Service User Choice Award Success for Rowan View's Autism Project

Congratulations to the modern day 'A Team'!

This week, one of our service users attended the prestigious national Lived Experience Awards at Colwick Hall in Nottingham. He was there in recognition of creating a support group to raise awareness of autism and celebrate neurodiversity - a project he called 'The A Team'.

He was part of a hotly contested 'Celebrating Diversity' category, and whilst he didn't take that award, he did win the Service User Choice vote - a major achievement!

Working with adult education lead Ellen Axon and his ward staff, a monthly support group was set up to promote understanding of his own condition and the isolation it can often lead to for those in secure care. Clinical leads including Jasmin Edwards have noted how the work gave an extra sense of purpose to the service user.

The A Team provides a safe space for people to discuss a range of topics—from mental health to gender identity—through the lens of autism. By leading these sessions himself, the service user empowered others to understand their own neurodiversity. The award's website called the project 'a powerful example of how lived experience can drive meaningful change and recovery'.

Occupational Therapist Tori Wolfendale, our Lead for Quality and Innovation, is writing an academic article about how the project has enhanced peer support.

Tori says: "Initially created as part of the patient's recovery journey to explore and understand his autism diagnosis, the project evolved into an educational tool for the wider ward community. The ward community embraced the project, demonstrating their commitment by organising and completing a charity walk, raising over £350 for an autism charity."

The service user worked with the Trust's communications team to make a special promotional video of his experiences. It was shown to judges and attendees at this week's award ceremony.

This project has also contributed to the Trust’s distinctive approach to reducing restrictive practices, which places a strong emphasis on amplifying the patient’s voice in their care and treatment.