Congratulations to Mark, one of our residents, who has qualified as an Oliver McGowan Trainer.

Mark has been selected as an “expert by experience” to deliver vital Oliver McGowan training to NHS and care sector staff. This role is designed to provide staff with a deeper understanding of the challenges faced by people with disabilities through firsthand accounts.

Mark is thrilled about his new role: “I am looking forward to helping people,” he said. “I will be able to talk to people about all sorts of things.” He is particularly passionate about discussing the mental health challenges faced by individuals with Learning Disabilities and Autism, adding, “We need to talk about mental health, and I will.”

The Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training on Learning Disability and Autism is named after Oliver McGowan, whose tragic death highlighted the urgent need for improved training in health and social care. The Health and Care Act 2022 mandated that regulated service providers ensure their staff receive appropriate learning disability and autism training.

All Trust staff have completed the online component of the training, with many already participating in the face-to-face training that Mark will also be involved in.