Conversations to Connect

On today’s episode I am joined by Nova Reid. Nova Reid is a thought leader, TED speaker, author and producer, fascinated by human behavior. Often described as a force to be reckoned with, Nova uses her professional background in mental wellbeing to encourage meaningful change from the inside out.  Through her impactful advocacy and powerful public speaking, writing and storytelling, she has become renowned as an agent of change, selected as one of Black Magic Network’s Top 100 Black British Women and receiving a Precious Award for Social Impact.  She is a regular contributor to BBC News and Sky News, and has written for publications including the Guardian, Vogue, Elle, and Stylist.  In 2019, Nova was headhunted by TEDx Frankfurt to deliver a talk on racial microaggressions and has also shared the stage with acclaimed actor David Harewood at the National Theatre to discuss the impact of racism on mental health. Nova runs a life-changing online academy entitled Becoming Anti-Racist with Nova Reid and has recently published her first book, The Good Ally, a guided antiracism journey, from bystander to changemaker.

On this episode, we discuss the impact of racism on health and feelings of belonging in society, how Nova is building an antiracist community and how to stay grounded and connected to each other and ourselves even in times of difficulty. This was a really important and insightful conversation and I hope you enjoy listening.

To find out more about Nova’s work please visit; www.novareid.com and follow Nova on Instagram @novareidofficial

You can find The Good Ally here: https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/the-good-ally-nova-reid/2348881?gclid=CjwKCAjwoqGnBhAcEiwAwK-

You can watch Nova's Ted Talk here:

https://www.ted.com/talks/nova_reid_not_all_superheroes_wear_capes_you_have_the_power_to_change_the_world/details

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenellahwalker/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FenellaHawksley

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia/?hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On today’s episode I am joined by Hannah Campbell and G Bansal, the founders of One Twelve, a creative agency that works with fashion, music and brand partnerships in the UK. Hannah and G founded One Twelve with an important mission, as black and brown female founders, they have a vision to ensure marketing is more inclusive and representative of various peoples lifestyles and cultures. They aim to ensure that future generations of all backgrounds see themselves and their stories represented authentically. Having both experienced loneliness and marginalisation in the workplace, they know first hand the importance of creating safe, inclusive and diverse workplaces, where everyone can feel like they belong.

On this episode, we discuss what it is like to experience loneliness in the workplace, the importance of feeling like you can belong at work and how many diversity and inclusion strategies are not effective. We discuss how G and Hannah set up One Twelve and how they are building an inclusive creative community, working with and not against their competitors. This is a really important conversation and a great listen for everyone, especially those navigating the working world.

To find out more about One Twelve Agency, you can check out their website:

Website: https://www.onetwelveagency.com/

Instagram: @onetwelveagency

Hannah's article on diversity and inclusion in Campaign: https://www.campaignlive.co.uk/article/why-diversity-initiatives-load-bs/1818350

This series is created in collaboration with The Campaign to End Loneliness. Currently in the UK there are over 9 million people experiencing loneliness and lacking the friendship and support that we all need. The Campaign to End Loneliness are experts in the field of loneliness and connection and are dedicated to sharing research, evidence and knowledge to make a difference to people’s lives.

To find out more about the Campaign to End Loneliness you can check out their website: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EndLonelinessUK?s=20&t=mkgkZP_azjiF6R0G7CuSpg

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenellahwalker/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FenellaHawksley

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia/?hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode I am joined by my grandfather, Commander David Hawksley OBE, born in August 1923. David joined the navy at 18 in 1942 and fought in the Second World War and continued to work in the navy until 1976. He then began a new career at BSI, British Standards Institution. On leaving BSI at 65, he became an international consultant for developing countries to help them develop their own standards institution. Whilst working in the navy David met his wife Sheila and they were married for 54 years. David became her full time carer in 2000 for the last 4 years of her life when Sheila passed away from emphysema in 2004. 

On this episode, we discuss how David managed to cope with the grief of losing his life partner and build a new sense of purpose through travel and volunteering. He booked his first solo travel experience at 82 to Peru and climbed Machu Picchu, and booked an around the world trip at 89. He has also volunteered for The Woodland Trust, the Royal National Lifeboat Institution and Christchurch Priory. This episode is inspiring for people of all ages, as we discuss how it is never too late to try something new, learn a new skill and build friendships and community around us.

This series is created in collaboration with The Campaign to End Loneliness. Currently in the UK there are over 9 million people experiencing loneliness and lacking the friendship and support that we all need. The Campaign to End Loneliness are experts in the field of loneliness and connection and are dedicated to sharing research, evidence and knowledge to make a difference to people’s lives.

To find out more about the Campaign to End Loneliness you can check out their website: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EndLonelinessUK?s=20&t=mkgkZP_azjiF6R0G7CuSpg

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenellahwalker/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FenellaHawksley

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia/?hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode I am joined by Marc Abraham or Marc The Vet, as he is more commonly known. Marc is an award winning veterinary surgeon, broadcaster, author and animal welfare campaigner and was awarded an OBE for services to animal welfare in the 2021 Queens Birthday honours. As well as campaigning to improve animal welfare in the UK, Marc volunteers around the world, and visits schools teaching pupils about looking after animals and each other.

On this episode, we discuss Marc's own personal journey with loneliness as an animal welfare campaigner, the importance of our connection with animals and the positive benefits of pet ownership. We explore the mutually beneficial relationship that forms when you rescue an animal and how teaching young people about animal welfare can boost empathy and improve connection. This was such an insightful and interesting conversation, I learnt so much about how to start a campaign, build a movement and create community fuelled by a mutual passion. I hope you enjoy it!

To find more about Marc The Vet you can visit his website: https://marcthevet.net/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/marcthevet

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MarcTheVet/?locale=en_GB

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marcabraham/

This series is created in collaboration with The Campaign to End Loneliness. Currently in the UK there are over 9 million people experiencing loneliness and lacking the friendship and support that we all need. The Campaign to End Loneliness are experts in the field of loneliness and connection and are dedicated to sharing research, evidence and knowledge to make a difference to people’s lives.

To find out more about the Campaign to End Loneliness you can check out their website: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EndLonelinessUK?s=20&t=mkgkZP_azjiF6R0G7CuSpg

You can find the article on animals helping to solve loneliness here: https://www.rspca.org.uk/whatwedo/latest/essays/helpingtosolveloneliness

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenellahwalker/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FenellaHawksley

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia/?hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode I am joined by Tony Supreme, an award winning radio presenter, CEO of Grounded Sounds, a charity which aims at empowering youth through music, as well as the founder of Soul Surge - a music and wellbeing platform. With extensive knowledge and personal experience of the criminal justice system Tony also mentors and supports young people into careers in music.

On this episode, we discuss Tony's own personal experience of loneliness and isolation in prison, dealing with grief and the difficulty men face in talking about their emotions. We explore the power of radio and music on wellbeing and connection and the importance of community in an ever more disconnected society. I loved this conversation and I hope you enjoy it!

To find out more about Soul Surge, you can visit their website: https://soulsurge.co

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/soulsurgeuk/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SoulSurgeUK

To find more about Grounded Sounds you can visit the website: https://www.groundedsounds.org

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Grounded_Sounds

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/groundedsoundsuk/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y%3D

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@groundedsoundsuk/videos

This series is created in collaboration with The Campaign to End Loneliness. Currently in the UK there are over 9 million people experiencing loneliness and lacking the friendship and support that we all need. The Campaign to End Loneliness are experts in the field of loneliness and connection and are dedicated to sharing research, evidence and knowledge to make a difference to people’s lives.

To find out more about the Campaign to End Loneliness you can check out their website: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EndLonelinessUK?s=20&t=mkgkZP_azjiF6R0G7CuSpg

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenellahwalker/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FenellaHawksley

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia/?hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode I am joined by Meryl Davies, Chief Executive Officer at Re-engage, a charity aimed at tackling the huge and growing issue of loneliness in later life. More than 2 million people in the UK over the age of 75 live alone, and more than a million older people say that they go over a month without speaking to a friend, neighbour or family member. Re-engage is working to make life less lonely for thousands of older people every year. They organise monthly tea parties to people aged 75 and over, as well as running a telephone befriending service, organise group activities that offer gentle exercise and social connection.

On this episode we discuss loneliness in older age, the multiple factors that can lead to chronic loneliness as well as the joys of making new friends in later life.

It was a really lovely and insightful conversation and I hope you enjoy it.

To find more about Reengage you can visit their website: https://www.reengage.org.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/reengageuk

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/reengageuk/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCCzUOL-QDPYSCpmEgIWluug/

This series is created in collaboration with The Campaign to End Loneliness. Currently in the UK there are over 9 million people experiencing loneliness and lacking the friendship and support that we all need. The Campaign to End Loneliness are experts in the field of loneliness and connection and are dedicated to sharing research, evidence and knowledge to make a difference to people’s lives.

To find out more about the Campaign to End Loneliness you can check out their website: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EndLonelinessUK?s=20&t=mkgkZP_azjiF6R0G7CuSpg

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenellahwalker/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FenellaHawksley

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia/?hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On this episode I am joined by Dr Radha Modgil, GP, Media Personality and medical expert for BBC Radio 1, campaigner, broadcaster, podcast host and author. Dr Radha Modgil is also an ambassador for the National Academy of Social Prescribing and offers empowering advice that helps people deal with life's many challenges, and to take control of their own health and wellbeing.

On this episode we discuss loneliness as a public health issue, exploring the impacts of loneliness on health and how social prescribing offers a diverse range of community projects which are helping to empower people and positively impact their health and social connections all over the UK.

To find more about the National Academy for Social Prescribing, you can visit the website: https://socialprescribingacademy.org.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/nasptweets

You can find out more about Dr Radha Modgil here: https://drradha.co.uk

Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrRadhaModgil

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dr_radha/

Podcast host: https://www.instagram.com/forgotpodcast/

This series is created in collaboration with The Campaign to End Loneliness. Currently in the UK there are over 9 million people experiencing loneliness and lacking the friendship and support that we all need. The Campaign to End Loneliness are experts in the field of loneliness and connection and are dedicated to sharing research, evidence and knowledge to make a difference to people’s lives.

To find out more about the Campaign to End Loneliness you can check out their website: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EndLonelinessUK?s=20&t=mkgkZP_azjiF6R0G7CuSpg

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenellahwalker/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FenellaHawksley

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia/?hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our fifth episode I am joined by Silas Armstrong of Brixton Chamber Orchestra. Music is a universal language that connects us all. It can improve our emotional state, enhance our mood and create a sense of unity and togetherness that can help in reducing loneliness and social isolation. Based in Brixton, London, Brixton Chamber Orchestra is a registered charity and group of instrumentalists that provides live orchestral experiences to new audiences in unexpected venues, collaborating and playing with different artists and genres - from Grime to Gospel, Disco to Drum and Bass, Classical to Jazz, and everything in between. They appear in the market, pubs, clubs, parks, churches & community centers and twice a year, tour the areas housing estates, performing programmes to hundreds from the local community.

On this episode we discuss the power of live music to bring community together and help to reduce social isolation and loneliness as well as how listening to music on your own can positively impact your mood and help you feel more connected.

To find more about Brixton Chamber Orchestra, you can visit their website: https://brixchamber.com

You can donate directly towards campaigns here: https://app.donorfy.com/form/6NCRLS3059/BCO

Twitter: https://twitter.com/brixchamber

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brixchamber/?hl=en

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@brixtonchamberorchestra3258

This series is created in collaboration with The Campaign to End Loneliness. Currently in the UK there are over 9 million people experiencing loneliness and lacking the friendship and support that we all need. The Campaign to End Loneliness are experts in the field of loneliness and connection and are dedicated to sharing research, evidence and knowledge to make a difference to people’s lives.

To find out more about the Campaign to End Loneliness you can check out their website: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EndLonelinessUK?s=20&t=mkgkZP_azjiF6R0G7CuSpg

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenellahwalker/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FenellaHawksley

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia/?hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our fourth episode we are joined by Simon Jarvis, Operations Executive at Beam. Beam is an award-winning Tech for Good start-up and crowdfunding platform that supports homeless people and refugees into stable jobs and homes. Beam's technology allows anyone around the world to read about individual people's stories, connect with them, write messages of support and help to fund vocational training and housing. On this episode we discuss the isolation and loneliness that someone experiencing homelessness or a refugee may face, and the way that Beam tackles this, creating a supportive and positive online community to empower people towards brighter futures.

To find more about Beam, you can visit their website: https://beam.org

You can donate directly towards campaigns here: https://beam.org/donate

Twitter: https://twitter.com/wearebeam

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wearebeam/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5pG22RUJYx3VKLKIzqkA9w

This series is created in collaboration with The Campaign to End Loneliness. Currently in the UK there are over 9 million people experiencing loneliness and lacking the friendship and support that we all need. The Campaign to End Loneliness are experts in the field of loneliness and connection and are dedicated to sharing research, evidence and knowledge to make a difference to people’s lives.

To find out more about the Campaign to End Loneliness you can check out their website: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EndLonelinessUK?s=20&t=mkgkZP_azjiF6R0G7CuSpg

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenellahwalker/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FenellaHawksley

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia/?hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For our third episode we are joined by Eddy Elmer, to discuss marginalistion and loneliness in the LGBTQ community. Despite the birth of the global gay rights movement, the LGBTQ community still suffer from marginalisation and a risk of increased loneliness. On this episode we discuss potential causes, risk factors and collective solutions.

Eddy Elmer is a researcher and consultant in aging and mental health, focusing on loneliness in marginalized groups such as sexual minority seniors; aging inmates and parolees) Eddy is completing his PHD in Social gerontology, studying minority stress and loneliness in the LGTBQ community across the lifespan. He has also served on the City of Vancouver Cities advisory community for 8 years.

To find more about Eddy Elmer:

Website: www.eddyelmer.com

Bio: https://www.vancouverseniorsadvisory.ca/eddy-m-elmer/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/Eddy_Elmer

Research: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org/marginalization-and-loneliness-among-sexual-minorities-how-are-they-linked/

Research paper on Loneliness: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10508-021-02132-3

This series is created in collaboration with The Campaign to End Loneliness. Currently in the UK there are over 9 million people experiencing loneliness and lacking the friendship and support that we all need. The Campaign to End Loneliness are experts in the field of loneliness and connection and are dedicated to sharing research, evidence and knowledge to make a difference to people’s lives.

To find out more about the Campaign to End Loneliness you can check out their website: https://www.campaigntoendloneliness.org

Follow them on Twitter: https://twitter.com/EndLonelinessUK?s=20&t=mkgkZP_azjiF6R0G7CuSpg

Podcast Host - Fenella Hawksley

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fenellahwalker/?hl=en

Twitter: https://twitter.com/FenellaHawksley

Music - Composed, performed and produced by Athena Octavia

https://www.athenaoctavia.com

https://www.instagram.com/athenaoctavia/?hl=en

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.