Spotlight on Autism Hampshire’s Oliver McGowan Training Team

2nd July 2025

As the countdown begins for the National Learning Disabilities & Autism Awards 2025, Autism Hampshire is shining a spotlight on its remarkable team of lived experience trainers who have been shortlisted for The Oliver McGowan Training Award.

This team of twelve autistic and learning-disabled trainers, supported by four Lead Facilitators, has been delivering the Oliver McGowan Mandatory Training Tier 2 across Hampshire since 2024.

Their impact has already reached hundreds of healthcare professionals. It has also transformed the confidence and pride of the trainers themselves.

When asked why Oliver’s Training is important, trainer Jacob replied: “Because of what we are doing - making sure that that people with learning disabilities have access to health care, have a voice.”

The voices of this training team help shape the programme. The trainers have helped adapt and personalise the content, and added new slides based on their real-life experiences.

“Rather than simply reading from a script,” said team member Alma, “our lived experience trainers are supported to help with the content. We have personalised the content with a slide drawing on their own experiences… and include research from autistic academics.”

The work is deeply personal. Many of the trainers have experienced serious gaps in healthcare, diagnostic delays or discrimination. This fuels their passion and purpose.

“For me personally,” said Sarah, “as an autistic expert by experience who has navigated profound diagnostic delays and unsafe healthcare encounters, Oliver’s story resonates deeply.

“The training opens up difficult but necessary conversations, undoes harmful assumptions, and equips professionals with the confidence to provide person-centred care.”

But delivering it comes with challenges too. Sharing personal stories can be emotionally taxing.

“To overcome this, our team prioritises co-regulation, debriefing, and mutual support,” said Sarah. “We check in with each other before and after sessions, respect each other’s boundaries, and share practices that help us feel grounded and safe.”

Alongside training delivery, the team also champions awareness in their personal lives including presenting at conferences. Several trainers have also travelled across Hampshire to cover last-minute sessions - building confidence and adaptability as they go.

Trainer Mike said: “I'm most proud of people to understand the difference between what a learning disability and what a learning difficulty is. And a little bit more how people with dyslexia like different colour paper.”

Feedback shows the training is having a positive impact. Participants describe the sessions as “transformational” and have reported making immediate changes to how they support autistic people and those with learning disabilities.

“Many participants share how the training helped them understand behaviours differently - not as “challenging,” but as communication,” said Sarah. “Some have made immediate changes to how they support people in distress, offer choices, or approach sensory needs.”

For trainer Max, the award recognition means everything. He said: “I am proud that my disability means I can help people understand autism better. To know how to deal with it. Success is when people say thank you and that it is brave to share our experiences.”

With the awards ceremony being held on 4 July 2025, the Autism Hampshire team is already celebrating everything they’ve achieved - a powerful, peer-led programme that’s honouring Oliver McGowan’s legacy with every session they deliver.