Services offered

Lived experience impact and inclusion consultant

I work with organisations navigating complex accessibility, inclusion and decision-making challenges.

My work focuses on how practices, policies, services and governance structures function in real-world practice and where hidden structural barriers may be undermining trust, engagement and outcomes.

Grounded in practitioner expertise, critical psychology and lived experience of complex systems, I translate complexity into clear, proportionate and actionable strategic insight.

Engagement scope and fees are agreed in advance based on organisational size and complexity. Reduced rates may be available for charities and not-for-profit organisations.

1. Strategic Review & Advisory Sessions

Structured consultancy for organisations seeking clarity in complex inclusion contexts.

These focused sessions are designed to identify structural blind spots, strengthen decision-making and provide clear next steps.

Work may include:

• Reviewing policies, processes and governance structures through an ACB-informed lens
• Identifying unintended exclusion and systemic risk points
• Clarifying barriers affecting engagement, retention or trust
• Facilitating focused groups or individual discussions with staff or service users and providing recommendations
• Providing structured written recommendations with priority actions

2. Case Studies and Impact Narratives

High-quality written insight that strengthens learning, accountability and organisational credibility.

Commissioned for:

• Strategic communications
• Impact and funding reports
• Policy reform documentation
• Staff learning resources
• Public-facing thought leadership

Each piece translates lived experience and structural insight into reflective, practical and ethically grounded narrative.

3. Workshops, talks and public speaking

Structured, engaging sessions designed to deepen understanding of complex barriers and strengthen inclusive practice. These sessions typically generate meaningful discussion, new perspectives and practical reflection. Feedback to date has been consistently positive, with organisations inviting me to return for repeat events.

Suitable for:

• Leadership and governance groups
• Staff development and CPD
• Conferences and away days
• Cross-sector collaboration events

Topics may include:

• Intersecting barriers and structural exclusion
• Understanding neurodivergence and hidden disabilities
• How policy and organisational systems impact lived experience
• Identifying and reducing hidden barriers in service design
• Challenging stigma and strengthening equitable practice

Hourly, half-day and full-day sessions are available.

4. Governance and advisory input

Independent advisory input supporting ethical oversight, inclusive governance and structurally informed decision-making.

Suitable for:

• Boards
• Committees
• Strategic working groups
• Improving services and participation initiatives

5. Specialist 1–1 Neurodivergent Mentoring & Practitioner Case Work

Alongside organisational consultancy, I provide structured 1–1 mentoring for neurodivergent university students and undertake specialist practitioner case work, including complex case management.

I bring professional experience across brain injury rehabilitation, residential children’s care, criminal justice and employment support for individuals with conviction histories, case management, and peer work within mental health services.

This work supports individuals navigating intersecting barriers across education and related systems.

Mentoring and practitioner work may include:

• Working with neurodivergent students within higher education
• Structured, goal-focused sessions
• Support in understanding and accessing institutional processes and reasonable adjustments
• Complex case review and coordination across education, housing and related services
• Practical systems navigation and advocacy support

All work is grounded in practitioner expertise, structural awareness and lived experience of navigating complex systems.

Availability is limited and subject to capacity.

Working arrangements

Consultancy scope, deliverables and timelines are agreed in advance to ensure clarity and effective use of time.

Retainer arrangements are available for organisations requiring sustained advisory input.

In-person work may be available by agreement (travel charged separately).

References and published work are available upon request.

Testimonials

There are numerous portrayals of neurodiversity in the media that don't reflect the different ways people experience Autism and ADHD, and we need more voices like yours

Manager at a university

Samantha was exceptional in sharing her lived experiences to help develop an in-depth understanding of the challenges underrepresented students face within education

Gaynor

Samantha was my mentor. I greatly valued Samantha's honesty and openness in sharing her lived experiences, including the barriers she has faced. Despite these, she has persisted and achieved so much. Samantha is passionate about driving change and making a difference for others. Her sharing of her own experiences, along with her questioning skills and drive to seek out change, has been inspiring and is leaving a lasting impact

Christina

Samantha Made Valuable contributions to the tuition-focused blog. Contributing to blogs can be a daunting task, especially when focused towards an academic audience. Samantha was brave, creative and timely with her contributions, always willing to consider how content could be leveraged in the most effective way to portray her ideas.

Clemmie

I was impressed by her insights and the reflective pieces she’s written. The writing is so powerfully thought-provoking and moving that it would be great to share this widely

University Director

Inspirational Samantha, thank you so much, where can I read your other work?

University staff member

100% you are creating impact! You did a fantastic job on the presentation

Anonymous

Sharing their experiences is helpful for me to think about my own experiences and any preconceived thoughts I may have. This in turn, has already led me to reflect on interactions with colleagues and what I could do differently to get the most out of the relationships. It has made me challenge my own views, as I was a little more black and white with my knowledge of different neurodiversity! II had no idea how neurodiversity would interact with each other!