As part of our ‘difficult (but important) conversations series, Viv Quick talks to us about the common issues that teenagers have when it comes to sex and pornography. Viv has worked for the NHS since 1960 and more recently has been a school nurse and a young persons sexual health worker. She was awarded an MBE for her work in young people's sexual health.

Tash Walker has been helping and supporting people to understand their gender identity through her work with the Switchboard LGBT organisation. Here she offers advice to parents with teens who have identified as part of the LGBTQ+ community.

Tammy has over 20 years of experience working across the criminal justice and social care sectors. This experience includes operational and management roles in statutory and charitable homelessness services, and as CEO of a charity working to prevent sexual abuse. 

Clare Josa is considered the UK's leading authority on Imposter Syndrome, having spent nearly 20 years specialising in the field, including publishing the landmark 2019 Imposter Syndrome Research Study and her new book: Ditching Imposter Syndrome, which already has readers in over 30 countries. She is the author of eight books and has been interviewed by the likes of The Independent, The Daily Telegraph and Radio 4, amongst others. 

Her background as an expert in the neuroscience and psychology of performance makes her perfectly placed to talk about tips and ‘hacks’ to help your teen deal with the inevitable exam stress. 

Uju Asika is a multiple award-nominated blogger, screenwriter and creative consultant. On her popular blog, Babes About Town, she shares witty, informative and beautifully written stories about London, culture and family life. She is also the founder of digital consultancy, Mothers and Shakers. A former journalist, she’s written for publications such as The Guardian, Time Out and Salon.com and her poetry appears in select literary anthologies. She has now turned her hand to writing books, and ‘Bringing Up Race is released on 24th September 2020.

Born in Nigeria, Uju grew up in the UK and has worked in London, New York and Lagos. She lives in north London with her husband and two football-mad boys (who may have slightly interrupted the interview as it was recorded mid Covid lockdown!)

Useful links:

Bringing Up Race: https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=Uju+Asika&ref=nb_sb_noss_2

Black Lives Matter Clip (warning - some of the language is quite forthright!) https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q5ctljPg20

Liz Loly is a qualified teacher and parent to a delightfully dyslexic son. With a background in communications, which began when working on the London 2012 Olympic bid, Liz now works as a Communications and Education Consultant. Liz is personally and professionally dedicated to sharing knowledge, empowering people and enabling everyone the opportunity and strategies to reach their own full potential.

Useful links:

Touch-type Read & Spell

Oaka revision guides

Tune in to find out all the answers (that we actually have) about what happens when schools return fully in September, as well as what's going on behind the scenes to get everything ready.

Jonathan Lewis is the Director of Education for Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.  

Joseph has come a long way since being expelled from school at 15 years old. Now 30, he’s created (and sold) a nationwide gas installation business, won the BBC Apprentice series of 2015 which made him Lord Sugar’s business partner, and has now set up the Power to Succeed and the Trade Mastermind coaching academies. 

In this episode, he talks about reluctant learners and how parents can support the less ‘academic’ students to be successful. He discusses the issues he faced with not enjoying lessons, but how his love of learning is now stronger than ever. His main message is that whatever stage your teen is at, they need to know their WHY. Why do they need to study? Why will it help them move to the next stage of their life?

Deborah is the author of 'How to keep your daughter from slamming the door'.

As an ex-teacher and a mother, Deborah has a wealth of experience dealing with teenagers.  Join us for some great advice on how to build a great relationship with your teenager (yes, this works for sons too).

Our favourite bit was when she talked about giving your teenagers 'get-out' tips for when they're in an awkward situation - if they know what to say to get out of things with grace, they're less likely to give in to the peer pressure...

http://awesomemomtribe.com/

Download her free e-book 'How to get your happy on' at https://deborahanndavis.com/

WARNING:  This episode contains discussions about suicide and self harm.

Since November 2012, Dick has been visiting schools, universities and organisations to help raise awareness of mental health issues.  Did you know that 10% of young people are suffering from a diagnosable mental health disorder today? Not only does this mean that a vast number of young people are unhappy, but also that they are underperforming at school, college and in the early stages of their careers. The consequences for families, schools and employers are dire.

And yet mental health remains a largely hidden epidemic. There is SO much more that could be done - that SHOULD be done.

https://www.dickmoore.org/