SSHINE was founded in November 2021 by Ben Potts and Jade Wareham, both healthcare students who qualified in 2023. SSHINE became a collective of healthcare students combining their knowledge of experiences to support others with similar experiences. Our work has included talks and presentations at universities, healthcare organisations, professional bodies and wider NHS events, as well as, creating resources, developing education materials and providing training opportunities. SSHINE has evolved and grown over time. Previously known as “Sharing Student Healthcare Initiative for Neurodiversity and Equity”, we have now become “Staff and Student Healthcare Initiative for Neurodiversity and Equity” to include the wider qualified and professional healthcare workforce. 

To learn more about SSHINE and their members, please visit https://sshinestudents.wordpress.com/

Overall Programme Aim

The training module uses a humanitarian approach to raise awareness of neurodiversity, supporting learners and highlighting methods to support an individual, drawing attention to individuality, environmental challenges and addressing realistic possibilities a neurodivergent individual may face.

The module is aimed at learners and educators who support learners in any capacity. The module should take no longer than one hour to complete.

Once you have completed the training module, you will be asked to complete an evaluation which will then generate a certificate of completion that can be used towards Continued Professional Development (CPD). Case studies/lived experience will be used throughout to promote a human approach and help the participant feel connected/engaged with their training.

Overall Module Learning Outcomes

• Understand the philosophy that underpins the neurodiversity paradigm
• Build awareness of the journey and experience of neurodivergent learners
• Develop the knowledge required to create an inclusive learning environment and feel equipped to support neurodivergent learners
• Gain the confidence to approach difficult or sensitive conversations with neurodivergent learners, such as around disclosure, support and feedback

Who is SSHINE?

Biographies

Author & co-founder of SSHINE Jade Wareham

My name is Jade Wareham and I am a registered nurse, working in a nursing home alongside banking in my local NHS trust.

I studied Adult Nursing BSc (hons) at the Open University, via an apprenticeship route, graduating October 2023.

I co-founded SSHINE because I experienced prejudice and discrimination whilst I had undiagnosed dyslexia. When I started university, I received my diagnosis and shared my story during my time as a Nursing Times Student Editor. Ben Potts saw my story, reached out and together, we created SSHINE to provide education and awareness on neurodiversity.

Within the module, I am most proud of the diversity it provides. If you are a student at university or a healthcare worker, a nurse or AHP, our module holds a simplistic approach to allow individuals to tailor their needs. Furthermore, individuals can learn how to support one another with a range of tools, tips and advice, backed by law and guidance.

Author & co-founder of SSHINE Ben Potts

My name is Ben Potts. I’m a diagnostic radiographer at University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust and a doctoral researcher at City, University of London

I studied BSc Diagnostic Radiography at Birmingham City University, graduating in 2023.

I co-founded SSHINE because, during the process of accessing disability support, I realised there was not the same care and attention given to the reasonable adjustments needed in the placement setting as there was in the academic environment of a university. After talking to a few people about this, it was clear that it was not exclusively within radiography, but a shared experience among many healthcare students that needed support. Around this time, I came across Jade’s piece in the Nursing Times and got in touch to see if we could do something about it.

Within the module, I am most proud of how it is rooted in lived experience. The content is informed by what we have personally experienced and how we believe things could be improved. It is important to know and understand the theory and context of the neurodiversity movement and what the terminology means, but the confidence and ability to support a neurodivergent student is what will make a difference. We hope sharing our experiences will aid in making this a reality.

Author & member of SSHINE Chloe Edgar

My name is Chloe Edgar, I’m a Qualified Occupational Therapist working in my local Mental Health NHS Trust.

I studied at UWE and qualified as an Occupational Therapist in 2023.

I joined SSHINE because I believe the world should be neurodivergent friendly; embracing and celebrating differences within the workplace. I experienced some traumatic placements due to discrimination and lack of understanding of Neurodiversity and wanted to contribute to a positive and constructive change.

Within the module, I am most proud of the person-centred approach taken to educate others. This module isn’t going to tell you what to do to support others, but rather guide and support your approach to implementing support in the workplace.

Author & member of SSHINE Emma Young

My name is Emma Young.

I have studied Occupational Therapy at Bournemouth University

I joined SSHINE because I love how the SSHINE network facilitates neurodivergent learners to thrive and support one another.

Within the module, I am most proud of the focus on practical resources and lived experience insights that support creating inclusive cultures where learners and practice educators alike can do their best work together

Author & member of SSHINE Jess Pidcock

My name is Jess Pidcock.

I am studying children’s nursing at Sheffield Hallam University and am due to qualify in the Summer of 2025.

I joined SSHINE because I had experienced and witnessed discrimination as a neurodivergent student. I believe that most of the discrimination comes from ignorance and a lack of correct information, so I now work with SSHINE to increase knowledge on neurodivergent conditions and how best to support students.

Within the module, I am most proud of how practical it is. A lot of the guidance offered can be easily implemented by educators, so they can start supporting students straight away. The support will be helpful for almost all students, whether they have a neurodivergent condition or not. I hope that educators finish this module feeling like they have a tool-kit of support options ready for the students they work with.

Voice over by Emily Reed, member of SSHINE

My name is Emily Reed, I studied Radiotherapy and Oncology at Sheffield Hallam University, and I am due to graduate in November 2024.

I joined SSHINE because of the community of students it has allowed me to meet and learn from. I have known of my Dyscalculia diagnosis since Primary School, and have spent many years wondering if I would even make it to university; let alone, be on a health course that I love and inspires me every day, learning from remarkable lecturers and the Therapeutic Radiographers at placement. SSHINE has truly given me a platform and the confidence to talk about my neurodivergence where otherwise, I would most certainly have been scared to do so. I am one of the Core Committee members and getting to know our team and understand their stories has been invaluable.

Within the module, I am most proud of the lived experiences section. Allowing the opportunity to illustrate what some students have gone through in their journey and how it has impacted, and shaped their experiences, it has such a gravity of openness, and vulnerability. It also allows those that are completing the module to connect honestly with those stories and see how they might react.