Dis-labled: Disabled Voices, Real Stories

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In today’s episode, we’re returning to the topic of relationships and connection - from friendships and family, to dating. We discuss what makes us like someone, the things that might give us the ick, and having additional needs, the importance of independence in relationships. We also share advice for anyone who might feel nervous about dating or making new friends, especially when living with a disability.

00:00:00 - Start
00:01:14 - Intro
00:01:44 - The Good News
00:02:43 - The Good News: Laurent's Royal Academy Summer Show Journey
00:05:42 - Discussion: Putting Yourself Out There: Dating & Disability part 1
00:10:01 - Pavement Guest by Alistair Scriven
00:14:27 - Discussion: Putting Yourself Out There: Dating & Disability part 2
00:27:11 - Final Thoughts

Project Managers: Andrea Rai & Phil Powell
Editor: Phil Powell

Huge thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting our Dis-labled podcast. Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

All enquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/

Theme Music: Rastko Rasic & the students of Community FocusOther Music: Jazzy Frenchy by ⁠⁠⁠Benjamin Tissot

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In today’s episode, we’re talking all about relationships and connection – from friendships and family to dating, online connections, and everything in between. Plus, we hear part three of Alistair’s new series, “Pavement Guest,” where he talks about temperature control and global warming in his own unique style.

00:00:00 - Start
00:01:16 - Intro
00:01:42 - Good news
00:09:15 - Relationships discussion - The Different Ways We Connect part 1
00:13:21 - Pavement Guest by Alistair Scriven
00:18:52 - Relationships discussion - The Different Ways We Connect part 2
00:27:05 - Final Thoughts

Project Managers: Andrea Rai & Phil Powell
Editor: Phil Powell

Huge thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting our Dis-labled podcast. Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

All enquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/

Theme Music: Rastko Rasic & the students of Community FocusOther Music: Jazzy Frenchy by ⁠⁠⁠Benjamin Tissot

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In today’s episode, we return to the topic of hobbies, creativity, and the little things that make life interesting.

We had so much to talk about that we had to make two episodes, so today we discuss the hobbies we’d like to try in the future.

We also hear part two of Alistair’s new series, “Pavement Guest”, in which his discusses whether being positive is recommendable, in his own unique style!

Project Managers: Andrea Rai & Phil Powell
Editor: Phil Powell

Huge thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting our Dis-labled podcast. Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

All enquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/

Theme Music: Rastko Rasic & the students of Community FocusOther Music: Jazzy Frenchy by ⁠⁠⁠Benjamin Tissot

Send us Fan Mail

In today’s episode, we explore hobbies, creativity, and the little things that make life interesting. From arts and crafts, gaming, and poetry to baking, bird-watching, and even quirky guilty pleasures, we share the passions that recharge us, make us laugh, and reveal a bit about who we are.

00:00:00 - Start
00:01:12 - Intro
00:02:11 - The Good News
00:06:40 - Pavement Guest by Alistair Scriven
00:09:12 - Discussion: What is a hobby?
00:22:13 - What do you do to recharge your batteries?
00:23:12 - Pointless discussion
00:26:41 - Final Thoughtsl

Project Managers: Andrea Rai & Phil Powell
Editor: Phil Powell

Huge thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting our Dis-labled podcast. Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

All enquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/

Theme Music: Rastko Rasic & the students of Community FocusOther Music: Jazzy Frenchy by ⁠⁠⁠Benjamin Tissot

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In today’s episode, we’re delighted to welcome Alexia Barrett from The BBC’s The Great British Sewing Bee. We’ll be talking about inclusivity, life behind the scenes of the show, and why she is encouraging more diverse casting.

00:00:00 - Start
00:01:11 - Intro
00:02:35 - We Meet Alexia Barrett from The Great British Sewing Bee
00:06:17 - Alexia's message for disabled sewists
00:07:43 - Why is the BBC interested in inclusion now?
00:08:47 - Support for contestants
00:13:47 - How do people apply for The Great British Sewing Bee?
00:18:18 - One thing all applicants should know before applying
00:25:18 - What is the prize?
00:27:55 - Final Thoughts

The Great British Sewing Bee is currently looking for the UK’s best amateur sewers for Series 13 - and they are especially encouraging applications from disabled people and those with long-term health conditions who have a passion for sewing and creating their own clothes. The aim is to make the process as inclusive and accessible as possible, so a wide range of voices and experiences are represented in the sewing room.

If you, or someone you know, would like to apply, you can do so at www.applyforsewingbee.co.uk, email , or call 0117 450 8530 to request an application form.

The deadline for applications is Wednesday 13th May 2026 at 8pm.

Project Managers: Andrea Rai & Phil Powell
Editor: Phil Powell

Huge thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting our Dis-labled podcast. Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

All enquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/

Theme Music: Rastko Rasic & the students of Community FocusOther Music: Jazzy Frenchy by ⁠⁠⁠Benjamin Tissot

Send us Fan Mail

Today we’re talking about confidence, self-image, and the idea of “looking good". Does looking good make us feel good? We’ll look at how appearance affects confidence, from bad hair days to clothes, weight, and all the messages we pick up from social media, TV, school, and the people around us.

We’ll also talk about why accepting ourselves can be so hard, and what confidence really means - on our own terms!

00:00:00 - Start
00:01:12 - Intro
00:01:50 - Does looking good, make you feel good?
00:13:37 - Spots
00:16:56 - What influences the way we look?
00:22:19 - Why can't we accept ourselves for who we are?
00:26:33 - What advice have we got to help with confidence?
00:27:34 - Final Thoughts

Project Managers: Andrea Rai & Phil Powell
Editor: Phil Powell

Huge thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting our Dis-labled podcast. Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

All enquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/

Theme Music: Rastko Rasic & the students of Community FocusOther Music: Jazzy Frenchy by ⁠⁠⁠Benjamin Tissot

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode of Dis-labled, we explore the everyday frustrations that can have a big impact on our lives.

Hasel talks openly about living with OCD, how it affects her daily routines, and the challenge of finding a balance between staying organised and looking after her wellbeing. Amy shares her frustration when people talk about her instead of speaking directly to her, leading to an honest discussion about disability, communication and feeling heard. 

The team also discusses their biggest pet peeves, from losing things and people-pleasing to untidiness and being misunderstood. In the second half of the show, we turn to the things that bring us joy, including art, nature, music, local history and Laurent's lifelong passion for London buses.

Project Managers: Andrea Rai & Phil Powell
Editor: Phil Powell

Huge thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting our Dis-labled podcast. Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

All enquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/

Theme Music: Rastko Rasic & the students of Community FocusOther Music: Jazzy Frenchy by ⁠⁠⁠Benjamin Tissot

Send us Fan Mail

In today’s episode, we talk openly and honestly about anxiety — what it really feels like, how it shows up in our everyday lives, and why it can be so difficult to manage.

We share our personal experiences, explore simple coping strategies, and discuss small, practical tools that can help make anxiety feel more manageable. If you’re living with anxiety or supporting someone who is, this episode is a reminder that you’re not alone.

We’ve included some UK-based support links below if you need extra help:

Anxiety UK
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk
Helpline: 03444 775 774

Mind
https://www.mind.org.uk
Infoline: 0300 123 3393

Samaritans (24/7)
https://www.samaritans.org
Freephone: 116 123

SHOUT Crisis Text Line (24/7)
Text SHOUT to 85258

NHS Talking Therapies
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies/

💛 If you’re in immediate danger, please contact emergency services or go to A&E.

Project Managers: Andrea Rai & Phil Powell
Editor: Phil Powell

Huge thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting our Dis-labled podcast. Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

All enquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/

Theme Music: Rastko Rasic & the students of Community FocusOther Music: Jazzy Frenchy by ⁠⁠⁠Benjamin Tissot

Send us Fan Mail

Why do we listen to music? Why can one song feel like home, while another takes us straight back to a moment in time?

In today’s episode, we’re talking all about music. The songs we love. The genres that shape us. And the tracks that help us focus, lift our mood, and say what we can’t put into words. 

From comfort songs to full-volume sing-alongs, we’re sharing how music fits into our everyday lives.

Click here for a playlist of our favourite songs to accompany this episode!

Project Managers: Andrea Rai & Phil Powell
Editor: Phil Powell

Huge thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting our Dis-labled podcast. Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

All enquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/

Theme Music: Rastko Rasic & the students of Community FocusOther Music: Jazzy Frenchy by ⁠⁠⁠Benjamin Tissot

Send us Fan Mail

We're returning to Oak Lodge School  – and we couldn't be more excited!

In this bonus episode, we head back to Oak Lodge to catch up with our brilliant pupil podcasters who stole our hearts the first time around. Since we last visited, so much has happened – so we're sitting back down with our original mic-holders to find out how the podcasting project changed things for them, what they've learned, and where they're headed next.

Have they caught the podcasting bug for good? Did the experience open new doors? And what are their dreams for the future? 

It's heartfelt, it's hopeful – welcome back to Oak Lodge! 

Project Managers: Andrea Rai & Phil Powell
Editor: Phil Powell

Huge thanks to the National Lottery Reaching Communities Fund for supporting our Dis-labled podcast. Learn more about their amazing work: https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk

All enquiries: [email protected]
Website: https://www.communityfocus.co.uk/

Theme Music: Rastko Rasic & the students of Community FocusOther Music: Jazzy Frenchy by ⁠⁠⁠Benjamin Tissot