan and Singapore, Wendy is involved in projects to enable healthcare professionals implement the model in undeveloped and developing countries.

Dr Sherwood has 15 years of experience as a lecturer in Occupational Therapy, and is currently a guest lecturer at London South Bank University; a visiting Prof lecturer in Singapore and an Honorary Fellow at St George’s University, London. ICAN has also delivered 7 international VdTMoCA conferences. 

References
Carpenter C, Jordan S, Lawrence J, London A, Reilly J, Southon M, Summers L (2021) Application of the VdTMoCA to occupational therapy within a High Secure Mental Health Hospital, In: W Sherwood (Ed.) (2021) Perspectives on the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: practice, theory and philosophy. Chp 8. Watford, International Creative Ability Network. (Available via the BOOKS tab of this website).
Casteleijn D (2010) Development of an outcome measure for occupational therapists in mental health care practice. (PhD PhD), University of Pretoria, Pretoria. Retrieved from http://upetd.up.ac.za/thesis/available/etd-02102011-143303/
Casteleijn D, Graham M (2012a) Domains for occupational therapy outcomes in mental health practices. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, 42(1), 26-34.
Casteleijn D, Graham M (2012b) Incorporating a client-centred approach in the development of occupational therapy outcome domains for mental health care settings in South Africa. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy,42(2), 8-13.
Casteleijn D, Holsten H (2019) Creative ability - its emergence and manifestation, IN Van der Reyden D, Casteleijn D, Sherwood W, de Witt P (2019) (Eds.) The Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: Origins, Constructs, Principles and Application in Occupational Therapy.  Vona & Marie du Toit Foundation, Pretoria, South Africa. Chp 4, pp. 106-146.
Du Toit, V (1974) An investigation into the correlation between volition and its expression in action. South African Journal of Occupational Therapy, pp.6-9.
Du Toit, V (2015) Patient Volition and Action in Occupational Therapy. 5th ed. Pretoria: Vona and Marié du Toit Foundation. (Available via the BOOKS tab of this website).
Jeffries L (2021) Seclusion: The end of the road for occupational therapy or a new route with the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability? In: W Sherwood (Ed.) (2021) Perspectives on the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: practice, theory and philosophy. Chp 13. Watford, International Creative Ability Network. (Available via the BOOKS tab of this website).
Joubert R (2021) Exploring new dimensions and looking beyond the realised potential of the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability. In: W Sherwood (Ed.) (2021) Perspectives on the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: practice, theory and philosophy. Chp 11. Watford, International Creative Ability Network.(Available via the BOOKS tab of this website).
Murphy L (2021) Implementing the VdTMoCA on an inpatient mental health rehabilitation ward for clients with complex needs, In: W Sherwood (Ed.) (2021) Perspectives on the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: practice, theory and philosophy. Chp 5. Watford, International Creative Ability Network. (Available via the BOOKS tab of this website).
Quan S, Zywicka-Rospond G (2017) From the Outside Looking In: Incorporating a non-occupational therapy perspective on using the VdTMoCA. Presentation delivered at the 5th ICAN International VdT Model of Creative Ability conference, London.  [Available from wendy@ican-uk.com]
Schon J, Hooper F, Robertson G, Walsh Z, Wilson R, Sherwood W (2017) Reflections on applying the VdTMoCA to practice, In: W Sherwood (Ed.) (2017) The Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: a practical guide to occupational therapy for people with learning disabilities. Chapter 4, pp.24-31. Northampton: Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability Foundation (UK).
Sherwood W, White B, Wilson S (2015) The Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: a practical guide for acute mental health occupational therapy practice. Northampton: Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability Foundation (UK). Out of print.
Sherwood W (2017) (Ed.) The Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: a practical guide to occupational therapy for people with learning disabilities. Northampton: Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability Foundation (UK). Out of print.
Van der Reyden D, Casteleijn D, Sherwood W, de Witt P (2019) (Eds.) The Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: Origins, Constructs, Principles and Application in Occupational Therapy.  Vona & Marie du Toit Foundation, Pretoria, South Africa.
Van der Reyden, D, Sherwood, W (2019) The Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability core constructs and concepts, IN Van der Reyden D, Casteleijn D, Sherwood W, de Witt P (2019) (Eds.) The Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability: Origins, Constructs, Principles and Application in Occupational Therapy.  Vona & Marie du Toit Foundation, Pretoria, South Africa. Chp 3, pp. 58-104.
VdTMoCA Foundation (UK) (2013) Survey of occupational therapy managers' perspectives of the VdTMoCA. Northampton:.Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability Foundation (UK).
VdTMoCA Foundation (UK) (2016) Improving and promoting OT: a national survey of occupational therapists’ and support workers’ perspectives of the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability. Poster presented at the OT Show, Birmingham.
Wilson R (2017) The VdTMoCA Behind Bars: becoming a VdTMoCA occupational therapy service in a therapeutic community prison. Presentation delivered at the 5th ICAN International VdT Model of Creative Ability Conference, London.
Wilson S, Casteleijn D (2017) Could the levels of Creative Ability be applied to supervision and development of staff in the workplace? Presentation delivered at the 5th ICAN International Model of Creative Ability Conference, London.
Zywicka-Rospond M, Khatri R (2011) The implementation of MOCA in a medium secure ward. Poster presentation at the Vona du Toit Model of Creative Ability Conference, Johannesburg, South Africa.




 Benefits that learning and using the VdTMoCA and sharing it with nurses has had over the last two years (inpatient mental health wards): Sharing with nurses - can do together; sharing has been good - the model is a good connecting point. The model has helped me make sense of what I'm doing. Allowed me to clinically reason what I'm doing in a more structured way. We all understand something together. My practice is not so much trial and error anymore. I can reason it out with others. Helps us understand why we're doing what we're doing. Building relationships with nurses. Getting to know them - not just nurses; connecting with nurses. Increased confidence - I can see my progress when I look back at how I understood the model before compared to now. I can see it in action - from bread pudding (structured and presented poorly) to pizza (excellent success)!! 

 The slides were presented very clearly, and I really appreciate the narration and explanation. It gives the slides more 'context'. I also appreciated the photos/pictures/video- they certainly help me to visualise much better. I enjoyed the training; the narration helps to bring life to the learning. It also gives me some time to mull over the information taught- a pause button away :) 

Occupational Therapists

 Overall, it was a great course not only for therapist who have not used this model, but also for those who may have had some experience trying this model out. It provides a comprehensive overview of the VdTMoCA from its fundamental theoretical assumptions and concepts all the way to using this model to guide us in practice, which I feel is very helpful. I really enjoyed the online course, due to the way I take in information and learn it was very helpful to have the slides and the workbook to note take. I also liked the content and felt it went into enough detail. I am feeling confident to now place this into a new service! 

Occupational Therapists

 Thoroughly enjoyed this training! Informative and hugely beneficial to my practice. I feel I have gained a better insight into my service users and will explore ways to change my approach using the knowledge and understanding from this training. I feel I can adapt and improve the service provision to meet the needs of service users, and feel I am now equipped to better support service users especially those who present on the Self-differentiation/Self-Presentation levels when before I felt stumped with how to engage them. 

 Information was concise, not too lengthy. Content broken down to chapters made things more manageable. I enjoyed the specific case examples. It's like listening to client stories. Was also great to see the actual products that clients completed. Super appreciative for the course. Enlightens me on new treatment approaches with some clients that I had previously felt stuck or lost with. 

Occupational Therapists

 It was a very nice course and I enjoyed it a lot. It was easy to follow and it truly motivated me to implement VdTMoCA in my practice; it has been very inspirational. The information was well presented and very clear. I found that very good as being an on-line training it can be difficult to follow and remain focused. The amount of time given to complete it all and how the presentations are designed, helped me to not struggle to complete it. I want to thank you for the opportunity. 

 Thoroughly enjoyed this training! Informative and hugely beneficial to my practice. I feel I have gained a better insight into my service users and will explore ways to change my approach using the knowledge and understanding from this training. I feel I can adapt and improve the service provision to meet the needs of service users, and feel I am now equipped to better support service users especially those who present on the Self-differentiation/Self-Presentation levels when before I felt stumped with how to engage them. 

 I feel I have a much greater understanding of the VdTMoCA and know it will be supportive to me within practice. I have already reflected and noted an improvement in my ability to observe, assess and record information, thank you! 

 It is easy to relate with what is actually happening in the ward. It explains the level of the patients and its approaches to introducing tasks and activities and how to move to enhance and upgrade their [patients’] skills. 

Nurse
     

 Accessible on-line training. Very detailed and descriptive. User friendly, especially for non-OT staff. 

     

 I really enjoyed the online course, due to the way I take in information and learn it was very helpful to have the slides and the workbook to note take. I also liked the content and felt it went into enough detail. I am feeling confident to now place this into a new service! 

     

 "Helped me to think about the 'stuckness' of some of our clients and how to work with this" Team Manager "Highlighted the need to look at different ways of working with out clients base - encouraged to look at difficulties that clients have and the need to look at reasons behind this. Promoted ways that can help them function more effectively in a personal way" Support Worker "A model that corresponds to the patient group characteristics; helps understand and perhaps explain barriers; a guide to pitching interventions right." Psychiatrist 

     

 I really enjoyed the module, it has encouraged me to think more deeply about my clients with personality disorder and how they can present in occupational therapy, and now I can start to see why that might be. The narration was excellent. This module has also made me want to do the two-day course! 

     

 I could not have hoped for a better opportunity - by far the best training I have attended 

     

 Benefits that learning and using the VdTMoCA and sharing it with nurses has had over the last two years (inpatient mental health wards): Sharing with nurses - can do together; sharing has been good - the model is a good connecting point. The model has helped me make sense of what I'm doing. Allowed me to clinically reason what I'm doing in a more structured way. We all understand something together. My practice is not so much trial and error anymore. I can reason it out with others. Helps us understand why we're doing what we're doing. Building relationships with nurses. Getting to know them - not just nurses; connecting with nurses. Increased confidence - I can see my progress when I look back at how I understood the model before compared to now. I can see it in action - from bread pudding (structured and presented poorly) to pizza (excellent success)!! 

  • Watford, England, United Kingdom

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