Category: Recent Episodes

171 Ken’s Krew Empowering Young People Through Employment with Julia Wright

In this episode, we learn about Ken’s Crew, an organization co-founded by parents through a partnership with Home Depot. Julia Wright from Ken’s Krew shares how they facilitate meaningful employment for young adults with additional needs

170 Supporting Young People Into Work: Practical Tips with Mel Simmonds, from Hidden Gem Services

In this second part of a conversation with Mel Simmonds, from Hidden Gem Services, we focus on what we can do at home to help make the transition into paid work smoother for our young people. When they go into their first job,

169 Supporting Employment: How Job Coaches Make The Difference with Mel Simmonds from Hidden Gem Services

In this episode with Mel Simmonds from Hidden Gem Services, we dive into the world of job coaching, outlining the importance of support, understanding, and adaptability in creating successful employment options for young people

168 From Fear to Trust: My Bumpy Journey with Debra Caldow

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In this episode, I share my journey of navigating parental fears and learning to trust my daughter’s abilities. Despite her successful year in her job, my unspoken concerns about her future surfaced, impacting her more than I realized. This episode reflects on how difficult it is not to let our fears limit our children’s potential. I also talk about the importance of giving my daughter the dignity of risk, respecting her independence, and planning for a future where she can thrive, even when I’m not around.

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167 Unlocking Potential: The Crucial Role of Families, Schools, and Job Coaches with Laura Davis from BASE

Every journey starts somewhere, and for most of us, it starts at home with those closest to us, encouraging us, and believing in us. In this week’s episode with Laura Davis from BASE we discuss the important role

166 Transforming Inclusive Employment: The Role of BASE In Changing Attitudes With Laura Davis

Collaboration can speed up change, but it requires coordination and management to make that happen. This week’s guest Laura Davis, Chief Executive of the British Association for Supported Employment (BASE)

165 Building Employer Relationships That Benefit Everyone with Andrea Randall-Smith from Little Gate

Having more opportunities for paid work for young people with additional needs relies on finding more employers to offer those opportunities. In this episode,

164 The Little Gate Story: Bridging Aspirations and Employment with Andrea Randall-Smith

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When opportunities aren’t available, sometimes we need to create them. That is part of the reason that Little Gate came about. In this episode Andrea Randall-Smith, CEO of Little Gate, shares the history and ethos of the organization and how they work to change the future of the young people they serve by giving them to skills to move into paid work. We also discuss the importance of getting feedback, sharing best practice, and working with other organizations to maximize the opportunities for everyone.

https://www.littlegate.org.uk/

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163 Planning A Better Future For Our Children with Debra Caldow

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In this episode, I’m talking about the importance of structured planning for children with additional needs and having short, medium and long-term plans for various aspects of their life around daily living, purpose, relationships, and finance. This ensures not only continuous progress but is also better preparation for their futures. A good plan has clear targets actionable steps, and a realistic timeline. I talk about each of these and how to use the Red Giraffe Route map and the VOCAL method (Vision, Options, Create, Assess, Legacy) to put together a plan that not only supports their future but give you piece of mind as well. I also share personal examples to illustrate how we have supported our daughter to plan her future and develop her own life plan.

Find our more about the Red Giraffe Route Map & VOCAL Method

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162 Everybody Needs Good Neighbors with Ann Wilkinson from WeBUILT

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.27.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout” sticky_enabled=”0″] We all want good neighbors but of course what makes a good neighbor differs for everyone. In this second part of a conversation with Ann Wilkinson from WeBUILT we talk about how they have built a neighborhood where people look out for each other when they need to. Ann explains how the focus on choice, predictability and autonomy has helped to reduce challenging behaviors. She also discusses how the WEBUILT community fosters empathy and support among members which in turn transforms lives and, in many cases, helps rebuild family relationships. Plus, we also discuss how other families can build their own communities using the WeBUILT model for ideas and inspiration. https://www.webuilt.info/[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”section” _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_row admin_label=”row” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ custom_padding=”|||” global_colors_info=”{}” custom_padding__hover=”|||” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][et_pb_text admin_label=”Text” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ background_size=”initial” background_position=”top_left” background_repeat=”repeat” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”et_body_layout”][/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column][/et_pb_row][/et_pb_section]