Voices Heard, Lives Empowered

Gavin Thorpe is the co-founder and co-CEO of Talk Club. Talk Club is a talking and listening club for men, offering talking groups, sports groups and therapy to help keep you mentally fit. We speak to Gavin about Talk Clubs and the benefits for men's mental health. We discuss the pandemic, the cost of living crisis and other pressures men face which can affect their mental health. Support the Voices Heard, Lives Empowered podcast by giving feedback and sharing and following the podcast. You can also make a donation via www.pohwer.net/donate/donate-now/5/credit-card.

Charlie Bethel is the Chief Officer of UK Men's Sheds, an organisation which provides support and guidance to individuals and groups across the UK in starting and managing Men's Sheds. They raise awareness of the social and health benefits of Men's Sheds in reducing isolation, loneliness and in empowering local communities. We talk to Charlie about the benefits of Men's Sheds and how they can support men's mental health and how the pandemic, cost of living crisis and other social issues affect the service and men's mental health generally. Support the Voices Heard, Lives Empowered podcast by giving feedback and sharing and following the podcast. You can also make a donation via https://www.pohwer.net/donate/donate-now/5/credit-card.

Kelvin Witt is employed by POhWER as a first responder in Hertfordshire. We discuss his role, supporting callers with the suicide feelings and how he manages his own wellbeing.

Rocco Hawkins is the founder of Bridges of Hope. We speak about the Bridges of Hope campaign, why he started it and the impact it has made.

Isabella Rutter was the empowerment support worker for the people who use advocacy group and was very influential in the beginnings of POhWER. We speak about what life was like for people with learning disabilities and mental ill health in 1996, how and why she became involved with POhWER and why she is proud of being part of the organization.

To celebrate Black History Month, POhWER speaks with Rhyana Ebanks-Babb, Andrea St Croix and Darren Robinson- Scott - POhWER advocates and people of colour. They talk about their backgrounds, how their experiences have shaped their personal and professional lives and why they are proud to be who they are.

POhWER speak to Tim Anfilogoff, who worked as the advocacy development worker for Hertfordshire County Council in 1992 and he was vital to the founding of POhWER. He speaks about the need for POhWER, his role in forming POhWER, why POhWER is unique and makes him proud of being apart of it.

To celebrate World Bipolar Awareness Day 2021, POhWER speak to Chloe Evans, an advocate who has bipolar affective disorder. We discuss her diagnosis, reaching crisis point, advocacy support, becoming a mother and what support is available for people affected by Bipolar.

POhWER speak to Ketan Paw (Independent Advocate) who explains your rights under the NHS complaints process and how an advocate can support you.

To celebrate Race Equality Week, POhWER talk to Rhyana Ebank-Babb, an Independent Advocate and chair of POhWER's anti-racism network group, about what organisations and individuals can do to address the barriers to race equality in the workplace.

POhWER speak to Hayley Lewis (Transforming Care advocate) about the Transforming Care service- its history, eligibility criteria and the benefit of having advocacy support.

Emma, a manager and advocate at POhWER, tells her story. How she became an advocate, what motivates her and how she empowers others.

Sonia, a POhWER advocate, tells her story. How she became an advocate, what motivates her and how she empowers others.

Amanda, a POhWER advocate, tells her story. How she became an advocate, what motivates her and how she empowers others.

Dave Chawner (comedian/author/mental health campaigner) talks to POhWER about the effects of COVID-19 on mental health, what it is like being a comedian during a pandemic and the projects he is involved in to support people with ill-mental health during this difficult time.

Jordenn(POhWER advocate) speaks with her father-in-law, Mark. They discuss Mark's physical disability, his care and support, his mental well-being and how COVID-19 has affected him.

An introduction to the Mental Capacity Act 2005

Dan Anderson (Regional Manager at POhWER) discusses how the COVID-19 pandemic has affected advocacy- specifically the Mental Capacity Act, COVID-19 testing and DNARs.

Supporting women and children facing domestic abuse- Barbara(team leader) and Jennifer Allison (Head of Services) at Juno Women's Aid talk to POhWER about the services they offer to support these vulnerable women and children and how COVID-19 has affected the nature of this very serious issue.

Supporting people who are bereaving- Jo McCarthy, a volunteer at Cruse Bereavement Care, talks to POhWER about the Cruse service, challenges her clients and organisation has faced and how COVID-19 has affected the grief process

Donna Ingham, a carer, talks about the challenges she has faced when caring for her husband during the COVID-19 pandemic. She is an inspirational woman, who's strong character has been vital in supporting her vulnerable husband.

Important Things to know if you are Sectioned Under the Mental Health Act by POhWER

Your rights under a section 3 of the Mental Health Act by POhWER

Your rights under a section 2 of the Mental Health Act by POhWER

POhWER Podcast Mental Health Act series Mental Health Act: an introduction