The Birthday Trek is Back for Round 2 🕺

The SWLSTG charity funds essential support and resources for service users, their families, caregivers, and staff, enabling beneficial changes without relying solely on the NHS budget. This includes investing in innovative projects, providing training for staff, and acquiring essential resources that enhance the quality of care. Whether it’s equipping every outpatient room with sensory boxes, organising events that foster community integration, or running projects that involve individuals with lived experience. They are committed to educating and creating a safer and more positive environment for recovery.

As a service user and expert by experience, this cause is especially close to my heart. Having the opportunity to co-host the SWLSTG Quality Awards provided me with valuable insight into the passion that drives everyone involved in this organisation. I listened to stories of the incredible improvements being made and connected with staff members who are on the front lines of implementing these positive changes. This experience shifted my previously very negative perspective, to a more hopeful one. It revealed to me clear evidence that meaningful progress has been achieved, even over the past year, and that staff are eager to learn and improve.

This April, in honour of Autism Awareness/Acceptance Month, I participated in staff training sessions where I shared my story and engaged in Q&A discussions. I was thrilled to hear how eager staff members were to implement changes based on what they had learned.

However, these training sessions and projects would not be possible without the support of the charity, especially given the notorious lack of funding for mental health services. I genuinely believe there will come a time when the stories from those accessing services will be far more positive. That’s why I chose to raise money for this charity for my 22nd birthday. I want to give back to the trust, that may have wronged me in the past but have also provided me the opportunity to share these experiences to dedicated individuals who work hard to continuously make meaningful changes to improve care and build a brighter future for everyone who interacts with the trust.