BCHA podcasts

In this latest episode, our roving reporter, Nick, sits down with new BCHA board member, Hannah Garnett. From discussing Hannah's experience of the sector, including in her role as Director for Community Services at Shelter, to their hopes for the future underthe new government, this episode explores the importance of housing services across the UK. As a customer-lead endeavor, the views expressed in this podcast are of our participants only, and therefore not wholly reflective of those held by BCHA. If you have a story to share on our talk shows, please get in touch with Mike Knowles, BCHA's Co Production Lead via email tomikeknowles@bcha.org.uk. (Recorded in summer 2024). More about our podcast guest and BCHA board member, Hannah Garnett. Hannah is a charity development specialist, having worked in the sector for the past 15 years, most recently Hannah has been working as a charity consultant across the UK, working alongside CEOs and Senior Leadership Teams to help them to overcome challengesand grasp opportunities delivering transformation and developing innovative strategies to maximise impact. Before owning her own consultancy Hannah most recently held senior leadership roles for the RNLI and Shelter. Hannah was the Director for Community Services and National Contracts at Shelter, transforming operating models to tackle the root causes of bad housing and homelessness contributing to national housing policy reform. At the RNLI, Hannah developed the User Experience strategy for IT infrastructure deployment, ensuring that the voices of over 40,000 staff and volunteers informed the development of new systemsand processes. Graduating from the University of Hull with an MA in Development Studies, Non – Government Organisations and Service Design, Hannah also has Board experience at Home-Start.

In this insightful episode, we offer a sneak peak into the behind-the-scenes action at BCHA, featuring our roving reporter and former BCHA resident, Nick, as he sits down with our new Chair of the Board. They both reflect on Chris' transition from Board Member to Chair and no topic is left unexplored. From his wealth of expertise in social change, to his family's lived experience that ignites his passion for BCHA's work and even what a Board Member actually does. This podcast is your opportunity to glimpse the inner workings of BCHA, a must-listen for anyone interested in our vision and out future.

In this powerful podcast, we offer a glimpse into the heart of BCHA, featuring our roving reporter, Nick, as he sits down with our CEO Lorraine Mealings. They both reflect on Lorraine's first year at BCHA and no question is left unexplored. From addressing the critical need and increase housing stock to understanding what's involved in working with the Royal Foundation and even whether some staff are paid enough. Lorraine provides invaluable insights into BCHA's strategic vision and future endeavours.  This podcast is your opportunity to glimpse the inner workings of BCHA, a must-listen for anyone interested in our mission and keen to understand the perspective of our new CEO.  If you have a story to share on our talk shows, please get in touch with Mike Knowles, BCHA's Co Production Lead via email to mikeknowles@bcha.org.uk.

In this insightful episode, former BCHA residents, Dan and Nick, share the challenges they have faced in moving on from supported housing schemes towards independent living. From isolation, unexpected costs and new responsibilities, their honest discussion highlights the need for a more holistic approach to supporting customers through this significant transition to avoid a revolving door back into homelessness. If you're a BCHA customer with a story of moving between supported and general needs accommodation that we can learn from or celebrate, please speak to your Tenancy Officer. If you'd like to be part of our talk shows, please get in touch with Mike Knowles, BCHA's Co Production Lead via email to mikeknowles@bcha.org.uk.

In the second part of our series on Devon County Council's shock announcement that it may withdraw funding from BCHA's Gabriel House service, former resident Nathan talks candidly about how Gabriel House genuinely saved his life, taking him in when he lost his home and helping him find a path back to stability, independence and a safe home of his own in the community. Listen to learn about the power of supported housing as we urge the Council to continue supporting people at risk of homelessness.

As Devon County Council considers whether to withdraw vital funding to BCHA's Gabriel House service, Mike Knowles speaks to residents Dan and Rebecca on how Gabriel House saved them from terrifying experiences on the streets in the first part of this special series. Listen to learn about the power of supported housing and the consequences of closing Gabriel House for entire communities across Exeter.

In this special Stress Awareness Month episode, BCHA's Co Production Lead, Mike Knowles, talks to BCHA customers Dan and Rebecca on the power of group activities to improve the mental wellbeing of residents at our Gabriel House service. From our Women and Men's Groups, gym passes, days out and accredited courses, Rebecca and Dan share how getting out and about with other residents has genuinely saved their lives. If you have a story to share on our talk shows, please get in touch with Mike Knowles, BCHA's Co Production Lead at mikeknowles@bcha.org.uk.

In this episode, BCHA's Co Production Development Worker Mike Knowles talks to BCHA employee Mick who works in the BCHA Housing First Team in Exeter. In this episode Mick talks about his journey from prison, episodes of homelessness, volunteering as a Peer Mentor with Housing First and then into full time employment. Micks journey and podcast shows that there is a route out of homelessness; that it is not a permanent state and that it shouldn't define the whole person. Please get in touch with Mike Knowles, BCHA Peer Mentor Development Worker Tel: 07971 616436 mikeknowles@bcha.org.uk if you are interested Peer Mentoring and/or if you want to share your story about how you moved on from homelessness to volunteering or employment.

In this episode, BCHA's Co Production Development Worker Mike Knowles, talks to BCHA Peer Mentor volunteer James about his experiences of homelessness as a young single man and of volunteering as a Peer Mentor with BCHA, about which he states “Being a peer mentor has helped me strengthen my existing skill set and helped me gain new ones. I have been able to be alongside people who have been homeless and give them support in a way that I didn't have when I was homeless”. Please get in touch with Mike Knowles, BCHA Peer Mentor Development Worker Tel: 07971 616436 mikeknowles@bcha.org.ukif you are interested in taking part in a podcast and/or would to volunteer as a Peer Mentor.

In this episode, BCHA Peer Mentor volunteer Kirsty talks about her experiences as a lesbian single mother who experienced episodes of hidden homelessness while alone and with a young child. Please get in touch with Mike Knowles, BCHA Peer Mentor Development Worker Tel: 07971 616436 mikeknowles@bcha.org.uk if you are interested in Peer Mentoring and/or if you would like to share your story about homelessness as a member of the LGBTQIA+ community.

In this episode, BCHA's Co Production Development Worker Mike Knowles, talks to BCHA volunteer Kirsty about her experiences as a lesbian single mother, who faced being homeless, while alone and with a young child. Kirsty is keen that others don't struggle to find help and acceptance as she did, and would like to create a platform where members of the LGBTQI+ community can share and talk about the issues they encounter. We welcome your views and ideas on creating a safe space platform for members of the LGBTQI+ community, so please get in touch with Mike Knowles, BCHA Peer Mentor Development Worker Tel: 07971 616436 mikeknowles@bcha.org.uk if you are interested and would like to share your thoughts. Homeless Link has produced an excellent Supporting LGBTIQ+ people document for frontline staff, which lists useful organisations for LGBTQ+ people who are experiencing exclusion and isolation to reach out to.

In this podcast about co-production, Alex Lodge is joined by Mike Knowle and Stuart and Mick of Exeter Homelessness Partnership. A very interesting discussion about the impact co-production has, particularly when people with lived experience are treated as equals. Co-production is essentially where professionals and customers share power to plan and deliver support services together, recognising that both partners have a vital contribution to make. When services are genuinely co-produced, they work better because they make the most of the shared expertise of people who work in the service and the people who have experience of using them. Services that are co-produced generally have better ‘buy-in' from the people using them – if the service is more closely matched to what people actually want then more can be achieved. Using people with lived experience effectively gives people a role model and someone to empathise with. A very interesting discussion about the impact co-production has, particularly when people with lived experience are treated as equals.

Many people who become homeless do not show up in official figures. This is known as hidden homelessness. This includes people who become homeless but find a temporary solution by staying with family members or friends, living in squats or other insecure accommodation. This can have an enormous impact on mental health and affects people's hopes and certainty for the future. In this podcast, Alex Lodge discusses the meaning of hidden homelessness with Mike Knowle, Harry and Kirsty. They discuss what it feels like to have a house, which is not a home and not having financial security, as well as living in a fight or flight scenario. Safety is a theme, which they feel strongly about.

This podcast looks at issues relating to being LGBTQ and gender identity – it particularly highlights the importance of raising awareness to help others and to get people talking more about this topic, share knowledge and to provide solidarity. Alex talks here with Becky and Amy who share their experiences and discuss what improvements need to be made so that people respect individuals' LGBQT identities and value them for who they are. To be judged by the way you look can cause much distress to an individual. Becky talks about gender dysphoria, which describes a sense of unease that a person may have because of a mismatch between their biological sex and their gender identity. This sense of unease or dissatisfaction can be so intense it can lead to depression and anxiety and have a harmful impact on daily life. Another problem faced is gender incongruence, which refers to an individual's discontent with their assigned gender and the identification with a gender other than that of their birth sex. The dysphoria relates to the distress and unease experienced.