Rainbow Trees Project

Overcoming the negative pandemic effects

In January 2020, the World Health Organization declared a global health emergency; isolation and social distancing became part of our “normality,” impacting the mental wellness of entire communities. This situation affected people’s community participation, preventing them from engaging in culturally valued activities outside their household roles.  This occupational deprivation influences a sense of purpose and occupational identities, potentially impacting mental wellness and long-term ability to participate in the community.  

The “Rainbow Trees Project” aimed to promote community participation through “Knitting Togetherness” sessions, using “Yarn bombing,” a technique that could be adequately applied across people’s cultures and abilities. This community-based occupational therapy considered the need for varying levels of social participation while bringing people together. “Rainbow Trees Project” was the impetus, the very beginning of Purpose Artisans, and their community-based occupational therapy through community projects. 

Through this project, occupational therapy based in the community demonstrated the capacity to address this occupational deprivation, being resourceful and responsive to community issues.

Occupational therapy is essential in promoting mental wellness in our communities. Stories of participants were collected during this time that demonstrated increased connection to others and a sense of purpose.

John and Nicole later presented on this project at the World Federations of Occupational Therapy in 2022 in Paris, France, where occupational therapy practitioners and scholars were intrigued by the methodology, execution, and results.