Linzi Sturman
Linzi holds a Level 3 qualification in Parent and Carer Peer Support in Children and Young People’s Mental Health. She works in a ‘lived experience’ role, drawing on her personal experience supporting a child through Autism, Anxiety disorder, various eating disorders and significant mental health challenges.
Her role is to support parents and caregivers emotionally and practically — being present at difficult family times, assisting with form filling, understanding terminology, and researching external support services. She helps families navigate NHS mental health services and can attend MDTs, CPAs and other meetings to advocate from the family’s point of view.
Linzi has worked with Creative OT for almost 10 years and holds CSTF Safeguarding Level 3.
In 2022 my eldest daughter was diagnosed with Anorexia and was held under section in a secure mental health hospital. During her time in hospital she was also diagnosed with Autism and Anxiety disorder. After spending 14 months in hospital she came home and I have been her main carer. During this time I experienced how difficult it is as a parent to make it through without any support from people who truly empathise. Since finding a more stable path as a family, I felt I wanted to train as a PCPS specialist, so that I could use my experience to help others in similar situations and be the person I really needed when my daughter was struggling.