Health Board is the first in Wales to be rewarded for its work with autism

Hywel Dda University Health Board is the first Health Board in Wales to achieve 'Understanding Autism' status.

The accreditation is awarded by the National Neurodivergent Team, a Welsh Government funded body dedicated to improving the lives of children, young people, adults and their neurodivergent families.

The team engages with stakeholders from across Wales to help develop policy, legislation, resources, and information on neurodiversification. This includes autism, helping to increase awareness and understanding and removing barriers that may prevent neurodivergent people from achieving their potential.

To achieve 'Understanding Autism' status, 85 per cent of Hywel Dda staff's 13,000 staff had to complete e-learning modules. The award means Hywel Dda and its employees have been recognised as an organisation that understands autism.

It is hoped that this, in turn, will enable neurodivergent staff and patients to be better supported in the work environment or when healthcare is available.

Representatives from Hywel Dda Neuro-developmental Services received the award at a special ceremony last Thursday (31 October) at the Temple of Peace in Cardiff.

Catherine Vaughan, Service Delivery Manager for Neuro-developmental Services at Hywel Dda, said: "Being neurodivergent means that the way we experience the world is different.

"We are working closely with the National Neurodivergent Team for Wales and services across the Health Board, as we want to increase awareness and understanding of autism and other neurodivergent conditions across the organisation.

"To facilitate this, we have developed a neurodivergent strategy which includes working in partnership with the national team to develop and deliver webinars, as well as developing and delivering bespoke training packages to many service areas across the Health Board.

"We are also in the process of developing a special interest group to encourage wider engagement across the Health Board."

Catherine acknowledges there is more work to be done at Hywel Dda.

"The Understanding Autism e-learning module is a start. We are now an 'Understanding Autism' organisation but in time, the vision is for departments to develop even more knowledge and skills to become more knowledgeable and skilled about autism as the prevalence of autism and ADHD, for example, increases year on year.

"One in seven employees may be neurodivergent, so as an employer thinking about workforce development, how do we retain the staff we have by making the necessary reasonable adjustments in the workplace?

"Furthermore, how do we attract neurodivergent people to come and work for us and inspire confidence in them that they will be supported and valued for the strengths and skill sets they have?"

Catherine believes that being an 'Understanding Autism' organisation will bring benefits to the patients and families Hywel Dda serves.

"Wherever you work in the organisation and whatever your role, you are very likely to encounter neurodivergent patients and/or their families. It is important that neurodiverticulitis is recognised, along with any additional needs, to help make the patient experience and outcomes a positive one."

Liz Carroll, Hywel Dda's Director of Mental Health and Learning Disabilities, said: "We are delighted to be recognised as an 'Understanding Autism' organisation. It is a recognition of all the hard work, commitment, dedication and enthusiasm of all staff working across Neurodivergent Services at Hywel Dda. Congratulations to Catherine and the teams.

"It's so important that we as employers embrace the diversity in our community and know there's more work to be done. I have faith in Catherine and the team we are making great strides towards where we want to be as an organisation that supports and encourages those living with neurodivergent conditions."

PICTURE: From left to right - Team members collecting their award - Trica Roberts (Adult ADHD Service Clinical Nurse Specialist), Wendy Thomas (Head of National Neurodivergent Team in Wales)) Catherine Vaughan (Neuro-Developmental Services Service Delivery Manager) and Emily Dwyer (Integrated Autism Service Team Leader).

CASE STUDY: ANGELA LOWE

Case Study: Angela Lowe is a Neurodivergent Specialist Support Worker with Hywel Dda University Health Board who was diagnosed with autism later in life. She has worked for the health board for just seven weeks but is already feeling the benefits of working for an autism-conscious organisation.

"I've only been here seven weeks, but I've had a good start – that's probably testament to how easily I got into my new workplace, which can cause anxiety," angela said.

"Coming into this atmosphere where people are neuro-affirming and constantly making you feel at ease and saying phrases like 'just be you' – it's a breath of fresh air, because that's not my normal experience."

Angela, 49, wasn't diagnosed with autism until she was 47. She has faced some challenging situations in the workplace over the years but knowing that Hywel Dda is an autism-conscious organisation attracted her to her current role.

"I had great struggles throughout my education. And getting work was very difficult for me, mainly because of anxiety," angela said. "I couldn't even do an interview when I was young. It's taken me a long time to get to where I am now."

Angela has worked in education and care settings over the years in various roles and would have loved to become a qualified teacher but suffered a panic attack during her final exams and felt unable to complete her studies.

"So I became very firm on providing support for additional learning needs, and naturally started advocating for children and young people who are neurodivergent," angela said.

"But I discovered that staff often didn't understand me- some understood but there were always some who didn't. Some made it quite difficult for me at times, and I've had some very negative experiences.

"My manager and colleagues in the neurodiversity team at Hywel Dda have been very supportive, very aware and understanding. It makes a world of difference" said Angela.

Angela said starting a new job and meeting new people can be really challenging for her and for those living with neurodiversification.

"We're just trying to get to know people, but sometimes, with new faces – I can be quite face blind at times.

"And I may not be fully engaged at first, but I try to ease that anxiety and check who people are.

"And I think sometimes colleagues can feel as if you're keeping yourself to yourself. Honestly, you're trying to self-manage, regulate, gradually relax into the day."

Angela said she was looking forward to working at Hywel Dda.

"Whereas before I used to have so much anxiety about getting to work – I would be stressed about being misunderstood by some members of staff, and I would also have high fatigue levels of hiding all the time. I don't need to do that here.

"Before, I'd go home and I'd have to unload all the time. A lot of negative experiences that lingered in my mind and it was pretty awful really. I come home now very excited to be home and looking forward to seeing my family and very happy.

"It's been life-changing for me, working here."