Growing Hope Conversations

Sometimes holding onto hope can feel difficult.

In the latest episode of Holding Hope, Growing Hope founder Naomi Fox is joined by our Chief Executive, Vicki Smith, to talk about what it means to hold hope for one another — especially in those seasons when we might struggle to hold onto it ourselves.

They share stories of hope from across Growing Hope, reflect on the importance of remembering God’s faithfulness, and talk about the people who can come alongside us and say:

“If you can’t hold onto hope, I can for you.”

You’ll also hear about children growing in confidence through therapy, families finding support and community, and the ways Naomi and Vicki have seen God’s faithfulness through the Growing Hope journey.

If you haven’t come across us before, we’re Growing Hope. We champion accessibility and inclusion for children and young people with additional needs, offering free therapy and support to them and their families in partnership with local churches.

We believe that Jesus brings hope in every situation we face, and we created the Holding Hope podcast to share some of those stories.

In this episode of Holding Hope, Naomi Fox is joined by Rev Chris Lee.

In this episode of Holding Hope, Naomi is joined by Simon Guillebaud MBE.

Simon spent two decades living in war-torn Central Africa, and speaks out of that context with raw urgency and passion for the last, the lost and the least. He is the Founder and International Director of Great Lakes Outreach, host of the popular Inspired podcast, author of the award-winning book Choose Life, and travels widely, stirring up the Church for radical discipleship. He and his wife Lizzie live in Bath with their three teenage children.

In this episode of the Holding Hope podcast, Simon and Naomi discuss some of their experiences in sharing life with people in need, and how hope has often shone through, even in the most difficult of circumstances.

Find out more about Simon's work at www.simonguillebaud.com and www.greatlakesoutreach.org

In this episode of Holding Hope, Naomi is joined by Natalie Williams, Chief Executive of Jubilee +, for a powerful conversation about belonging, neurodiversity, leadership and the mercy of God.

Natalie shares openly about growing up in poverty, struggling to feel at home in church, and discovering a hope in Jesus that widened her horizons and changed the direction of her life. She reflects on what it means to be seen, valued and welcomed;  especially when life has felt shaped by disadvantage, exclusion or brokenness.

Together, Naomi and Natalie explore how churches can hold hope for people in the midst of life's challenges and questions of identity. Natalie also shares moving stories from Jubilee +, including how children are learning God’s heart for people who are vulnerable, overlooked or pushed to the margins.

00:02 – Welcome and introduction

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Follow Jubilee+ on Instagram: www.instagram.com/jubileeplus

Follow Jubilee+ on Facebook: www.facebook.com/JubileePlus

Find out more: jubilee-plus.org/

Join the Growing Hope newsletter: www.growinghope.org.uk/newsletter

This is a Holding Hope podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families. Join our host and founder, Dr Naomi Fox, as she explores how organisations and individuals can hold onto the hope of Jesus when supporting people in difficult circumstances.

In this episode, we’re joined by Nathan Dudley, founder and CEO of New Found Hope. Nathan shares his journey of faith, hope, and innovation with the launch of New Found Hope and Aerlos trainers. He shares how he transformed personal struggles into a mission that empowers kids of all abilities.

01:07 Nathan Dudley's Journey of Hope

04:13 The Vision Behind New Found Hope

07:34 Understanding Aerlos Trainers

10:31 The Role of Therapy in Hope

12:16 Empowering Children with New Found Hope

15:31 Buy One, Give One: A Heartfelt Initiative

17:15 Navigating Challenges and Holding onto Hope

23:19 God's Faithfulness in Leadership

Get Involved:

Follow New Found Hope on Instagram: @newfoundhope_

Follow New Found Hope on Facebook: www.facebook.com/newfoundhope.co.uk 

Find out more: www.newfoundhope.co.uk

Join the Growing Hope newsletter: www.growinghope.org.uk/newsletter

This is a Holding Hope podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families. Join our host and founder, Dr Naomi Fox, as she explores how organisations and individuals can hold onto the hope of Jesus when supporting people in difficult circumstances.

In this episode, join Naomi as she interviews worship leaders and songwriters Rich and Lydia Dicas. They share inspiring stories of hope, faith, and worship, exploring how hope sustains us through life's challenges and how worship can be a powerful expression of faith. Their ministry flows from a deep commitment to prayer, community, and the pursuit of God’s heart. Whether leading crowds in collective worship or writing quietly at home, their heart remains the same: to see people encounter the love of Jesus and be transformed by His Spirit.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

01:53 The Meaning of Hope

06:24 Worship and Hope in Difficult Times

11:44 The Journey of Songwriting and Healing

17:40 Honesty in Worship and Connection

20:21 Navigating Expectations and Holding onto Hope

21:31 Cultivating Innocence and Hope

24:05 The Struggle for Hope

26:58 Grieving and Adjusting Expectations

29:15 Stories of God's Faithfulness

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Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast.

This week we’re joined by Dr Joy Allan, a theologian, preacher and speaker, and works as the Church Engagement and Relationship Manager for the Difference course, part of the Reconciling Leaders' Network. Her passion and expertise is disability theology, mental health theology and pastoral care.

Joy shares her journey as a theologian, champion of the Difference course and passionate advocate for children with disabilities. She talks with Bambi about the complicated place of healing within faith communities, the role of the church in supporting individuals with disabilities, and the need for reconciliation in today's divided society.

This is a podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families. 

Join our host, Bambi French, as she welcomes guests who’ve been there - sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

Get Involved:

Difference course: www.churchofengland.org/resources/difference 

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast.

This week on the podcast we’re joined by Jade and John Reynolds, an inter-abled couple who share their experiences of disability, faith and parenting through social media.

In Part 2 of Bambi's conversation with Jade and John explore the power of humour in navigating the challenges of disability and diagnoses. They share personal stories of using comedy to defuse tension, foster connection, and find joy amidst adversity, highlighting the importance of laughter as a universal coping mechanism.

This is a podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families. 

Join our host, Bambi French, as she welcomes guests who’ve been there - sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.

00:00 Introduction to John and Jade's Journey

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Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast.

This week on the podcast we’re joined by Jade and John Reynolds, an inter-abled couple who share their experiences of disability, faith and parenting through social media.

In Part 1 of Bambi's conversation with Jade and John, they discuss the dynamics of living with disabilities, parenting, and faith. They share personal stories, including the realities of being an inter-abled couple,  and offer a fresh perspective on overcoming life's hurdles with laughter and grace.

This is a podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families. Join our host, Bambi French, as she welcomes guests who’ve been there - sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.

00:00 Introduction to the Episode

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Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast.

This week on the podcast we’re joined by Dr Minna Moffatt-Feldman, the Accessibility Coordinator for Caritas Salford. Caritas work alongside people who are experiencing poverty, disadvantage, discrimination and homelessness, helping them to transform their lives with dignity. 

In this episode, Minna shares her experiences as a deaf individual working within the church and community. She discusses shifting attitudes, removing barriers, and empowering churches to welcome everyone. She emphasizes that inclusion begins with awareness, empathy, and small, intentional actions that foster belonging for children and families with additional needs.

This is a podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families. Join our host, Bambi French, as she welcomes guests who’ve been there - sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.

Join our host, Bambi French, as she welcomes guests who’ve been there - sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

Get Involved:

Join the Growing Hope newsletter: www.growinghope.org.uk/newsletter