The Link Podcast

On this episode: Talking simulation with the experts, a definitive student must listen!

"Are you a 'Sage on the Stage'. or a 'Guide on the Side'?"

I speak to two of my favourite people; Amanda Wilford (Senior Lecturer in Simulation & Patient Safety) and Jo Natalello (Lecturer in Simulation & Patient Safety).

Having myself, a long history with simulation practice in clinical areas, and a passion for Human Factors in Healthcare, we all have one thing in common! WE LOVE SIMULATION! and if you are a student at Staffordshire University, you can expect the very best experience when it comes to simulation training in your healthcare studies.

Guide for students!

We talk students listening, through everything to expect from your simulation training at SU! The care and attention that is put into creating a safe learning environment, our state of the art facilities, and the quality of education we aim to deliver giving you the best experience to take back into your clinical environment!

Answering your questions!

We take some frequently asked questions from our current 1st year healthcare students and put it to the panel to explore and give valuable insight to get you just as excited as us about undertaking simulation.

Endorsed, Evidence Based and Ethically Minded

Jo and Amanda also talk about the recent awards they have received for the University, including endorsement from the International Nursing Association for Clinical and Simulation Learning (INACSL).

Our personal journeys into simulation education!

Thinking of a career in simulation provision? Whether you are wanting to simulate clinical practice at a hospital, pre-hospital, in a care home, or like us, at a University! We all share our personal simulation careers, how we got to where we are, the training routes, and how it has shaped what we do now!

Listening externally, or not a student? Then this is still for you!

If you are a simulation practitioner, a technician, or a healthcare professional- we also pull back the curtains on some of the best techniques for some critical methods within simulation delivery, especially what is and what is not a clinical/educational de-brief!



Web links from the show

Are you a Healthcare professional, Simulation practitioner, or thinking of expanding your knowledge in simulation MSc in simulation based education? Did you know that Staffordshire University have the course for you! Facilitated by experts in this feild of practice, with some of the best facilities in the country, accredited and underpinned by international evidence based bodies such as the INACSL and Simulation in Healthcare (SiH).

Click below to find out more!

MSc in Simulation Based Education

Find out more about our standards of simulation practice.

International Nursing Association for Clinical and Simulation Learning (INACSL)



Wellbeing/Mental Health Support contacts

If you are a student of staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].

For our external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention, please reach out and use the links below.

NHS Mental Health Services: Where to get help Contact the Simulation team! Find Jo and Amanda on Twitter and why not follow the University (School of Health Science and wellbeing). Amanda Wilford
@amandawilford [email protected] Jo Natalello @joenatchi [email protected] Staffordshire University @StaffsUniHSW


Upcoming podcasts

Dealing with death in different cultures

Student Perspectives: Being a single parent and a student.

Want to get involved?

We have a state of the art Podcast room, but can pod with you remotely from the comfort of your home/office.

Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod!

Contact The Link podcast team:

e-mail:
Ben Woodrow-Hirst [email protected]
Samuel O’Brian: [email protected]
Jo Natalello [email protected]


Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Produced & Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways

On this episode: Dr Sarah Edwards ‘Engaging in Unexpected Communications’.

We speak to Dr Sarah Edwards who is a Senior Registrar, working within Emergency Medicine.

Sadly, due to the nature of Sarah’s work, she is no stranger to communicating with patients, service users and their relatives/guardians/partners about a very challenging prognosis, or diagnosis.

Following an upsetting family event where this communication fell below standard, and in light of the COVID-19 pandemic, where many of these conversations had to be achieved over a phone conversation, Sarah and some interested colleagues decided to create a comprehensive training program.

This program, which included simulation-based education with professional actors, aimed to help other clinicians and allied health professionals learn, rehearse, and understand how to undertake such conversations. Sarah and I extract all the advice from her work, including recounted clinical stories from our own professional careers, to analyse the features of communication skills that work well, including the pitfalls to avoid when engaging with patients and their closest connections.

We also give tips and practical pearls of wisdom to students of all disciplines which you can put to good use, and hopefully feel more confident when interacting within these situations.

Web links from the show

To access TCTC role play simulations

Time Critical Telephone Conversations: Role Play Simulations

E-learning package: Enhancing End Of Life Care

E-LFH End of Life Care Training

Royal College of Emergency Medicine "Dying matters in the ED"

RCEM learning; Dying Matters in the ED

To get an overview on key features of difficult conversations.

Macmillan guide to communicating bad news



Wellbeing/Mental Health Support contacts

If you are a student of staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].

For our external listeners, mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention, please reach out and use the links below.

NHS Mental Health Services: Where to get help

Find Dr Sarah Edwards on twitter

@Drsarahedwards


Upcoming podcasts

Student Perspectives: Being a single parent and a student.

Want to get involved?

We have a state of the art Podcast room!

Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod!

Contact The Link podcast team: Twitter: @benw_h email: [email protected] Samuel O’Brian: [email protected] or Joe Natalello [email protected]


Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Produced & Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways

On this episode, Rewards and Challenges: Working Within an Organ Transplant Team:

We speak to ex-Staffordshire University student Rob Edge. Rob trained in Operating Department Practice (ODP) qualifying in 2021. Rob now works as an Operating Department Practitioner (ODP) with the National Organ Retrieval Service..

Rob found himself with a life changing opportunity to join National Organ Retrieval Service (NORS) Oxford Team. Rob shares his student experiences; career progression and what life is like working within such an amazing team! Rob is also an advocate and campaigner for men’s mental health and suicide prevention. So within this discussion, we also touch on what Rob does to keep himself mentally healthy, and the importance of reaching out when we need support.

“In 2022, NHS Blood and Transplant (2022) reported the total number of patients whose lives were potentially saved or improved by an organ transplant increased by 27% [from previous years] to 4,324. This is a wonderful reminder of the gift of life donors are giving to their fellow humans”.

Web links from the show

If you would like to know more about organ donation, or how to become an organ donor, click the link below!

Everything you need to know about being an organ donor

To get an overview on organ donation process, watch this short video!

YouTube: Organ Donation in 30 seconds


For mental health crisis lines and suicide prevention, please reach out and use the links below.

NHS Mental Health Services: Where to get help

Find Rob on twitter

@RobEdge16

If you are a student of staff member at Staffordshire University and have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].

Upcoming podcasts

Student Perspectives Mini-Series; Celebrating cultural diversity at Staffordshire University Health Science and Wellbeing: Being a single parent and a student.

Want to get involved?

We have a new state of the art Podcast room!

Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod!

Contact The Link podcast team: Twitter: @benw_h email: [email protected] Samuel O’Brian: [email protected] or Joe Natalello [email protected]


Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Produced & Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways

So, why are we talking about Dungeons & Dragons on our podcast? On this episode, we talk about the many real life-skills, wellbeing, team-building and social benefits of Dungeons & Dragons (D&D) and Table Top Role Playing Games (TTRPG) With colleagues from the University of Staffordshire: 

(See some helpful links at the bottom of the show notes).

Professor Esther Maccallum-Stewart (School of Digital Technologies and Arts) who specialises in game design and world building. She has been playing D&D and TTRPGs for decades! She writes published material for D&D and TTRPGs and is supervising several students who are undertaking their PhD research studies on the various social phenomena's related to D&D.

Martin Tideswell (Director of Community and Commercial Engagement) Has been playing D&D since the 1980’s. His passion has taken him to conferences all over the world, he has run games for friends, colleagues and even for local schools. He has over 4000 minis (figures that represent characters within the game). He has collaborated with Wizards of the Coast (current company owning the D&D franchise) as a European Liaison, and has even won trophies for playing! 

Dungeons & Dragons was created in 1974 by Ernest Gary Gygax and Dave Arneson, who formally, had worked on military games. They released the iconic ‘Red Box’ 1st edition and since then, we are currently on its 5th (2024 updated) edition. Thanks to recent pop culture programs such as ‘Stranger Things’, Big Bang Theory and ‘Honour Among Thieves’ (D&D film), we have seen a welcome resurgence and a growth in popularity of this wonderful franchise, where thousands of new players have been inspired to take a brave step into the diverse world of TTRPGs. 

So, why are we talking about this on a Health and Social care University podcast?!

Well, there are recent studies- especially during the COVID-19 Pandemic, that report the plethora of benefits that are perfect for healthcare professionals, students, and staff alike: Many of which, show that within education D&D/TTRPGs may help to:

- Stimulate students creative and outside-the-box thinking. · Decision making · Deductive reasoning · Strategy creation · Systems thinking · Imagination · Collaboration · Communication, interpersonal skills, teamwork and critical thinking · Executive function · Resilience and confidence in self-advocacy. 

- Facilitate student self-reflection due to the need to self-reflect on behalf of their character based on input from the Dungeon Master or Games Master (DM/GM). 

- Develop social-emotional skills. Students developed confidence in approaching and establishing friendships with new peers – increased imagination and emotional regulation. 

- For neurodivergent students, found that D&D highlighted the use of boundaries, self-autonomy, self-advocation and liberation. 

- Augment mental health and psychological therapy. It is becoming a popular tool within the therapists toolbox, from helping soldiers overcome PTSD, addiction rehabilitation centres, helping men and women overcome domestic abuse and used in schools to help children with Neurodiverse challenges, gain confidence and social skills (to name a few). 

Got a question about D&D? Get in touch with us on Twitter!

Martin Tideswell: @MartinTideswell
Mary-Anne Astle @mary_annastle
Ben Woodrow-Hirst: @benw_h

D&D related Links

YouTube

WASD20: ‘Dungeons & Dragons: A Complete Beginners Guide’

HowToADHD: ‘Making your tabletop RPG ADHD friendly’

Downloads

Free D&D 5e ruleset download

Starter Campaigns (Recommended by Martin Tideswell)

Grant Howitt (2023) ‘Everybody is seagulls’ (adult content) TTRPG, free download (pay what you want) (Mentioned in the podcast).
Click here for more information 

D&D Wizards of the Coast: Template and pre-built Character Sheets resources for play

Articles

Martin Tideswell (EIC) (2020) Stoke-on-Trent Live: ‘How roleplaying games such as D&D can slay lockdown boredom while helping educate your children and keep friendships strong’


Websites

Welcome to Glasgow 2024, A Worldcon For Our Futures (mentioned by Esther)

D&D related Podcasts

Critical Role (adult content)

Dungeons and Daddies (Adult content)

Girls who don't D&D (good beginner listen: Adult content)

Acquisitions Inc. (Wizards of the coast official podcast: Adult content)

Places to play (mentioned)

The Long Rest: Shop and play area Stoke-on-Trent website


If you have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].

Upcoming podcasts

Student Perspectives Mini-Series; Celebrating cultural diversity at Staffordshire University Health Science and Wellbeing: Being a single parent and a student.

Want to get involved?

We have a state of the art Podcast room at BlackHeath Lane!

Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod!

Contact me: Twitter: @benw_h email: [email protected] Samuel O’Brian: [email protected] or Joe Natalello [email protected]


Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Edited and produced By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways Additional background music: Relaxation Harmony “Celtic, Medieval Tavern mic (used under YouTube ‘Royalty-Free Creative Commons License’).

On this episode, Greg Page. Sam has moved back home to the beautiful pastures of Australia, but we are collaborating The Link Podcast with Sam’s new University in Australia in this great sharing of experiences internationally!

Sam O’Brien talks to fellow Australian, and iconic children’s music band The Wiggles.

Greg Page is an Australian singer. Musician and actor. He is best known for being a founding member of the children's band The Wiggles in 1991~2006 and in 2012. More recently they had a reunion tour in 2020.
The average response time to get medical support from a paramedic service in Australia is 20 minutes…

In 2020, Greg suffered a cardiac arrest on stage at a Wiggles reunion event, where he nearly lost his life. Greg owes his life to an off-duty nurse who performed CPR and a team that brought over an Automated External Defibrillator (AED). Greg has since used his experience to raise awareness of these devices. Greg has founded the organisation “Heart of the Nation” to send this message to the people of Australia! Sam and Greg talk about his experiences, the Resuscitation Council UK “chain of survival”, useful apps and everything in between!

Greg Page: @GregPage_Yellow
Heart of the nation: @HeartNationAus
Visit the website: Heart of the Nation Australia
How to do CPR and use and AED Resus Council UK "how to do CPR"

If you have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].

Upcoming podcasts

Student Perspectives Mini-Series; Celebrating cultural diversity at Staffordshire University Health Science and Wellbeing: Being a single parent and a student.

Want to get involved?

We have a new state of the art Podcast room!

Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod!

Contact me: Twitter: @benw_h email: [email protected] Samuel O’Brian: [email protected] or Joe Natalello [email protected]


Hosted by: Sam O'Brian
Produced & Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways

"Mini-Series: Student Perspectives"


This Week! "Being an Autistic Student: Celebrating National Autism Week" (27th March-2nd April)

Did you know Government prevalence surveys last estimated that around one in 100 people are autistic, which means more than 700,000 people in the UK fall under the autistic spectrum.

We speak to student Abi Lewis. Abi is a first-year student children’s nurse. She is also an autistic person. We talk about her diagnosis story, what autism is, some of the common traits, cross overs with ADHD, her personal experiences and how we are working to improve University life for neurodiverse students and staff!

Links from today’s show
National Autistic Society

Autism Diagnosis Information

What is autism?

The Aspie World (Autism/ADHD/Dyslexia/OCD support)

The ADHD Foundation

ADHD Re-wired (ADHD Evidence based support podcast)

If you think you have, or have been diagnosed with a learning difference or neurodivergence, SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE! Disability Support - Current students - Staffordshire University (staffs.ac.uk) or contact [email protected]


If you have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help, contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].


Upcoming podcasts Challenging Work: Perspectives of a Healthcare Worker in a Medium Security Institution
Mini-Series episode 3: Having a Faith & Being a Student.

Want to get involved? We have a state of the art Podcast room! Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let’s Pod! Contact me: Twitter: @benw_h email: [email protected] Samuel O’Brian: [email protected] or Jo Natalello [email protected]


Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Produced Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways

On this episode, Simon Mann.

Sam O’Brien talks to BBC cricket commentator, Simon Mann.

Simon Mann has been commentating with the BBC since 1996, beginning his career on England’s tour of Zimbabwe. He has also commentated from all the Test playing nations.He has also tried his hand at stand-up comedian, football commentary and other sports to date.

Sam talks with Simon about his personal journey throughout his career as well as, diversity, equity, management, and organisational culture.

If you have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].

Upcoming podcasts

Student Perspectives Mini-Series; Celebrating cultural diversity at Staffordshire University Health Science and Wellbeing: Islam and me.

Want to get involved?

We have a new state of the art Podcast room!

Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod!

Contact me: Twitter: @benw_h email: [email protected] Samuel O’Brian: [email protected] or Joe Natalello [email protected]


Hosted by: Sam O'Brian
Produced & Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways

"Mini-Series: Student Perspectives"

"This is a new mini-series brought to you by Sarah Postles (Senior Lecturer, Paramedic Sciences) and Ben Woodrow-Hirst (Lecturer Staffs University). Student Perspectives was created to give a platform to those who bring a variety of experiences of being a healthcare student Giving us an insight into their celebrations, struggles and advice. From faith groups, to age, to neuro-diversity, disability, from different cultures, within the LGBQT community and being here against amazing odds".

"We are excited to dive in to the life stories of students, and sharing the connection and learning that this will bring!"

This Week! "Being a Mature Student"

Did you know that at 21 you are classed as a 'mature student'?! neither did we!

We speak to student Kelly Stokes, Kelly is in her final year as an Operating Department Practitioner...She is also a mature student. We talk about definitions, struggles, wins, re-defining her own pre-conceptions, being diagnosed with Dyslexia, and comparing her thoughts now, against her first days as a student starting in a class during the height of COVID-19 pandemic. Kelly shares her literature review progress, exploring experiences of being a mature student in higher education, and gives her top-tips to any mature students thinking of, or studying in higher education.


If you have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help,contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].

If you think you have, or have been diagnosed with a learning disability or neurodivergence, SUPPORT IS AVAILABLE! Disability Support - Current students - Staffordshire University (staffs.ac.uk) or contact [email protected]

Upcoming podcasts Challenging Work: Perspectives of a Healthcare Worker in a Medium Security Institution
Mini-Series episode 2: Having a Faith & Being a Student.

Want to get involved? We have a new state of the art Podcast room! Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let’s Pod! Contact me: Twitter: @benw_h email: [email protected] Samuel O’Brian: [email protected] or Jo Natalello [email protected]


Hosted by: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Produced Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways

This Month: Rowland Butcher, talking Diversity, Inclusivity and Equity.

Mr Roland Butcher is widely known for being the first black man to play international cricket for England.

Roland is now embarking on a UK wide tour promoting Diversity, Inclusivity and Equity and is sharing his thoughts with Staffordshire University. Roland is an extremely insightful and enthusiastic presenter, and his thoughts and experiences hold lessons we can all learn from.
Roland sat down with Staffordshire University's Sam O'Brien to discuss Leadership, Principles and of course some Cricket.

If you have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].

Upcoming podcasts

More Staffordshire tales with Linda Harty.

NEW FEATURE! Student Perspectives Mini-Series; Celebrating cultural diversity at Staffordshire University Health Science and Wellbeing (coming soon) 👀👀

Want to get involved?

We have a new state of the art Podcast room!

Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod!

Contact me: Twitter: @benw_h email: [email protected] Samuel O’Brian: [email protected] or Joe Natalello [email protected]


Hosted by: Sam O'Brian
Produced Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways

This Month: More Staffordshire Tales with Sam O'Brien, Linda Hartley (Associate Dean: Student Experience).

Linda Joins Sam for some much needed time out, talking about her role within the senior management team, Grandma's Sweet stash and also her formative experiences in life that led her to be so enthusiastic in her position here at Staffordshire University!

Sam Talks with Linda about Life, earliest memories, extensive travel and the runner up in the hottest summer on record! (summer of 1976).

If you have been affected by any of the topics that have been discussed in this podcast, don’t struggle alone, Staffordshire University are here to help… contact Wellbeing Support on 01782 294976 or by emailing [email protected].

Upcoming podcasts

More Staffordshire tales: Watch This Space as we look for more willing podcastees from the staff here at the School of Health Science and Wellbeing.

NEW FEATURE! Student connections focus series; Celebrating cultural diversity at Staffordshire University Health Science and Wellbeing (coming soon) 👀👀

Want to get involved?

We have a new state of the art Podcast room!

Are you a student? Member of staff? A HealthCare worker? Do you have a topic you would like to share? Get in touch! Let's Pod!

Contact me: Twitter: @benw_h email: [email protected] Samuel O’Brian: [email protected] or Joe Natalello [email protected]

Hosted by: Sam O'Brien
Produced Edited By: Ben Woodrow-Hirst
Artwork: Shaun Kelly
Theme Music: Gavin Samways