An innovative training initiative is reshaping how physiotherapy students approach patient care – by placing lived experience at the centre of learning.
The Physiotherapy Buddy Scheme, now in its fourth year, is led by Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) incollaboration with the University of Essex and Anglia Ruskin University.
It has reached over 400 physiotherapy students, helping them understand the vital connection between physical and mental health and deliver more person-centred, compassionate care as a result.
This week is Co-production Week (30 June to 4 July), an annual awareness campaign to highlight the benefits of working in equal partnership with people using health and social care provision. The week highlights the power of co-production to design and develop better ways of doing things in health and social care.
The Physiotherapy Buddy Scheme introduces students to Lived Experience Ambassadors (LEAs), volunteers who have personal experience of mental health services or have supported someone through mental health care.
Students are encouraged to reflect on how emotional, physical and social factors impact recovery and wellbeing through question and answer sessions and small group conversations with the LEAs, carers, and practising physiotherapists. There are also videos in which LEAs share their personal experiences.
Christine Cantello, Lived Experience in Education Lead at EPUT, said: “This scheme goes far beyond textbooks and lectures.
“It helps students truly understand the value of empathy in practice and many consistently report a deeper understanding of the psychological impact of physical illness and the importance of sensitive, inclusive communication.
“I’m incredibly proud of our Lived Experience in Education team, whose honesty, insight, and courage are at the heart of this work and make a real difference to the care patients receive.”
Allie, a LEA at EPUT said: “It is important for LEAs to take part in the Physiotherapy Buddy Scheme because we are able to talk about the impact physiotherapists can have on a person’s mental health as well as their physical health. They play such a huge part in someone’s whole body recovery.
“Being part of this scheme has helped myself and others by being able to share our stories and the impact our physical health has on our mental health and vice versa, and how we are whole beings.
“I hope that because of this scheme, more clinicians will see the person, not just the aspect they are treating.”
The sessions are a leading example of co-production in education and sees LEAs involved in every stage, from design and planning to delivery and evaluation. Many LEAs have found renewed confidence, purpose, and connection through their involvement.
The success of the Physiotherapy Buddy Scheme has already inspired adaptations in other NHS trusts and universities. It was also recently highly commended for a national Positive Practice in Mental Health award, in the categories of Innovation in Community Mental Health, and Integration of Physical and Mental Health Care.