Let’s Talk Warwickshire: Recent Episodes
Warwickshire County Council
Welcome to Let’s Talk Warwickshire. A podcast talking about all things Warwickshire and the people who make a difference in our communities. Each episode we’ll be talking about a key issue facing the people who live, work or study in our wonderful County.
If you’re planning a wedding or civil partnership, this episode of Let’s Talk Warwickshire explores how Warwickshire Registration Service can help you create a ceremony that truly reflects your story. From unique venues to personalised touches and new Signature Ceremonies, discover the flexibility, support and expertise behind your special day.
In the latest episode of the Let’s Talk Warwickshire podcast, we explore the Home to School Transport Policy consultation, which is now open until Sunday 4 January 2026 for residents to share their views. This episode features several contributors, including David Ayton-Hill, Director of Economy and Place at Warwickshire County Council. David explains the proposed changes to the policy and why it’s important for residents to have their say.
In this episode of the Let's Talk Warwickshire podcast we discuss how different organisations within the county help to protect adults from abuse or neglect. The work of these organisations ranges from identifying coercive or manipulative behaviour to addressing verbal or physical abuse.
Host Gail Downey is joined by Ian Redfern, Head of Adults Practice and Safeguarding at Warwickshire County Council, and Maxine Nicholls, Head of Safeguarding (Mental Health and Learning Disability Services) from Coventry, Warwickshire Partnership Trust, to explain more and share how to report any concerns of abuse or neglect.
The Warwickshire Youth Council has released the second episode of its special podcast series, "Let’s Talk Warwickshire: Voices of Tomorrow Edition." In this episode, the youth council members come together to discuss the third youth conference, "Shaping Tomorrow Together," taking place on Friday, 25 April.
Hosted by Warwickshire Youth Council members, the episode explores the planning, themes, and significance of the conference at the University of Warwick. It features discussions with representatives from Warwickshire County Council and Martin Price, Associate Director for Regional Engagement (Community) at the University of Warwick.
To join the conference you can sing up here: www.warwickshire.gov.uk/shapingtomorrow .
Warwickshire teenagers are leading an important conversation about mental health in the first episode of a brand new podcast series which tackles issues that matter to young people.
In this first episode, "Spreading awareness about mental health for young people" members of Warwickshire Youth Council and professionals that work with young people, explore key mental health topics, including how to recognise signs of struggling mental health, where to seek support, and the role of social media in young people’s wellbeing.
Hosted by Corey from the Warwickshire Youth Council, the episode features youth council members Emma and Riyasa in conversation with Carl Lewis, Headteacher Coach for Safeguarding from WCC, Robert Duncan, Team Lead for Mental Health in Schools Team from RISE and Dawn Preece, Specialist Senior Educational Psychologist, from Warwickshire County Council.
In this episode of the Let's Talk Warwickshire podcast we discuss things that matter to help keep our teenagers safe and well, from immunisations, smoking and vaping, to body image and self-harm. We also cover tips about how to have conversations with teenagers about these issues.
Host Gail Downey is joined by Warwickshire County Council specialists in Public Health, the School Nursing Service, and a couple of young people who live in Warwickshire to discuss these topics, as well as the local resources available to help parents and carers.
In this episode of the Let's Talk Warwickshire podcast we discuss the everyday challenges of parenting and the support that is available across the county.
Host Gail Downey is joined by Stacey Gill, Service Manager at Early Help - which provides help, support and advice for anyone who cares for children - and Sam Wilkinson, Team Manager on Warwickshire County Council's Family and Relationship Support Team.
They talk through practical advice for parents and highlight local resources to help parents navigate their journey with confidence.
In the latest Let’s Talk Warwickshire podcast, Warwickshire Resilience Forum Co-Chairs, Alex Franklin-Smith and Ben Brook, and WRF Tactical Lead, Liz Hicks introduce the WRF, share advice on how to be Better Prepared for risks in Warwickshire and announce the new WRF website.
In this round table discussion on staying safe and well this winter, our podcast host, Gail Downey is joined by representative from Public Health, Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service, Community Partnerships, Warwickshire Trading Standards and Warwickshire Local Resilience Forum. All of whom are working together to help communities to access the support they need to stay safe and well this winter.
In this episode of the Let's Talk Warwickshire podcast, host Gail Downey talks to Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service's Chief Fire Officer Ben Brook and Assistant Chief Fire Officer Sally Waldron. Together, they discuss a proposal to change the way that the Fire Service operates in Warwickshire, and explain how you can share your thoughts and feedback on the proposal. Visit www.warwickshire.gov.uk/ask to find out more.
Organisations and agencies from across the county met recently to look at how cost of living pressures continue to present very real challenges for Warwickshire residents. In this episode of Let's Talk Warwickshire we look at how these challenges continue to have a very real impact.
In this episode of Let's Talk Warwickshire, host Gail Downey is joined by Pete Sidgwick, Director of Social Care and Support at Warwickshire County Council.
They discuss how WCC helps vulnerable people to live healthy, happy, independent lives and supports people who care for others, as well as busting some common myths surrounding social care.
In the latest Let’s Talk Warwickshire podcast, Chief Fire Officer, Ben Brook, talks about the latest fire inspection report, community risk management planning and the work undertaken to promote equality, diversity and inclusion within Warwickshire Fire and Rescue Service.
This episode of Let's Talk Warwickshire looks at the support available to children, young people, their families and carers as they prepare for the new school year.
Hear from Darren Barrow, headteacher at St. John's Primary School in Kenilworth and part of the Warwickshire School Effectiveness Team, Warwickshire County Council's Head of Schools Services and post-16 education Sarah Tregaskis and Nici Scott-Moylan, team lead for Warwickshire Attendance Service as they talk to our host Gail Downey.
Hear from Warwickshire’s Director for Public Health, Dr Shade Agboola, and Warwickshire Country Parks Ranger Jennifer Hughes, as they discuss the links between health and wellbeing and spending time in the great outdoors with our host Gail Downey.
Hear from the Lord Lieutenant of Warwickshire Tim Cox, Jane Holdsworth from Warwickshire Community and Voluntary Action and local resident Brad as they talk about the importance of volunteering, why we need more people to come forward to volunteer, as well as the benefit of volunteers to the community and society and how it makes a difference.
Hear all about Warwickshire's approach to create a county where children and young people are heard, happy, healthy, skilled and safe.
Warwickshire County Council's Assistant Director for Children's Services, John Coleman talks about the Child Friendly Warwickshire initiative with our host Gail Downey. He is joined by Co-Chair of the Warwickshire Youth Forum Alice Battersby talking about issues facing young people today, and Development Worker Abbey Baker who is responsible for growing the numbers of supporters who are all pledging to do their bit to make young people's lives the best they can be.
Hear from Warwickshire County Council's Assistant Director of Communities Dave Ayton-Hill and Sheridan Sulskis, Chief Executive of the Coventry and Warwickshire Reinvestment Trust as they talk about what happens behind the scenes to make Warwickshire a thriving economy.
Strategy and Commissioning Manager for SEND and Inclusion, Duane Chappell talks all things SEND in Warwickshire and how to have your say on the latest SEND consultations.
The consultations cover changes to SEND Home to School Transport and the SEND support services offered to education settings in Warwickshire.
Director of Public Health in Warwickshire, Shade Agboola, discusses ways to help to stay safe and well this winter.
Hear from local council leaders on the actions being taken to tackle the cost of living challenges across Warwickshire and learn how and where to access support. For specific help, visit www.costoflivingwarwickshire.co.uk.
Climate change is one of the biggest challenges that Warwickshire is facing. Join our host Gail Downey as she talks with Steve Smith and Matt Whitehead from Warwickshire County Council about the plans to deliver a sustainable future for the County, which include reducing carbon emissions, supporting biodiversity and promoting economic growth.