Shout!Podcast

Drinking is a big part of life for many people, but where is the line between drinking socially and having a potentially dangerous addiction? That’s what we’re discussing in the latest episode of Shout!Podcast.

We speak to the Charity’s lead practitioner Andrea Trotman and psychological therapists Charlene Taylor and Izi Dragonetti in a roundtable talk about the impact alcohol addiction can have on others. They discuss the different ways an addiction may be sparked and how easy it is to get stuck in a harmful cycle.

Firefighter Owen Spiers shares how he battled alcohol addiction for more than 20 years, before finally overcoming it following a health scare. He reveals the warning signs he can now identify and how he’s feeling stronger than ever, having received help from the Charity.

Finally, we return to the roundtable to hear their thoughts on Owen’s experience, how it has many similarities to others they’ve seen and the different tools people can use to try and tackle an addiction.

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AJ Whitaker shares her top tips on how to improve your mental wellness and resilience.

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It’s no secret that life in the fire and rescue service is tough and can have a major impact on mental wellness. So in this week’s Shout!Podcast, we discuss the importance of taking care of yourself – and ways to build up resilience.

We speak to the Charity’s Wellness and Behaviour Change Coach AJ Whitaker to delve into both mental wellness and resilience – looking at the different ways your individual wellness can be impacted, while also focusing on how resilience can be learned and nurtured – for example, in retirement.

Then we hear from Kelvyn Thompson, crew manager for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, on how the Charity helped him overcome a very low point in his mental wellbeing. Kelvyn visited Harcombe House in 2019, as he struggled in the aftermath of an incident he’d experienced in Iraq. He explains how the Charity helped him discover the tools he needed to change his life around.

Finally, Kim and AJ reflect on Kelvyn’s story and discuss how he showed incredible resilience following his harrowing experience – before discussing the ways people can become more resilient and how it all starts with asking for help.

We also have another Podcast Plus this week, with AJ sharing her top tips on how to improve your mental wellness and resilience.

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Nursing Services Lead Kath Savage shares how gardening and nature, both indoors and outdoors, can reduce stress. Plus, she reveals tips to make the most of smaller spaces and shares ways of getting the family involved too.

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The last year has impacted all of us, but older generations have been hit particularly hard – whether it’s being stuck in isolation for months on end or facing long health battles. So, as we slowly ease out of the latest lockdown, it’s never been more important to ensure everyone is living well in later life – and we’re discussing ways to achieve this in our Shout!Podcast this week.

Communities Development Lead Clare Hannaford discusses the challenges our older generations in the fire service have faced over the last year, including feelings of social isolation and loneliness, and how our virtual Living Well Groups have helped many connect with each other and socialise from afar.

We also join a virtual group where three beneficiaries share how they have found the sessions “exceptionally useful”, while helping them socialise with like-minded others following difficult times.

Finally, out psychologist Louise Lawton discusses the importance of movement later in life – revealing how getting active can prove hugely beneficial to our physical and mental health – while sharing some simple ways to add activity to your every day.

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Kirsty Gladdis leads us on a guided walk through the wilderness (or wherever you maybe).
Take a set of headphones and head out for a walk from your front door with this 10 minute mindfulness exercise.

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As clocks go forward and we edge ever closer to some semblance of normality, more and more of us will be looking forward to spending time outdoors – and, as we discuss in this week’s episode of Shout!Podcast, it could be hugely beneficial to our physical and mental health.

Charity Nursing Lead Kath Savage sits down with host, Kim, to share how simple things like gardening can not only get our bodies moving and stretching, but also improve the health of our bones, teeth and muscles.

Meanwhile, Shilla Patel, Inclusion Manager for London Fire Brigade, reveals how a “life changing” stay at Harcombe House made her appreciate the power of green spaces in improving her own mental wellbeing.

You can see Shilla’s full story here.

Shilla: “It’s so tiring, having to wear a mask every day, so it’s nice to be able to take that mask off” – The Fire Fighters Charity

And we meet Simon Jakeman from London Fire Brigade who is busy encouraging other firefighters to enjoy nature in an urban environment. He reveals how his vision has literally grown from a few tomatoes in a fire bucket to a string of green spaces in stations right across the country. 

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It’s no secret that regular physical activity has a positive impact on our bodies, but in this week’s episode of Shout!Podcast we’re taking a closer look at how it can also improve our mental wellbeing. 

Charity physiotherapist Laura Connolly and senior exercise therapist Kelly Brown sit down with host, Kim, to share how something as simple as walking the dog, or carrying your shopping, can improve your overall mental wellness. 

Meanwhile, retired London firefighter Stuart Rye reveals how his incredible fundraising effort - which saw him cycle the four compass points of mainland Britain to raise vital funds for the Charity - improved his own mental wellbeing after a harrowing incident.

Stuart's full podcast interview: https://vimeo.com/529404836/b35e863152

And to set you on the path to positive physical and mental wellbeing, Laura and Kelly also discuss how finding something you enjoy and that motivates you is the key to success.

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Here's a bonus episode of our Podcast Plus, featuring a relaxation brought to you by Mary, one of our Nursing Team based at Jubilee House. Set aside 10 minutes to listen, relax and unwind. And don't forget you can find other resources online at www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/relax

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What is the secret to long-term success when it comes to healthy lifestyle changes? This is the topic we're kicking off the new season of our health and wellbeing Shout!Podcast with. Assessment Practitioner Liz James sits down with our host, Kim, to chat through why and how we should be changing our habits for the benefit of our overall health, and why starting small is your best chance of success. County Durham Firefighter Paul Bainbridge shares his incredible fundraising story about running three miles every day for our Charity and the relationship he's discovered between his physical and mental health. If you'd like to, you can donate to his fundraising efforts here. Finally, after a year spent struggling to find motivation to do very much, our Senior Exercise Therapist Kirsty Gladdis chats with Kim about setting SMART goals to inspire us to stay motivated and achieve all that we want to.

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