In this episode we talk to Perry, founder of the 21UP Movement, a youth intervention programme. Perry shares how his childhood experiences of foster care and domestic abuse led to poor mental health and going to prison. He explains how he's turned his life around to help others. He now works to ensure young people have more opportunities, in order to improve their confidence and mental health, and prevent knife crime. Find out more about the 21UP Movement here. Please note this episode contains references to violence and abuse. For further support, visit our website.

Please be aware that this podcast contains some extreme content which some people may find triggering. This includes descriptions of physical abuse, sexual abuse (including involving children), eating disorders, self harm and alternative sexual practices. If you are affected by any of these issues and would like to seek support, please contact our Information and Guidance service ⁠https://healthwatchessex.org.uk/speak-to-our-team/⁠. In this episode we talk to Allie, one of our Trauma Ambassadors. She shares her experiences of abuse throughout her childhood and how this has impacted her later in life. After being diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and Emotionally Unstable Personality Disorder (EUPD) as an adult, she reflects on how her experiences of abuse have led to extreme forms of self harm, including letting others hurt her. Allie encourages anyone in a similar situation to seek support.

In this episode Josh tells his story of being addicted to nitrous oxide, commonly referred to as balloons. After spending over £60,000 on balloons, he has been left with many side effects, including being paralysed in his early 20s. He shares his concerns about how easy they are to access for young children. Please note this episode contains references to drug use and suicidal thoughts. If you would like support for anything discussed in the episode, get in touch through our website www.healthwatchessex.org.uk.

In this episode, we talk to Jacob about their experiences of realising they are agender. Jacob shares what 'agender' means to them, how people have reacted to them coming out and their experiences with healthcare. You can also share your experiences of accessing gender services with us in our survey, open until 13th October. https://healthwatchessex.org.uk/2023/06/have-you-been-on-the-gender-identity-clinic-waiting-list/

As part of our Hidden Homeless project, we've been talking to prisoners, prison leavers and ex-offenders about their health, care and wellbeing needs. In this episode we talk to one of the participants, Billy, who shares his experiences. Billy shares what life has been like before, during and after prison. He explains how he spent his days in prison and the support he was able to access. Please note this episode contains references to violence, drug use and swearing. If you would like support for anything discussed in the episode, get in touch through our website www.healthwatchessex.org.uk.

This month we are joined by Gemma and Jane - Gemma founded Dance Network Association (DNA), a dance charity that enables people to live more connected, joyful and aspirational lives through dance. Dancing with DNA provides opportunities for people to improve their confidence and physical wellbeing,  nurtures creativity and independent thinking and enhances friendships through social interaction. Jane is Gemma's mother-in-law and is living with Parkinson's. Jane is active member of DNA and shares her experience of how dance helps her to live well with her condition.

In this episode, we talk to Joe Cooke, an unpaid carer, about his experience of caring for his wife Joan, who has Hereditary Spastic Paraplegia and Alzheimer's. Joe is one of two carers on our Collaborate Essex Disability and Carers Forum, which aims to provide feedback directly to health and social care services to help make a positive change. Joe goes into detail about what life as a carer is like, the advice he would give to other carers and how him caring for Joan has made their relationship so special.

In this episode, we talk to our latest Trauma Ambassador Valerie about her personal experience of female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM) as a teenager. Valerie is now the founder of an anti-FGM organisation Women of Grace to support other women and girls going through gender based violence. Valerie explains the different types of FGM people can experience, discusses some of the reasons why the practice happens and shares the ongoing impact of FGM on her life. Please note this episode contains detailed descriptions of female genital mutilation, discusses other gender based violence and mentions miscarriages. For our contact details and further support, visit our website - https://healthwatchessex.org.uk/speak-to-our-team/ For Women of Grace, visit https://www.womenofgrace.org.uk/

In this episode we talk to Darren Couchman, a testicular cancer survivor. Darren shares his experiences of losing both his parents to cancer at a young age and then being diagnosed with cancer himself at just 27. He talks about some of his incredible awareness campaigns including his Testicle Tour and going on This Morning. More information on testicular and ovarian cancers can be found at https://www.therobincancertrust.org/. Please note this episode contains swearing.

In this episode our Research Officer, Lorna, chats with Georgia whose son, Reuben was diagnosed with Prader-Willi syndrome shortly after birth. Georgia shares her experience of finding out that Reuben had the rare genetic condition and how life has been since diagnosis.  In the podcast, Georgia explains more about the condition as well as describing the incredible joy Reuben brings and her hopes for his future.