We were absolutely delighted that one of our Tenants, Ade, played a key role in the Care Quality Commission’s (CQC) training this afternoon as hundreds of their staff took part in an event to mark Autism Awareness Week.

The session was actually inspired by Ade’s powerful rap about autism, which he first performed at our talent night earlier this year. His words struck a chord with everyone in the audience – including a member of the CQC who saw it, and today, they set the tone for an important discussion. The session opened with Ade’s rap before he joined three others to share personal experiences—both positive and negative—of living with autism. Some spoke about the challenges they’ve faced, including times when they were treated unfairly, highlighting the importance of greater understanding and support.

Speaking after the session, Ade (below with Trust Head Of Operations, Alison O’Meara setting up for the virtual meeting) said, “I really enjoyed today and I am proud to have been able to do it.”

Ade’s talent and passion shine through every week, as he shares his raps on our social media, building a growing following. His ability to use music to educate and inspire is truly special, and we are so proud to see his voice reaching even wider audiences.

This isn’t the first time the Lisieux Trust collaborated with the CQC. Last summer, the Trust helped deliver the You Think You Know Me project, which aimed to challenge misconceptions and show that people with learning disabilities and autism are far more than just a diagnosis.