Abacus and KS Occupational Therapy to present ‘Bath, shower or both?’ seminars at DFG Champions Roadshows

KS Occupational Therapy, in association with Abacus Specialist Bathroom Solutions, will be presenting an insightful adapted bathroom seminar at the Autumn DFG Champions Roadshows.

Foundations UK is the national body for Home Improvement Agencies (HIAs), Handyperson Services and English Disabled Facilities Grants. Its annual roadshows provide a platform for housing and healthcare professionals to share ideas, learn from experts and connect with fellow professionals responsible for supporting residents with extra needs. Each event delivers a series of educational presentations which for Autumn 2026, will include talks by housing specialist occupational therapists (OTs) Kate Sheehan, David Owen and Dr. Ruth Parker.

‘Bath, shower or both?’ presentation

Hosted by occupational therapists Kate Sheehan, David Owen and Ruth Parker
The Housing Grants, Regeneration Act 1996, set out the purposes of what can be funded – we will explore the ‘Bath, shower or both’ purpose in our presentations, which will be delivered by three knowledgeable and experienced occupational therapists.

DFG Champions Roadshow 2026 (Autumn series)

Southampton – 9th Sept
Novotel Southampton, 1 W Quay Rd, Southampton. SO15 1RA. 09:00 – 15:15.

Liverpool – 16th Sept
The Liner Hotel, Lord Nelson St, Liverpool. L3 5QB. 09:00 – 15:15.

Wolverhampton – 23rd Sept
Grand Station, Sun St, Wolverhampton. WV10 0BF. 09:00 – 15:15.

Sheffield – 7th Oct
voco Sheffield by IHG. 119 Norfolk St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield. S1 2JE. 09:00 – 15:15.

Chiswick, London – 14-15th Oct
Clayton Hotel Chiswick, 626 Chiswick High Rd., Chiswick, London. W4 5RY. 09:00 – 15:15.

About the presenters

Kate Sheehan, occupational therapist
Kate Sheehan is a well-respected Occupational Therapist, with over 38 years of clinical experience, having graduated from the Derby School of Occupational Therapy in 1987. Her specialist area of practice is accessible housing design, championing the need to understand the meaning of home to an individual. Kate is internationally known and has presented her inclusive design practice in Australia, Italy, the USA and presented the first accessible housing courses in Bosnia and Croatia. She was awarded a Fellowship from the Royal College of Occupational Therapists in 2022 for her outstanding work in OT and in 2023 was bestowed a fellowship from the University of Worcester.

David Owen, occupational therapist
David specialises in housing adaptations, equipment provision and accessible environmental design. With over 12 years’ experience across local authorities in Wales and England, he delivers expert assessment and guidance on complex housing, disability and functional needs. He provides national training on social care and housing adaptation law and contributes to workforce development through supervision and mentoring. He is co author of Key Skills for Housing Adaptations and lectures on housing and social care policy. His practice is grounded in evidence based, person centred approaches that enable meaningful occupational outcomes.

Ruth Parker, occupational therapist
Ruth has experience across health, social care and research. She is dedicated to creating accessible, functional home environments that maximise independence, safety and choice. Ruth is passionate about ensuring that housing and adaptations are grounded in robust professional reasoning, enabling people to live well in the places that matter to them. Her practice is evidence based and holistic, with a strong commitment to high quality assessment and intervention. Ruth actively supports students and practitioners to develop confidence and competence in housing related practice, promoting consistent, person centred decision making and the delivery of effective, meaningful adaptations.