DISCOVER Voices | disAbility Cornwall & IoS

In this episode of our podcast, host Anna Lempriere from the Cornwall Memory Cafe Network speaks with featured guests Katie and Claire from Sensory Trust, a national charity focused on connecting people with nature and promoting inclusive access to the outdoors. Join us as we explore how Sensory Trust’s Creative Spaces project organises dementia-friendly walking groups across Cornwall, providing opportunities for social connection and wellbeing. The walks are designed to be gentle and accessible, allowing participants to connect with nature in a safe, supportive environment. Also discussed is the deeper connection people experience through sensory engagement and storytelling during these walks. For more information on dementia-friendly walking groups, visit https://www.sensorytrust.org.uk/projects/dementia For an up-to-date list of walks, see 'What's on' at https://www.sensorytrust.org.uk/events Please consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel! DISCOVER Voices is a brand-new podcast network that discusses life through the lens of people living with long-term health conditions or disabilities. We welcome a variety of hosts all with their own podcast series, giving their own outlook and take on topics and discussions that are close to their heart. Our first podcast host is Dr Theo Blackmore, the residential researcher at disAbility Cornwall, a Disabled Peoples’ Organisation based in Hayle, Cornwall. - Discover Voices (c) 2024, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly.

In this insightful episode of our podcast, host Anna Lempriere from the Cornwall Memory Cafe Network sits down with Saskia Dady, a Makaton tutor and ambassador, to delve into the world of Makaton and its transformative power in communication. Saskia, who has been working with Makaton since 1998, shares her journey from the NHS to becoming a freelance tutor, helping children and adults with communication difficulties through signs and symbols. The conversation covers Saskia’s extensive experience with Makaton, from supporting children with speech and language challenges to leading community choirs that combine signing and singing. She passionately explains how Makaton can bridge communication gaps, especially in inclusive settings like nurseries, care homes, and community centers. Saskia also discusses her work with the TalkMoreCornwall initiative and the creation of accessible programs like signing workshops for people living with dementia. Listeners will be inspired by Saskia’s dedication to making communication more accessible for all, and her innovative approach to teaching through music. Whether you're a caregiver, educator, or just curious about Makaton, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips. Don't miss out—listen, learn, and share with your community! For more information and to connect with Saskia or explore Makaton resources, visit our website or follow the links provided in the description: https://talkmorecornwall.co.uk/ Please consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel! DISCOVER Voices is a brand-new podcast network that discusses life through the lens of people living with long-term health conditions or disabilities. We welcome a variety of hosts all with their own podcast series, giving their own outlook and take on topics and discussions that are close to their heart. Our first podcast host is Dr Theo Blackmore, the residential researcher at disAbility Cornwall, a Disabled Peoples’ Organisation based in Hayle, Cornwall. - Discover Voices (c) 2024, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

In this episode, Anna is joined by two distinguished guests: Rick Chesterton, a Professor of Dementia Research at the University of the West of England (UWE) in Bristol, and Dr. Emily Dodds, a Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Public Health and Wellbeing at UWE Bristol. Rick shares his journey into dementia research, which began in 1990 when he started working as a clinical psychologist with dementia patients. Over the years, his interest grew, and he began running groups and conducting research to better understand and support those living with dementia. He emphasises the importance of group settings where individuals can share their experiences and coping strategies, which he believes can be very beneficial. Rick and his colleague, Ian Marshall, developed a course called "Living Well with Dementia," which has evolved over the years. This course is designed to help individuals with dementia and their families navigate the challenges they face by providing a structured yet flexible approach to discussing and managing the condition. The course spans eight weeks and covers various aspects of living with dementia, from everyday frustrations to strategies for maintaining a good quality of life. Emily Dodds discusses her career path, which started with a degree in psychology and a dissertation on dementia and Alzheimer's. She initially worked as a support worker for people living with dementia before transitioning into mental health and public health. Emily's personal connection to dementia through her grandparents, who lived in Cornwall, has fueled her passion for the field. She highlights the importance of community and the supportive role of the Living Well with Dementia course. The course, Rick explains, is based on the principle that talking about dementia can be incredibly difficult and often avoided. By bringing people together who share similar experiences, the course creates a safe space where individuals can discuss their everyday challenges and emotions related to dementia. The approach is gradual, starting with more general topics and slowly delving into more specific aspects of dementia. This method helps participants feel more comfortable and supported as they open up about their experiences. Rick and Emily also touch on the importance of training facilitators who can deliver the course effectively in various communities. They acknowledge the challenges posed by the "postcode lottery," where access to such programs can vary significantly based on location. Their vision for the future includes wider availability of these courses across different regions to ensure more people can benefit from them. The podcast episode underscores the need for better post-diagnostic support for people with dementia. While the diagnosis process has become quicker, the support that follows is often inconsistent. Rick and Emily advocate for a more integrated approach where individuals are directed to supportive programs like Living Well with Dementia immediately after diagnosis, providing a softer and more supportive transition into managing their condition. Listeners are encouraged to share the podcast to help spread awareness and support, and those interested in the course or in becoming facilitators are invited to reach out for more information. The episode concludes with a call for better funding and resource allocation to ensure consistent and comprehensive support for those living with dementia across all regions. Learn more about LivDem here: https://www.livdem.co.uk/ DISCOVER Voices is a brand-new podcast network that discusses life through the lens of people living with long-term health conditions or disabilities. We welcome a variety of hosts all with their own podcast series, giving their own outlook and take on topics and discussions that are close to their heart. Our first podcast host is Dr Theo Blackmore, the residential researcher at disAbility Cornwall, a Disabled Peoples’ Organisation based in Hayle, Cornwall. -- Discover Voices (c) 2024, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

Today Anna interviews Ellie Whittaker, licensed Makaton tutor from TALKmoreCORNWALL, about how Makaton has value as a communication tool for people with dementia, memory loss or people that have had a stroke. Makaton is an extremely powerful communication tool with over 100,000 children and adults using Makaton symbols and signs, either as their main method of communication or as a way to support speech. Did you know, that there is less cognitive load when someone uses their hands to communicate? This is why Makaton can be an extremely useful communication tool for people with memory loss and dementia. Ellie from TALKmoreCORNWALL believes we can collectively do more to help people with cognitive conditions like dementia, memory loss or people that have had a stroke learn this sign language and ease their communication needs. For more information on TALKmoreCORNWALL, go to: https://talkmorecornwall.co.uk/ -- Discover Voices (c) 2024, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly.

Join our podcast host, Anna Lempriere, as she interviews Jenny and Bernie from Promas CIC. Promas CIC offers a range of free courses written and designed with the help of carers to help manage your caring role, access social events, and much more. Discover the family model of care where 95%+ of Promas team members have been carers themselves. They provide a council and coaching support line for emotional, psychological, and all sorts of support and signposting. The biggest benefit is reducing carer stress. Being a carer is often stressful and isolating, especially when caring for a loved one. Promas CIC creates an incredible, warm, loving, inclusive, and informative community to help carers feel supported, learn new skills, and know they're not alone. Explore their offerings here: https://promas.co.uk/ -- Discover Voices (c) 2024, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

Our Cornwall Memory Cafe Wayfinder and podcast Host Anna Lempriere interviews the two fantastic Admiral Nurses Caroline Ellis and Sarah Arundell, both part of the Integrated Admiral Nurse Service with Royal Cornwall Hospitals NHS Trust and Dementia UK. They discuss the important work Admiral Nurses do in Cornwall. Admiral Nurses, specialised dementia caregivers backed by Dementia UK, offer transformative assistance to families impacted by various forms of dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. Their mission is to enable individuals with dementia to maintain independence while providing vital support to their caregivers, ensuring they have the resilience to navigate difficult times and the capacity to cherish moments of joy. These dedicated nurses operate across a spectrum of settings, from community services and GP practices to NHS hospitals, care facilities, and hospices. Ask for help, contact the Admiral Nurses no matter what the issue on: [email protected] 07823535934 Admiral Nurses are part Dementia UK: https://www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/what-is-an-admiral-nurse

This week, Marie from disAbility Cornwall & CAAP joins our Wayfinders to talk about the significance of The Moment Makers: building intergenerational relationships between young adults with learning difficulties and older people in the Memory Cafe Network. Find out more about Marie's Moment Makers project: https://www.disabilitycornwall.org.uk/services/the-moment-makers Visit the Cornwall Memory Cafe Network for further information: https://www.cornwallmemorycafes.co.uk/ ~ Discover Voices (c) 2023, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

Our wonderful Wayfinders and Hosts of the Cornwall Memory Cafe Podcast bring you a live episode as they sit down with Cym Downing, Founder of the first-ever Memory Cafe which is situated Launceston. Cym Downing talks about how and why she founded the Memory Cafe, the importance of local community support and the invaluable help the Memory Cafes have on so many lives. We also discover the opinions of carers who have experience with supporting loved ones with forms of memory loss; the carers speak of hardship and isolation and why the Memory Cafes are so indispensable. In 2020, Cym was awarded with the Cornwall Civic Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to community life in Cornwall. Launceston Memory Cafe is a charity in its own right but also a proud constituent of the Cornwall Memory Cafe Network. Launceston Memory Cafe introduced this groundbreaking approach into the Duchy. Taking inspiration from Launceston, the Cafe Network grew into what it is today, an almost 50 Memory Cafe strong network with over 400 volunteers! Learn more about the Launceston Memory Cafe: https://launcestonmemorycafe.co.uk/ Visit the Cornwall Memory Cafe Network for further information: https://www.cornwallmemorycafes.co.uk/ ~ Discover Voices (c) 2023, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

Dementia and memory loss prevention: ''It's never too early, and it's almost never too late!'' Since the 90's... there has not been a single pharmaceutical drug to treat dementia that has been successfully implemented within the UK; this has led Dr Vicky Brown to pursue a career in dementia prevention. Our Memory Cafe Wayfinders and stupendous podcast Hosts Anna & Jules interview Dr. Vicky Brown, a Psychiatrist and Consultant specialising in dementia and memory loss prevention. Vicky gives some valuable tips on how to prevent dementia and cognitive memory loss and presents the importance of living an active healthy lifestyle, which includes managing your cholesterol, reducing your risk of loneliness and getting plenty of cognitive stimulation including checking your hearing levels. To find out more about the Cornwall Memory Cafe Network, go to: https://www.cornwallmemorycafes.co.uk/ ~ Discover Voices (c) 2023, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

Today Wayfinders and hosts Anna and Jules are joined by NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly System Lead for dementia, Dr Allison Hibbert. Allison describes her role as a championing role for people living with dementia and their loved ones and support network. They talk about the need to destigmatise dementia, what to expect along the journey of their care once they've been diagnosed and explain what a primary care dementia practitioner does. To find out more about the Cornwall Memory Cafe Network, go to: https://www.cornwallmemorycafes.co.uk/ ~ Discover Voices (c) 2023, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

The cold weather is here, so what better time to listen and learn how to save on your energy bills and keep warm this winter. Cornwall Memory Cafe Network Wayfinders Anna & Jules welcome Katharine Lewis, an Energy Saving Adviser from Community Energy Plus - Cornwall’s energy advice charity. Learn about vital information, like if you're entitled to be on the National Grid's Priority services register if you are living with someone with dementia or any other long-term health condition. If you need energy saving advice, please do contact Community Energy Plus and leave a message with their team and they will get back to you: Call: 0800 954 1956 https://cep.org.uk/ To find out more about the Cornwall Memory Cafe Network, go to: https://www.cornwallmemorycafes.co.uk/ ~ Discover Voices (c) 2023, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

Do you know your rights when it comes to Adult Social Care and funding someone in a nursing home? Millions in the UK have sold their homes to pay for care for themselves or loved ones, but for tens of thousands of people, this struggle to pay healthcare bills could have been avoided. Our lovely hosts and Cornwall Memory Cafe Network Wayfinders, Jules and Anna, welcome Pauline Hardinges, who is the Treasurer for the Liskeard area Memory Cafe and she is on to talk about the NHS Continuing Healthcare fund. A crucial fund that a lot of people don't know about; this episode dives into dealings with Adult Social Care and the NHS's best kept secret, the NHS Continuing Healthcare Fund and what you could be entitled to if you are going for a care package and support. Pauline gives her phenomenal story, after battling the NHS in court and winning, to hitting national headlines regarding her gagging order, Pauline shares her story. What is NHS Continuing Healthcare? Continuing Healthcare – officially called NHS Continuing Healthcare – is a fully-funded package of care that some people are entitled to receive as a result of disability, accident or illness. It covers the full cost of the person’s care and residential accommodation. NHS Continuing Healthcare funding is available to adults living in England who have particularly intense, complex or unpredictable care needs. Unlike local authority funding, it is not means tested. Health before finance: in the Care Act between sections 19-23, it states that you should not be asked about your financial situation, and that health needs should be met before any financial enquiries. If you have any questions about what is discussed in this episode, please do contact the Cornwall Memory Cafe Network or our disability advice line and enquire about if you think you would be eligible for the NHS Continuing Healthcare fund To ask for Pauline's advice please email: [email protected] disAbility Cornwall & IoS advice line: [email protected]

Did you know there are many forms of Dementia? Our podcast hosts and Memory Cafe Network Wayfinders Anna & Jules talk to Newquay Purple Angels Ambassador Lynn Bartrip-Kay as she speaks passionately about the Purple Angels and their mission to create a dementia-aware community through workshops and awareness sessions. Lynn works tirelessly to spread awareness of the disease, frequently operating dementia awareness workshops in Cornwall for businesses and everyone that wants to come along. Lynn talks about her own experience with having loved ones with dementia, she reads an extremely poignant poem about the illness and the power of music for people with memory loss, and how above all else, music can bring back some memories and emotions. Purple Angels was co-founded by Norman McNamara a resident of Torbay, Devon, UK who was diagnosed with dementia at only 50 years of age. Whilst out shopping one day he was rudely spoken to by a shopkeeper and decided to change the way people see dementia and treat others. The organisation has now grown to operate globally with over 1000 ambassadors! To find out more about the Purple Angels in Newquay, go to: www.newquaypurpleangels.com To find out about our Cornwall Memory Cafe Network, visit: www.cornwallmemorycafes.co.uk ~ Discover Voices (c) 2023, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

Welcome to the Cornwall Memory Cafe Podcast! Hosts Anna and Jules introduce themselves, they discuss the Cornwall Memory Cafe Network here in Cornwall and how it is a safe welcoming community for people with dementia and memory loss, their family and their carers and what the podcast will entail. Memory loss and Dementia can be a daunting and lonely experience, this podcast is aimed at sharing knowledge and opening the discourse for people with memory loss, their family and carers. This is a podcast series that will produce a new episode every month! For more information on the Cornwall Memory Cafe Network, please visit their website: https://www.cornwallmemorycafes.co.uk/ ~ Discover Voices (c) 2023, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

In solidarity with 2024 International Day Of Persons With Disabilities (IDPD) on the 3rd of December: Join us for an inspiring episode of the DISCOVER Voices, featuring Eleanor Lisney, a trailblazing advocate, academic, and disabled woman whose life story spans continents and cultures. Eleanor Lisney is a campaigner, co-founder member, public speaker and director of 2 disabled people's organisations. She is an access advisor, and an aspiring creative practitioner. Eleanor discusses the pivotal moments that led her to embrace mobility aids like an electric wheelchair, her early encounters with disability rights pioneers such as Mike Oliver, and her evolving role as a self-employed advocate. Her experiences highlight the ongoing barriers disabled people face, from inaccessible environments to societal misconceptions, and her commitment to driving change. This episode provides a unique insight into Eleanor’s advocacy for inclusivity, the lessons learned from navigating international terrains, and her reflections on disability politics, culture, and identity. Eleanor is Board Director for End Violence and Racism Against ESEA Communities (EVR), for more information on EVR go to their website: https://evresea.com/ - Discover Voices (c) 2024, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

Our host Theo welcomes journalist John Pring on the show founder of Disability News Service. John discusses his journalism career, scandals he's covered and tells Theo about his latest book The Department. His book is an account of his 10-year investigation into how the actions of a government department, spurred on by politicians and the outsourcing industry, led to the deaths of hundreds of disabled people, and how they covered up their role in those deaths. Disability News Service (DNS) is managed by John Pring, a journalist with a disability who has been covering disability-related topics for nearly 25 years. He founded DNS in April 2009 to fill the gap in comprehensive reporting on disability issues that was missing in both specialized and mainstream media. DNS primarily focuses on topics such as discrimination, equality, independent living, benefits, poverty, activism, campaigning, and human rights, while also addressing employment, transport, education, housing, crime, and arts, culture, and sport. John Pring personally researches and writes all the news stories, which are sent to subscribers every Thursday at lunchtime and then posted on the DNS website after 5pm the same day. Find out more by visiting his website: https://www.disabilitynewsservice.com/ To learn more about his book The Department (to be published by Pluto Press, 20 August 2024), go to: https://www.thedepartmentbook.com/ - Discover Voices (c) 2024, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

Theo is joined by Zeenat Jeewa, CEO from the Asian Disabled Peoples Alliance (ADPA). They talk about the barriers many disabled Asian people face, what ADPA fights for and why South Asian Heritage Month is so important to celebrate. Since 1988, ADPA have been providing culturally appropriate and bespoke sensitive Day care and Home care support and services to disabled, elderly and other isolated people. Their mission is to campaign on ensuring voices of Asian Disabled people, carers and their families are heard and their needs and rights are respected , understood and the inequalities are addressed

Our host Theo is joined by Author, Artist and Activist Emma Geen who is on today's show to discuss Disability Climate Justice. Emma is a Climate and Disability Programme Associate for Bristol Nature & Climate Partnership - an organisation that played a pivotal role in Bristol’s journey to becoming the European Green Capital in 2015. This unique network is united by a vision that encompasses both climate action and nature conservation. Theo and Emma talk about climate disaster planning, and how for example in a flooding emergency, disabled people are more at risk of serious harm

This week on 'Conversations' with Dr Theo Blackmore, our podcast host Theo is joined by Dr Sarah Bell. Dr Sarah Bell is a Senior Lecturer in Health Geography at the European Centre for Environment and Human Health (ECEHH). Sarah is based at the University of Exeter Penryn Campus and focuses her research on the intersection between disability, social inequality and the changing natural environment. In this conversation Theo and Sarah discuss the effects climate change has and will have, on people living with a long-term health condition or disability.

Theo is joined by Former London Olympics torch bearer, disability rights champion and social entrepreneur, Kush Kanodia. Kush has made it his mission to become a disability and rights champion, and social entrepreneur. Kush has had a monumental life journey, being a London Olympics Torch bearer in 2012 and being a key driving force for change for disabled peoples rights through transforming systems. He was the seminal figure in removing NHS England car parking charges, which many claim was the most impactful positive change for disabled people since the formation of the NHS. He has recognised systematic barriers and worked with Premier League Football clubs, including Chelsea, to make their stadiums more accessible for disabled people; he has worked on other high profile projects including campaigning for ULEZ fairness for disabled drivers. He also holds an honorary doctorate at Kent University in recognition of his achievements. Kush talks to our insightful host Theo about these campaigns, how to find confidence as a disabled person and Kush's Outlook on life. Follow Kush on LinkedIn to keep updated on what he is doing: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kushkanodia

This is the second part of Theo's conversation with Professor Colin Barnes - the leading figure in establishing the study of disability politics, sociology and the social model in the UK and globally. Colin talks about how historically, disability was (can still be) perceived as a medical issue through the medical model, how it became politicised and the reappraisal of disability as society's failure to address disabled people's needs. Colin argues that the whole point of what disability studies was about was using academic academic frameworks to produce research which had a purpose. For Colin, Disability Studies at Leeds is simply about putting theory policy into practice because this course is about giving you the skills to use knowledge to for the benefit of disabled people. he states ''we tried to do was get disabled people involved in discussions of disability''. Colin and others at the University put a primary focus on making the courses as accessible as possible for their students.

Our host Theo is joined by Colin Barnes, a Professor at the School of Sociology and Social Policy at the University of Leeds. Colin has been involved in the UK's disabled peoples movement throughout his academic career and has produced seminal research including work on disability discrimination and the social model of disability. Colin established the Centre for Disability Studies (CDS) and worked with the British Council of Organisations of Disabled People’s (BCODP’s) creating their Disability Research Unit (DRU) in the School of Sociology and Social Policy in the 90s at Leeds University In this episode, we hear about Prof. Colin Barnes's upbringing in the 50s and his experience with 'special schools' moving on to how he got involved in the disabled peoples' movement. For more information on Professor Colin Barnes: https://essl.leeds.ac.uk/sociology/staff/5/professor-colin-barnes

Theo is joined by Caitlin Gould, Founder and Director of TECgirls. They discuss the need to champion accessibility in Cornwall's growing tech industry. The two converse about the barriers disabled people face with regards to having access to technological hardware like tablets and laptops and about the Ctrl Alt Del Summit happening on the 21st February. An exciting event bringing the tech industry and local communities together to explore how innovative technology can lead the way in creating a accessible and inclusive future. TECgirls aims to inspire the next generation of coders, engineers, video game designers, app developers, and digital artists in Cornwall. To find out more and book tickets for the Ctrl Alt Del_ Summit: https://www.ctrlaltdelsummit.com/ To find out more about Caitlin's non-profit organisation, Techgirls: https://www.tecgirls.co.uk

In this latest podcast episode, Theo, our engaging host, sits down with Ju Gosling, also known as ju90. Ju is Co-Chair of the Regard, a charity campaigning for Disabled LGBTQI+ people, Artistic Director of Folk in Motion CIC and Together! 2012 CIC and is a disabled artist. As a disabled artist, Ju specialises in digital lens-based media while exploring performance, text and sound. Steeped in the theories and traditions of the Disability Arts movement, Ju has garnered international acclaim for her work. Beyond her artistic endeavors, she serves as the Artistic Director of Folk in Motion CIC and Together! 2012 CIC, as well as a director of Bettany Press. With prestigious affiliations like being a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts and a member of BAFTA Cymru. The two discuss intersectionality and the prevalent dichotomy between LGBTQI+ organisations and disabled peoples organisations and how there should be a greater emphasis on organisations becoming more inclusive and intersectional. They also discuss the pressing issue of social exclusion among LGBTQI+ disabled people. Find out more about the charity Regard and their work to campaign for Disabled LGBTQI+ people here: https://regard.org.uk/ Follow Ju's latest work here: http://www.ju90.co.uk -- Discover Voices (c) 2023, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly.

Today our host Theo talks to journalist Luke Murray about how the disability lifestyle magazine DISCOVER came to fruition. DISCOVER, produced by our team here at disAbility Cornwall, was the original and pioneering magazine that gave disabled people a voice throughout the last few decades in Cornwall & Isles of Scilly. Both take a trip down memory lane. Our very last print issue was released this July and marks the end of an era of over 20+ Issues and decades of journalism and conversation in the disabled peoples' movement in the South West. Luke Murray is a professional working in the field of journalism and graphic design. Want to see the latest issue of DISCOVER, and all the archived issues? Click the link below: https://www.disabilitycornwall.org.uk/services/discover-magazine

Our host, Theo, is joined by the fascinating and eclectic Trevor Palmer. Trevor is a full-time wheelchair user who runs his own business from Newport in South Wales and works with fellow disabled people. He has worked with a number of disability organisations to promote the rights, inclusion and equality of disabled people including his charity ResponsAble, a charity dedicated to assisting disabled people in disaster situations worldwide with specialist equipment, collaboration and advocacy work. In this episode, Trevor discusses his adventures around the world, in countries including Trinidad, Mongolia, Zimbabwe, Turkey, Thailand and India to promote employment and sustainable economic development. He talks about his experience with MS, and the power of community. Trevor also has interests in the Arts, and established the Azure Gallery and Studio in London during the 1980’s and was contracted to establish and run the Disability Advisory Group at the Wales Millennium Centre in Cardiff Bay during its construction and fitting out. He is currently a director of Disability Wales www.disabilitywales.org a Trustee of See Around Britain and a member of the management committee of Disability in Wales and Africa For more information on Trevor's charity ResponsAble visit: https://www.responsableassistance.org/

Join us for an insightful conversation with Rebecca Tayler Edwards, the esteemed representative from Disability Rights UK, as she sits down with our host, Theo Blackmore, in our latest episode! In this captivating interview, Rebecca delves into the crucial topic of involving the next young generation of disabled people in the disabled peoples (DPO) movement. She shares invaluable insights from her recent masters research, shedding light on the significance of bridging the gap between young individuals and the DPO space. Her passion for connecting and actively encouraging younger people to join the movement shines through! Tune in as Rebecca and Theo discuss the challenges posed by limited funding capacity, distinguishing the DPO space from the macro voluntary sector, and how disputes with local authorities can adversely impact funding. This eye-opening dialogue uncovers the vital issues at the heart of the DPO movement and the efforts required to ensure its continued growth and impact. Don't miss out on this thought-provoking episode! Click the link below to listen now and be inspired by the incredible work being done to empower the disabled community If you would like to get in contact with Rebecca, you can email her at: [email protected]

Join us for a captivating new episode of 'Conversations with Dr. Theo Blackmore' as our esteemed host, Theo, engages in a thought-provoking discussion with the remarkable Ellen Clifford from DPAC, an inspiring organization known as Disabled People Against Cuts. DPAC's mission revolves around championing the rights of disabled individuals and fostering a supportive community of allies. Together, we invite you to be a part of this empowering conversation, dedicated to advocating for justice and upholding the fundamental human rights of every disabled person. Theo and Ellen talk about what Ellen describes as the revolutionary concept of the social model of disability, how societal barriers cause loneliness for disabled people something that is never mentioned in the media and discuss the question, how are disabled people oppressed? For more information on DPAC: https://dpac.uk.net

Introducing the 10th episode of "Conversations with Dr Theo Blackmore", where our host Theo sits down with Joyce Kallevik from WISH. Founded in 1987, WISH is a user-led women’s mental health charity developing pioneering support services for under-served women and campaigning together for social justice. Theo and Joyce discuss how the prison system is not set up correctly for women, how many of WISH's staff have lived experience and how WISH help women through the justice and mental health system: ''We don't want women to tread water, we want them to swim and have goals and aspirations''. - WISH supports women with long-term mental health and other complex needs that may put them in contact with the mental health or criminal justice systems. They currently provide free community-based counselling like their trauma informed counselling service and other support and training services in Greater London and work with women detained in 4 secure hospitals in the North of England, providing independent mental health advocacy - For more information on their organisation visit: www.womenatwish.org.uk or email: [email protected]

Introducing the 9th episode of "Conversations with Dr Theo Blackmore", where our host Theo sits down with Ella and Luke from the Disabled People's Archive. The Disabled People’s Archive is an initiative by Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People with the support of Archives+ from Manchester Central Library. The archive aims to preserve and promote the history of the UK's Disabled Peoples' Movement, and the conversation delves into the importance of this mission. Ella and Luke share their insights on the fear of losing the history and recording of the disabled peoples movement, their process of archiving work, mapping out the movement, why certain groups in the history of the disabled peoples movement ceased to exist, and how people can access the archive. The conversation also explores why it is integral to have the history of the movement mapped in-house in a DPO, rather than at a university, as the movement is by the people, for the people. As the archiving process is about the future as much as it is about the past, the archive is used to inform us about the struggles many disabled people face today, and to design a better world that caters to the social model of disability Join Theo, Ella, and Luke for an insightful conversation on the importance of preserving and promoting the history of the UK's Disabled Peoples' Movement. Don't miss this episode of "Conversations with Dr Theo Blackmore". For more information on their organisation visit: https://disabledpeoplesarchive.com/ or email: https://disabledpeoplesarchive.com/

Our host Theo talks to Lynne from Disability Positive about the importance of lived experiences in a Disabled Peoples' Organisation setting, disabilities being labelled as a minority group and much more! - Lynne Turnbull is the Chief Executive of Disability Positive, a Disabled Peoples' Organisation (DPO) based in Cheshire. They have a range of services to help people with everyday life, being part of their local community and looking after their own wellbeing, offering advice, help with practical tasks and advocate for people in lots of different situations in the North of England - To find out more about Disability Positive, go to: https://disabilitypositive.org/

Our podcast host Dr Theo Blackmore has a conversation with Inclusion London's CEO Tracey Lazard. With more than two decades of experience working across various Deaf and Disabled People's Organisations (DDPOs), Tracey is a person with a disability who has dedicated her career to advocating for disability equality, user involvement, and the Social Model of Disability and the Cultural Model of Deafness. Throughout the last 16 years, she has held CEO positions, and in 2011, she became Chief Executive at Inclusion London. - Tracey is deeply committed to the role DDPOs play in promoting equality and inclusion, as well as providing effective, accessible, and comprehensive services that have a positive impact on the lives of Deaf and Disabled people - For more information on Inclusion London please go to: https://www.inclusionlondon.org.uk/

Our series host Theo Blackmore is joined by Sophie Fournel, CEO of Disability Assist. Disability Assist is a disabled peoples' user-led organisation that covers the county of Kent. They discuss the situation many disabled people face in Kent and the real need to encourage disabled people into the workforce. They discuss that more young disabled people need to come forward and start steering the future of disabled user-led organisations and charities. For more information on Disability Assist and if you need information and advice in Kent, please go to: www.disabilityassist.org.uk

Happy International Women's day! We have a fantastic podcast episode with guest speakers from WinVisible, an organisation devoted to fighting for the rights of disabled women. Guest speakers associated with WinVisible discuss how there is massive discrimination and injustice that faces disabled mothers; how automatically, disabled mothers are seen as harmful to their children; the injustice many asylum seekers face and the alarming levels of domestic violence that women cannot escape from. Watch and listen to an array of passionate speakers on issues facing women and mothers across the country. WinVisible is a multi-racial grassroots group that brings together women from diverse backgrounds and with various disabilities. Through mutual support, the group helps its members overcome isolation and discrimination, and fights for their entitlements. WinVisible offers self-help information and advocacy on issues such as benefits, accessing healthcare and support services, and employment discrimination. The group also tackles challenges related to homecare charges and the cost of living. For more information, visit WinVisible's website at: https://winvisibleblog.wordpress.com Their Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/winvisiblewomen/ Their Twitter: https://twitter.com/winvisiblewomen

Theo and Rick Burgess, Outreach and Development Lead at Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People (GMCDP), have had a chat. They reminisce on how many disabled peoples' organisations were formed in pubs and by writing letters to eachother, and how it is essential to keep the disabled people's movement going, and that the key is to focus on rights, not charity. For more information on Greater Manchester Coalition of Disabled People, please go to: https://gmcdp.com/ https://www.facebook.com/gmcdp

How accessible is the county of Wiltshire for disabled people? Theo converses with Mary Reed, CEO at Wiltshire Centre For Independent Living, about the challenges of being disabled in a rural county like Cornwall or Wiltshire. -- Discover Voices (c) 2022, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly

Theo is back with episode two! He talks with Dean Harvey, a Community Development Worker for Pentreath LTD, a mental health charity based near Newquay, Cornwall. They talk about how people face oppression on multiple fronts and how third (voluntary) sector services can improve by helping people in a more holistic manner. They discuss how 'minorities' are minoritised and open the discussion on the pros and cons of terminology like BAME and Ally

This December 3rd marks the International Day of Persons with Disabilities 2022, so what better day to announce our first new DISCOVER Voices podcast host, Dr Theo Blackmore. In Theo's first episode, he is joined by his friend and colleague Stephen Lee Hodgkins. Stephen is a self-taught community artist and visual thinker based in York. The duo discusses the implications of the International Day of Persons with Disabilities, cultural values relating to disability and much more.