No Ordinary People - The Pyjama Foundation and the 'Power Of One Hour'

A child in care looks you in the eye and asks, “How much do you get paid to do this?” That single question gets to the heart of what kids in out-of-home care often miss most: a dependable adult who chooses them, consistently, without a transaction attached. In this episode of No Ordinary People, Jade sits down with Bronwyn Sheehan OAM, founder and CEO of the Pyjama Foundation, to explore how one hour a week can rebuild trust, support early literacy, and gently shift the trajectory for children living in foster, kinship, and residential care.Bronwyn’s journey began early, with a deep awareness of inequality, and was further shaped through her work as a nurse and midwife, where she witnessed the realities many children face from the very beginning. Those experiences made it impossible to look away and set her on a path toward action.A defining moment came when Bronwyn met an 18-month-old boy, newly placed in care - frightened, unsettled, and disconnected. What he needed wasn’t complex: routine, warmth, and someone to show up. That realisation became the foundation for the Pyjama Foundation, built on a simple but powerful idea - that one consistent adult, showing up week after week, can help a child feel safe, valued, and ready to learn.Today, the Pyjama Foundation supports children living in foster, kinship, and residential care through its Pyjama Angel program - volunteers who spend one hour a week reading, playing, and building trust. It’s a model grounded in early literacy, but driven by something deeper: connection, choice, and consistency.Together, Jade and Bronwyn unpack:- The moment a child asks, “How much do you get paid to do this?” - The 18-month-old boy who shaped the creation of the Pyjama Foundation- Why trauma impacts brain development, learning, and literacy outcomes- How “choice plus consistency” helps children feel safe enough to engage- What makes a great Pyjama Angel- How initiatives like National Pyjama Day are building awareness and actionThis is a conversation about trust, belonging, and the power of showing up — and what becomes possible when every child has someone in their corner, simply because they choose to be there.If this moved you, subscribe, share the episode with a mate, and leave a review so more people find these stories and help kids in care feel seen.This episode was recorded at the Nova Entertainment studios.Pyjama Foundation Contact DetailsWebsite - www.thepyjamafoundation.comNational Pyjama Day - Fri 24th July 2026 - fundraise.thepyjamafoundation.com/event/Email - [email protected] Facebook - @facebook.com/pyjamafoundationInstagram - @https://www.instagram.com/thepyjamafoundation/No Ordinary People is produced by Jade Harley, Director of Impact at UnLtd.This podcast shares the real stories of charity founders driving change for children and communities across Australia, especially those impacted by trauma, poverty, racism, and family and domestic violence.Every story is a reminder: hope is built one small act at a time.Brand identity and cover design created by my beautiful friends at Cocogun.Got a story to share or want to get involved? Reach out to [email protected], rate, and share to help amplify these voices.Connect: Instagram @noordinarypeople_podcast and LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/in/jadeharley