Taking Action

This episode takes us back into the territory of community activism and empowerment and that is something that is at the heart of this series. Terry McTernan has a great story to tell about Ferguslie Park and the people who live there. Often highlighted, Ferguslie had become a byword for the extent and impact of deprivation. Sadly, it had often appeared to be a graveyard for efforts at regeneration and recovery. Terry tells a very different story a community that helped itself. One which made impressive progress when the people who lived there were empowered and encouraged. He echoes much of the work and thinking of Rebecca Solnit in her books, especially  "A Paradise Built in Hell" and "The Beginning Comes After the End" and these are just some of the references made in this wide ranging conversation about how we really need to address industrial decline, unemployment, poverty and all the impacts of adversity, including adverse childhood experiences.It is fulll of ideas and passion and is a genuinely encouraging and uplifting conversation

It is wonderful to come back to the film "Love and Trouble" which we first discussed  in episode 4 of series 1 of this podcast when we spoke to Christo Hird from Dartmouth Films. I now get the chance to talk about not with Kenny and Kerry who are the subjects of the film. I really admire both of them for the way that they have addressed the challenges and issues that they have faced and for the courage and openness that they have shown in allowing the film maker, Amy Hardie into their lives. Amy is a talented and sensitive person and her qualities, combined with the willingness of Kenny and Kerry to share their lives, have created a remarkable film.Showings of the film can be organised through the Scottish ACEs Action Community. If you would like to host a screening for your community or organisation, get in touch with Suzanne Zeedyk [email protected].  She will tell you how Scotland’s ACEs Action Community can help you.There are screenings scheduled for for the School of Health and Wellbeing at Glasgow University on the 11th May -https://www.gla.ac.uk/events/listings/index.html/event/14695Glasgow Clyde College on 19th May - [email protected] Dundee College on 20th May https://dvva.scot/news/love-and-trouble-screening-and-qa-with-da-college-20th-may/Keep an eye on the Scotland's ACEs Action Community Facebook page for details of all screenings.

I am absolutely delighted to be able to release this podcast with Laurie Ellis.It is our first episode dealing with all of the issues, which we have dealt with in other episodes, in the world off sport, Laurie makes clear how important it is that everyone dealing with young people, whatever the context, needs to understand them and respond to their characteristics, experiences and needs.He talks brilliantly about how football academies have to develop players who are ready to move into the first team at their club, but to do more than that, They need to make sure that there are no barriers to their progress from developmental issues or trauma that are not addressed through understanding and the building of relationships. He also recognises the need for coaches to help in the overall development of the young people in the academies. I love his comment about producing "warriors" ready to give their all for their team, but also to be "warriors with compassion". He makes the case that, while coaches have a clear responsibility to their clubs, they have an essential responsibility to the young people who are ion their care.It is an encouraging account of how the culture of, at least some, of football academies has changed and how aware Laurie and other coaches are of the complex world that young people are being prepared for. In Laurie's case, this awareness has led him to seek more learning and information and to engage with the Scottish ACEs Action Community.This is a programme which should engage sports fans, parents and anyone interested in the development of Scotland young people.

We are back with a bang! Season 2 of Taking Action kicks off with the indefatigable Melanie Stuart, FE lecturer, activist and more. The list of links and references set out below will give you a flavour of the range of this conversation. Mel is open, honest and brave and shares her own personal development in these notes and on the show, but, above all she gets stuff done which is what taking Action is all about.It's one for anyone interested in FE, culture change and courage Relax KidsThis is where the journey began for me, learning about ACEs and how the brain works. As part of Relax Kids training in Scotland, we met Jane Evans, whose work had a significant impact. Link to Jane Evans work which I use in lessons with students https://youtu.be/qKlzd-H2X9w?si=CBbVRsbjXhw8-dbzWebsite: https://relaxkids.com/Hand in Hand ParentingWanting to know more I then discovered Hand in Hand Parenting. The connection-based approach resonated deeply, and The Secret Garden in Fife became my youngest daughter’s nursery because they embedded this relational, connection-first philosophy.Website: https://www.handinhandparenting.org/An anecdote of mine https://www.handinhandparenting.org/2018/10/how-to-talk-to-teenager The Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery: Training in the Hand in Hand Approach - Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery Mel's business Facebook page, a combination of mindfulness and connection based parenting work: https://www.facebook.com/MindfulConnectionsWithMelanieListening Partnerships (Hand in Hand Parenting)Listening Partnerships have been central to my own growth and embodiment of trauma‑informed practice.Overview: https://www.handinhandparenting.org/2016/08/listen-launch-post-what-is-a-listening-partnership/Dundee and Angus ACEs Hub (Now Aces Action Community)The hub began in 2018 after an Upstart launch event at Dundee University, watching the Resilience documentary at the DCA, and meeting others committed to change.Website: https://dundeeangusacehub.wixsite.com/dundeeangusaceshubFacebook: Dundee & Angus ACEs Action Community | FacebookACE-Aware Nation Conference – 2018 ConferenceMindfulness Action Research (CAIRN Article)Enhancing Student Wellbeing: The Impact of Mindfulness Exercises on Subject Based Anxiety in Further Educationhttps://www.cdn.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Enhancing-Student-Wellbeing.pdfEIS FELA (Further Education Lecturers’ Association)The union representing FE lecturers across Scotland, including the Dundee branch.Main site: https://www.eis.org.uk/FELA/FELA-HomeFE Matters Campaign / Dundee Branch ContextFor updates on FE campaigning activity, industrial action, and ongoing sector concerns, see Fighting for the Future of Further Education on Facebook.Fighting for the future of Further Education | FacebookHear2Connect (Community Connection Work)Hear2Connect supports connection-based community work.Private Facebook: hear2connect community | FacebookPrivate LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/16096108/Scotland ACEs Action CommunityA national community sharing learning and supporting trauma‑informed action across Scotland.ACEs & Trauma Scotland Forum | FacebookACESAction Community Scotland Forum | Groups | LinkedInCarnoustie High - CrewWhat Crew is EL Education - Building the Culture and Structure of Crew And here is the link to join our screening for those who wish to sign up for the Dundee & Angus College screening of- Love and Trouble - a documentary exploring how trauma lives inside relationships –https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=mQQF_bgn1EKWzZGmwHUsn3ZbWeBjwIRDtBGMEzy1gf1URUtPVlZBODZCWkxOUjRBQlhVVkxQ

Welcome to the final podcast of series 1 of Taking Action. I will now be 'taking stock" and "taking a break" instead. the podcast will definitely be back, maybe with a renewed focus, format and frequency. Please look out for a return in mid-February. In the meantime, please check out previous episodes on Buzzsprout, Apple and Spotify.I had no doubt about how I wanted to finish off this first season and that was with a look back at this year, both through the podcast and the wider set of actions to mark the 20 year anniversary of Scotland's ACEs Journey. I also wanted this too be a forward looking episode and I think we have achieved both goals.This is a relaxed and wide ranging conversation which rounds off the series as I would want it to. It is filled with hope.If you wan t know more about what has been happening in Scotland over the last 20 years, here are some useful linksFor the graphic film telling the story of Scotland’s ACES Journey: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hik0_sfbF6IFor the booklet telling the story of Scotland’s ACEs Journey: https://connectedbaby.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ACEs-Journey-book-screen-190625.pdfFor an even deeper dive into Scotland’s ACEs Journey:https://connectedbaby.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ACEs-Journey-info-June-25-2025.pdfFor the 2023 paper by Zeedyk & Partridge tracing the ACEs history: https://connectedbaby.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ACEs-Journey-Article-.pdfFor a video of the Gala Day held in June 2025:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PbP5ZbyMCBEWe will also be releasing a graphic image showing the range of people involved in the podcast. It is a powerful illustration of the diversity of sectors, organisations and individuals who are working to make Scotland a more just, compassionate and equitable country .Look out for that on Linkedin, Bluesky and X

This is an episode which I have been longing to record. John Carnochan and Karyn McCluskey are, for me, towering figures in Scotland's ACEs movement. They were founding members of the groundbreaking Violence Reduction Unit established  within the Strathclyde Police Force (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Violence_Reduction_Unit). They would both give credit to others for the building of that unit and they do that on the podcast, but they were instrumental in its success. Both are charismatic, clear-sighted, pragmatic and principled. They helped to change the culture of policing in, what was then, Strathclyde Region and influenced change far beyond that.They tackled what was then an appalling climate of violence in Scotland and had the courage to turn their backs on the standard remedy of more police, harsher punishments and a massive increase in the prison population. They recognised that "prevention" and "deterrence" were not synonyms and were prepared to tackle the causes of crime.They saw the importance of improving public services, memorably calling for more health visitors rather than more police officers. They listened to victims and to perpetrators and drew widely on data and research and they had an impact.They are both wonderful communicators with the ability to generate stunning phrases and aphorisms at the drop of a proverbial hat. They understood, and understand, the power of stories and used that relentlessly to engage, motivate and inspire others.Above all they brought, and bring, an intense humanity to all that they do. They are as far from the caricature of "bleeding-heart liberals" or "woke warriors" as it possible to be, but they are unafraid to argue with John Major's assertion that we need to"condemn a little more and understand a little less". They are clear that, regardless of how we deal with crime and criminals, we will change little without understanding, curiosity and a willingness to learn.Remarkably, they not only manage to illustrate all of these points in this episode, they also help us to reflect on the ACEs movement more generally  and the lessons that we need to learn.It is an episode worth learning fromFor anyone interested in finding out more about the VRU, here are a number of linkshttps://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/feb/25/scottish-violence-reduction-unit-radical-changehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UhFDsONaA5Yhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JjvqUWl4lkA

This episode really moves us into the final phase of this series of "Taking Action" - (look out for an announcement about future plans soon). We are going to be "looking in" with Warren Larkin to see how Scotland looks from an external perspective. We are then going to look back with John Carnochan and Karyn McCluskey, before we look forward with the return of Suzanne Zeedyk Warren Larkin is remarkable. As I describe him in the programme, he is a Renaissance Man of the ACEs movement. You will get details on him from his websitehttps://warrenlarkinassociates.co.uk/ and it is impressiveHis own education story is fascinating = https://warrenlarkinassociates.co.uk/2018/01/08/about-warren-larkin/During Covid, Warren headed up a Resilience Task Force to try to mitigate long-term impacts.  Here is a link to one of those videos in 2020:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzYr39Cwobg He is particularly well known for his work promoting Routine Enquiry about Adversity in Childhood - the REACh model.  He talks about this in his podcast.https://warrenlarkinassociates.co.uk/portfolio-items/routine-enquiry-about-adversity-in-childhood-reach-programme/Here is the work he is doing to build trauma-sensitive schools now:https://warrenlarkinassociates.co.uk/portfolio-items/trauma-sensitive-schools/He is a lead partner in a project working in schools to help them develop an understanding of trauma informed practice.  Again, he talks about this in his podcast. https://schoolsweek.co.uk/home-office-and-yef-fund-5-8m-trauma-informed-practice-research/That pedigree and his wide experience make him a perfect guest to offer an external perspective on the ACEs movement in Scotland. He delivers that with passion, humour, insight and depth.  I know I always say this, but I always mean it, this episode is worth your time!

I know that people can listen to this podcast anytime, but it is being posted as the Christmas edition for 2025 and it is, appropriately, a cracker!!Suzanne Zeedyk has been mentioned in a number of the earlier episodes and has, clearly, been hugely influential in the efforts to make sure that the Scottish public is a familiar as possible with the science of ACEs. The idea for this "Taking Action” series stemmed from Suzanne's vision for a year of celebration to mark the 20 years of Scotland's ACE's journey. Many of the guests have come from connections that  shehas fostered.For all of these reasons it seems wonderfully appropriate to mark the last of our 2025 episodes with her thoughts. It is also appropriate that this is the first of two episodes that we will record with Suzanne. We plan to take a break over Christmas and New Year and return on the 9th of January when we will feature Warren Larkin, Professor, Consultant, Speaker, Trainer, Psychologist and more, giving us reflections our achievements in Scotland from an external perspective. This will be our “looking in" episode. We will then follow that with the redoubtable Karyn McCluskey and John Carnochan (the "redoubtable" applies to both of them!!!) talking about the original establishment of the Violence Reduction Unit in 2005, which kick started the efforts  being marked in this year of celebration. It will be our "looking back" episode.After that we will conclude the series with Suzanne and I jointly "looking forward”.In the meantime, please enjoy this episode which reviews the series so far, exploring Suzanne's background and current work, which stands alongside what she has done in the 15 years she has been working with the public.Here are lots of links to explore if you want to contact Suzanne or find out more and follow up some of the aspects of our discussion.Suzanne’s website:  www.suzannezeedyk.comconnected baby website:  www.connectedbaby.netArticle written by Suzanne (2023) on the history of the ACEs Movement in Scotland:https://connectedbaby.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ACEs-Journey-Article-.pdfGraphic booklet on Scotland’s ACEs Journey, created by connected baby: https://connectedbaby.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ACEs-Journey-book-screen-190625.pdfArticle by Suzanne (2022) on disseminating science to the public, in which she takes about the power of stories: https://mindinmind.org.uk/thought-pieces/science-of-attachment/Discussion with Piers Cross and Suzanne Zeedyk (2020) on boarding school trauma: https://www.piers-cross.com/aem-podcast-36-suzanne-zeedyk-ph-d-aem-36-suzanne-zeedyk-developmental-psychologist-attachment-theory-aces-trauma-boarding-schoolSubstack articles on Fierce Curiosity: https://suzannezeedyk.substack.com/Feedback video on Daring Ventures Programme in Fife: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kw9GLoV3Sz0What Then Must We Do by Tolstoy: https://philoonbooks.wordpress.com/2015/04/05/what-then-must-we-do-by-leo-tolstoy/

I have been keen to record another episode of this series which focussed on Further Education to follow up the wonderful episode with Jackie Galbraith from West Lothian College. Kirsten Harrold is a worthy successor. Kirsten is a brilliant combination intellect and rigour, with a deep knowledge of the theory of child development and of attachment, and a resolute pragmatism and practicality. All of that is delivered in a completely unpretentious way laced with energy, enthusiasm and humour.She is a great guest with a great story to tell. The training offered to early years practitioners at Edinburgh College is exemplary. They are really well-supported. Every detail of the courses and the context in which the courses are delivered is given deep thought. Kirsten is full of ideas about how to create a culture, how to maximise the potential of students and how to establish an environment for learning.She and her colleagues have also gone well beyond what we might traditionally think of as courses and she talks about some off the events which the team have run out of the normal college timetable. This has given students access to really influential thinkers like Claudia Gold and  Iain McGilchrist and others. This is a classic example of how we can set high standards and expectations while still recognising the needs of students and the importance of positive relationships.The latest example of this is a screening of the film Love and Trouble https://www.screen.scot/film-in-scotland/made-in-scotland/film/love-and-trouble which we discussed with film distributor Christo Hird in another episode of this series. That showing will be at Edinburgh College on the 15th of January and details of how to purchase tickets will be available from the College nearer the time.

This episode marks our quarter century. It also marks a bit of a departure in that it is a discussion with Louise Marryat and reflecting on her 2019 research into ACEs in Scotland. It is about a different sort of taking action, but we wanted to get an overview of where we were in terms of the prevalence of ACEs in Scotland. As the conversation develops it does much more than that. It delves into the impact of poverty in Scotland and elsewhere. That underlines the need for us to take political action, as well as personal and professional action, to improve the lives of those affected by ACEs. It enters into the discussion that we need to have about the tendency to blame those  in  poverty for their situation. It explores the importance of data and evidence. It offers hope by looking at the annual Growing Up in Scotland cohort study which is a major commitment on the part of Scottish Government.Louise argues that the study does inform policy at a time when it too often appears that policy is driven by short-termism, focus groups, vested interests, over-powerful media owners and a political party which is not even in power. It seems that we need that sense of evidence driven policy and ethical commitment to counteract growing cynicism about, and disengagement from, mainstream democratic politics.This episode  is thought provoking and goes much more deeply into some of the big issues that we face in trying to make Scotland a more equal and compassionate country

This is a really important podcast for me. I realised that we had recorded 23 episodes and not included anyone from a black or minority ethnic community. That led me to reflect on how little engagement there has been between these communities and the ACEs movement in Scotland so I wanted to explore why that was the case.I also wanted to explore the whole area of anti-racism, highlight examples of action and see where there could be more overlap with the ACEs movement.Kwaku Adjei ań ideał person to do that with. He worked with the Council for Racial Equality and Rights - https://www.linkedin.com/company/crer-scotland/?originalSubdomain=uk. In that role he worked directly with schools advising, supporting, teaching and dealing directly with instances of racism, supporting victims and using restorative practice.He currently works with AdRESS - Advocacy for Race Equality in Schools Scotland - https://www.adresscotland.org - building on the work that he previously did with specific schools. The focus, as the name suggests, is very much on advocacy and support. Kwaku has certainly taken action and we talk at length about that, but we also discuss the big questions about how we bring together the ACEs movement and the anti- racist movement. We talk about communities with common challenges affected by disadvantage, stigma and trauma and how we might work together better,We recognise that racism and othering appear to be becoming increasingly common and question whether divisions between communities are encouraged rather then resolved.We can often be complacent in Scotland about our commitment to tolerance and equality and this podcast challenges that in, what I think, is a positive and constructive way

I am delighted to be releasing this episode of Taking Action for a number of reasons.First, and most importantly, it features two really committed and passionate people in Gwenne and Jennie, who have an excellent project to talk about.Secondly, it highlights work in health, which is an area that I haven't featured enough in the series.Thirdly, it touches on a lot of themes that have been developing across this series. Their work recognises that childhood trauma may have long-lasting effects on self-regulation, mood and behaviour and can increase the likelihood of developing adult mental and physical health conditions. This growing awareness has led to mental health services becoming necessarily more trauma informed. This is reflected in a paradigm shift in nursing education, which is moving from a diagnostic model of trauma care to a psychological, trauma-informed approach. The emphasis is on what has happened to the person instead of what is wrong with the person.The University of Stirling developed a new undergraduate nursing curriculum based on the six principles of trauma- informed care published by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. This has led to the development of the (T)AASKED model, the aim of which is to equip nursing students with the skills and knowledge to work in a trauma-informed framework and to improve the experience of mental health service users. Jennie was central to the initial development of this work and Gwenne is currently taking it forward.Here is a super video about this work https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fhMgzKjRvxsThe Stirling Programme is featured in the ACEs Journey video:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hik0_sfbF6IIt is featured also in the booklet: https://connectedbaby.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/ACEs-Journey-book-screen-190625.pdfAND it features in the academic paper Suzanne Zeedyk  wrote on Scotland’s ACEs  Movement, published in 2023.  In fact, the paper ends with a quote from Brodie Paterson, whom Jennie mentions in the podcast as one of the team who developed the Stirling Programme.  https://connectedbaby.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/ACEs-Journey-Article-.pdf

Angus Bell's story is remarkable. His experience of attending a well known boarding school in Scotland is utterly horrific, but Angus has certainly taken action. He took legal action against the school that he attended and won a significant settlement from them. He gave testimony to the Scottish Child Abuse Enquiry. Both of these actions took considerable courage. They meant confronting his own awful experience and the damage that it had done to him. They also meant taking on very powerful forces, which we can legitimately talk about as "the Establishment" in Scottish society. He has been prepared to be public about all that has happened to him and to engage with the media and with the police.To his considerable credit he has not done all of this not  in a spirit of retribution or revenge, but in a genuine effort to ensure that what happened to him will not happen to others. He is always positive and determined to discuss what can be done to improve the situation for young people in boarding schools now and in the futureHe has also taken action to overcome his own trauma and talks interestingly and informatively about how he has done that, This is only one of the ways in which Angus's interview resonates far beyond the world of boarding schools. He is very aware that many of those who attended boarding school are not casualties as he was, but are damaged by the experience nonetheless. They still occupy a disproportionate number of key positions in our society and the damage that they carry is then transferred to wider society.He is also describing bullying and the abuse of power which too many young people experience in other contexts, so this is an episode which has much for all of us to reflect on and learn from, regardless of our background.Angus  highlights the work of Seen & Heard https://seenheard.org.uk/ who have been a huge help to him and that of the Edinburgh Academy Survivors group https://easurvivors.info/Angus is interested in sharing his experience and ideas more widely and can be contacted at [email protected]

Upstart Scotland - https://upstart.scot/ - is a remarkable organisation. Here's the link to a very old video by way of introduction https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMaxhELpG7I. It takes a special campaign to bring together academics, writers, educationalists, forest schoolers and police, but Upstart does that and more  It has engaged parents and politicians and built partnerships to attempt to establish a Kindergarten stage and a later start to formal education in Scotland. What it hasn't managed to do is to make that change a reality and we hope that listeners will go online and sign their  petition to the Scottish Parliament. You can hear Willie talk about that in the podcast. What Willie also manages to do is to place the campaign in context. It is not simply about a structural change in education. It is about building resilience and agency in our children. It recognises the pace of change in our wider society which Willie likens to a speeding bullet train while change in education barely keeps pace with Stephenson's Rocket, which, as almost everyone will know, is an original train with no resemblance to a rocket. It recognises the loss of childhood, the mental health crisis and more. It is a wide-ranging discussion and an important one for all of us.

I am really proud that we have reached 20 episodes of this podcast and am very pleased that it is an interview with Jennie Seed, Deputy Headteacher at Carnoustie High School. Jennie is a classic example of someone meeting Jaz Ampaw Farr's challenge to us to be 10% braver.Jennie is someone who has been prepared to learn from all sorts of experience, in practice, in reading and through learning from other people and then make the effort to translate that learning into meaningful change.Jennie is someone who has overcome her own modesty and humility to become a leader, not because it would make a difference for her, but because it would make a difference for young people and for colleagues, She has a remarkable ability to bring together all of her learning and her personal awareness and experience and translate all of that into effective communication with colleagues. She is also someone with great natural insight. She understands the importance of getting the culture right and of winning hearts and minds.As a result, the schools that she has worked in have made changes and made them successfully. She has excellent evidence that secondary schools can have a more caring, committed approach and still maintain an effective climate for learning. That flies in the face of a lot of the criticism that is widespread in Scotland of the alleged commitment to inclusion, positive relationships and more restorative practice. These approaches can be successful but they need to be based on respect and support for staff, thorough and sustained training, a willingness to listen, reflect and learn and make changes to the approach when necessary.Helpfully, Jennie can talk about transition in two  very different schools. It makes for a quietly inspirational conversationJennie makes some great linksPaul Dix -https://www.pauldix.org/Nadine Burke Harris - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nadine_Burke_HarrisDarren McGarvey - https://darrenmcgarvey.com/Chris Kilkenny - https://x.com/KilkennyChris?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthorhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5hP0S0v8DEGabor Maté - https://drgabormate.com/Nicky Murray - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oGLGuco-L_gMark Finnis - https://www.linkedin.com/in/mark-finnis-46663414/?originalSubdomain=ukhttps://l30relationalsystems.co.uk/services/education/This episode is a treasure trove!!

I am always amazed at how many people are doing things to try to make Scotland a more caring, compassionate and just nation and the different ways that they find to do that. My guest on this episode is a classic example of this. I wanted to have Laura McGlinn on the podcast because of the short film that she had made about Tina Hendry. Here is the comment about Tina from a blog on the Mind Waves site http://www.mindwavesnews.com/the-words-i-couldnt-say-my-tribute-to-tina-hendry-by-laura-mcglinn/Tina Hendry was one of Scotland’s most vocal ACEs campaigners.  She was talking about adverse childhood experiences long before there was a Scottish ACEs movement, and she had a massive impact on the spread of awareness of ACEs science across the country.  It is absolutely true. Tina played a remarkable role as a campaigner, carer, policewoman and more in making people think differently, raising awareness of the challenges that so many Scots faced and how we might address these challenges.Laura's film had a big impact when it was shown at the ACEs Journey Gala Day in Cumbernauld in June this year and we focus a lot on that. Here is the link to the film https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_aHqEjD7jl4. It is a lovely tribute to Tina. Thankfully, we also find time to talk about Laura and all that she does to take action. Here is a taster - She is involved with the Tannahill Centre which you can find out about here https://share.google/jX8wagMfFrlDkfw35- She is also involved with Mind Waves  https://share.google/KJmXgvbGtGNIMXepmMind Waves received funding from See Me/SAMH and created "People Like Us" a Podcast series about the effects Poverty has on Mental Health across a diverse group of people and groups. - She supports Jade Kilkenny and Amanda MacDonald and their Facebook group https://www.facebook.com/groups/323891784826525/?ref=sharent  She has very open and supportive Instagram account https://www.instagram.com/p/CHVa3MrDMGe/- and still finds time to run The MindfulImage which is a hashtag and brand associated with Laura McGlinn Photography It combines photography with mindfulness and wellbeing. The project focuses on using photography as a practice to connect with the world, ground individuals, and advocate for mental health. It is connected with the #TheWellbeingSignpost and #TheMindfulCharm hashtags. https://www.facebook.com/share/1AB8ap9QWw/As I said at the start of these show notes, there are lots of ways of taking action and Laura is certainly finding them

I am aware that the episodes of Taking Action are getting longer and this is one of the episodes that justifies that. Apart from the fact that Fiona Duncan, who led the  Review leading to The Promise  and is the Independent Strategic Advisor on The Promise, and advises Scottish Ministers in this capacity,  is a very impressive guest - articulate, bright, committed and passionate with a total command of the interview - The Promise (https://thepromise.scot/) deserves time for exploration and update. It was a groundbreaking commitment to changing the way that Scotland takes care of all of its children and young people particularly those who are in the Care System. We know that we have done badly by these young people. A previous report was entitled "We can and must do better", but, in reality, it made littler no difference. Its title remained true.The Promise was different. It involved people who were in, or had experience of, the Care System to a far greater extent and it did that more systematically. It brought together the voices of experience with those who had the executive capacity to change the system.More than recommendations, it brought commitments. It was also impressive in the quality, and extent, of the documentation. It had seriousness and status.It brought hope that, finally, we had a review that was really going to make a difference.Unfortunately, optimism in Scotland can be short-lived. Perhaps our experience of other reviews has bred cynicism. We also live in a world that is obsessed with the short-term and is reluctant to engage with complexity. There is a sense that The Promise has had its day in the media spotlight unless it offers grounds for criticism of the government or those charged with ensuring that The Promise is kept.There is also a natural and justified sense of urgency. We want to make changes for the young people who are in the system NOW, so I wanted to ask the question "what action is being taken?". That is what this episode does.In response, there is a fascinating conversation about the complexity of making change, the circumstances in which we have been trying to make that change, the need for deep cultural changes as well as changes in policy and procedures and also about significant progress and essential groundwork in preparation for further change.I really hope that people will listen to this podcast and visit The Promise website. The children to whom we have made The Promise are the children that we have taken responsibility for. We have decided that they are better in our care than that of their parents or other carers. That is not a responsibility we must take seriously. It is heartening and hopeful to hear how seriously Fiona Duncan takes it.

I hope this is as much of a treat for you to listen to as it was for me to record. As is very apparent in the episode, I am a huge fan of Blue Rose Code and of Ross Wilson's work, but the interview is much more than a piece of self-indulgence. Ross has taken action. He has a real sense of service and makes that clear. He shares his own experience and history and talks about its impact, He shares his knowledge and understanding of trauma and its impact and he thinks deeply and profoundly about that he does. The conversation is studded with quotes and references - Gabor Maté, Neil Young, Van Morrison, William Blake and George Bernard Shaw jostle for space among a range of other citations. There is deep discussion of music, particular some of Ross's songs, the task of performance, the role of the artist, the power of anger and we still find time to touch on masculinity and what it might really mean to be a man.It picks up on one of the constant themes of this series, that we all need to do what we can with the abilities and skills that we have and the opportunities that we are offered, if we want to make a positive difference in the world.You can check out Ross's website here https://bluerosecode.com/ where you will find details of upcoming shows and the chance to buy albums and other merchandise. I cannot overstate my enthusiasm for the range of his music. Every album offers something differentYou can also find his music and merchandise on the redoubtable Bandcamp site, where artists get a better deal, especially if you purchase on Bandcamp Fridayhttps://bluerosecode.bandcamp.com/Blue Rose Code live is always moving and entertaining whether it is Ross on his own, in duet with the wonderful Lyle Watt, as a group or as a big band. The schedule of shows is on the website, but please look out for Sounds for the Soul on Friday 21st November. It is for Medical Aid for Palestine. It is in the glorious setting of St Mary's Cathedral in Edinburgh at 7.30 and it is a stunning bill including the Bevvy Sisters, the Soundhouse Choir and more. It will be a great night for a great cause and, if you go, you will be taking action!Ross has his own podcast -  Och, Brothers! Where art thou? -with his good friend Pietro, where they explore manhood and masculinity from the point of view of men who are, in Ross's terms, not "bampots"!!!Finally, as a thank you for listening to this episode we finish with "Sadie", one of the songs from Ross's excellent, latest album "Bright Circumstance"

I am delighted by this episode for all sorts of reasons. Ciara Burke is a joy to talk with. She is effervescent, full of enthusiasm and generosity. I felt energised simply by hearing her. She also has a great story to tell. What Midlothian are doing as a Council, based on their understanding of the impact of poverty, of disadvantage and of disruption on the lives of too many of the people who live there is remarkable. Ciara, along with colleagues and elected members, is trying to ensure a consistent culture across the Council. Together they want to ensure that the 6 principles of trauma-informed practice - safety, collaboration, trustworthiness, cultural consideration, choice and empowerment - are embedded in the way that everyone working in the  Council goes about their work. That commitment extends to Councillors as well.They want service responses to be consistent and predictable.They also want to make sure that these are working principles, ensuring that services are designed with communities and that they respond collaboratively to the needs of individuals, families and communities.My final reason for being delighted is that this episode closes a gap in the series. It shows that it is not just individuals and voluntary organisations who are taking action. We need action at Local Authority and government level alongside these other contributions and it is wonderful to see such a great example of  this happening. It is also good to hear Ciara giving credit to Scottish Government for its commitment to training, funding and support.I think there are valuable lessons here for all of us and it is a superb reminder of the principles that we need to uphold if we are serious about becoming a compassionate, understand, trauma-aware nation.

This is another instance where the quality of the recording does not match up to the quality of the content. Thomas Seisay is a wonderful example to all of us. He and his husband adopted two children who had both been in the care system. That marks them out as caring, committed and compassionate even if they had not done anything else, but they have done so much more. They saw the challenges that their son faced and then  their daughter and did all that they could as parents to support them. They then felt that  was not enough. If their children, emerging from the care system, needed more love, more care and more opportunities, other young people from the same sort of circumstances would need that too. They asked themselves the question "what can we do, not just for our family, but for others?"The answer was to establish Haus of Seisay. It's a charity providing training through SQA and SVQ courses in hairdressing for looked after young people. They already ran a salon and provided training through that, but they made the commitment to concentrate that on those who needed it most. You can read the story on their website here https://hausofseisay.org/home.Thomas has been told that the "business model" wouldn't work, but, in the words of the great American writer James Baldwin, 'Those who say it can’t be done are usually interrupted by others doing it." Thomas was doing the interrupting!The model is working and is generating amazing successes. Young people are blossoming through getting the right sort of support. Haus of Seisay offers so much more than vocational training. They work on confidence, wellbeing, employability and, above all, they put the young person at the centre and tailor whatever they do to their needs..Please check Haus of Seisay out on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/hausofseisay/ or on X https://x.com/hoshairdressingor look them up on Linkedin and think about supporting them. Thomas is a classic example of "do what you can, and use what you have". He and his colleagues have done that and a lot of young people are benefitting from it

I hope that the title for this episode got your attention. It was difficult to know what to call it, but it was delight to be part of it! Essentially, it is me trying to interview Angela Gardner from St John the Baptist Primary School in Fauldhouse - and not Falkirk as I suggest - Eileen Brennan, from Our Lady of Lourdes in Blackburn, West Lothian and Frances Burns from St Joseph's in Whitburn. In reality, it is like herding budgies with me trying to keep up as three fabulous headteachers interact, interrupt and tell a wonderful story of schools who are genuinely countering disadvantage. I should also mention Eileen's watch which keeps making unscheduled guest appearances!!All three heads are enthusiastic, joyful, resolutely positive and always constructive.They have done a massive amount in their schools from changing culture and policy around behaviour to establishing professional supervision for staff. They speak about all of that with great modesty and are very quick to give credit to each other and to those who have informed, inspired and motivated them, notably  Dr Jenny Nock, from Jenny Nock Training and Consultancy whose Attachment and Trauma Sensitive Schools Award really encouraged them and Dr Suzanne Zeedyk who will be well known to listeners to this podcast. They recognise Suzanne's contribution to beginning their efforts to improve their schools and communities and her ongoing support.They are too modest. All three have been brave, creative and imaginative. They have taken bold decisions and I am delighted by he success that has brought and the recognition that they have already received.This may sound like an "education episode" but it reaches beyond any defined audience and underscores the message that the three heads give - make small changes, do what you think is right and be prepared to learn from mistakes. 

Following on from the inspirational conversation with Danny Gemmell, here is another wonderful example of individual and community activism. Sandra Sutton is a force of nature. She is full of drive and energy and she has devoted that to the former mining village of Twechar in East Dunbartonshire. Twechar could have been another dying community left behind after the pit closure and the impact of economic change. Instead, it is thriving. It has a growing population and a vibrant community and much of that is thanks to Sandra. Twechar is a community that refused to sink into depression and demise. Villagers fought to protect their community centre when it was under threat of closure. They took it over and transformed it into a genuine hub for the village.The range of activities around the centre is striking. I love the work that they do on local history building pride in the village and recognising the legacy of those who have gone before. That is only one example of the activities, so listen and find out more.Sandra is wonderfully dynamic. When she was asked why she had done so much and given so much to Twechar, her answer is simple, direct and powerful - "I could, so I did"At a time when our society is riven by individualism and isolation, Sandra offers the benefits of collectivism and community. I was completely energised by her. She revived hope for change, not through the big political parties or policy changes at national level, but through taking our futures into our own hands and taking action to make these futures better. If we can do that, we can make the case for the bigger changes and put pressure on our politicians.This is also a classic Taking Action podcast. The sound is not top quality and you will need to out up with some echo, but the content makes that more than worthwhile. We are not professionals and we won't always be recording in the best environments, nor have the best of connections, but, as in this episode, we are telling stories worth listening to

One of the great things about doing this podcast is getting to meet someone every week who is doing something remarkable to implement what they know about the impact of trauma and the healing power of relationships. It gives me hope art a time when that can be a rare commodity. Danny Gemmell really adds to that list of outstanding people. I hope that everyone will check out his website https://www.beinnunity.co.uk/.It is really professional and beautiful, so much so, as I say in the programme, that  I updated mine! It is beautifully written, imbued by the science of ACEs and trauma and filled with wisdom.Most importantly, it is full of action and activity. Be-inn Unity reaches out to schools, veterans and anyone that needs assistance or help. They use the outdoors, see the value of nature, offer certificated courses and vocational education and just innovative approaches and technologies to create communities. Their work with veterans alone would have deserved a programme.Their impact is undoubted. They can barely cater for the demand for their services. And it is more than that, Danny is a voice of lived experience who has had to work to heal himself, well supported by his wife!! He shows what we can all be capable of. I found him genuinely inspiring. I know that you will too

This episode is with the remarkable Juliet Robertson. It focusses on her collection of poetry, Blood Lines, which deals with the trauma of living with a diagnosis of terminal cancer. The book is astonishing. The poems are in different styles. Some are deeply moving, some are upbeat and funny. All of them offer insights into what it is like to live with the pressing certainty that life is limited. It is a collection which offers comfort and inspiration in equal measure. It is for those who share Juliet's circumstances and for those who love them and care for them. It is for anyone who wants to understand better how one might feel when one's life is turned upside down.Collectively the poems are even more powerful. They offer a real window into the experience that any of us might have or have to confront.The conversation is  positive. Juliet is a very brave, creative and open person and that is what comes across in the podcast.If you want more you can hear a reading one of the poems here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QfPjlcitRwsIf you want to check out the anthologies that Juliet mentions, here are the linkshttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Set-Me-Fire-Every-Feeling/dp/085752626X/  https://www.amazon.co.uk/She-Fierce-Brave-Beautiful-Poems/dp/1529003156/You can also buy Blood Lines from Crown House Publishing with a 25% discount using the code TakingAction25You can use the same code to purchase Unfinished Business - The Life and Legacy of Tim Brighouse which I helped to edit.I recommend both books, but this is all about Blood Lines and what we can learn from Juliet. You will feel better for joining the conversation.

Siobhan is doing something remarkable. She combines all that she knows about the science of connection and trauma and brings that to life through the creative arts. Siobhan is part of Anam Alba - https://anam-alba.com - an organisation with a marvellous heading on their website                                      Creativity forges Connection.                                     Connection inspires Creativity.They have demonstrated this through their production , The Little Iceberg - https://anam-alba.com/the-little-iceberg-story/ - which was a joy to watch. It is a musical based on the children's story of the same name - https://connectedbaby.net/product/the-little-iceberg/ and both are well worth checking out. Siobhan talks about all of this as well as her songs and her new project. She is irrepressible and absolutely bubbles with energy and enthusiasm throughout the conversation, characteristics reflected in her work.She is generous about colleagues and collaborators and together they are having a real impact. They have tackled the Edinburgh Festival Fringe which was a massive risk and showed enormous courage, but it is also testimony to the commitment of Anam Albato sharing what they know and what they can do. Siobhan's ambition is to bring people together, to engage them, inform them and inspire them to find their own creativity and to take action for themselves.I think this podcast might achieve all of that

I have been looking forward to this conversation since I started recording the Taking Action series. Iain Smith has done a massive amount to try to ensure that the justice system in Scotland recognises, and takes account of, the impact of trauma on people's lives. It is challenging work as Iain is so aware of the need to support the victims of crime as well as taking account of the circumstances of the perpetratorsIain feels that his greatest achievement since he began campaigning was the introduction of the Young Persons Sentencing Guidelines which have been operational from January 2022 onwards. Many Law Schools now teach trauma aware law and the Law Society of Scotland run a specialist accredited course for lawyers on Trauma. As Iain says "The raising awareness of trauma is really the start for change. Real change is created by how individuals and systems “respond” to this knowledge. That’s trickier. The justice system rightly focus’ on victims but fails to understand the vast majority of those who perpetrate crime start off as victims. Their victimhood is too soon forgotten in our desire for retribution and punishment."That courage to take on what is often an unpopular view - remember the response to the other David Cameron's comments  when he moved away from John Major's dictum that "we need to condemn a little more, and understand a little less - is admirable. In Iain's case it is balanced with sensitivity and an awareness of the complexity of the all that the Justice System tries too achieve

It was a privilege to record this conversation with Sarah Lathan. Her book, Creating a Trauma Informed Classroom is outstanding.  It offers excellent support and advice for educators in any context. It is based on Sarah's experience, deep knowledge and understanding and it also offers a superb summary of the research, and the other texts, which inform the book. By my reckoning, it distils almost all of the books that you would otherwise have to read to become better informed abut the impact of adverse experience and how we should deal with that in our schools, If you have the time and energy, it will whet your appetite to learn more.Despite all that the book brings, it is admirably concise and clearAs well as being a great author, Sarah is a lovely guest, patient through a series of hassles and glitches, which were all my fault, thoughtful, responsive and open.Routledge have provided a discount code - 25EFLY3 n- for 20% off the price of the book on their website (Creating a Trauma-informed Classroom) but the book is also available from Amazon, Waterstones, Bookshop.org and from most book retailers.Listeners can follow Sarah on X at @lathan_miss (https://x.com/lathan_miss) or find her on Linkedin (https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-lathan-107558336) and I highly recommend that you do and also take advantage of the discount offer. You willl not regret either action

This episode explores the impact of boarding schools on those who attend them. It is an important issue not only because to the damaging effect that it can have on individuals, but also because a significant number of ex-boarders attain significant  power and influence. It could be argued that the trauma that they have suffered has a far wider impact Morag Edwards is an ideal person to discuss all of this. She  was a pupil at a co-educational boarding school in Scotland from 1965 to 1971.  She also worked as an educational psychologist for over thirty years, with a career focus on children who had experienced early relationship trauma and neglect. She has written about her experience of boarding school under the author name Isobel Ross. The book is titled 'Almost Boys – The Psychology of Co-Ed Boarding in the 1960s' handsets her experience within a framework of developmental psychology, attachment theory and ACEs: ‘The publication of ‘Almost Boys’ introduced Morag to other ex-boarders questioning the existence of boarding education within our current knowledge of developmental psychology and attachment theory. Morag now aims to use her professional background to help others understand the psychological implications of early boarding on young children. She also writes historical fiction under the name Morag Edwards. The latest novel in her Jacobite Trilogy, The Jacobite’s Heir, will be published by Bloodhound Books in September 2025. She also writes contemporary fiction as Isobel Ross. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Almost-Boys-Psychology-Co-ed-Boarding- ebook/dp/B0CRLF8M6L/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1ULU0GK14SN8Z&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.Its WHUAcbwLlFfk-Page 2 of 2F41KIw.Ah1HA8VXoM6_CH3jyRQb1ryLDDLFhmeSASs1RSZicwc&dib_tag=se&key words=almost+boys+isobel+ross&qid=1753279931&sprefix=Almost+Boys+%2Caps %2C80&sr=8-1Morag has been closely involved with Seen & Heard https://seenheard.org.uk/ who  work to support those affected by their boarding school experience and the influence boarding schools to address the issues raised by Morag in this podcast

This episode celebrates two remarkable people. Jordan and Sean prove that we can overcome trauma and addiction. They are testimony to the possibility of recovery and much more. Their film "Junkie" premieres on August 4th and 5th, details below. `It has been described as providing "a raw look at the world of drug addiction, taking us on a deep dive into the politics that frame the debate about responding to Scotland's shocking statistics of pain and loss. This is a gripping film of courage and activism" I have only seen the trailer, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GXolpdHHOQo and I am convinced that it  is an essential contribution to a vital debate about Scotland's drug crisis. Jordan and Sean are just as impressive in person - open, honest, insightful, prepared to face their own pasts and think about all of our futures.You can get information about the film premiere here - https://www.skiddle.com/whats-on/Glasgow/Cumbernauld-Lantern-House-Theatre/Junkie-Documentary-Premier/41208415/ There are very few tickets left, but please think about how to get the film seen more widely and make sure that more people hear from Jordan and Sean

This is another remarkable episode. Emily Laranja is part of the staff at Lynburn Primary School in Dunfermline. She leads on their nurture provision and it is a model of good practice. She talks about that and also about the school's involvement in Daring Ventures which Emily says is the most effective, long-lasting, and transformative, professional development that she has ever been involved in. High praise indeed!The training was led by Suzanne Zeedyk and it continues to be built on  in Fife. You can contact Suzanne via her website -suzannezeedyk.com- to discuss the latest development of the course  and explore how it can be accessed. Emily is a great advocate for it, but she is also a great role model with exceptional warmth, understanding and experience - definitely worth a listen

Christo Hird is remarkable. A founder of Dartmouth Films, Christo continues to release and support films which make a difference. In a world where cinema is dominated by sequels, prequels and remakes desperately pandering to what filmmakers and distributors think the public want, Dartmouth believe in better. Christo and his colleagues are committed to films that can lead change and galvanise audiences into action. They take risks, but sometimes the risks really pay off and they get the audiences that they hope for and the sorts of actions that they seek. Dartmouth were the distributors for "Resilience : The Biology of Stress & the Science of Hope", the film which, in many ways, kicked off Scotland's ACEs movement. They are currently distributing a wonderful new film called "Love and Trouble" - think "Richard Curtis meets gritty reality". It is a love story where hope and commitment,  honesty and openness save a marriage. It carries powerful messages about the power of therapy and what happens when we are prepared to confront our trauma and deal with it. All the dates for upcoming screenings are shown below. Please check out the Dartmouth Films website for full details. We all know the impact of "Adolescence" and "Mr Bates vs the Post Office", but these are rare examples of mainstream television and major streaming platforms making films that might have an impact on policy, provision, legal decision-making and decisions about resources. Dartmouth distributes and supports these sorts of films all the time. We need films that can help make the world a better, fairer place, Dartmouth provide them. Please listenTHU 10 JULY HOME ManchesterSAT 12 JULY Glasgow Film TheatreSAT 12 JULY Hebden Bridge Picture HouseSUN 13 July Glasgow Film TheatreSUN 13 JULY Eden Court, InvernessMON 14 JULY Glasgow Film TheatreMON 14 JULY Eden Court, InvernessTUE 15 JULY Glasgow Film TheatreWED 16 JULY Glasgow Film TheatreTHU 17 JULY Filmhouse, EdinburghFRI 18 JULY Filmhouse, EdinburghSAT 19 JULY Filmhouse, EdinburghWED 23 JULY MacRobert Arts Centre, StirlingTHU 31 JULY Finsbury Park Picturehouse, London

Jackie Galbraith is the Principal of West Lothian College and much more. She describes herself as having "a lifetime commitment to social justice and providing opportunities for all - regardless of age, gender, race, ability, background or any other characteristic", and that comes across throughout this episode. There is so much going at West Lothian College that translates this ambition into reality that we should all learn from it. As well as discussing West Lothian specifically, we also talk about the often under-recognised contribution of Further Education more generally and the key role that it plays in giving people of all ages the opportunities that they need to achieve their ambitions.This is a wonderful case study of leadership, team-building and what can happen when you have clarity of ambition. relentless focus and a practical understanding of the actions that will benefit all students and their communities

Suzanne Scott is an inspiration. She is a wonderful example of someone who heard about and learned about the impact of trauma and the science  of connection and asked the question "What can I do now that I know this?" In a sense, she is at the heart of the whole idea of these podcasts. It is not enough to know, we need to think about what we do and what she has done is hugely impressive. She has set up Trauma-Informed Parents and offers information, support and training to other parents. She speaks wonderfully about her experience and leaves you with a sense that you too can make a difference

Jenn Knussen is a hugely influential figure in Scottish education. As headteacher in Pitteuchar East Primary School in Glenrothes, she established a remarkable culture along with her colleagues and the school community that really supported all the children in her school. In this first episode of "Taking Action" she tells the Real David Cameron what she did, how she did it and what impact her action has had