Surrey Voices: The Disability Podcast

Over February we wanted to celebrate a new holiday; we wanted to learn about Groundhog day and also explore the themes of the famous movie, where the day repeats itself again and again. This is something we all related to, so what better way to motivate ourselves than to learn about breaking cycles and share our goals and hopefully motivate ourselves to try something new.  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tbxv9JMFezg - TEDx Talks

Happy New Year! Welcome back to our latest podcast episode. This month we Interview Andrew from Alcohol Change UK. We talk new years resolutions and we recap on 2025.   https://alcoholchange.org.uk/    

In this Months Episode we put on our woolly hats and wrap up warm to go out visit the Patchwork Garden Project, Run entirely by volunteers they offer gardening, crafting and the opportunity to learn new skills in a safe and friendly space. Dan, David, Andrew and our newest presenter Lewis some of their own experiences volunteering.    https://patchworkinggardenproject.co.uk/   Join us Next Month as we celebrate Disability History Month.

As the Skies turn grey and the leaves turn brown, we reflect on Summer 2025 and some of the amazing festivals people attend all over the UK.    We interview Caroline from DeafZone a long-running initiative that provides British Sign Language (BSL) interpreters for music, theatre, poetry, and other performances to make festivals accessible for deaf and hard-of-hearing attendees.   We also chat to Debs Aspland from Festability, an open air, live music festival accessible to all regardless of ability or impairment. For many people, live music festivals are just a dream, but Festability is making it happen.    https://festability.co.uk/   https://www.facebook.com/groups/107037079346897/?locale=en_GB   - Deaf Zone  

Join us for this special episode where we visit My Time in Reigate a service for adults aged 18 and over who are living with a learning disability and have additional needs such as epilepsy, complex physical / social difficulties, or sensory impairment. https://www.sabp.nhs.uk/our-services/learning-disabilities/day-opportunities/mytime-reigate/myTimeReigate

Join us for our accessible summer holiday podcast as we chat with Gordon from RTC Travel and hear all about Emily Lodge Surrey Choices new Short Breaks service.    https://www.rtctraveluk.com/specialist-holidays-for-disabled-people/ https://www.surreychoices.com/about-your-service/building-relocations/emilylodge/  

This Month we are waving our rainbow flag as we celebrate pride month. We explore the history of LGBTQI+ rights and the Stigmas people face and we are also lucky to be joined by DR Ju Gosling from Regard; The National organisation of lesbians, gay men, bisexuals, transgender, intersex and queer people (LGBTQI+) who self-identify as disabled. Also tune in to our safe travel guide for some tips on how to explore the world safely.  Please see links below for websites mentioned in this months podcast and remember to be kind, we are all learning so if you think there is something we could do better or perhaps haven't got some of our terminologies right please do let us know so we can do better in the future.  https://regard.org.uk/ https://www.equaldex.com/ https://ilga.org/  Happy Pride Month  Loud, Proud and More Inclusive than ever!         

Join us this Month as we explore the world of Asthma and Allergies.  Welcome Back! This month we are joined by Anaphylaxis UK and Asthma and Lung UK as we discuss Allergies and Asthma this Allergy season.  We interview Tracey Dunn Education and Allergy Wise Manager from Anaphylaxis UK, and Debby Waddell Respiratory Specialist Nurse along side our very own Dexter James who shares his Asthma experience.  https://www.asthmaandlung.org.uk/ https://www.anaphylaxis.org.uk/    

Join us as we explore the ways we can make a difference to our planet. We interview our very own Andrew Beales from Surrey Choices who has chosen to be share his experience of a plant based diet and how this benefits not just the planet but our own health too.  We talk about some of the swaps we can all make in our day to day and which company's are actually going green and who's just green washing us. 

This Month we celebrate Neurodiversity. In March it was Neurodiversity celebration week. It's when people are encouraged to think about and celebrate neurodiversity, and challenge stereotypes people might have. Neurodiversity is a word used to describe the different thinking styles that influence how people communicate with the world around them. We interview Georgia from Autistica and Chat about the most recent disability news and share some of our own lived experiences.  If you would like to ger involved please get in touch!! https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cly43png991o https://www.itv.com/news/2025-03-03/disabled-man-left-to-eat-from-bin-itv-news-exposes-appalling-neglect https://www.autistica.org.uk/ If you have been affected by the issues raised, please find help and support at: Access Social Care - provides free legal advice and information for people with social care needs and helps them to achieve a better quality of life.   Samaritans - on 116 123, with further information available at samaritans.org

Join us this month as we discuss Advocacy and how you can advocate for yourself and advocate for others. We interview Talent booker Meg from visABLE people the world's first agency to supply disabled artists to the mainstream advertising, television and film industries. visablepeople.com. https://visablepeople.com/ https://www.instagram.com/visablepeople/?hl=en-gb    

Join us this month as we start of our new year learning all about Dry January. We are joined by Andrew Misell from Alcohol Change UK who tells about how Dry January started and how to get involved. Join in on our Pub Quiz where we test our knowledge on Alcohol and we also speak with Samantha who shares her story with us.  Read Samantha's story  https://alcoholchange.org.uk/blog/samanthas-story-i-felt-like-i-was-leading-a-double-life Get involved  https://alcoholchange.org.uk/    

Debbie's website: https://debbiebridge.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DebbieBridge Twitter:  https://x.com/debbiebridge Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/debbiebridge1/   Bridge Tea House Pop Up Theatre:    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgeteahousepopuptheatre   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeteahousepopup.theatre/     Wellness Gathering:  Home | Indigenous Disability & Wellness Gathering (indigenousdisabilitygathering.com)   Supported Employment  November is Indigenous Disability Awareness Month - Canadian Association for Supported Employment  

Join us as we explore Accessible Education and share some of our experiences.  We are lucky to be joined in this months podcast by Claudia Merlini from Ravensbourne University and Joe from Accessibyte, an audible and Highly Visual online learning tool.    https://www.ravensbourne.ac.uk/ https://www.accessibyte.com/  

Join Debbie and Navid for this Months Podcast all about Black History Month.   Debbie's website: https://debbiebridge.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DebbieBridge Twitter:  https://x.com/debbiebridge Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/debbiebridge1/   Bridge Tea House Pop Up Theatre:    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgeteahousepopuptheatre   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeteahousepopup.theatre/     

In this Months Podcast, we discuss accessible gaming. How accessible are our consoles? And what is the latest tech to help assist with game play. We chat with the British E sports Federation and find out about how they are working hard to make the gaming industry more inclusive. We also speak with Julien from Everyone Can, A Manchester based Charity who specialise in assistive technology.    https://britishesports.org/ https://everyonecan.org.uk/  

Join Debbie and Navid for this months talk all about Emotional Support animals.    https://usserviceanimals.org/blog/esas-in-canada/ https://www.esaorgeu.com/ https://www.certapet.com/emotional-support-animal/canada/ https://www.emotionalsupportanimals.org.uk/uk-law/ https://www.esaorguk.com/DEFAULT.html   Blossom’s Instagram   https://www.instagram.com/blossomator/   Laws getting worse on Emotional Support Animals https://www.cheapairportparking.co.uk/blog/travel-guides/emotional-support-animals-on-planes https://uksupportdog.com/blog/emotional-support-dogs-on-planes-uk https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-49564227    Sign The Petition to change the status of emotional support animals!!! https://www.change.org/p/make-emotional-support-animals-uk-legal?redirect_reason=guest_user    Debbie's website: https://debbiebridge.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DebbieBridge Twitter:  https://x.com/debbiebridge Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/debbiebridge1/   Bridge Tea House Pop Up Theatre:    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgeteahousepopuptheatre   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeteahousepopup.theatre/  

Join Andrew and David for this months episode where we discuss The Olympics, The Paralympics and we visit our Longmead Community Hub with John and Rob where Surrey Choices launched its latest eco initiative and we give a massive shout out of Good Luck to Lizzie. 

Debbie Bridge returns to recap her performance at Chichester Fringe and to discuss this month’s topic of Disability Pride Month. Furthermore, she announced her monthly show; this being the first episode in the series.   Debbie will be performing Shirley Knot the Siren at the Phoenix Arts Club, London on Friday August 8th at 6:30pm, tickets can be bought below  https://phoenixartsclub.com/events/shirley-knot-the-siren/  Debbie's website: https://debbiebridge.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DebbieBridge Twitter:  https://x.com/debbiebridge Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/debbiebridge1/   Bridge Tea House Pop Up Theatre:    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgeteahousepopuptheatre   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeteahousepopup.theatre/  

This Month we explore the advancements in technology, the development of AI and how Human Augmentation isn't as futurist as you might think. We discuss the potential Tiktok Ban and the Pros and Cons of social media.  We interview Callum a former Social Creative for Lad Bible and interview Sarah an AI expert.   

Join David and Andrew for this Podcast on The general Election. David and Dan discuss what they would do if they where Prime minister.  We visit our Longmead hub who are holding their own election for advocacy speaker and interview Ankita Sharma a local councillor.  https://www.learningdisabilityengland.org.uk/news/latest-news/voting-resources-2024/ Please find below some of the manifestos from some of the parties; other parties and manifestos are available.  https://labour.org.uk/change/manifesto-accessibility/ https://manifesto.conservatives.com/ https://www.libdems.org.uk/manifesto https://greenparty.org.uk/about/our-manifesto/ https://www.reformparty.uk/policies Below is breakdown by the BBC of who should I vote for and what are the parties promising  https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cxeez8271nvo  

Join us as we speak with Debbie Bridge a singer, actor and performer who will be performing her piece Shirley the middle aged Siren at The Chichester Fringe this week.  Shirley the middle-aged Siren is a delightful exploration of the trials and tribulations faced by a middle-aged female siren, washed ashore in Chichester from the bustling metropolis of New York. Through witty anecdotes and soul-stirring melodies, Shirley bares her heart, tackling themes of aging, body image, and resilience in a refreshingly candid manner Her journey, marked by years of chronic pain and uncertainty, has only strengthened her resolve and resilience. Through sheer determination and a deep understanding of her body, Debbie continues to pursue her passion for performance while advocating for greater awareness around disability issues.   Debbie's website: https://debbiebridge.com/ Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/DebbieBridge Twitter:  https://x.com/debbiebridge Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/debbiebridge1/   Bridge Tea House Pop Up Theatre:    Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bridgeteahousepopuptheatre   Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bridgeteahousepopup.theatre/  

This Month we are Talking about World Hunger Day. Around the world, women and children are facing malnutrition due to war, famine, climate change and more. Over Billion adolescent girls and women suffer from malnutrition today. This Month we are Lucky to speak with Diane Gault from the Hunger Project and this year they are shining a light on nutrition for new and expecting mothers We speak with Karen from Besom at Camberley and Musa from our very own Longmead Food Bank.   https://www.worldhungerday.org/ https://www.thebesomincamberley.com/ https://www.surreychoices.com/      

Join us as we celebrate national pet day. National pet day is a day for us to come together and celebrate the joy that pets bring into peoples lives and encourage people to help reduce the number of animals in shelters.  We wanted to talk all things animals and find out how we can do our bit to advocate for animals.  PETA https://www.peta.org/ RSPCA https://www.rspca.org.uk/ FOUR PAWS https://www.four-paws.org.uk/ Magic Ponies  https://magicponies.co.uk/        

This Month we explore English Tourism week. We Speak to Judy Bec from Boomtown festival who tells us all about what to expect this summer and how their festival is more accessible than ever and find out what's happening at Kew, we speak to Eleanor Cocks about how to make the most of your visit with their huge range of events and activities.  https://www.boomtownfair.co.uk/ [email protected]   https://www.kew.org/ kew.org/community-open-week    

This month's Podcast is all about Time to Talk and breaking down the stigma around Mental health. We speak with Connie from The Mary Frances Trust and David from Anxiety UK and Join us for a guided meditation and take 5 minutes for yourself.  Guests https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/ https://www.maryfrancestrust.org.uk/   Help and Information https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/ https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/    

Joined by Dr Belo Cipriani of Oleb Books, Gordon Jackson from Guildford Book Fest.    https://belocipriani.com/ https://olebbooks.com/ https://www.guildfordbookfestival.co.uk/   Produced by David Lance, Carinder Malhi, Natasha Hall, Dan Tromp, Matthew England, Andrew Wray.   

Joined by Nationwide-Gatwick Airport-Freedom Leisure  In this months podcast we continue to talk about accessibility. We explore accessible services and ask what companies are doing to be more inclusive to all consumers.   https://www.nationwide.co.uk/ https://www.takefive-stopfraud.org.uk/ https://www.freedom-leisure.co.uk/ https://www.gatwickairport.com/      

 This Month we are supporting Purple Tuesday. Accessibility is important to our team at Choices Waves, and we wanted to talk to different areas of the community to see how accessible these places really are. We speak with AccessAble about how to find accessible places and the importance of accessibility.   We talk with Hassell Inclusion about how companies can train to be more inclusive, TFL talk to us about public transport and getting out and about. We head to London to chat with the science museum about accessible information.     https://tfl.gov.uk/  https://www.hassellinclusion.com/  https://www.accessable.co.uk/  https://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/  https://purpletuesday.co/ 

This month's Podcast is hosted by Poppy, Matthew and Martin. We wanted to explore Sexual Health week which was the 11th-17th of September. But we wanted to do it a little differently. We explore the world of disability Dating and relationships. Carinder, David, Dan and Tash chat with Rachel who is doing amazing research on LGBTQ+ and disabilities, Stephen from Pryzm about Discobility , Jamie from Mayhem in Woking and Lucy from Meet N Match, a Disability dating agency.  www.facebook.com/LinkAbleWoking www.instagram.com/linkable_woking www.linkable.org.uk/events/mayhem-october https://fixr.co/event/discobility-tickets-680844574 https://www.pryzm.co.uk/club/kingston-upon-thames/   https://www.meet-n-match.co.uk/ https://www.choicesupport.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/supported-loving

This month its all about the environment. We chat with Just Stop Oil, The Surrey Wildlife Trust and visit Newlands Corner with The Surrey Hills Society and Surrey Choices' Growth team.    https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/syr/ -IPPC Report    https://hubble-liveassets.s3.amazonaws.com/mylife/redactor2_assets/files/2853/Easy_Read_Guide_to_climate_change.pdf - Climate Change Easy Read   https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hundreds-of-new-north-sea-oil-and-gas-licences-to-boost-british-energy-independence-and-grow-the-economy-31-july-2023 - .gov press release    https://www.surreywildlifetrust.org/ - Surrey Wildlife Trust    https://surreyhills.org/ - Surrey Hills    https://juststopoil.org/ - Just Stop Oil   https://www.surreyhillsarts.org/wonderdusk/ - Tickets for WonderDusk   https://freewheelerstheatre.co.uk/ - Freewheelers    

This month's podcast is all about Down syndrome. Our host Matthew shares his experience. We hear from Lorni from the Down's syndrome Association, Pops chats with Helen from PSDS and hear from Nicola Enoch from Down Syndrome Uk.  Find the link to her Tedx Talk below;  How I nearly terminated my son through ignorance.  Links  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4RDyT-pnMo   https://downsyndromeuk.co.uk/   https://www.psds.info/   https://www.downs-syndrome.org.uk/  

This month's podcast is all about Learning Disability week. Our host Tash shares her experience and chats with Dan. Martin and Salvatore meet Ciara; from Mencap who hosts her own podcast show.  Jackie Doe tells us about books beyond words and how to get involved and Future Choices get excited for Wimbledon.  Links Surrey Choices - Every Life, Every Chance - Surrey Choices https://pinksparklepod.com/ https://booksbeyondwords.co.uk/    

This month, our host David explores men's mental health and men's sheds, which are a growing success around the world in combatting men's mental health. Adam talks to an ambassador from the Men's Shed Association, and our colleague Katie visits our own shed to talk to Nigel. We also talk to people at Surrey Choices about mental health and unwinding. Links Surrey Choices - Every Life, Every Chance - Surrey Choices Home - (menssheds.org.uk) Samaritans | Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy | Here to listen 

Join our host Peter to mark World Autism Awareness Day which was on April 2nd. We're talking to Simon Tobin, who has autism and speaks publicly to educate others, and a parent whose child has autism. We also hear stories from some of those at Surrey Choices who have autism. Links Surrey Choices - Every Life, Every Chance - Surrey Choices Autism Awareness- Simon Tobin | Facebook  Music by: Coma-Media | Pixabay

March 26 was Purple Day, so what better time to focus on epilepsy? What is it? What medical help is available? What causes seizures and what should you do when someone has one? Well, here’s a hint: calm cushion call. And one more question, why purple? Well, stick with us because today we find out.  Join our host Matthew, and interviewers Carinder and David, as we explore epilepsy. We talk to the experts at Epilepsy Action and Epilepsy Society. Links: Surrey Choices - Every Life, Every Chance - Surrey Choices Epilepsy Society | Transforming lives through advocacy, research and care https://epilepsysociety.org.uk/what-we-do/campaigns/zachslaw  Home - Epilepsy Action Music by: Coma-Media | Pixabay

Join our host Michael to talk about independence! This month, Martin talks to Simon about supported living and Dorothy about the Sunnybank Trust. How do different living arrangements and charities help us gain our independence? Also, Jane tells us how she encouraged her daughter to become independent, and Tash talks to her parents about the journey from school to adulthood. Links Surrey Choices - Every Life, Every Chance - Surrey Choices Home | Sunnybank Trust  Sunny Sessions | Sunnybank Trust  Swag disco (sunnybanktrust.org)  Music by: Coma-Media | Pixabay  

Happy New Year! Today we're talking about inclusivity, which is one of Surrey Choices' core values. We talk to Ross about feeling included at work, Jordan and Rob about the LGBT community, and Lucy and Chantelle about inclusive language. We also hear from vocational team staff about how they put inclusivity into practice in their jobs, and special guest Daniel from the Royal Association for Deaf People. Links: YouTube link to RAD conversation with subtitles: Daniel - Royal Association for Deaf People - YouTube Home - Royal Association for Deaf people (royaldeaf.org.uk) Twister for LGBT: Support for young people who are LGBT+ - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk) Autism Speaks:​ https://www.autismspeaks.org/lgbtq-information-and-resources​ Ambitious about Autism:​ https://www.ambitiousaboutautism.org.uk/what-we-do/awareness/inclusion/lgbtq?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI3bKFqKG29gIVgrTtCh1_9Q4ZEAAYAiAAEgL9BfD_BwE​ Stonewall:​ https://www.stonewall.org.uk/help-and-advice​ The Aspie World:​ https://www.theaspieworld.com/ Music by: Coma-Media | Pixabay

Join a group of guest hosts for this Christmas episode of Surrey Voices!   This episode has an interview with Lisa Curtis from the Ann Craft Trust about safeguarding and Disability History Month, some conversations with the speakers at our Choices Together event, and some Christmas catch-ups with a few people who have been on the podcast this year.   Timestamps   [10:42] Choices Together speaker Amanda from Surrey County Council   Advocacy, self-advocacy, and money-saving tips during the winter. Health and welfare support - Surrey County Council (surreycc.gov.uk)   [18:01] Interview with Lisa Curtis from Ann Craft Trust about safeguarding and Disability History Month Ann Craft Trust: Safeguarding Adults and Young People at Risk   [35:20] Choices Together speakers from NHS Annual health checks Reasonable adjustments Making reasonable adjustments - YouTube   [44:53 ] Choices Together speaker Cheryl from Travel Choices Planning your travels Helping hand cards  Helping Hand assistance card - Brighton & Hove Buses Music by: Coma-Media | Pixabay

After many episodes exploring the issues that people with disabilities and sensory needs face, this month we are switching the focus to the carers to coincide with Carers Rights Day 2022. We ask: who do we mean when we talk about carers? What challenges do they face? What are they entitled to and who is there to help? How did they feel about being clapped for during the pandemic? Also, find out why our colleague is swimming 1000 lengths for Action for Carers, get an insight on working in social care, and discover what it takes to be an award-winning Shared Lives carer. Links: Action for Carers | Supporting carers of all ages across Surrey Surrey Choices is fundraising for Action for Carers (Surrey) (justgiving.com) Freewheelers Theatre: an inclusive theatre company - Surrey Music by: Coma-Media | Pixabay

October 6th was World Cerebral Palsy Day, so we invited Dan to host a show about cerebral palsy. With conversations with Richard Luke from Scope and members of the Surrey Choices community, Dan is here to help you better understand CP and share the experiences and opinions of those who have it.  For comments or questions or to get involved, email [email protected] Links Tromp Entertainment  Surrey Choices - Every Life, Every Chance - Surrey Choices  Home | Disability charity Scope UK  Let's Talk Showbiz with DJ Dan 21.10 by Choices Waves | Mixcloud  The Employment and Community Support service helps customers with volunteering, work experience and employment for people with support needs (surreychoices.com) 

Volunteering is a great way to connect with and give back to your community. We meet some volunteers and follow the Growth Team at BBC Make a Difference Awards. Annual conference 2022 - CP Scotland varb.org.uk

This month, guest host Dexter James explores the topic of wheelchairs. Are our towns geared up for wheelchair users? How are social attitudes changing? How does wheelchair football work? And what do we think about the so-called Tiktok "hack" of getting through airports faster by faking a disability? Surrey Choices - Every Life, Every Chance - Surrey Choices

For many young people, summer means the Duke of Edinburgh Award! We follow a crew of intrepid youngsters as they take on the DofE challenge as part of our Future Choices programme. https://www.surreychoices.com/

This week on Surrey Voices, Adam meets David Man and the young team of mechanics, and David Catchpole interviews Rachel about the gardening at Longmead. Surrey Choices - Every Life, Every Chance - Surrey Choices

It's Shared Lives Week! What's Shared Lives, you ask? Adam didn't know either, so he went to meet four families who share their lives with SC Customers. Email Us: [email protected] Email Shared Lives: [email protected]  

Mental Health Week was 9th - 15th May. To mark this, we talk to one Surrey Choices carer who battled lockdown loneliness by visiting people on her bike. We also meet Tash, who runs a Creative Recovery Course. Surrey Choices Website Solent Mind Mental Health stats

On Surrey Voices we follow the achievements of people at Surrey Choices, and explore the issues which impact disabled people. We talk to Michael about enduring stress at work, and meet mental health first-aider Phil Mack. In Choices Voices, we hear some stressful stories and get some advice about de-stressing. Email us! [email protected] Produced by Choices Waves 

Welcome to Surrey Voices! We follow the achievements of people at Surrey Choices, exploring the issues which impact disabled people. Today we meet Luke. He and the Growth Team have been keeping the Surrey Hills an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. We also introduce two regular sections of the podcast, Choices Voices and Above and Beyond. Email us! [email protected] Produced by Choices Waves