- Date awarded: April 2026
- Awarded value: £1,300
- Location: Occupational Therapy, Mental Health Occupational Therapy Department
Callum McKinnon plays a vital role as a Specialist Occupational Therapist within mental health services, championing neuro affirming practice and leading improvement through an Allied Health Professional Career Fellowship dedicated to this area. He contributes actively at both local and national levels, participating in working groups and pilot initiatives that aim to strengthen support for neurodivergent people.
Following a competitive peer review process, Callum was selected to present at an international congress, where he delivered an oral presentation showcasing NHS Fife’s work to enhance mental health services for autistic and otherwise neurodivergent adults. His presentation demonstrated how national guidance on autism informed care can be translated into meaningful, practical improvements through a co-created, neuro affirming approach.
Callum has shared that the grant from Fife Health Charity, which enabled him to attend the conference “ has delivered impact far beyond the congress attendance alone”. Since returning from the Congress, Callum has shared learning with a range of NHS Fife staff and with senior NHS Scotland AHP leaders via National Forensic Leads Forum and been invited to deliver a further presentation to an NHS Forth Valley forensic occupational therapy team and OT Service Managers in South Ayrshire HSCP. In addition, Callum’s congress abstract has been selected for publication in an international therapy journal.
Overall, this grant has enabled much more than attendance at a single event. It has supported international dissemination, professional networking, further invitations to present, development of new partnerships, sharing of resources, local and national service improvement conversations, and academic publication. Most importantly, it has helped spread practical learning about how mental health services can become more accessible, inclusive and neuro-affirming for neurodivergent adults.
