News
National recognition for art therapy in AHP awards
Congratulations to Consultant Art Therapist Dr Nicki Power who has been shortlisted in this year’s Chief Allied Health Professions (AHP) Officer Awards.
Dr Nicki Power, who is Head of Art Therapy trustwide, has been shortlisted in the AHP Research Impact Award category.
The Chief Allied Health Professions Officer (CAHPO) Awards is a unique opportunity for AHPs to receive recognition for their personal contributions towards delivery of exceptional care for patients. The awards also promote adoption and scale of good practice through celebrating and sharing success.
Dr Power’s nomination for her research project caught the attention of the judges and is a first for national recognition in art therapy at Oxleas. Her PhD developed the first evidence-informed group art therapy intervention specifically designed for people with learning disabilities experiencing mental distress. The five-year project was co-designed with The Lawnmowers Independent Theatre Company, a socially engaged charity led by and for actors with learning disabilities.
Creativity and lived experience were central to understanding how art therapy works, with people with learning disabilities contributing as co-designers, co-analysts and co-authors throughout the research. Together they also produced two films: 'Creating Together' which documents their co-production journey, and a short film sharing people with learning disabilities' experiences of group art therapy.
The category winners will be announced on AHPs Day (14 October) and will be invited to an in-person celebration in November.
Dr Power said:
People with learning disabilities are some of the most marginalised in our society. For me, this research was about bridging an evidence gap that is also a structural injustice, and showing that research done with people, not just on them, produces better evidence and better care. My co-researchers brought expertise and creativity that fundamentally shaped the research we did together.
Sian Critchley-Robbins, Head of Psychological Therapies for secondary care in our Community Mental Health Services, added:
I am absolutely delighted for Nicki. This nomination is such well-deserved recognition of her dedication to art therapy, research and evidence-based practice. It is a proud moment for allied health professionals, psychological therapies and for Oxleas, and we wish her every success at the awards.
Media enquiries
The communications team provides a point of contact for journalists to respond to all media enquiries.
We are happy to help journalists represent the trust accurately, so please do get in touch to ensure your facts and information are up-to-date before publishing your story.
Our media team is responsible for:
- Responding to media queries
- Arranging interviews with our nationally and internationally renowned experts who can talk about some of the trust’s specialist topics
For all media enquiries Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, please email oxl-tr.communications@nhs.net where a member of the team will review and action your request.
If you have an urgent enquiry outside of office hours or at the weekend, please contact our director on call via the Bracton Centre switchboard on 01322 294300.
Filming and photography requests
We receive documentary, location and broadcast filming requests on a regular basis – we consider all proposals on an individual basis and will try to accommodate proposals where possible, if appropriate.
No photography or filming is permitted without prior arrangement and agreement. Our patients always come first and we have a duty to protect their safety and confidentiality. Anyone found filming or taking photographs on the trust premises without the permission of the trust’s communications team will be asked to leave by the security department and may face prosecution.
Unless agreed otherwise, film crews and photographers must be accompanied by a member of the Communications Team at all times.
Contact: oxl-tr.communications@nhs.net
