Hidden Voices

Please note this episode contains discussions of suicide and addiction. If you are affected by any of these issues and would like to seek support, please contact our Information and Guidance service.

In this episode, we speak to Jacqueline about her experience of living with Complex Regional Pain Syndrome (CRPS) and Fibromyalgia. She shares the challenges she faced in getting diagnosed, as well as how the pain affects her day to day life and her mental health.

In this episode, we speak to Anna, who has

Please note this episode contains discussions of eating disorders. If you are affected by any of these issues and would like to seek support, please contact our Information and Guidance service ⁠⁠⁠https://healthwatchessex.org.uk/speak-to-our-team/⁠⁠⁠.

For Carers Week 2024, Michelle shares her story of caring for her two children who have ARFID and Perthes' Disease. Like many carers, Michelle didn't consider herself a carer initially, despite the extra support and advocacy she provides. She describes how these conditions impact her family's daily lives and what support she has been able to access to help them.

Michelle is one of our Carer Experts by Experience at Healthwatch Essex. If you care for a loved one, you can also share your thoughts and experiences with us through our Carers Voices project.

Michelle's Facebook Group - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1052428189199424/

Please note this episode contains discussions of traumatic events, active combat, and suicide. If you are affected by any of these issues and would like to seek support, please contact our Information and Guidance service ⁠⁠https://healthwatchessex.org.uk/speak-to-our-team/⁠⁠.

In this episode, we speak to Mark and Johno from iCarp, a programme that treats trauma by combining fishing with peer support. Dr Mark Wheeler was an IAPT therapist supporting veterans with their trauma when he realised a new approach was needed, as many veterans were not reaching out for help. Johno is a veteran who has been supported by iCarp and now volunteers as an angling coach.

In the episode, they share details of their new programme to support military veterans and working/ex/retired 999 and emergency services staff. If you are interested, you can contact Mark via their website https://icarp.org.uk/contact/

In this episode, we speak to a drag artist with an unusual superpower - donating blood to newborn babies!

An Nemia is a storytelling drag queen who has anaemia and her blood condition means she can donate blood to babies and ill mothers in delivery.

If An Nemia has inspired you, you can find out more about donating blood yourself here.

Check out An Nemia on Instagram here.

In this episode, we talk to Errol McKellar MBE about his diagnosis of prostate cancer for prostate cancer awareness month.

Following his diagnosis in 2010, Errol has encouraged many men to get tested for prostate cancer by offering a discount on their car's MOT if they showed him they had been for a PSA test, saving nearly 50 lives in the process.

Errol shares how prostate cancer has changed his life and the important work he now does through the Errol McKellar Foundation and Prostate Cancer UK.

In this episode, Romeo, founder of the Ipswich Romanian Community, shares his story of moving to the UK from Romania, including his experiences of working in healthcare. He explains some of the challenges his community have faced when moving to the UK and how the Ipswich Romanian Community are working to bring Romanian traditions and culture to our local area.

You can find out more about the Ipswich Romanian Community here and the Arrivals exhibition here.

In the first episode of season three, Neil, one of our trustees at Healthwatch Essex, shares his story of being diagnosed with bladder cancer. He openly shares how much surgery and immunotherapy affected him mentally and physically.

Please note this episode contains discussions of cancer and suicidal thoughts. If you would like support for anything discussed in the episode, get in touch through our website www.healthwatchessex.org.uk.

In the first episode of season three, Neil, one of our trustees at Healthwatch Essex, shares his story of being diagnosed with bladder cancer. He openly shares how much surgery and immunotherapy affected him mentally and physically.

Please note this episode contains discussions of cancer and suicidal thoughts. If you would like support for anything discussed in the episode, get in touch through our website www.healthwatchessex.org.uk.

In this episode we talk to Perry, founder of the 21UP Movement, a youth intervention programme. Perry shares how his childhood experiences of foster care and domestic abuse led to poor mental health and going to prison. He explains how he's turned his life around to help others. He now works to ensure young people have more opportunities, in order to improve their confidence and mental health, and prevent knife crime.

Find out more about the 21UP Movement here.

Please note this episode contains references to violence and abuse. For further support, visit our website.