Blondy's People

Mental health and males...sit back and listen to my very good friend Tom talk's about the impact of mental health for him and those around him. 

Where do I start…. Sunny knows what it’s like to have nothing but he also knows how to make sure others don’t have to feel like that. Sunny recently gave a TED talk on Lived experiences and social change (You can view this below) that blew my mind. Sunny talks with such conviction that he makes me want to join forces with him and take on the world. He understands why people get in the situation they do, and he also knows that they may not take your advice the first time, or second or even third. He knows that people may have so much going on they may not even know what the issue is themselves. And that’s why he is there…to guide and lead. A leader.

Diane Curry is the CEO of a Manchester based charity that was founded 32 years ago by prisoners’ families for prisoners’ families and it has gone from strength to strength. Partners of Prisoners or POPS as it so lovingly known is a user led charity supporting families through their contact with the Criminal Justice system as a result of their loved one’s convictions. POPS focus on strengthening relationships within families and between families and their communities. They aim to help individuals overcome stigma and build confidence by offering non-judgemental advice and information plus emotional support They achieve this through a range of prison based and community focused support services including a visitor centre based services at 11 prisons across the North west and into Yorkshire. Through the grate support in Greater Manchester and community-based services for women (Oldham)as part of the Greater Manchester Women’s Support Alliance.

Welcome to episode 5 of Blondy’s People……. Where do I start……Kimberley Lamb.…. The voice for marginalised communities….the women who came from the endz and is not afraid to say that ….one of the Queens (As far as I am concerned) of safeguarding children and young people from gangs, youth violence, and exploitation and as I say in our video…I am not worthy of the interview. It was like talking to an inspirational goddess and I just wanted to hug…it was also talking to someone I have known forever……

Paul McKenzie is a professional public speaker, life coach/NLP Masters practitioner, youth worker and public correspondent.

Paul enjoys changing the lives of hundreds of people over the last 15 years. After leaving the role of a solicitors account manager, Paul becomes more in tune with working with people who were less fortunate than himself, by volunteering in several youth enrichment programmes that targeted young people that were seen as disadvantaged. His role as a mentor in a primary school motivated him to pursue a broader approach to tackling challenging behaviour

With the signs of serious youth violence spanning back almost a decade, Paul focused much of his time in engaging young people on a street level His core beliefs is that “The behaviour is never the real person”. And this approach has earned him respect in the local community and communities spanning across London.

So, Jenny…Who are you and what do you do?

I am the Co-founder and Joint Artistic Director for BearFace Theatre. Based in Hampshire, we work creatively, collaboratively, and proactively to achieve positive growth aimed at all those affected by the CJS. Using the arts as a catalyst to raise the voices of those who feel marginalised and unheard aiming to unify and strengthen community connections. Alongside the day to day running of this successful small-scale CIC, I am an applied theatre practitioner specialising in producing and delivering face to face responsive, co-created participatory arts programmes. Developing and delivering creative interventions that open up dialogue and encourage action shifting towards positive culture change in and around the CJS is my vocation.

The one about Hope....

28 interviews with selected people to look at what we can do to support and protect children and young people from gangs, child criminal exposition, child sexual exploitation, county lines, domestic abuse, and many other issues that impact their lives.

So, this is my first interview……and what a way to start! Let’s be clear….I don’t know how to edit….wait…I don’t know how to interview….so with this it is very much “What you see is what you get” a down-to-earth interview (I would say more of a natter) with some of the people I respect and admire. Will my editing be on point….no…? will there be bits that should have been taken out…. yes….

Will this be authentic, real and from the heart…Yes…..and today’s interview is a mixture of a blog and a podcast. I’m sure there is an actual name for that….