Changing Lives: Recovery Talks

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week this week, our podcast features two guests from the Amy Winehouse Foundation, Joe Sheerer and Jane Winehouse. They speak to Andy about why the foundation was established, the support it provides to those in recovery and the incredible prevention work they do with young people in schools and other settings.

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Note: In all of our Changing Lives Podcasts we make references to topics such as addiction, homelessness, mental health problems and domestic violence. For more information on our work or to seek support for any of the issues we discuss, you can visit https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/

In today's episode, host Bridget speaks to Merlin Mee and Dami Fawehimni about what the term recovery means to the LGBTQIA Community. What issues might queer people face, how can they recover from them and how can people be a good ally or advocate to a queer person?

(Please note, a guest in this episode makes references to past self harm)

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Note: In all of our Changing Lives Podcasts we make references to topics such as addiction, homelessness, mental health problems and domestic violence. For more information on our work or to seek support for any of the issues we discuss, you can visit https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/

This week we speak to Noreen and Donna about the journey of BAC O'Connor, a centre in Staffordshire which has provided drug and alcohol rehabilitation since 1998. We discuss how their role in the community has been important in supporting people to find their recovery and challenge the stigma around addiction.

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Note: In all of our Changing Lives Podcasts we make references to topics such as addiction, homelessness, mental health problems and domestic violence. For more information on our work or to seek support for any of the issues we discuss, you can visit https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/

In this episode we talk to Josie, who works with women in the criminal justice system, about what working in recovery means to her and her journey into working in the sector.

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Note: In all of our Changing Lives Podcasts we make references to topics such as addiction, homelessness, mental health problems and domestic violence. For more information on our work or to seek support for any of the issues we discuss, you can visit https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/

In this episode we talk to Josie, who works with women in the criminal justice system, about what working in recovery means to her and her journey into working in the sector.

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Note: In all of our Changing Lives Podcasts we make references to topics such as addiction, homelessness, mental health problems and domestic violence. For more information on our work or to seek support for any of the issues we discuss, you can visit https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/

In this episode we talk about the power in the language used around recovery and addiction. This leads us to talking about life chances and what lies beneath the presenting and sometimes obvious need. Retired senior police officer Jason Kew and Gateshead's Director of Public Health Alice Wiseman share their experiences, hope and compassion from their journeys and how we need to change a relationship with the harm we witness within our communities.

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Note: In all of our Changing Lives Podcasts we make references to topics such as addiction, homelessness, mental health problems and domestic violence. For more information on our work or to seek support for any of the issues we discuss, you can visit https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/

In this episode we talk about the power in the language used around recovery and addiction. This leads us to talking about life chances and what lies beneath the presenting and sometimes obvious need. Retired senior police officer Jason Kew and Gateshead's Director of Public Health Alice Wiseman share their experiences, hope and compassion from their journeys and how we need to change a relationship with the harm we witness within our communities.

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Note: In all of our Changing Lives Podcasts we make references to topics such as addiction, homelessness, mental health problems and domestic violence. For more information on our work or to seek support for any of the issues we discuss, you can visit https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/

Welcome to Season Three! On today's episode, Andy speaks to his colleague Dolly from Changing Lives, as well as Viv and Kirstie from the organisation Adfam. They talk about their experiences of supporting families and how dependency impacts everyone around the person. In this discussion we not only recognise the wider and more holistic impact of substance abuse, but challenge ourselves to discuss what needs to change moving forward so that families can be better cared for. 

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Note: In all of our Changing Lives Podcasts we make references to topics such as addiction, homelessness, mental health problems and domestic violence. For more information on our work or to seek support for any of the issues we discuss, you can visit https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/

Welcome to Season Three! On today's episode, Andy speaks to his colleague Dolly from Changing Lives, as well as Viv and Kirstie from the organisation Adfam. They talk about their experiences of supporting families and how dependency impacts everyone around the person. In this discussion we not only recognise the wider and more holistic impact of substance abuse, but challenge ourselves to discuss what needs to change moving forward so that families can be better cared for. 

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Note: In all of our Changing Lives Podcasts we make references to topics such as addiction, homelessness, mental health problems and domestic violence. For more information on our work or to seek support for any of the issues we discuss, you can visit https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/

In the final episode of season two, we talk about public health and wellbeing through the experiences of Damian and Rupert who have worked across these sectors for many years. We talk about the importance of community and how we need the collective compassion, hope and spirit to support, challenge and change when needed.

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Note: In all of our Changing Lives Podcasts we make references to topics such as addiction, homelessness, mental health problems and domestic violence. For more information on our work or to seek support for any of the issues we discuss, you can visit https://www.changing-lives.org.uk/