Simon Dawson was on a wayward path after a difficult childhood. He says his mother would tell him directly that she didn't love him. Things were at their lowest when their family house burnt down and Simon was blamed for it. Unsure of love, he turned to music for answers. But the real lessons came later in life when he set up a farm and the animals he cared for showed him what true guardianship and acceptance means. Simon now believes his mother suffered from postnatal depression and was never given the support she needed. He tells Emily Webb how he turned things around and learned to love.

Simon's book is called The Boy Without Love.

Producer: Mariana Des Forges

Presenter: Emily Webb

Picture: Simon Dawson on his farm in Exmoor

Credit: Courtesy of Simon Dawson