Notion of 'Place': Reflection

"Place is the physical surroundings or environments that are natural or built. Place influences how people work, play, and care for each other or themselves (Christiansen & Townsend, 2010, p.252)".

An an Occupational Therapy student it is so important to be able to identify the varying and diverse places in which occupation is performed. In terms of the person and their occupations- place or the 'environment' is a crucial component in understanding the individual as whole entity not just their own personal characteristics.

Continued by Christiansen & Townsend (2010) the places influence the occupations. An example of this is a home which may encourage occupations of socialising, self care activities and some leisure tasks, however as the notion of play is 'socially constructed' then different places will have different meanings associated to them. Commonly, place is described according to the occupation that it serves e.g shopping centre.

If I relate this concept of place to my own bookclub place - or where the activity of bookclub is carried out. Usually this occurs in my lounge in my flat. This space would be physically suitable as there is adequate and comfortable seating, it is a familiar space to all the members, there is adequate lighting and the flat is (usually) warm and comfortable for those attending. In terms of access and distances from this location to other members, each member is able to walk to the flat within a 5-10 minute walk. This enables bookclub (because of its location) to be incorporated quite easily into everyones routines and day-to-day lives. The cues in place in my lounge invite individuals to sit down and engage with each other. The only barrier to interaction being the Television to which all of the couches and chairs are directed towards.

Socially constructed meaning is being created in this act of 'bookclubbing' as my lounge is associated with the event of bookclub giving it communal and individual meaning to those involved. My lounge area provides a means of social interaction that enable participants to develop communication between others, share beliefs and values and have a shared purpose in an activity. Meaning and place develop over time due to shared understanding between members of that place. I will comment on the meaning that has been created once this particular bookclub has been drawn to a close........