Series 2, Episode 16- Draig Tribe, Maria, Harriet and Talia

In this episode , previous summer intern and new member of staff Maria talks to Talia and SPW staff member Harriet about SPW's Youth project.

They reveal the new name for the project and discuss the work it has done in the past year. They also talk about how they came across and started working for SPW, their own experiences being from single parent backgrounds and what their personal "Mental Health Manifestos" are.

Series 2, Episode 15- Tonda- Volunteering The Mix

In this episode, I have an inspiring young woman joining me today called Tonda.

Tonda, opens up about a significant life event that lead to her to becoming a young carer for her younger siblings. She shares about the things that helped her navigate these changes including the youth forums and The Mix; volunteering enabled Tonda to not just ‘feel seen and heard’ but also ‘to feel alive and important in being able to contribute my views’. We delve into coping strategies, future aspirations, Tonda’s passion for ethnic minority and care leavers groups and the power of volunteering. Tune in to be inspired.

Series 2, Episode 14- Molly- Volunteering The Mix

In this episode, I have an insightful conversation with Molly. Molly is 19 years old (at the time of recording) and is currently studying to become a professional dancer while also volunteering at The Mix - a youth service.

Molly opens up about her experience of becoming a single-parent household in her teen years after her parents split up. She goes on to share how valuable volunteering for The Mix has been for her and how it contributed to the inspiring outward-looking perspective she has today. “Volunteering has really opened my eyes to the variety of problems and challenges that people experience” and given her a huge confidence boost.

Series 2, Episode 13- Ellis and Lou Beardsmore- Pride Outside CIC

In this episode, I have two special guests joining me from Glasgow, the amazing LGBTQ+ couple Ellis and Lou Beardsmore. This power couple have co-founded Pride Outside CIC, and are on a mission to build a world where every LGBTQ+ person is safe and well. They are both LGBTQ+ inclusion experts delivering diversity training to organisations and reinvesting the profits into free LGBTQ+ wellbeing events and family support groups. Lou and Ellis share their coming out stories and shed light on some of their own struggles and victory moments along the way. It’s an insightful conversation around some heartbreaking battles that many of the LGBTQ+ youth continue to face. We get expert advice on what we can do to enable young people to feel safe and well and supporting them in their own gender and sexuality journeys. Tune in for a heart warming listen.

Series 2, Episode 12- Folade Lawan- Leaders Unlocked

In this episode, my guest is Folade who is the project manager for Leaders Unlocked. Folade is passionate about enabling young people to be a part of decision-making and to shape our systems. Folade urges those conversations in youth spaces to be taken to 'the big round table', to the places where change happens. Listen here to find out how to raise young leaders and amplify their voices.

Series 2, Episode 11- Julie Green, Surviving to Thriving

In this episode, my guest speaker is Julie Green. Julie works for Single Parents Wellbeing in the following roles: Diversity and Engagement Manager, a Wellbeing Workshop Facilitator and is the Connecting Creatively Officer. In this episode we hear the journey of transformation from just surviving to really thriving, from being in refuge and struggling as a young mum with poor mental health to regaining her confidence, managing her mental health and accomplishing her dream jobs whilst being a beacon of hope to others who may be struggling. Julie offers helpful techniques to help us grow in resilience, explaining how you can ‘train your mind to see things in a different way and not let the negative voices take over’.

Series 2, Episode 10- Fateha Ahmed Ethnic Minorities and Youth Support Team Wales

In this episode, my guest speaker is the amazing Fateha Ahmed. Fateha is the BME Project Lead at Ethnic Minorities & Youth Support Team Wales. Fateha opens up about her backstory of moving to the UK as a child and readjusting to a whole new culture, country and language. She shares about how in the early days with the language barrier she was reliant on the power of a smile and reassuring body language to make her feel welcome and at ease. We go on to hear how key individuals positively impacted her during those vulnerable years, inspiring Fateha to pass the batton of kindness on and make a difference to young people in the BME community.

Series 2, Episode 9- Amy Holland Mind Our Future

In this episode, Amy Holland and Talia Stimpson have a conversation about the Young Person Project in Single Parents Wellbeing. Amy is the Project and Development Manager and Talia is the Young Person Officer. They retrace their steps and reflect on the journey of the project and then go on to share how the young people will continue to lead the way forward. They speak about the power of coproduction, core needs that every young person needs and how empowerment is at the heart of the project. They are passionate about raising up young confident leaders to have the confidence to get their voices heard and become the change they want to see.

Series 2, Episode 8- Sophie Howe, Future Generations Commissioner

In this episode, our guest speaker is Sophie Howe, the Future Generations Commissioner of Wales. We cover Sophie’s vision for Wales, the ways in which Wales is tackling the climate emergency and inequality, the new school curriculum and the Leadership Academy for young people. Sophie is a phenomenal leader and raises up young leaders to speak out against things that are not right, and even when it’s daunting, ‘to feel the fear and do it anyway’.

Series 2, Episode 7- Hanna Anderson, Becoming a Change Maker

An inspiring conversation about making change, how ordinary people can do extraordinary things and how to shift ideas in society in order to create a mentally healthy future. For Hanna, she bravely confronts gender inequality in the workplace and shouts about the power of diversity, inclusion and representation as a starting place towards positive change. Hanna shares her journey of becoming a change maker and reveals her top tips of how we can embrace change in our own lives.

Series 2, Episode 6- Rachel Brydon, Calm in the Chaos

In this episode, my guest speaker is Rachel Brydon. Rachel has a background in youth work and is the founder of ‘Calm in the Chaos’, a business with the aim to cultivate connection between family members through play. We continue to explore and understand what empowerment means and how to do it well; Rachel talks about the importance of making space for choice, playing and being playful, role modelling and using our voice to champion young people. Rachel offers helpful examples of how she empowers her own child in the mundane moments through to the spectacular moments in life.

Series 2, Episode 5- Martin King- Sheard and Marianna Mannello from Play Wales

In this episode, we speak to Martin King-Sheard (Workforce development officer) and Marianne Mannello (Assistant Director) from Play Wales joining me today to talk all about play. They work so hard to despell the myth that playing is just for young children and will explain why it is fundamental to keep playing throughout your teen years also. At the end, I will ask them some questions raised by some of our lovely single parents about how to cultivate a playful, cooperative and respectful relationship with your teen so stay tuned.

Series 2, Episode 4- Dr Michaela James, Child Health and Physical Activity Researcher Swansea University.

In this episode, we hear from Dr Michaela James, Child Health and Physical Activity Researcher about instilling a positive approach to being active. Michalea shares her expertise and passion to helps us see movement in a new light; she explains the health benefits and urges us to find the things that really set our souls on fire. She says, if we can find these things that we love, then it can ‘generate a life long love of being active’.

Series 2, Episode 3- Ben West on Suicide Awareness and Mental Health

As part of World Suicide Day, we speak to Mental Health Campaigner and author Ben West. Who has an honest conversation about grief, suicide and what he is campaigning for. Including how schools can ensure that their pupils are safe, with empathy and compassion at the heart of everything he does.

TRIGGER WARNING: Suicide and suicide prevention talked about in this episode.

Ben’s Book: This Book Could Save Your Life.

Series 2, Episode 2- Loneliness with Lily Day from Mental Health Foundation and Rachel Cule from SPW

In this podcast, we have two incredible guest speakers: Lily Day and Rachel Cule. We talk all about loneliness. Lily Day, a press consultant from Mental Health Foundation tells us about her most recent work, finding out if people feel or have felt lonely and discovered that ‘loneliness does and can affect everyone’. Despite, this being a natural and common feeling, barriers around speaking about loneliness remain standing. We go on to hear Rachel Cule’s experience of feeling lonely and her thoughts on how to karate kick these barriers down so that people can unashamedly speak up about how they feel.

Series 2 Episode 1- Hannah Morgan Heads Above the Waves

In this podcast, we hear from the very inspiring cofounder of Heads Above The Waves (HATW - a interest company supporting mental health) Hannah Morgan. We have a great conversation about what lead Hannah to do the important work that she does, juggling a few things at once: self harm workshops in schools (and online), a merch store on the highstreet and a website packed with mental health help. We gain insight into her own life where significant traumas began to knock her mental health. Previously, resorting to self harm and alcohol as means to cope with the pain. Now, Hannah helps others by raising awareness of alternative coping mechanisms and strategies to prevent harm and suicide. She has a voice of hope and wisdom, enjoy!

Episode 5- Dating a Single Parent with Talia Stimpson, Ihab Mohamed and Sam Burns

In this fun, lighthearted episode we delve into Talia’s relationship with her boyfriend Sam. Sam did a counseling course and works in a care home, and Talia did a Philosophy and Theology degree. They met on a trip to the beach via mutual friends. In this episode we discuss how a young Sam dated a young single mum, and how he formed a bond with both Talia and Lily, Talia’s daughter.

Episode 4- Neurodiversity is my Superpower with Jamie and Talia Stimpson

In this episode we hear from Jamie, a resilient 14 year old who shares his experience with ADHD, Autism and mental health. We cover everything from the fight for diagnosis and gaining the right support to the strategies and new perspectives learned along the way. Jamie opens up about how he has come to understand, accept and be proud of the way his own mind functions, calling ADHD and Autism his ‘superpowers’ - ‘I wouldn't want to cure it as I can use it to my advantage’. Jamie encourages us to seize our own superpowers and use them for good.

Episode 3- Being Well with Jack Bewsey and Ollie Barella and Ihab Mohamed

In this episode we chat to guests Jack Bewsey and Ollie Barella. Secondary school friends that decided to initiate a mental health charity called Being Well at the age of 20, whilst studying engineering degrees at University. Unsatisfied with the level of support and education surrounding mental health at school and university, the two have set up a charity that targets sixth form students in Surrey; running campaigns, workshops and training sessions.

Being Well Charity in Guildford

https://www.beingwellcharity.co.uk/

Episode 2- Being a Young Single Parent with Emily Hattersley and Talia Stimpson

In this episode we hear from Emily Hattersley, an inspiring young single mother who shares a part of her journey into motherhood and all the steps she needed to take to prepare and adapt to a big life change. We chat about everything from continuing education, family and friends reactions, stigma around young single parents, the power of reshifting priorities and the unexpected blessings that came and continue to come from her delightful daughter, Daisy. Emily is a big believer of life and human resilience believing that 'the world doesn't throw at you more than you can handle'.