Occupational therapists (OT) with a total of nearly 500 years' experience between them recently came together to reminisce about when they started their careers.

Led by Mike Nursey, 13 people came along to meet up to mark the 40 year anniversary since they started their occupational therapy course at St Andrew’s Healthcare.

The cohort of 50 students began their training on September 20 in 1982 at the School of Occupational Therapy at Priory Cottage.

The reunion brought those who could make it together from all corners of the country so they could attempt to recreate a photo that was taken on their graduation day.

Mike said: “It’s been more than 40 years since we began our training, which almost seems like a lifetime ago, but seeing everyone today has been like no time has passed at all.

“It’s been absolutely wonderful to be reunited with my old pals and to hear how everyone has gone on to do some really great things within the world of occupation therapy.

“We worked out earlier that between the 13 of us, collectively we have 481 combined years of experience, which actually makes me feel quite ancient so I think I will instead focus on the fun we’re going to have later at our evening reunion meal.”

Within the group some of Mike’s colleagues are now senior health managers, OT lecturers, or OT text book authors. Many of his friends and fellow students have spent more than 30 years in healthcare.

Posing on the steps of Priory Cottage which is no longer the venue for OT training, the OT’s posed to recreate the picture that was originally taken 37 years ago.