In this episode of the Able to Care Podcast, host Andy Baker speaks with Karen Thomas, Head of Young Onset at Dementia Forward. Karen shares her journey from volunteer to shaping specialist services that meet the unique needs of people diagnosed under 65. Together, they explore the realities of young onset dementia—from identity and employment struggles to financial challenges, family dynamics, and the living loss carers face daily.

Karen also introduces the You and Me campaign, the Young Onset Dementia Awareness Day, and the upcoming 2025 national conference designed to bring professionals, carers, and families together to change systems and perceptions. This is a powerful, practical, and deeply human conversation that sheds light on a misunderstood condition.

The Able to Care Podcast is proudly sponsored by Carers Card UK – the UK’s number one carers card.

For less than the price of a box of chocolates a year, carers can access:

An official ID card with emergency information

Discounts on gyms, days out, tech, clothing, glasses & more

A wellbeing hub and Carers Circle tool

A supportive community through their app

👉 🎟️ Order your card today

Dementia Forward – dementiaforward.org.uk

You and Me Campaign & Awareness Day – YouTube: You and Me Song (insert link once confirmed)

Young Onset Dementia Conference – October 14, 2025 – Conference Info

Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge

Young onset dementia is different – People diagnosed under 65 face unique challenges with identity, finances, and family roles that require tailored support.

Community and creativity matter – From outward-bound groups to music, poetry, and campaigns, connection and self-expression are vital for wellbeing.

Awareness creates change – Recognition, coding in the healthcare system, and workplace understanding can transform lives and reduce isolation.

00:00 – Sponsor: Carers Card UK

This episode is essential listening for carers, teachers, health professionals, and families seeking to better understand young onset dementia. Karen Thomas shares inspiring stories, systemic challenges, and hopeful initiatives that prove life with young onset dementia can still be rich, meaningful, and connected. You’ll come away with a deeper awareness, practical insights, and clear ways to support both individuals and carers.

📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining

In this solo episode of the Able to Care Podcast, host Andy Baker takes on one of the most common — and most counterproductive — phrases in behaviour support: Calm down. Drawing from neuroscience, trauma theory, and decades of behaviour management experience, Andy explains why these two words can actually escalate situations rather than resolve them. You’ll learn why regulation always beats control, how your body language can make or break de-escalation, and exactly what to say (and do) instead when emotions run high — whether you’re a parent, teacher, carer, or professional working with vulnerable people.

Are you caring for someone, paid or unpaid? You could be missing out on thousands of pounds in discounts.

Access to a wellbeing hub, Carers Circle tool, and mobile app

Dr Bruce Perry — Neuroscience of Trauma

Stephen Porges — Polyvagal Theory

Regulation before instruction — A dysregulated brain can’t process logic, consequences, or even well-meant advice.

Your calm is contagious — Non-verbal cues like tone and posture often speak louder than words in de-escalation.

Replace “Calm down” with collaboration — Phrases like “Let’s sit down and talk” or “Walk me through what’s happening” lower emotional intensity while preserving trust.

00:00 — Why “Calm down” fails and what’s happening in the brain

If you’ve ever tried to defuse a heated moment with “Calm down” and watched it backfire, this episode is for you. Whether you work in education, care, health, or simply want better conflict resolution skills at home, Andy gives you practical, research-driven strategies to help others regulate — without damaging relationships. It’s an essential listen for anyone who wants to turn tense situations into moments of connection and trust.

In this heartfelt and powerful episode of the Able to Care Podcast, Andy Baker speaks with Helen Archer, a long-term foster carer, writer, and passionate advocate for care-experienced young people. With over 30 years in roles from nannying and social work to lecturing and recruiting foster carers, Helen brings deep lived experience and emotional insight into what it means to “live alongside” teenagers in care. She opens up about trauma-informed practice, the life-changing power of creative writing, and the unseen challenges of leaving care — known as the “care cliff.” Whether you’re a carer, teacher, social worker, or simply someone who believes in the power of compassion, this conversation will stay with you.

The Able to Care Podcast is proudly sponsored by Carers Card UK – the UK’s number one carers card.

An official ID card

Access to emergency info

Discounts on gyms, days out, clothing, electrical goods & more

A wellbeing hub and Carers Circle tool

In this solo episode, Andy Baker challenges one of the most common (and damaging) assumptions in behaviour support: “He knows better.” Drawing from a real-life situation involving a boy with ADHD, Andy explores the crucial difference between knowing right from wrong and being able to act on it in the moment – especially for neurodiverse or traumatised individuals.

Packed with real stories, reflective questions, and practical guidance for parents, carers, and teachers, this episode invites us to replace judgement with curiosity and see behaviour for what it really is – communication.

Proud sponsor of the Able to Care podcast,  Order your card today

National discounts on gyms, clothing, days out and more

A wellbeing hub and carers community

Emergency ID tools and Carers Circle

Perception is not deception

Knowing isn’t the same as doing

Be a guide, not a judge

00:00 – Intro: Right vs Wrong... or is it?

For parents who feel stuck between discipline and understanding

For carers supporting young people with ADHD, trauma, or neurodivergence

For teachers rethinking behaviour as more than a checklist of rights and wrongs

👉 Subscribe & Review on:

YouTube

👉 Follow us on Social Media:

📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining

In this moving and deeply insightful episode, Andy Baker is joined by Jenny Clark, who shares her powerful journey of supporting her sister Liz, who had Down’s syndrome and was later diagnosed with young onset dementia. This conversation is a heartfelt look at the realities of caregiving, family advocacy, and navigating health and social care systems when your loved one doesn’t fit the typical mould.

Whether you're a parent, carer, educator, or health professional, Jenny's story sheds light on the intersection of learning disability and dementia, highlighting the gaps, the grief, and the deep love that fuels family-led support.

This episode is brought to you by  Order your card today

Young Dementia Network: https://www.youngdementianetwork.org

Down’s Syndrome Association: https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk

DEEP – Dementia Engagement and Empowerment Project: https://www.dementiavoices.org.uk

Management systems, audit and training www.elliem.co.uk

Diagnosis is not the end – it's a transition.

Family advocacy is vital and exhausting.

We need better systems, not better families.

00:00 – Welcome and introduction

If you support someone with a learning disability, this episode will help you spot the early signs of young onset dementia.

If you are a sibling carer, Jenny’s story offers validation, support, and solidarity.

If you work in health, education or social care, this episode highlights the vital need for person-centred thinking and joined-up support.

👉 Listen, Follow and Subscribe on:

YouTube

@AbleTraining

In this episode of the Able To Care Podcast Andy Baker challenges one of the most common assumptions in caregiving and education: that quiet, compliant behaviour means a child or adult is okay. From classrooms to care homes, we often confuse a lack of disruption with emotional wellbeing—but the two aren't always connected.

This episode explores how masking, compliance, and people-pleasing can be signs of distress, not progress. It’s a must-listen for parents, teachers, and carers who want to better understand what behaviour really tells us—and when silence might be a red flag.

This episode is proudly sponsored by  Order your card today

Able Hub – Free tools, training, and community for carers, parents, and educators

Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge

Mood Monitoring Tools – Consider using apps or visual emotion charts

Behaviour ≠ Wellbeing – Quietness and compliance can sometimes be signs of masking or distress.

Check in Emotionally, Not Just Behaviourally – Emotional check-ins should be part of daily practice, not just reserved for crisis moments.

Masking is Not a Sign of Progress – Children and adults may learn to “be good” to avoid punishment, not because they feel safe or happy.

[00:00] – Introduction: “She’s been so good lately…”

[01:00] – Sponsor Message: Carers Card UK

[02:00] – Behaviour vs. Wellbeing: What Are We Really Measuring?

[04:00] – The Masking Effect in Trauma and Neurodivergence

[05:30] – Real-Life Examples: When ‘Good’ Isn’t Good News

[07:00] – What to Ask Instead of “Have They Been Good?”

[08:00] – Emotional Check-ins: Why Staff Should Model Too

[09:00] – Looking Beyond the Surface: Signs of Emotional Safety

[10:00] – Final Thoughts: Moving from Behaviour to Belonging

If you work with or care for children, young people, or adults—this episode could shift your entire perspective. Andy Baker shares practical insights and powerful real-life scenarios to help you move beyond behavioural assumptions and start seeing the person underneath. Whether you're a parent, educator, or care professional, you’ll walk away better equipped to ask the right questions and support emotional wellbeing more effectively.

📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining

If this episode made you pause and think, share it with your team, your school, or your care community. Start a conversation. Let’s build a culture of curiosity, not just compliance.

🎧 Subscribe to the Able to Care Podcast and leave a review to help others find the support they need.

In this compelling episode of the Able to Care podcast, I’m joined by Belinda Eddington, Executive Function Coach and founder of MindSpark CIC. Together, we unpack one of the most misunderstood and essential aspects of human development – executive functioning. From how children plan, organise and regulate emotions, to how adults can support growth through understanding, Belinda shares her passion, research and practical strategies for educators, carers and parents.

Whether you’re raising a child, working in a school, or simply trying to understand your own thinking a bit better – this episode is full of lightbulb moments.

We’re proud to be sponsored by Carers Card UK – the UK’s #1 discount card for unpaid and paid carers.

💷 Enjoy thousands of pounds worth of savings

➡️ Get yours today: Click Here

MindSpark CIC: Find Out More 

Books:

Smart but Scattered series – Peg Dawson

The Developing Mind – Dr Dan Siegel

The Body Keeps the Score – Bessel van der Kolk

Via Strengths Questionnaire: www.viacharacter.org

Executive function is not just academic – it’s foundational. These brain-based skills shape behaviour, learning, self-regulation and relationships.

Understanding comes before intervention. Rather than focusing on the ‘what’, shift your mindset to ask ‘why’ – be a detective, not a judge.

Support builds from strength. Executive functioning challenges are real – but with compassion, coaching, and the right scaffolds, growth is absolutely possible.

00:00 – Sponsored message: Carers Card UK

You’ll finally understand what executive functioning means – and why it matters for every child and adult.

Belinda offers practical examples for supporting children who struggle with memory, planning, or emotional control.

If you work in schools, care, or parenting – this episode will help you spot challenges earlier and respond more compassionately.

Plus, we explore how your own regulation as a professional or parent influences your ability to support others.

Follow Able to Care for more compassionate conversations that empower carers, educators and parents:

📺 YouTube: Able to Care Channel

📸 Instagram: @AbleTraining

💼 LinkedIn:  Able Training

🌐 Website: AbleHub.uk

We’re always told to “catch them being good”—but what about the people doing the catching? In this solo episode of the Able to Care podcast, host Andy Baker shines a spotlight on the forgotten ingredient of exceptional care: the carers, teachers, support workers, and parents doing the daily work of holding everything together. If we want positive outcomes, we must nurture positive environments—and that starts with recognising and valuing the people behind the care.

🎧 This is a free, listener-focused resource for anyone who wants to build stronger, more compassionate cultures from the inside out.

We’re proud to be sponsored by Order your card today

PERMA Model by Dr. Martin Seligman

Self-Determination Theory (Deci & Ryan)

Targeting the Positive by Andy Baker

Recognition isn’t optional—it’s fuel for performance, morale, and retention.

Motivation thrives when staff feel autonomous, competent, and connected.

Positive team culture is contagious—model it, and it spreads to every pupil, resident, and family.

00:00 – Catching Them Being Good: Why it matters more than you think

If you're a parent, teacher, or care provider, this episode is your reminder that you matter too. You can’t pour from an empty cup, and culture starts with what you model. Whether you lead a classroom, manage a shift, or support someone at home, Andy’s insight will leave you equipped—and inspired—to build teams and families that thrive on recognition, not just responsibility.

📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining

💬 Leave us a comment on Podbean

In this enlightening episode of the Able to Care podcast, I’m joined by Lara Barnes—a functional neurology specialist and passionate parent—who shares her remarkable journey into brain development, sensory processing, and retained reflexes. We explore how these often-overlooked factors can profoundly influence a child’s behaviour, focus, speech, and learning.

Whether you're a parent, teacher, or caregiver supporting a neurodiverse child or simply curious about alternative approaches to child development, this episode is packed with insight. Lara’s perspective combines personal experience, evidence-based strategies, and deeply compassionate care.

This is a free resource from the Able to Care podcast, created to be both accessible and practical for those supporting children and young people.

Proudly supporting carers with discounts, ID, wellbeing tools, and community—Carers Card UK recognises the unseen work of those who care.

Lara’s website: https://braindevelopment.co.uk

Reflex-focused workshops and support: https://braindevelopment.co.uk/events

Disconnected Kids by Dr Robert Melillo – the book that inspired Lara’s journey

Lara's training: Certified in Dr Melillo’s Brain Balance Program

Retained reflexes can explain challenges in learning, speech, and behaviour – addressing these root causes can shift a child’s trajectory.

Neuroplasticity is real and hopeful – the brain develops until around age 20, so early intervention isn’t the only option.

Small, sensory-based exercises at home can make huge differences – you don’t need to be a specialist to support your child’s brain growth.

00:03:00 – What are primitive reflexes and why they matter beyond babyhood

00:10:00 – Lara’s personal story: helping her son with retained reflexes

00:20:00 – The building blocks of the brain: grey matter, white matter and roadmaps

00:28:00 – How to identify signs your child might have retained reflexes

00:37:00 – Real-life success stories from Lara’s clinic

00:46:00 – Supporting your child: practical tips and parent encouragement

00:54:00 – Final reflections: What every caregiver should know

If your child struggles with speech, behaviour, or focus—and you’ve been told to "wait and see"—this episode will offer a fresh perspective and tangible hope. Lara’s approach is especially valuable for parents navigating neurodiversity, educators trying to better understand behaviour in the classroom, and carers seeking new ways to empower the young people they support.

You’ll walk away with new tools, renewed belief, and a powerful reminder: every behaviour has a root cause—and you can help change the outcome.

📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining

Please subscribe, leave a review on Podbean, or share this with someone who cares for or teaches children. Let’s build a world where we all better understand the behaviours we see.

Have you ever replied to a late-night message just to keep the peace or taken a call on your day off because you felt you had to? In today’s solo episode of the Able to Care Podcast, Andy Baker explores the toll of being “always on” — and why saying no might just be the most powerful act of self-care.

From WhatsApp work groups to 24/7 notifications, our phones are blurring the line between support and burnout. Whether you’re a parent, teacher, or carer, this episode gives you practical strategies to set boundaries, reclaim your downtime, and build a culture that respects rest.

This episode is proudly sponsored by Carers Card UK – the UK’s number one carers card providing support, recognition and exclusive discounts.

Whether you're a paid or unpaid carer, enjoy:

Discounts on gyms, days out, clothing, glasses & more

A wellbeing hub and Carers Circle community app

An emergency ID card you can carry with pride

👉 Order yours today: carerscarduk.co.uk/promocode/abletocare

Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke

www.ablehub.uk – free wellbeing tools & resources for caregivers

Andy Baker’s Book: Targeting the Positive with Behaviours That Challenge

Digital boundaries aren’t optional — they’re essential. Constant availability chips away at wellbeing, empathy, and connection.

Model what you expect. Children, teams, and peers follow what they see, not what they’re told.

Unplug with purpose. Creating tech-free zones and curfews helps rebuild clarity, peace and presence.

[00:00] – Welcome: The danger of being “always on”

[01:00] – Sponsor Message: Carers Card UK

[01:56] – Digital Boundaries: Why this matters now more than ever

[03:30] – How tech affects your stress, dopamine and burnout

[05:00] – Examples from schools, care homes, and parenting

[06:17] – The emotional toll: Empathy, guilt and over-identification

[07:00] – 6 Practical tips to reclaim your peace

[08:42] – Boundaries at home and work: Lead by example

[09:10] – One small step to start today

[09:34] – Final thoughts: Rest isn’t a luxury, it’s a necessity

If you’re a teacher checking emails at bedtime, a carer replying to shift rotas on your day off, or a parent glued to notifications while trying to be present — this episode is for you. Andy shares relatable stories and actionable strategies to help you protect your time, mental health and relationships. Let’s normalise rest in a world that never stops.

📲 Instagram: @AbleTraining

Please share with colleagues, friends, or family who may be struggling to set digital boundaries.

👉 Enjoyed the episode? Subscribe, share, and leave a review on Podbean or your favourite podcast platform!