Brandon Adventurers

Nathan is one of the original Adventurers and has been involved in every project as an expert by experience. The first big project was co-producing Brandon’s new five-year strategy, Plan B. He was project lead on the Quality Check at Southmead Hospital, Bristol, and played an integral role in reporting our findings to the hospital board.

Something interesting about me
“I’m a loving and caring person and I put people before myself all the time.”

Lucy is a founding member of The Adventurers. She has been involved in co-producing Brandon’s new five-year strategy, Plan B. She has sat on several interview panels for new trustees, and she carries out some PA (Personal Assistant) duties for the group.

Hobbies include: Training with a personal trainer every week, drama club and street dancing.

Something interesting about me
“I love making staff jump when they can’t see me.”

Blake has been involved in the HIPPY Project with Bristol University – The Adventurers co-produced accessible information for patients taking part in hip replacement research. He is also working as an Oliver McGowan Trainer.

Hobbies include: Football, basketball, playing Xbox, and I love animals.

Something interesting about me
“I’m a big, friendly giant. People might think I’m intimidating but I’m really soft on the inside.”

Tom is an original, founding member of The Adventurers. He has been involved with almost every project including; Co-producing the new Brandon five-year strategy, Plan B, taking part in many interview panels, sitting on the Safeguarding Panel, and assisting the Learning and Development team with induction training.

Hobbies include: Bowls, golf, scrabble and snooker.

Something interesting about me
“Just because I can articulate, don’t think there isn’t anything wrong with me.”

I enjoy seeing friends, my boyfriend, going to town, and the cinema. I also like to spend time with my family. I work at Tesco on Saturdays. I enjoy my job and have been there nine years. I get good feedback from customers and other people that work there.

I’ve done my Bronze, Silver, and Gold Duke of Edinburgh Awards, and completed the Prince’s Trust programme.

I joined The Adventurers because I want to learn new skills and develop the ones I already have. I also want to meet new people and make a positive difference to their lives. I want to help Brandon Trust make services better for the people who use them. I want to use my lived experience to help others.

Ben joined The Adventurers in 2024 and has been supporting Brandon’s recruitment process by taking part in interview panels. They hope to bring new skill sets to the team through their experience in art and graphic design.

Hobbies include: Gaming, art, music, graphic design

Something interesting about me
“I’m a massive nerd and will ramble on about topics I’m passionate about. Oh and I use They/Them pronouns.”

Teri joined The Adventurers in 2024. She has been involved with the UWE prescribers project, and was with The Adventurers the night they won a Great British Care Award for co-production.

Hobbies include: Listening and dancing to music, clothes shopping, watching TikTok videos

Something interesting about me
“I like The Venga Boys and I love to dance.”

Kate was project lead on the Quality Checker project at Southmead Hospital, Bristol. She also works as a volunteer at her local NHS hospital.

She is an integral part of the UWE Prescribers project and a member of the Product Development Committee as an expert with lived experience.

Hobbies include: Swimming, family outings, work

Something interesting about me
“I want everyone to be treated equally.”

Chloe joined The Adventurers in 2024. She has been involved with the UWE prescribers project, and the co-production of guidance for people with learning disabilities and autism on death, dying, do not resuscitate orders (DNR), grief and bereavement, with the Bristol, North Somerset, and South Gloucestershire (BNSSG) ICB.

Hobbies include: Travel, photography, TV/Netflix/YouTube

I have completed Disney Parks Around the World. I love travelling with my mum and with my family as well. My family are important to me. I like spending time with my friends too. I also enjoy getting comfy and having a lazy day.

I am very passionate about mental health. My own struggles have opened my eyes about social media. Not everything you see on social media is real. I’d love people to get off their phones and be more present in the moment. I think that spending less time on social media can improve your quality of life, mental health, self-esteem, and confidence.

Something interesting about me
“I have Down’s syndrome but it has not prevented me from achieving my goals.”

Holly has a very busy lifestyle, and regularly meets with friends and family. She volunteers at the Curzon Community Cinema in Clevedon and works at a school for children with learning disabilities, supporting at lunchtimes. Holly also helps with the baking at an enterprise in Bristol.

Hobbies and interests include: Seeing friends, watching films, going to the theatre, concerts, bowling, going out for food/drinks, seeing my family, drama, baking and weekly PT sessions.

Something interesting about me
“I may come across as quiet, but spark my interest and I am a cheeky ball of fun.”

Kieran started working with The Adventurers in 2024. He is now the group’s presenter and has a great way of talking people through The Adventurers’ projects. He is passionate about autism and sports, and hopes to use his passion to make sport accessible to all.

Kieran has worked on several accessible information and research projects, and a project about death, dying, do not resuscitate orders (DNR), grief and bereavement. He also helped co-produce Brandon’s Mental Capacity Act training module.

Interests include: Railways, football, and learning about autism. Kieran is captain of the Brandon Trust FC.

Something interesting about me
“I started Brandon Trust Football Club.”

Peter started working with the Adventurers in 2022. Since then, his confidence has come on leaps and bounds. He is kind and likes to look after the team. Peter loves helping people and feels that he is making a real difference. He enjoys chairing the Adventurers’ meetings.

Pete has worked on a lot of projects with The Adventurers but he has really excelled whilst working on the death, dying and do not resuscitate (DNR), grief and bereavement project. His lived experience has brought a richness to this project. Peter hopes to continue this work with the aim of setting up a grief café in Dursley. Peter has also been involved in creating accessible information and is enjoying all The Adventurers’ research work.

Interests include: Eddie Stobart and Liverpool Football Club.

Something interesting about me
“I have a cat called LuLu who I love very much.”

Keiran has been a Brandon Adventurer since spring 2024. He is always excited about new projects and his enthusiasm helps drive the team. Kieran thinks that everyone should be able to go out late, and drink and party with their friends – he has a very busy social life.

Kieran has been involved in several accessible information and research projects. He’s also helped co-produce Brandon’s Mental Capacity Act training module, and the content and delivery of our staff induction. He has an amazing laugh and always makes everyone smile.

Interests include: Meeting new people, going out for meals and drinks, going to the cinema and meeting up with friends.

“I love being a part of the Adventurers team so much, it really helps me build my confidence.”

Tim started working with The Adventurers in spring 2024. So far, he has worked on the Positive Behaviour Support (PBS) training review, the Mental Capacity Act training module, and is also a brilliant interviewer with some hard hitting questions! He recently supported the interviews for a locality manager.

Tim hopes to use his skills to make a better world for everyone. He is passionate about people being treated equally and mental health services.