25 APR 2024 · Episode Description:  On this episode: Insights and experiences of being transgender We speak to Fee Wood who shares her lived experience of being a transgender person, discussing the issues faced and how healthcare professionals can support transgender people better in healthcare settings. Fee is part of the Service Users Group, who use lived experience to help students and practitioners to understand differences and share knowledge.  Fee bravely shares her personal journey and some of the tough experiences that she has encountered and gives tips and tricks for how this can be improved.    Web links from the show:  https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/culturalidentity/genderidentity/bulletins/genderidentityenglandandwales/census2021#main-points   “Is the gender you identify with the same as your sex registered at birth?   Of 45.7 million, 45.4 million said yes, and 262,000 said no.     https://www.bmj.com/company/newsroom/five-fold-rise-in-uk-rates-of-transgender-identity-since-2000-medical-records-suggest/ – BMJ (2023)   Recorded anonymised GP records from 2000-2018.   4 per 100,000 in 2000, 78 per 100,000 in 2018     Transphobic Hate Crimes UK   Home Office - https://www.stophateuk.org/about-hate-crime/transgender-hate/, 2630 hate crimes against transgender people were recorded by police – an increase of 16% from the previous year.   - 88% of transgender people do not report hate crimes.   - 48% were dissatisfied with police response.     USA Current State   https://www.apa.org/topics/lgbtq/mental-health-anti-transgender-legislation   Bills and laws that target access to healthcare, sports participation, school policies, legal recognition and “the right to publicly exist”.   Increased level of anxiety, depression and suicide risk among the trans population     Wellbeing/Mental Health Support Contacts:  If you are a student or staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… Contact Wellbeing Support on https://tel:1782 or by emailing https://staffs.ac.uk.  For external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention contacts can be found below. Please reach out if you feel you need to!  NHS Mental Health Services - https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/  Mind Support and Services - https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/  Samaritans Contact - https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/    Upcoming Podcasts:  Experiences of Cerebral Palsy, Death within other religions, human factors in healthcare,     Previous Podcasts:   Race, Transgender, Neurodiversity, impacts of trauma, Mature student experiences, Transition from student to healthcare professional, and specialised areas such as mental health and organ transplant teams.    Want to get involved?  Are you a student? Member of staff? A Healthcare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share?  Get in touch! Let’s Pod!  Contact The Link podcast team:  Ben W-H - @benw_h on X (formally Twitter)         https://staffs.ac.uk        @TheLinkPodcast on X (formally Twitter)  Samuel O’Brian – https://staffs.ac.uk  Joe Natalello – https://staffs.ac.uk    Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst  Produced & Edited by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst & Kirsty Egan  Artwork: Shaun Kelly  Theme Music: Gavin Samways

25 MAR 2024 · Episode Description:  On this episode: Christianity  We speak to Mick Williams, who has been the chaplain for Staffordshire University for 14 years.  Mick shares his experience of what Christianity is, what it means to be a believer, and what death looks like in Christianity.  Mick has spent time with student groups to help empower and break down barriers with religious terminology.   We explore how healthcare professionals can meet the spiritual needs of patients within their care with some top tips from Mick to create a ‘toolbox’.   Finally, Mick speaks about the importance of education around different religions for healthcare professionals, the importance of the body after death and the simple touches that can make huge differences to patients and families in end-of-life care.  Web links from the show:  https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/jocn.14648 Qualitative study of healthcare professionals’ perception of training and skills, with many feeling unprepared and lack confidence when dealing with religious and spiritual needs. Themes found communication skills, not having answers and recognising spiritual care. The study concluded spiritual care is AS important as physical care.  https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/2153599X.2016.1238844 Death anxiety has been suggested to be lowest amongst the very religious, and highest among uncertain individuals. Does this mean it is more important to get it right?  https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fnagi.2022.813531/full?utm_source=fweb&utm_medium=nblog&utm_campaign=ba-sci-fnagi-what-happens-in-the-brain-when-we-die Study looking at the early evidence of what happens within the human brain during near death.   https://www.england.nhs.uk/improvement-hub/wp-content/uploads/sites/44/2017/10/Guidance-for-Staff-Responsible-for-Care-after-Death.pdf Wellbeing/Mental Health Support Contacts:  If you are a student or staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… Contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing mailto:studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk.  For external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention contacts can be found below. Please reach out if you feel you need to!  NHS Mental Health Services -https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ Samaritans Contact -https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ Mind Support and Services-https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/seeking-help-for-a-mental-health-problem/where-to-start/ Upcoming Podcasts:  Exploring dying and Death within other religions .  experiences of being transgender service user.    Previous Podcasts:   Race, Transgender, Neurodiversity, impacts of trauma, Mature student experiences, Transition from student to healthcare professional, and specialised areas such as mental health and organ transplant teams.    Want to get involved?  Are you a student? Member of staff? A Healthcare worker?  Do you have a topic you would like to share?  Get in touch! Let’s Pod!  Contact The Link podcast team:  Ben W-H - @benw_h on X (formally Twitter)         mailto:ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk        @TheLinkPodcast on X (formally Twitter)  Samuel O’Brian – mailto:samuel.obrian@staffs.ac.uk  Joe Natalello – mailto:joseph.natalello@staffs.ac.uk    Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst  Produced & Edited by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst & Kirsty Egan  Artwork: Shaun Kelly  Theme Music: Gavin Samways 

31 JAN 2024 · Back for a January Pod! and a year of exciting and interesting podcasts to come! On this episode: Student to qualified…Dealing with Transitional Shock We speak to Kirsty who qualified as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) last year. Kirsty shares her experience during the transition from student to qualified practitioner, and the little discussed phenomena of transitional shock, defined as the period of time where the student integrates into solo clinical practice. Kirsty anecdotally amongst her peers, found that many ODP practitioners experienced a tough period when they first qualified, the anxiety, self-doubt and pressures that eventually came to pass. But that is not the case for many healthcare professionals transitioning. Kirsty wanted to learn more about this seemingly ‘little discussed taboo’ and found a seminal piece of research undertaken that showed- in one large trust- attrition during this transition, saw a loss of nursing staff (between 30-60%) within the first year of qualification. We explore Kirsty’s experiences and map them against known preceptorship programs to see what support should be available, and give valuable insights of what to expect during this time to help YOU transition as smoothly as possible! Top tips, factors that make a difference, and things to be aware of! We discuss some interesting concepts, that could be started within Higher Education to see what impact we can have on this, and for those listening who are already qualified, this is a must listen! As we expose the key values, behaviours and support mechanisms that make a difference! Listen for the game! Medical Would you rather...Transpore Tape for a tongue, or Tough-cut scissors for fingers? which did Kirsty choose, and what would you choose? Web links from the show https://www.bartscharity.org.uk/our-news/investigating-impact-of-covid-19-on-newly-qualified-nurses/ Study by NHS trust (2021) 30-60% of nurses leave their first place of employment within the first year https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33949027/ Ho (2021) Describes the transition from student to newly qualified as a ‘time of vulnerability’ Study found themes of transition shock, workplace factors and work/life balance https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/workforce/tell-us-about-the-current-state-of-support-for-new-nurses-01-12-2023/#:~:text=The%20original%20survey%2C%20completed%20by,or%20swim%E2%80%9D%20without%20adequate%20support Nursing Times (2022) . Study found widespread concern that NQ nurses were ‘thrown in at the deep end’ and ‘left to sink or swim’ with inadequate support. https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/news-and-views/peer-mentoring-assist-staff-retention-and-wellbeing Our very own Assosiate Professor Dr Fiona Cust (childrens nursing). Work on the Buddy system and its impact on retention. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/peer-mentoring-support-staff-wellbeing-lessons-pilot Pilot study focusing on buddy systems within peer to peer support for students "The Times Higher Education" Dr Fiona Cust and Dr Jessica Runnacres (Staffordshire University). https://www.nmc.org.uk/standards/guidance/preceptorship/ NMC framework for preceptorship for NMC (Nursing and Midwifery). https://www.hcpc-uk.org/resources/information/principles-for-preceptorship/ Health and Care Professions Council framework for preceptorship for HCPC (Allied Health Professions). Wellbeing/Mental Health Support contacts If you are a student of staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. For our external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention, please reach out and use the links below. NHS mental heath services https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ Upcoming podcasts Dealing with death: how different cultures manage loss. Transgender as a service user: personal experiences. Want to get involved? Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod! Contact The Link podcast team: Twitter: @benw_h email: ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk Samuel O’Brian: Samuel.Obrian@staffs.ac.uk or Joe Natalello joseph.natalello@staffs.ac.uk Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Produced & Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Artwork: Shaun Kelly Theme Music: Gavin Samways

12 DEC 2023 · On this episode: Mental Health Nursing: A Student’s Perspective. We speak to Michelle Storey who is a third year Mental Health Nurse Student. Michelle explains the complex role of a mental health nurse, talks us through several placement areas that she has or will cover as well as some of her most challenging and most rewarding care experiences. Finally, Michelle tells us some interesting details on diagnosis, medication and therapy- explaining how they are used augmentatively to support services users through their recovery journey. We also give tips and practical pearls of wisdom to students of all disciplines which you can put to good use, helping you relax and unwind from the pressures of practice placement and University life. Web links from the show What is EMDR therapy? https://www.bacp.co.uk/about-therapy/types-of-therapy/eye-movement-desensitisation-and-reprocessing-emdr/ What are Mental Health Disorders? https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/conditions/ Wellbeing/Mental Health Support contacts If you are a student of staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. For our external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention, please reach out and use the links below. NHS mental heath services https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ Upcoming podcasts Paramedics during the festive season: What is it like? Performance under pressure: What can we learn from sports science? Want to get involved? We have a state of the art Podcast room! Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod! Contact The Link podcast team: Twitter: @benw_h email: ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk Samuel O’Brian: Samuel.Obrian@staffs.ac.uk or Joe Natalello joseph.natalello@staffs.ac.uk Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Produced & Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Artwork: Shaun Kelly Theme Music: Gavin Samways

30 OCT 2023 · On this episode: Celebrating ADHD Awareness Month, Episode 3! I speak to Bridie Benson (2nd Year paramedic student) and the wonderful Anthony Hadley (Voice Coordinator/students Union) about everything ADHD, with a focus on the lived experience, and from Bridie’s and Anthonys experiences as members of the Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Queer (LGBTQ+) community. "Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse. People with ADHD may also have additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders” (NHS, 2021). However, there is good news too! “Conversely, there are benefits, people with ADHD who have hyperactivity as a symptom of ADHD have high energy levels. They often experience hyperfocus, which involves becoming intensely focused on a particular task or subject. Creativity, research has connected that people with ADHD are highly creative they also tend to be divergent thinkers. People with ADHD are often exciting, fun and courageous due to their spontaneity (as called ‘impulsiveness’. Lastly, it is noted that they have a higher degree of resilience, coping well in urgent and emergency situations” (ADHD Foundation UK, 2022; Sedgwick, Merwood & Asherson, 2019). On this Podcast! We are so grateful for Bridie and Anthony, for sharing thier personal experiences and being courageous in disclosing not only their ADHD, but also discussing openly, how this connects to the LGBTQI community. We talk about our ADHD journey, what helps at University and placement, as well as some really exposing aspects of life with ADHD. This is such a rich podcast if you want a true, honest and authentic look at how ADHD differs in different people, but also where our common ground lies. Guide for students: Getting support from the University! There are lots of individualised strategies that I cannot take credit for so PLEASE look at all the links below and see what can help you get the support you need to succeed! (See the active web links at the bottom of this page to get some excellent resources that are credible and evidence based). Listening externally, or not a student? Then this is still for you! Are you a fresher student? A newly diagnosed with ADHD? Or wondering if you have the condition. If you are an academic, healthcare professional, or an educator, listed away there are some excellent and insightful listening that will inform and inspire! Contacts Ryan Baddeley (student inclusion officer): email https://staffs.ac.uk Student Inclusion Team (Staffordshire University students and staff only). https://www.staffs.ac.uk/students/support/student-inclusion-team/home Ben Woodrow-Hirst (Lecturer: Staffs School of Health Science and Wellbeing, ODP team) (Twitter (X)) @benw_h Bridie Benson: Student Paramedic @bridie_b_19 Anthoy Hadley (Student Voice/ Students Union) @ded10c Web links from the show Support for those interested in/recognising as LGBTQ+ https://www.stonewall.org.uk/ https://lgbt.foundation/ https://mindout.org.uk/ Eric Tivers: “ADHD rewired” (Search for on iTunes Podcast, Spotify or other podcast providers) Coaching advice, strategies, community, Monthly Q&A. https://www.adhdrewired.com/ Conner, A. and Brown, J. (2022) ‘Adult ADHD and higher education: improving the student experience’. The Times Higher Education. Adult ADHD and higher education: improving the student experience | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect (timeshighereducation.com) UK Adult ADHD Network (2022) ‘University students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a consensus statement from the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN)’. BMC Psychiatry. University students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a consensus statement from the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN) | BMC Psychiatry | Full Text (biomedcentral.com) Jessica McCabe “HowtoADHD” (also on youtube). Home - How To ADHD The ADHD Foundation UK (charity) Main website (Resources, support, literature help guides). Home - ADHD Foundation : ADHD Foundation ADHD Foundation UK (2021) ‘The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder’ The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder (adhdfoundation.org.uk) “HowToADHD” Jessical McCabe : 5 Tips to Make Assertive Communication Easier and More Effective (YouTube video). https://youtu.be/vlwmfiCb-vc?si=WTzVkDTNAaUEq4w0 Sedgwick JA, Merwood A, Asherson P. (2019) ‘The positive aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a qualitative investigation of successful adults with ADHD’.The positive aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a qualitative investigation of successful adults with ADHD - PubMed (nih.gov) Attoe D E. & Climie E. A. , 2023 'Miss. Diagnosis: A Systematic Review of ADHD in Adult Women' - (sagepub.com) Miss. Diagnosis: A Systematic Review of ADHD in Adult Women - Darby E. Attoe, Emma A. Climie, 2023 (sagepub.com) Rene Brooks “Black Girl Lost Keys” person with ADHD, advocate especially from the female perspective) The Ultimate ADHD Guide - 10 Steps To Master Your ADHD (blackgirllostkeys.com) NHS: Conditions- about ADHD. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/ Wellbeing/Mental Health Support contacts If you are a student of staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. For our external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention, please reach out and use the links below. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/ Upcoming podcasts Inspirational People: Nick Brown, The Physicians Associate in Anaesthesia (PAA) an ODP’s first years reflections. Dealing with death in different cultures Student Perspectives: Being a single parent and a student. Want to get involved? We have a state of the art Podcast room, but can pod with you remotely from the comfort of your home/office. Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod! Contact The Link podcast team: e-mail: Ben Woodrow-Hirst https://staffs.ac.uk Samuel O’Brian: mailto:Samual.Obrian@staffs.ac.uk

16 OCT 2023 · On this episode: Celebrating ADHD Awareness Month, episode 2! I speak to Mel Heaton (2nd Year Operating Department Practice student) about everything ADHD. Female misdiagnosis, her most impactful University strategies and her experiences with having an ADHD lecturer. "Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse. People with ADHD may also have additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders” (NHS, 2021). However, there is good news too! “Conversely, there are benefits, people with ADHD who have hyperactivity as a symptom of ADHD have high energy levels. They often experience hyperfocus, which involves becoming intensely focused on a particular task or subject. Creativity, research has connected that people with ADHD are highly creative they also tend to be divergent thinkers. People with ADHD are often exciting, fun and courageous due to their spontaneity (as called ‘impulsiveness’. Lastly, it is noted that they have a higher degree of resilience, coping well in urgent and emergency situations” (ADHD Foundation UK, 2022; Sedgwick, Merwood & Asherson, 2019). On this Podcast! We are so grateful for Mel, for sharing her personal experiences and being courageous in disclosing her ADHD. Mel talks candidly about life with the condition, the apparent inequality, and mis diagnosis in females with ADHD, and what strategies we have worked together, as learner and educator, to get Mel's life more comfortable and full of acceptance for who she is! Guide for students: Getting support from the University! There are lots of individualised strategies that I cannot take credit for so PLEASE look at all the links below and see what can help you get the support you need to succeed! (see the active web links at the bottom of this page to get some excellent resources that are credible and evidence based. Listening externally, or not a student? Then this is still for you! Are you a fresher student? A newly diagnosed with ADHD? Or wondering if you have the condition. If you are an academic, healthcare professional, or an educator, listed away there are some excellent and insightful listening that will inform and inspire! Contacts Ryan Baddeley (student inclusion officer): email https://staffs.ac.uk Student Inclusion Team (Staffordshire University students and staff only). https://www.staffs.ac.uk/students/support/student-inclusion-team/home Ben Woodrow-Hirst (Lecturer: Staffs School of Health Science and Wellbeing, ODP team) (Twitter (X)) @benw_h Mel Heaton (Twitter (X)) @Missybro Rachel Stuart (Twitter (X)) @AnimateRach Web links from the show Eric Tivers: “ADHD rewired” (Search for on iTunes Podcast, Spotify or other podcast providers) Coaching advice, strategies, community, Monthly Q&A. https://www.adhdrewired.com/ Conner, A. and Brown, J. (2022) ‘Adult ADHD and higher education: improving the student experience’. The Times Higher Education. Adult ADHD and higher education: improving the student experience | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect (timeshighereducation.com) UK Adult ADHD Network (2022) ‘University students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a consensus statement from the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN)’. BMC Psychiatry. University students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a consensus statement from the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN) | BMC Psychiatry | Full Text (biomedcentral.com) Jessica McCabe “HowtoADHD” (also on youtube). Home - How To ADHD The ADHD Foundation UK (charity) Main website (Resources, support, literature help guides). Home - ADHD Foundation : ADHD Foundation ADHD Foundation UK (2021) ‘The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder’ The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder (adhdfoundation.org.uk) “HowToADHD” Jessical McCabe : 5 Tips to Make Assertive Communication Easier and More Effective (YouTube video). https://youtu.be/vlwmfiCb-vc?si=WTzVkDTNAaUEq4w0 Sedgwick JA, Merwood A, Asherson P. (2019) ‘The positive aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a qualitative investigation of successful adults with ADHD’.The positive aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a qualitative investigation of successful adults with ADHD - PubMed (nih.gov) Attoe D E. & Climie E. A. , 2023 'Miss. Diagnosis: A Systematic Review of ADHD in Adult Women' - (sagepub.com) Miss. Diagnosis: A Systematic Review of ADHD in Adult Women - Darby E. Attoe, Emma A. Climie, 2023 (sagepub.com) Rene Brooks “Black Girl Lost Keys” person with ADHD, advocate especially from the female perspective) The Ultimate ADHD Guide - 10 Steps To Master Your ADHD (blackgirllostkeys.com) NHS: Conditions- about ADHD. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/ Wellbeing/Mental Health Support contacts If you are a student of staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. For our external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention, please reach out and use the links below. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/ Upcoming podcasts Inspirational People: Nick Brown, The Physicians Associate in Anaesthesia (PAA) an ODP’s first years reflections. Dealing with death in different cultures Student Perspectives: Being a single parent and a student. Want to get involved? We have a state of the art Podcast room, but can pod with you remotely from the comfort of your home/office. Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod! Contact The Link podcast team: e-mail: Ben Woodrow-Hirst https://staffs.ac.uk Samuel O’Brian:

9 OCT 2023 · On this episode: Celebrating ADHD Awareness Month, episode 1! I speak to Ryan Baddeley (Student Inclusion Advisor) Rachel Stuart (Student Inclusion Assistant) and Mel Heaton (2nd Year Operating Department Practice student) about everything ADHD "Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a condition that affects people's behaviour. People with ADHD can seem restless, may have trouble concentrating and may act on impulse. People with ADHD may also have additional problems, such as sleep and anxiety disorders” (NHS, 2021). However, there is good news too! “Conversely, there are benefits, people with ADHD who have hyperactivity as a symptom of ADHD have high energy levels. They often experience hyperfocus, which involves becoming intensely focused on a particular task or subject. Creativity, research has connected that people with ADHD are highly creative they also tend to be divergent thinkers. People with ADHD are often exciting, fun and courageous due to their spontaneity (as called ‘impulsiveness’. Lastly, it is noted that they have a higher degree of resilience, coping well in urgent and emergency situations” (ADHD Foundation UK, 2022; Sedgwick, Merwood & Asherson, 2019). On this Podcast! We explore honestly and openly, the REAL lived experience of a person with ADHD; as a Healthcare Professional, as a Lecturer, as a student and an employee. Ryan, although neurotypical himself, talks about his own passion for supporting those with ADHD and what he has learned in his role, advising students of how to get support! We discuss some strategies and act as a ‘heads up’ of what to expect from having ADHD and undertaking an undergraduate degree. Rachel and Mel, explore their experiences as two recently diagnosed with ADHD, and some amazing insights to what living with the condition can look like… I also take a deeper dive into my own diagnosis, and how that has affected my approach as an academic and an educator, with a passion of understanding how to support neurodiverse learners to achieve the best version of themselves. Guide for students: Getting support from the University! We talk students listening, through everything to expect from your diagnosis route, the learning differences that can co-exist with ADHD and how the inclusion team can help you get the support you need to succeed! (see the active web links at the bottom of this page to get some excellent resources that are credible and evidence based. Listening externally, or not a student? Then this is still for you! Are you a fresher student? A newly diagnosed with ADHD? Or wondering if you have the condition. If you are an academic, healthcare professional, or an educator, listed away there are some excellent and insightful listening that will inform and inspire! Contacts Ryan Baddeley: email https://staffs.ac.uk Student Inclusion Team (Staffordshire University students and staff only). https://www.staffs.ac.uk/students/support/student-inclusion-team/home Ben Woodrow-Hirst (Lecturer: Staffs School of Health Science and Wellbeing, ODP team)(Twitter (X)) @benw_h (Twitter (X)) @benw_h Mel Heaton (Twitter (X)) @Missybro Rachel Stuart (Twitter (X)) @AnimateRach Web links from the show Eric Tivers: “ADHD rewired” (Search for on iTunes Podcast, Spotify or other podcast providers) Coaching advice, strategies, community, Monthly Q&A. https://www.adhdrewired.com/ Conner, A. and Brown, J. (2022) ‘Adult ADHD and higher education: improving the student experience’. The Times Higher Education. Adult ADHD and higher education: improving the student experience | THE Campus Learn, Share, Connect (timeshighereducation.com) UK Adult ADHD Network (2022) ‘University students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a consensus statement from the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN)’. BMC Psychiatry. University students with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD): a consensus statement from the UK Adult ADHD Network (UKAAN) | BMC Psychiatry | Full Text (biomedcentral.com) Jessica McCabe “HowtoADHD” (also on youtube). Home - How To ADHD The ADHD Foundation UK (charity) Main website (Resources, support, literature help guides). Home - ADHD Foundation : ADHD Foundation ADHD Foundation UK (2021) ‘The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder’ The World Federation of ADHD International Consensus Statement: 208 Evidence-based conclusions about the disorder (adhdfoundation.org.uk) “HowToADHD” Jessical McCabe : 5 Tips to Make Assertive Communication Easier and More Effective (YouTube video). https://youtu.be/vlwmfiCb-vc?si=WTzVkDTNAaUEq4w0 Sedgwick JA, Merwood A, Asherson P. (2019) ‘The positive aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a qualitative investigation of successful adults with ADHD’.The positive aspects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder: a qualitative investigation of successful adults with ADHD - PubMed (nih.gov) Attoe D E. & Climie E. A. , 2023 'Miss. Diagnosis: A Systematic Review of ADHD in Adult Women' - (sagepub.com) Miss. Diagnosis: A Systematic Review of ADHD in Adult Women - Darby E. Attoe, Emma A. Climie, 2023 (sagepub.com) Rene Brooks “Black Girl Lost Keys” person with ADHD, advocate especially from the female perspective) The Ultimate ADHD Guide - 10 Steps To Master Your ADHD (blackgirllostkeys.com) NHS: Conditions- about ADHD. https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd/ Wellbeing/Mental Health Support contacts If you are a student of staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. For our external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention, please reach out and use the links below. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ Upcoming podcasts ADHD Mini-series celebrating ADHD awareness month episode 2: The student perspectives, strategies and teaching techniques for success. (releases on the 16/10/23). Inspirational People: Nick Brown, The Physicians Associate in Anaesthesia (PAA) an ODP’s first years reflections. Dealing with death in different cultures Student Perspectives: Being a single parent and a student. Want to get involved? We have a state of the art Podcast room, but can pod with you remotely from the comfort of your home/office. Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod! Contact The Link podcast team: e-mail: Ben Woodrow-Hirst https://staffs.ac.uk Samuel O’Brian:

15 SEP 2023 · On this episode: Talking simulation with the experts, a definitive student must listen! "Are you a 'Sage on the Stage'. or a 'Guide on the Side'?" I speak to two of my favourite people; Amanda Wilford (Senior Lecturer in Simulation & Patient Safety) and Jo Natalello (Lecturer in Simulation & Patient Safety). Having myself, a long history with simulation practice in clinical areas, and a passion for Human Factors in Healthcare, we all have one thing in common! WE LOVE SIMULATION! and if you are a student at Staffordshire University, you can expect the very best experience when it comes to simulation training in your healthcare studies. Guide for students! We talk students listening, through everything to expect from your simulation training at SU! The care and attention that is put into creating a safe learning environment, our state of the art facilities, and the quality of education we aim to deliver giving you the best experience to take back into your clinical environment! Answering your questions! We take some frequently asked questions from our current 1st year healthcare students and put it to the panel to explore and give valuable insight to get you just as excited as us about undertaking simulation. Endorsed, Evidence Based and Ethically Minded Jo and Amanda also talk about the recent awards they have received for the University, including endorsement from the International Nursing Association for Clinical and Simulation Learning (INACSL). Our personal journeys into simulation education! Thinking of a career in simulation provision? Whether you are wanting to simulate clinical practice at a hospital, pre-hospital, in a care home, or like us, at a University! We all share our personal simulation careers, how we got to where we are, the training routes, and how it has shaped what we do now! Listening externally, or not a student? Then this is still for you! If you are a simulation practitioner, a technician, or a healthcare professional- we also pull back the curtains on some of the best techniques for some critical methods within simulation delivery, especially what is and what is not a clinical/educational de-brief! Web links from the show Are you a Healthcare professional, Simulation practitioner, or thinking of expanding your knowledge in simulation MSc in simulation based education? Did you know that Staffordshire University have the course for you! Facilitated by experts in this feild of practice, with some of the best facilities in the country, accredited and underpinned by international evidence based bodies such as the INACSL and Simulation in Healthcare (SiH). Click below to find out more! https://www.staffs.ac.uk/course/simulation-based-education-msc Find out more about our standards of simulation practice. https://www.inacsl.org/code-of-ethics Wellbeing/Mental Health Support contacts If you are a student of staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. For our external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention, please reach out and use the links below. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ Contact the Simulation team! Find Jo and Amanda on Twitter and why not follow the University (School of Health Science and wellbeing). Amanda Wilford @amandawilford a.wilford@staffs.ac.uk Jo Natalello @joenatchi joseph.natalello@staffs.ac.uk Staffordshire University @StaffsUniHSW Upcoming podcasts Dealing with death in different cultures Student Perspectives: Being a single parent and a student. Want to get involved? We have a state of the art Podcast room, but can pod with you remotely from the comfort of your home/office. Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod! Contact The Link podcast team: e-mail: Ben Woodrow-Hirst https://staffs.ac.uk Samuel O’Brian: https://staffs.ac.uk Jo Natalello https://staffs.ac.uk Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Produced & Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Artwork: Shaun Kelly Theme Music: Gavin Samways

1 AUG 2023 · On this episode: Dr Sarah Edwards ‘Engaging in Unexpected Communications’. We speak to Dr Sarah Edwards who is a Senior Registrar, working within Emergency Medicine. Sadly, due to the nature of Sarah’s work, she is no stranger to communicating with patients, service users and their relatives/guardians/partners about a very challenging prognosis, or diagnosis. Following an upsetting family event where this communication fell below standard, and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, where many of these conversations had to be achieved over a phone conversation, Sarah and some interested colleagues decided to create a comprehensive training program. This program, which included simulation-based education with professional actors, aimed to help other clinicians and allied health professionals learn, rehearse, and understand how to undertake such conversations. Sarah and I extract all the advice from her work, including recounted clinical stories from our own professional careers, to analyse the features of communication skills that work well, including the pitfalls to avoid when engaging with patients and their closest connections. We also give tips and practical pearls of wisdom to students of all disciplines which you can put to good use, and hopefully feel more confident when interacting within these situations. Web links from the show To access TCTC role play simulations https://emj.bmj.com/content/39/9/712 E-learning package: Enhancing End Of Life Care https://www.e-lfh.org.uk/new-session-on-telephone-conversations-added-to-end-of-life-care-for-all-programme/ Royal College of Emergency Medicine "Dying matters in the ED" https://www.rcemlearning.co.uk/foamed/dying-matters-in-the-ed/ To get an overview on key features of difficult conversations. https://www.macmillan.org.uk/coronavirus/healthcare-professionals/difficult-conversations Wellbeing/Mental Health Support contacts If you are a student of staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. For our external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention, please reach out and use the links below. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ Find Dr Sarah Edwards on twitter @Drsarahedwards Upcoming podcasts Student Perspectives: Being a single parent and a student. Want to get involved? We have a state of the art Podcast room! Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod! Contact The Link podcast team: Twitter: @benw_h email: ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk Samuel O’Brian: Samuel.Obrian@staffs.ac.uk or Joe Natalello joseph.natalello@staffs.ac.uk Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Produced & Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Artwork: Shaun Kelly Theme Music: Gavin Samways

10 JUL 2023 · On this episode, Rewards and Challenges: Working Within an Organ Transplant Team: We speak to ex-Staffordshire University student Rob Edge. Rob trained in Operating Department Practice (ODP) qualifying in 2021. Rob now works as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) with the National Organ Retrieval Service.. Rob found himself with a life changing opportunity to join National Organ Retrieval Service (NORS) Oxford Team. Rob shares his student experiences; career progression and what life is like working within such an amazing team! Rob is also an advocate and campaigner for men’s mental health and suicide prevention. So within this discussion, we also touch on what Rob does to keep himself mentally healthy, and the importance of reaching out when we need support. “In 2022, NHS Blood and Transplant (2022) reported the total number of patients whose lives were potentially saved or improved by an organ transplant increased by 27% [from previous years] to 4,324. This is a wonderful reminder of the gift of life donors are giving to their fellow humans”. Web links from the show If you would like to know more about organ donation, or how to become an organ donor, click the link below! https://www.organdonation.nhs.uk/helping-you-to-decide/about-organ-donation/ To get an overview on organ donation process, watch this short video! https://youtu.be/62jr1Ra6uP8 For mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention, please reach out and use the links below. https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/ Find Rob on twitter @RobEdge16 If you are a student of staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing studentwellbeing@staffs.ac.uk. Upcoming podcasts Student Perspectives Mini-Series; Celebrating cultural diversity at Staffordshire University Health Science and Wellbeing: Being a single parent and a student. Want to get involved? We have a new state of the art Podcast room! Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod! Contact The Link podcast team: Twitter: @benw_h email: ben.woodrow-hirst@staffs.ac.uk Samuel O’Brian: Samuel.Obrian@staffs.ac.uk or Joe Natalello joseph.natalello@staffs.ac.uk Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Produced & Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst Artwork: Shaun Kelly Theme Music: Gavin Samways