About Me
Hi, I’m Lauren, an Occupational Therapist and Aged Care Leader with 12 years of experience spanning hospital, community, and residential care settings across Ireland, the UK, and Australia. From the very start of my career, I knew my passion was working with older adults, helping them maintain independence, dignity, and quality of life.
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But as I progressed, I realized another passion: empowering other OTs. Through years of supervising, mentoring, and leading clinical teams, I saw first hand how the right knowledge, support, and systems could transform not only client outcomes but also an OT’s confidence, job satisfaction, and professional success.
That’s why I started Way Forward OT - to give OTs the tools, strategies, and insights they need to thrive.
![Emma_Veness_Photography-55[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbcd0a_a1f0b4dd63ca44248d37f597ca85b3db~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_475,h_604,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Emma_Veness_Photography-55%5B1%5D.jpg)
![Emma_Veness_Photography-27[1]_edited.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbcd0a_37bfeb8f780442699fe82257654733fe~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_446,h_639,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Emma_Veness_Photography-27%5B1%5D_edited.png)
Mission
My mission is to empower Occupational Therapists working in community and aged care settings with the knowledge, tools, and confidence they need to thrive in their practice. Through practical, evidence-based training, we help OTs navigate complex funding systems, enhance clinical reasoning, and build sustainable careers, ensuring better outcomes for both practitioners and the clients they serve.
Vision
I envision a future where every OT working in aged and community care feels equipped, valued, and supported. OTs should be empowered to make meaningful, client-centered decisions with confidence. By bridging the gap between clinical expertise, leadership, and innovation, we aim to create a more effective, empowered, and future-ready OT professional that delivers exceptional care while driving professional growth and service sustainability.
![Emma_Veness_Photography-85[1].jpg](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/cbcd0a_466c1082a8c1487da0a11b5c159c3ae1~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_621,h_549,al_c,q_80,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Emma_Veness_Photography-85%5B1%5D.jpg)
Professional Qualifications
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Background
Beyond my clinical and leadership experience, I’ve invested in extra studies at RMIT and Charles Darwin University to bridge the gap between practice, innovation, and business. My background includes:
Occupational Therapy
Group Facilitation
Health Service Management
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia
Design Thinking
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Co-Design
Mental Health First Aid
Certified