Qwell Podcast: Recent Episodes
Qwell
Join the Qwell team as we chat all things mental wellbeing.
If you need support you can visit: qwell.io
In this episode, we chat to Lisa, a mum from a village in Buckinghamshire. We explore the joys, challenges, and everyday moments of raising dual heritage kids in suburban spaces that might not always reflect their roots.
Teenagers in care often face unique challenges, from trauma and trust issues to the everyday ups and downs of growing up. In this episode, we’re talking to experienced foster carer, Jodi and exploring some of the most important questions about what it really takes to support teens in foster care today.
Today we're speaking to Jay Virgo from Buckinghamshire based Q:alliance, a fantastic charity supporting the LGBTQ+ community. He talks about how important connecting with others can be, and how reaching out for support is a lifeline for so many.
In this episode we talk to Jack, an assistant head teacher in a Buckinghamshire secondary school. Jack has been teaching for over a decade, and now as someone responsible for the attendance in the secondary school he works at, he’s seen how Emotionally Based School Avoidance has impacted students, as well as staff.
Emotionally Based School Avoidance or EBSA is a term used in reference students who have difficulty in attending school due to emotional factors, sometimes resulting in prolonged absences from school.
There are so many people living with chronic conditions in the UK right now and we want to know more about what it’s really like. In this episode, we chat to David who is living with Crohn's disease as well as ME (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome) Listen in to hear about David’s journey to diagnosis, how his conditions have affected his relationships, and also how his dog Sid seems to know just when he needs him the most.
Working while managing a chronic condition can be really tricky. In this episode, we chat to David who is living with Crohn's disease as well as ME (also known as chronic fatigue syndrome) Listen in to hear about what it’s like to manage a chronic condition at work, what he finds helpful, and how much he values his line manager when things have been difficult.
In this episode we talk to Rachel McDonald, an experienced teacher, and deputy head of a school in the North West. She is a dedicated teacher but like many education professionals she’s no stranger to feeling stressed at work. We talk about all kinds of things from her love of teaching to how she recognises and manages feelings of stress. Listen in for more.
In this episode, Rich, Ryan, Tom, Michael, and Dave chat about role models for young men and boys. They talk about the role models they had in their own lives growing up, the impact of not having positive role models, and the advice they have for young men and boys growing up today.
We’ve collaborated with SeeSaw, who provide support for children, young people, and their families when they have been bereaved or when somebody close to them is terminally ill. We spoke to Annie who answered important questions about what anticipatory grief is and what people can do to take care of themselves during this challenging time.
In this episode about men in caring professions, we spoke to Claudio Sisera, a man who is passionate about gender inclusivity in the workplace. We chat about everything from gender stereotyping within certain professions, to the importance of having men in professions where there are typically more women. Listen in for more.
We all know that practising self care is good for us, but when we have busy work schedules, timely projects, and colleagues that rely on us, it can be a bit of a challenge to fit in self care no matter what your profession.
In this episode, we chat to Bethany, who has years of experience supporting people with their mental health and wellbeing in the workplace. Listen in to hear why self care is important, why it can feel so difficult, and her top tips for practising self care at work.
In this episode about chronic pain and sleep, we talk to Jodi about how her fibromyalgia affects her sleep, and how it impacts her waking life when sleep is an issue.
Jodi tells us all about what helps her, what doesn't, and the importance of not comparing yourself to others.
Listen in as we chat to sleep expert, Emily Guiver, about how anxiety can affect young children's sleep, and how you can help an anxious child at bedtime.
In this episode, we chat to sleep expert, Emily Guiver about new parents and sleep, how the quality of your sleep can impact mental health and wellbeing, and how new parents can improve their sleep.
Wherever you live, finding the right support can be tricky. But if you live in a rural community, this can bring unique challenges.
Listen in as we chat to Melissa about her experience of finding support in a rural community.
In this podcast, Gemma is joined by Lindsey from Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland (RASASH). They discuss important questions, like:
- How should I feel if I’ve been affected by sexual abuse and violence?
- Do I have to report it? And what happens if I do?
- What are some of the myths around sexual violence?
- When will I feel okay again?
- How can I tell my partner or loved ones?
This podcast includes themes of sexual violence, and reporting a crime. If you find it difficult to listen to, please remember you can stop at any time.
RASASH is part of the Rape Crisis Service Network UK; it is an independent charity providing free, confidential, and specialist support to people affected by sexual violence in the Scottish Highlands. The service is open to all survivors – irrespective of their gender, when it happened, or what happened.
If you’re in the Scottish Highlands and have been affected by sexual abuse or violence, or you’d like more information about the service, visit the Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland website.
If you are in a different part of Scotland, you can visit Rape Crisis Scotland.
If you’re located in England or Wales, you can visit Rape Crisis.
In this podcast, Gemma is joined by Lindsey from Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland (RASASH). They discuss important topics like:
- The difficulties of self-care when you’ve been affected by sexual abuse or violence
- Grounding techniques, making connections, and routines to help you cope
- Finding specialist support
This podcast includes themes of sexual violence, finding support, and emotions. If you find it difficult to listen to, please remember you can stop at any time.
RASASH is part of the Rape Crisis Service Network UK; it is an independent charity providing free, confidential, and specialist support to people affected by sexual violence in the Scottish Highlands. The service is open to all survivors – irrespective of their gender, when it happened, or what happened.
If you’re in the Scottish Highlands and have been affected by sexual abuse or violence, or you’d like more information about the service, visit the Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland website.
If you are in a different part of Scotland, you can visit Rape Crisis Scotland.
If you’re located in England or Wales, you can visit Rape Crisis.
In this podcast, Gemma is joined by Lindsey from Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland (RASASH). They discuss how it may feel especially difficult to report sexual violence when you’re living in a rural community, where there are fewer people and everyone seems to know each other.
This podcast includes themes of sexual violence, finding support, and life in rural communities. If you find it difficult to listen to this podcast, please remember you can stop at any time.
RASASH is part of the Rape Crisis Service Network UK; it is an independent charity providing free, confidential, and specialist support to people affected by sexual violence in the Scottish Highlands. The service is open to all survivors – irrespective of their gender, when it happened, or what happened.
If you’re in the Scottish Highlands and have been affected by sexual abuse or violence, or you’d like more information about the service, visit the Rape and Sexual Abuse Service Highland website.
If you are in a different part of Scotland, you can visit Rape Crisis Scotland.
If you’re located in England or Wales, you can visit Rape Crisis.
It's difficult to know what to say to your child after someone they know dies. In this podcast, we speak with Iona, a specialist grief counsellor, about how to answer your child's questions about death.
For more mental health support, articles, and anonymous chats with mental health professionals visit www.qwell.io.
Supporting a child through grief and loss can be really challenging and confusing. In this podcast, we speak with Iona, a specialist grief counsellor, about how to have those initial conversations with children about death, funerals, and grief.
While Iona talks about the death of extended family members and how it can affect young children, her advice is relevant to children of all ages and different situations where death has impacted a child.
For more mental health support, articles, and anonymous chats with mental health professionals visit www.qwell.io.
Do you ever feel like there’s something you need to let go of? Maybe it’s a particular thought, worry, or frustration. If you feel you need a quick sense of release, you can help train your body to relax with this short tense and release exercise.
Sometimes we can get so swept away in our feelings or the things we have to do in a day. In the rush of it all, we may get overwhelmed and need to take a moment to stop and collect ourselves. In this short audio, counsellor, Gemma, takes us through a quick STOP technique to help us find quick moments of calm throughout the day.
In the second episode of our 'Dan Tries' series, Dan tries playing the bass guitar for the first time with his friend, Joe.
The purpose of these podcasts is to show Dan looking for new fun activities, making connections along the way and boosting his wellbeing.
The previous episode features Dan going for a run with his partner, Bronte, which you can listen to here: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6NJtN2Rs4LH1v3ndSXgn5W
If you are struggling with anything at all, you can check out our website at Qwell.io for more information.
Your GP may also be able to signpost you to the most effective outlet for what you need help with.
Check out this link for more information: https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/gps/
Welcome to the latest episode of The Remedy Sessions!
This episode is a special feature in which The Remedy Sessions crew - Dom, Hukz, and Beth - travelled to a charity rugby game between the British Asian Rugby Association (BARA) and Team Colostomy UK.
This episode explores mental health through those living with stomas, the way rugby brings people together, and a collection of interviews.
Welcome to our latest Qwell podcast.
In this new series, Dan will be trying a new activity each month to see if it trying new activities, making new connections, and hanging out with friends can improve his wellbeing.
In this first episode, Dan goes for a run with his partner, to see if running can give him a wellbeing boost.
This podcast is all about male survivors of sexual abuse. Some of the content can be distressing to hear, so please be aware.
In this episode Dan chats to Duncan, who is from the charity Survivors Manchester. They are a charity dedicated to helping male survivors of rape and sexual abuse, providing people with counsellors, resources, and other forms of therapy.
For further support and information on this topic, you can visit:
NHS - Help after rape and sexual assault
Respect
Survivors Manchester
Qwell
In the final episode of our cost of living crisis series, Dan sits down with Kerry, one of the Qwell team psychologists, to discuss how we can talk about money with our kids, making sure money doesn't get in the way of our relationships, and how we can support each other when we're worried ourselves.
Looking after yourself when you're struggling with the cost of living can often come last in your long list of priorities.
In this episode of our series we get chat to people who are also struggling: how do they recognise when things are getting on top of them, what helps your own wellbeing, as well as what are the things they find the most unhelpful.
For more information on finances and what help might be available for you, check out the GOV.UK page for more.
Services such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and charities like Turn2us may also be able to offer assistance.
What are food banks? When can someone start using them? How can I contact my own local food bank? We tackle some of the big questions (and bigger worries) related to using food banks with the Trussell Trust in Greater Manchester.
For more information on finances and what help might be available for you, check out the GOV.uk page for more.
Services such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and charities like Turn2us may also be able to offer assistance.
Take a 10-minute break and listen to our original guided meditation written by our own Qwell counsellors.
For more information on finances and what help might be available for you, check out the GOV.uk page for more.
Services such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and charities like Turn2us may also be able to offer assistance.
Worrying about finances can take a massive toll on our mental health and wellbeing. In our first Cost of Living Crisis podcast, we talk to Jeri, part of the Qwell clinical team about how financial stress can affect our everyday life, and how we can try to manage these feelings.
For more information on finances and what help might be available for you, check out the GOV.uk page for more.
Services such as the Citizens Advice Bureau and charities like Turn2us may also be able to offer assistance.
Join Hukz and Dom in episode two of the Remedy Sessions where they chat and learn about the big stats surrounding men's mental health, why it's scary to talk about suicide, as well as how we can support ourselves and our loved ones.
Listen to Dan's diary, as he ventures alone abroad for the first time ever, dealing with his anxieties, and talking through his experiences.
Join Gemma as she interviews Dez about his ADHD diagnosis.
From being diagnosed as an adult to how it affect his life, listen in to our brand new podcast.
Welcome to our latest Qwell podcast.
This week, listen in for a chat about how we can support our LGBTQIA+ loved ones.
From simple word changes to educating yourself on certain topics, even the smallest changes can make huge differences for the people in your life.
Join Jeri and Andrew as they discuss all things Dad-related in our latest Qwell podcast.
From the tough moments to things they have learned along the way, have a listen in...
Get to know the hosts of our brand new podcast series all about male mental health.
Join Hukz and Dom as they chat about why this series is so important to them, how they met, and what the future holds for this journey...
Jeri and Lex are back for the second part of their discussion about racism, microaggressions, and what it means for your wellbeing.
This week, we're joined by Dr Jeri Tikare, a clinical psychologist at Qwell, in conversation with Lex. They'll be discussing racism, microaggressions, how it impacts us on a day to day basis, and what we can do to look after ourselves. Tune in next week for the rest of the conversation.
Welcome to another Qwell podcast.
It can be tough for people - of all ages - who grow up in a white-majority area while being from a different ethnic background.
Listen in as Lex interviews her friends, mother and daughter duo Cecilia and Fran.
They talk about the challenges and barriers that they have faced, as well as the positives of inclusivity and diversity.
Welcome to the second addition in our Unity/ Qwell podcast series.
Listen in as Dom, Hukz, and Ceeza talk about diversity in British sport.
Welcome to our brand new podcast series: The Remedy Sessions.
Join the Qwell team as we visit Unity radio and chat with Mike, Dom, Kelvin & Rich about their experiences surrounding their race and identity and how it's affected their mental health and wellbeing
The Christmas season can be a really stressful time for parents. Join Gemma, Lex, and Tom as they share their thoughts and experiences of what it's like to be a parent at this time of year.
This week we're joined by a very special guest: Dr Lynne Green, the Chief Clinical Officer for Kooth. She talks to Lex about the pros and cons of returning to work after the pandemic.
Health anxiety is often dismissed with sayings like: "oh you're just being a hypochondriac!" - but it can become an anxiety that can take over your thoughts - especially due to the pandemic we've been living through the last 18 months.
In this episode, Beth, Aisha and Milly talk about their own experiences with health anxiety and share tips on how we can take some of the fear and isolation away.
Ben and Kate take a moment to check in with themselves as they discuss what grounding techniques are, why they're important, and suggest some simple ones to take with you in your daily lives.
In this week's Qwell podcast, Beth, Izzy, and Ben discuss making friends as an adult - the benefits, the challenges, and some tips on how to get started.
Join Ben and Chris as garden whilst they talk.
They chat about how gardening helped them during lockdown, dealing with the isolation, as well as how loss has effected them.
Join Beth, Katja-Anja, and Izzy as they talk about how you can set yourself positive personal boundaries.
They chat about how we all need to learn to be nicer to ourselves, as well as telling us about some of the boundaries they've started setting for themselves.
For this episode, work colleagues and friends Katja-Anja and Beth meet for the first time face to face. Join them while they brew some coffee and try to stop the cats from arguing. They chat about friendship, understanding each other, and how it’s ok to sometimes need your own space.
Listen to our brand new Shoulder to Shoulder series with Lex and Monty.
Whilst Lex tries to learn from Monty how to play Mario Kart, they also chat about friends and how to have conversations about our mental wellbeing.
Join Beth, Lex, and Tim as they discuss how the thought of opening up about our mental health can be one of the scariest parts, some of the tips they've picked up along the way to help you prepare to start these conversations, and give a sneak peek into the upcoming campaign we'll be running!
Join Beth, Ben and Ophelia for their conversation about the journey we take as adults to accept our gender and sexuality.
They talk about their own experiences, struggles, as well as tips for self-care during a time that can often be confusing.
Join Beth, Izzy and Tim as in our first ever Qwell podcast!
They chat about what 'community' actually means, how we can find support from an online community, and some of the benefits of using Qwell chat.