If it’s possible to be a celebrity In the world of caregiving, then there’s nobody with more star power than our very own Dave Austin.

Everyone knows him. Everyone loves him. But not everyone knows his story - both in the 34 years he’s spent with Diverse Abilities, or in the mysterious time before…

Join us for another lifer’s fabulous story, and discover just long and illustrious a career you can make in the caregiving profession!

This episode covers:

• Dave’s inspiring 34-year journey, showcasing career progression and the many roles within the sector

• The power of person-centered care and how it transforms lives for both staff, and the people they care for

• Positivity, adaptability, and lifelong learning in overcoming challenges and making a difference

• The lasting connections built among staff, families, and those who we support

• Dave’s story as living proof that that care is anything but a short-term or limited career

Dave Austin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-austin-302871273/

Clare Rochford 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Nursing staff are at the heart of everything we do at Diverse Abilities, so it’s an absolute shock to many when they discover how they’re funded… or rather, not.

All nursing staff are fundraised, and to paint a vivid picture of just what joy is made from that fundraising, we’re joined on Reasons to Care by Amy Savill and Hollie Adams!

Join us to explore the unique daily life of a nurse at Langside and The Beehive, the transformative work that they do for children and adult services, and how you can support these inspiring people.

This episode covers:

• The critical importance of nursing staff in supporting children and adults with complex needs 

• How nursing enables not just education, but the community participation too

• A holistic approach to care focusing on individual growth, independence, and personal achievements

• The challenges of having no dedicated funding from NHS or local authorities for nursing services

Sponsor a Nurse:

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/nurses

Amy Savill

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-savill-a7224a251/

Clare Rochford 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Caregiving is so much more than a job to pass the time; it’s a career that can last a lifetime…

While Charlotte Snowshall is early in her journey with us in Short Breaks, she has a transformative story that will inspire the passionate, curious minds thinking of care as a career!

Join us on Reasons to Care this week, as we hear what turned a temporary role into years of life-changing work, and just how far her career could take her.

This episode covers:

• Charlotte's journey from short breaks crew member to management, showing that care work offers genuine career opportunities 

• The transformative impact of initiatives like Little Squirrels

• The personal passion and energy that underpins caregivers’ careers

• Misconceptions around care work as a temporary job with no progression

• How care goes above and beyond basic support, creating meaningful experiences for those with additional needs

Clare Rochford 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Head over to our website to check out how you can get involved - https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

Forget what you know about day centres - The Beehive is a world where creativity and connection thrive!

Chelsey Mills is Manager at The Beehive, and she’s perfectly placed to show us what joy Diverse Abilities’ day centre for adults with disabilities really brings to the lovely people we support.

This episode covers:

• Fostering understanding and acceptance of disabilities through early interactions, especially with children

• How individualised care adapts to each person's unique communication style to provide tailored support

• The diverse and engaging activities that The Beehive offers

• How personal connections and family inspire fulfilling careers in care and disability support

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

The people we support are all capable of extraordinary things, and they deserve a chance to be recognised for every step of progress they make.

That’s how the OPT Award came to fruition, and its creator Lynda Larke is with us to kick off our latest series of Reasons to Care!

Join us to discover how the OPT Award can help inspire the people we support to achieve the impossible, step outside of their comfort zones, and create opportunities!

This episode covers:

• The introduction of the OPT Award, and the success stories that it’s given rise to

• Educating society about the capabilities of the people that we support across Diverse Abilities and beyond

• How structured support helps people to overcome fears and break boundaries

• The importance of empowerment through recognition

OPT Award

https://www.optaward.org.uk/

Clare Rochford 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Sports and movement should be for everyone, which is why people like Helen Montgomery are such heroes for bringing sensory sports to life at Langside School!

Mirroring real life events like the football World Cup, Wimbledon and Olympics can be the source of inspiration, creativity and delight for all the children we support - discover how sensory sports unlock doors as Helen joins us on another charming episode of Reasons to Care.

This episode covers:

• The unique, dynamic role of a physiotherapist at Langside vs being a community physio

• Transformative experiences enabled by creatively adapting sports

• The confidence and social development that comes from creating such inclusive opportunities 

• Incredible events that Helen has brought to life, like the ‘Langside Olympics’

Clare Rochford 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Diverse Abilities this year celebrates its remarkable 70th anniversary, and so it’s a joy to look back at how Dorset’s disability charity has grown with the daughter of our Founder!

Diverse Abilities was set up to support Wendy Barfoot’s sister, Marilyn, and Wendy joins us to share the evolution of Diverse Abilities, her growing role in its history, and how our impact has grown from such humble beginnings.

This episode covers:

Clare Rochford 

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Oh what a wonderful time of year to spread love and Christmas cheer, and there’s nowhere more caring and kind than the hearts of our Christmas caregivers.

In one of our most heartwarming episodes of Reasons to Care, we’re celebrating all those who give so much at Christmas time by sharing our favourite stories - from trees carrying on a beloved man’s legacy, to Secret Santa and bauble-swapping shenanigans!

This episode covers:

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

David Flatman is not only an England Rugby star and pundit, but he’s an incredible ambassador for the Down’s Syndrome Association, and his story is such a heartwarming one…

Having grown up with a brother who has Down’s Syndrome, it’s a joy to hear him share how the family bonded together to give him a life of fulfilment, independence, and love!

This episode covers:

David Flatman: https://www.instagram.com/dflatman/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-flatman-5972b517/

Clare Rochford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/