Growing Hope Conversations

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast. 

In this episode, we’re joined by David and Joanna Whale, clergy parents of children with additional needs, and admins of the Facebook groups Clergy Parents of Children with Additional Needs (UK) and Christian Parents of Children with Additional Needs.

David and Jo share their experiences of life navigating the challenges of parenting children with additional needs while also leading a church. They discuss the importance of community support, education about disabilities within the church, and innovative approaches to inclusive worship. 

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:

Join the Facebook groups: 

Clergy Parents Of Children With Additional Needs (U.K.) 

Christian Parent Carers of Children with Additional Needs (U.K.)

Join monthly Growing Hope newsletter

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast.

This week on the podcast we’re joined by Erin Burnett, an author, speaker and theology student from Northern Ireland. Her autism diagnosis at the age of 18 helped her understand much of her anxiety as a younger teenager, and why the typical ways of talking about God just didn't connect with her. She was inspired to write With All Your Mind: Autism and the Church.

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 Erin 

01:36 Growing Up Autistic in a Christian Environment

04:52 The Impact of Diagnosis on Faith

08:07 The Journey Through University and Theology

09:55 Exploring Autism and the Church

13:10 Connecting with God: Different Perspectives

16:38 Advice for Churches on Inclusion

23:36 Accessibility Award for Churches

Get Involved:

Visit Erin's website: https://erinburnettauthor.co.uk/

Buy a copy of With All Your Mind: Autism and the Church: https://amzn.eu/d/aqc213o 

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

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast.

This week on the podcast we’re joined by Tanya Van Dalen. Tanya is an occupational therapist, manager at Growbaby Kingston and author of Sensory Parenting for Sensory Children. 

Tanya talks with Bambi French about faith, parenting, and finding hope in the middle of life’s challenges. Drawing from her experience as a mum, occupational therapist, and author, Tanya shares how God used her story to help others through Growbaby, Growing Hope, and her book Sensory Parenting for Sensory Children. It’s a gentle reminder that God knew the family you’d have, and He’s walking every step of the journey with you.

Growbaby provides good quality, new and second-hand, baby clothes and equipment, completely free of charge, to anyone who needs it, regardless of their income, background, or faith. 

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

00:29 Introduction to Tanya and Her Journey

03:06 Supporting Parents in Their Journey

05:41 The Impact of Grow Baby

08:28 The Journey of Writing a Book

11:12 Navigating Different Sectors in Support Services

13:43 The Importance of Parental Self-Care

16:22 Faith and Parenting: A Spiritual Perspective

20:43 When Dreams Change

Get Involved:

Search Growbaby to find your local Growbaby

Buy a copy of Sensory Parenting for Sensory Children 

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

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast.

This week on the podcast we’re joined by Joe Lowther, CEO of KICK, a charity whose mission is to transform young people’s lives, with God’s love, through sport and support. ⁠

Joe Lowther is married to Laura and has 3 sons. He was previously a principal of an outstanding school and is now CEO of KICK.

How can sport and faith bring belonging to children and young people, including those with additional needs? Joe Lowther joins Bambi to share how KICK creates inclusive spaces where every child can thrive - physically, mentally, and spiritually. From inclusive sports to faith-based mentoring, Joe explains how KICK is helping young people find confidence, community, and joy in who they are created to be.

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 

Get Involved:

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast.

In this episode, Clare Luther, parent educator, children’s book author, and emotional growth speaker, shares her journey of faith, parenting, and emotional resilience.

Clare starts to unpack her unique Daesy Dialogue framework - designed to guide and equip parents, caregivers and teachers to promote emotional growth in a constructive and healthy way. Rooted in biblical principles and shaped by her own experience, Clare offers practical strategies and hopeful encouragement to parents, especially those raising children 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.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:22 Introduction to Clare

03:26 Understanding Emotions in Children

06:23 The Daisy Dialogue Framework

09:15 Parenting Strategies and Connection 1

2:32 The Role of Faith in Parenting

21:03 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

Get involved:

Buy a copy of The DAESY Dialogue Handbook

Check out Clare’s books and resources for children and parents

Join monthly Growing Hope newsletter

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast.

This week is Part 2 of our conversation with Carrie Grant MBE. Carrie is a parent of four children with special educational needs, TV presenter, vocal coach, leadership coach, ordained minister and campaigner for families with SEND.

In Part 2, Carrie talks about her own experiences of parenting SEN children, reflecting on the challenges of the education system and how faith and compassion shape her approach to family life.

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

00:22 Fighting for Support: The EHCP Journey

05:13 The Transformative Power of Mindset

09:07 Navigating Parenting Challenges with SEND Children

17:28 When Dreams Change

18:13 The Role of Fathers in SEND Parenting

21:41 Finding Hope in Difficult Times

Get involved:

Buy a copy of A Very Modern Family by Carrie and David Grant

Listen to El Roi, Warehouse Worship 

Join monthly Growing Hope newsletter www.growinghope.org.uk/newsletter 

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast. 

In this week’s podcast we’re thrilled to be joined by Carrie Grant MBE. Carrie is a parent of four children with special educational needs, TV presenter, vocal coach, leadership coach, ordained minister and campaigner for families with SEND.

This week is Part 1 of Bambi’s conversation with Carrie. Carrie reflects on raising four children (three birth, one adopted), navigating misdiagnoses, battling stigma within schools and churches, and fostering an inclusive church community that centre marginalised voices.

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

00:22 Introduction to Carrie Grant

02:11 Navigating the World of Special Educational Needs

05:36 The Intersection of Faith and Special Needs

08:52 Challenging Norms in Faith Communities

14:27 Creating Inclusive Spaces for Marginalised Families

17:37 Understanding Healing and Disability in Faith

23:05 Redefining Needs and Neurodiversity

24:37 Part 2 Coming Next Week

Get involved:

Buy a copy of A Very Modern Family by Carrie and David Grant

Join monthly Growing Hope newsletter

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast. 

This week, we're joined by Dr. Léon Van Ommen, Co-director of the Centre for Autism and Theology at the University of Aberdeen. 

Léon highlights practical and theologically rooted ways to support neurodivergent individuals within worship and church life. He explains how 'normal church habits' might be exhausting for some neurodiverse people, and two simple steps churches can take to overcome that.

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

00:19 Introduction to Autism and Theology

06:13 Understanding Autism's Influence on Faith 09:20 Challenges for Church Leaders in Inclusion

12:24 Theological Values for Inclusion

15:09 Creating a Welcoming Church Environment

18:09 The Role of Community in Belonging 20:51 Practical Steps for Understanding and Inclusion

23:53 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning

38:36 Introduction to Accessibility in Churches

Get involved:

Listen to the Autism and Theology Podcast

Book your place at the Faith on the Margins: Engaging with Nonspeaking and Black Autistic Christians Conference from 5th-7th November 2025.

Sign up to the quarterly newsletter and occasional calls for research participants

Buy a copy of Léon's book Autism and Worship, by Dr Léon Van Ommen

Neurodiversity and Faith Series booklets

Centre for Autism and Theology Webinars

Join monthly Growing Hope newsletter

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast.

This week, we're joined by Dr. Léon Van Ommen, Co-director of the Centre for Autism and Theology at the University of Aberdeen.

Léon highlights practical and theologically rooted ways to support neurodivergent individuals within worship and church life. He explains how 'normal church habits' might be exhausting for some neurodiverse people, and two simple steps churches can take to overcome that.

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

00:19 Introduction to Autism and Theology

06:13 Understanding Autism's Influence on Faith 09:20 Challenges for Church Leaders in Inclusion

12:24 Theological Values for Inclusion

15:09 Creating a Welcoming Church Environment

18:09 The Role of Community in Belonging 20:51 Practical Steps for Understanding and Inclusion

23:53 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning

38:36 Introduction to Accessibility in Churches

Get involved:

Listen to the Autism and Theology Podcast

Book your place at the Faith on the Margins: Engaging with Nonspeaking and Black Autistic Christians Conference from 5th-7th November 2025.

Sign up to the quarterly newsletter and occasional calls for research participants

Buy a copy of Léon's book Autism and Worship, by Dr Léon Van Ommen

Neurodiversity and Faith Series booklets

Centre for Autism and Theology Webinars

Join monthly Growing Hope newsletter

Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast. The 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.

In this episode, we're joined by Sophie Killingley, a freelance illustrator and writer. Sophie shares her family’s journey through multiple autism diagnoses. She describes the joys and struggles of being a SEND family - and a pastor's family - within a church community.

Sophie is married to Pete and has two neurodivergent teens and a cat called Major Tom. She is passionate about the intersection of faith and creativity and breaking down the sacred/secular divide to explore the world as it is, and freeing others to do the same. Her work and cartooning are quirky offerings of humour and heart from her perspectives on mental health, Christian culture, and the daily realities of having a neurodivergent family.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction to the Growing Hope Podcast

00:19 Navigating Neurodivergence: A Personal Journey

08:12 Experiences in the Church: Support and Challenges

14:04 The Impact of Autism on Family and Faith

18:01 Creating a New Ministry Through Art and Writing

25:10 Empowering Children with Additional Needs

30:07 Final Thoughts and Encouragement

38:03 Accessibility Training for Churches

Get involved: