In this episode, Michael sits down with Francesca Salussolia, Founder of Goal 17 & Wowment, for a powerful conversation on why relationships, not systems, sit at the heart of effective social care.

Drawing on her work supporting care-experienced young people, Francesca challenges the status quo and shares a vision for an approach to care that prioritises mentorship and human connection.

During the episode, Michael and Francesca discuss:

• Why social care often prioritises processes over people, and how that impacts outcomes.
• The stigma surrounding care-experienced young people, and why we need to shift the narrative from “what’s wrong” to “what’s happened”.
• The reality of the “care cliff” at 18, where many young people face sudden independence, isolation and instability.
• How mentoring and human connection can transform lives, often more effectively than traditional interventions.
• The role of community, volunteers and everyday people in reshaping social care beyond formal systems.
• How technology and AI can support care without replacing the essential human relationships at its core.
• This episode offers a thought-provoking look at how we can move beyond box-ticking systems and rebuild social care around empathy, trust and meaningful human connection.

If you found this episode insightful, please leave a review and share it with your network.

Let’s continue the conversation on LinkedIn 👇

🔗 / michaelzbutcher

🔗 / franbglobal

#socialcare #mentoring #careexperienced #youthsupport #community #healthandsocialcare

“Welcome to Social Care” is a go-to resource for anyone starting a journey in Social Care. You may be seeking care for yourself or a relative, or you may be starting a career in the sector. Whichever the case, “Welcome to Social Care” is designed for you.

Hosted by Michael Butcher, this series dives into the realities of Social Care in England, unpacking questions that you may have, but also providing the inner secrets that Providers want you to know. Connect with Michael Butcher on LinkedIn and join the conversation. 

If you found this episode helpful, please leave a review and share it with your network.

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