Voices Unlocked

Email us at [email protected] Episode 13 of Voices Unlocked, Lorna and Liv welcome special guest Nanny Carol and begin with a disclaimer that they are not therapists, sharing lived experiences that may be heavy. Carol and Liv discuss their close-knit family, childhood memories, and Carol’s saying “I love you every day and twice on Sunday.” The conversation focuses on Liv’s mum being arrested while pregnant and later imprisoned again when Liv was eight, and what it was like for Carol as a mother and grandmother—fear, stigma, panic, and the challenges of court, delayed contact, and prison visits, including the distress of leaving and an unexpected closed visit. They also reflect on how prison routines, education, and courses helped Liv’s mum, stress the importance of rehabilitation, and offer advice to grandparents raising grandchildren to take things day by day and stay positive.Chapters:00:00 Important Disclaimer00:34 Meet Nanny Carol01:03 Family Sayings and Bonds03:41 First Arrest While Pregnant05:13 ADHD and Vulnerability07:52 Olivia Born Into Love10:17 Childhood Memories and Trauma14:43 Stigma and Self Blame16:04 Traumatic Birth Story20:41 Second Prison Sentence Begins21:34 Court Delays Anxiety23:08 Custody Silence Waiting25:23 First Visit Fears28:34 Prison Routine Benefits32:26 Advice For Grandparents36:07 Visits And Goodbyes38:04 Family Love Gratitude

Email us at [email protected] this episode of Voices Unlocked, Liz and Lorna reflect on the podcast’s growing support before discussing practical “do’s and don’ts” for supporting children with a parent in prison. Liv shares how a handmade teddy from when her mum was in jail, letters, tattoos, and a “missing you box” helped her cope with ambiguous loss and anxiety, and explains how creativity like journaling, drawing, and writing can be cathartic. Liv reads her poem “Magic Wand,” exploring intergenerational worry, trauma triggers, and the child’s instinct to protect a parent. They advise practitioners to “go slow,” let children lead, and use the PACE approach -playfulness, acceptance, curiosity, and empathy - then close with “magic wand” wishes, including hopes for a UK government manifesto shaped by families’ voices.Chapters:00:00 Listener Disclaimer00:34 Welcome Back Update01:21 Fans Keep Us Accountable01:58 Scary Movies And Comfort02:35 Helpful Tips Setup03:09 The Fairy Teddy Story06:15 Missing You Box Explained07:23 Letters And Tattoo Memories09:50 Creativity As An Outlet11:41 Magic Wand Poem14:20 Protecting Mum And Boundaries15:52 Why Kids Hide Their Worries16:39 Kids And Guilt17:30 Journaling As Release19:25 Go Slow Build Trust21:05 Decompress And Masking22:08 PACE Training Explained22:47 Playfulness Acceptance Curiosity26:00 Empathy In Practice27:40 Magic Wand Wishes30:39 Closing And Next Guests

In this episode of Voices Unlocked, Liv and Lorna discuss what “release” is really like after prison, challenging the idea that it’s simply the end of the journey. Liv shares her experience of her mum coming home, including the surprise of probation, daily reporting, and being placed on an ankle tag with strict curfew rules, and how confusing and scary that felt as a child.They explore how release can disrupt family routines and create difficult power dynamics when other relatives have been primary caregivers, alongside the emotional impact of lost time and a parent struggling to adjust to a child growing up. Lorna explains probation, licence conditions, and why families may fear probation’s power, while also highlighting how supportive probation can be. Liv reflects on wanting to give back through her work and possibly becoming a probation officer.Chapters:00:00 Quick Disclaimer01:42 Release Expectations04:02 Release Day Stories05:08 Tag And Curfew Shock06:19 Family Dynamics After Release08:49 Routine Changes And Adjustment11:15 Time Stopped Feeling14:36 Bonding Moments Return15:48 What Probation Means17:35 Kids Fear Probation Power18:47 Probation Meeting Panic20:02 Probation Helps Mum Thrive22:21 Lived Experience Careers24:26 Probation Is Supportive26:52 Stigma and Fear of Authority29:47 Using Your Voice31:26 Release Advice Take It Slow34:31 Listener Questions and Guests35:09 Studio Shoutouts Goodbye

In this episode of Voices Unlocked Pod, Lorna and Liv welcome Sarah Beresford OBE, reflecting on how their connection began and Sarah’s journey from Scottish secondary school teacher into work supporting children affected by parental imprisonment. Sarah recounts a pivotal case where a pupil’s mother received a life sentence and no services considered the children, prompting Sarah to visit the mother in prison and help maintain parenting through school reports, teacher contact, and supported visits.She explains Families Outside and her Churchill Fellowship research, and describes developing Child Impact Assessment resources. Child-led conversation tools adaptable for different family situations to help adults understand how children are feeling and what support they want, with room to change their minds.We also discuss HMPPS Think Child, practical system changes driven by young people (like the clocks and kindness campaign), and the need for kindness, consistency, and sustainable funding for Time Matters.00:00 Disclaimer and Support00:34 Meet Sarah01:03 How We First Connected02:57 Teacher to Advocate05:56 First Prison Visit10:26 Leaving Teaching for Change10:55 What Families Outside Does12:34 Children Lead the Work14:53 Child Impact Tool Origins17:41 Making the Tool Usable20:09 Opt In Not Statutory25:06 Adapting for Every Family27:23 OBE and Policy Impact28:43 Next Project HMPS Think Child29:12 Think Child Origins30:59 Probation Leaflet Idea32:36 Be Kind Message33:58 Clocks And Kindness35:21 Small Changes Matter35:57 Photos Letters Memories38:00 Why Not Keep Asking39:04 Visit Rules Anxiety40:50 Child Friendly Visit Halls43:31 Time Matters Impact44:31 Funding And Mentoring47:50 Future Plans And Thanks48:43 Gratitude And Wrap Up

In this Voices Unlocked episode, we welcome Dr. Ben Rakes, who shares his current role teaching academic skills at University Campus Oldham and reflects on decades of work supporting young people affected by the criminal justice system. The conversation focuses on InCIP (International Coalition for Children with Incarcerated Parents), how it emerged from links between the COPING project (2010–2013) and Francis Suby’s Ugandan organisation Wells of Hope, and how InCIP was shaped at the 2015 Dallas conference before its first conference in New Zealand in 2017.Chapters:00:00 Important Disclaimer00:34 Meet Dr Ben Rakes02:20 Surreal Holland Conference05:00 What InCIP Is05:22 Francis and Wells of Hope08:55 InCIP Conferences Grow10:42 Youth Panels Ripple Effects12:32 South Korea Youth Empowerment17:15 Huddersfield Escape Room Story19:21 Online Conference and Bells Palsy21:22 Ben Highlights Resilience Debate24:23 Uganda Realities and Stigma27:28 Uganda Prison Story28:48 No Lawyer No Justice29:39 Children Homes Abroad31:38 Rethinking Resilience33:44 Community Builds Strength35:41 Incip Growth And Vision36:44 UN Status And Youth Board42:04 Gratitude And Farewell

Email us at [email protected] and Liv return for Episode 8 of Voices Unlocked with a disclaimer that they’re not therapists and the stories are based on lived experience. They discuss international travel and speaking at conferences, starting with Liv’s first international conference at 15 in Caux, Switzerland, held in a castle with young people from around the world sharing experiences of vulnerability. Liv describes lasting friendships formed there, youth-led activities, talent shows, and how connection supports healing. They reflect on Paris, including Liv’s first time being allowed out to see the Eiffel Tower under careful supervision, and Liv later traveling alone to Brussels for youth-team planning meetings. Liv also shares a difficult period during conference travel when her nanny Liz died from glioblastoma and how safeguarding lead Darren supported her. They preview a future episode with guest Ben about InSIPP and end with gratitude, including a humorous story about Liv accidentally getting into a stranger’s car.Chapters:00:00 Disclaimer And Care00:34 Episode Eight Intro01:06 Switzerland Castle Conference04:10 Friends For Life06:10 Healing Through Connection07:06 Youth Team And Paris08:30 Eiffel Tower Safety Story10:22 Solo Trip To Belgium13:03 Darren And Grief Support15:10 Favourite Conference Moments15:53 Bonfire Fireworks Moment16:23 Talent Show Spotlight18:09 Castle Views Video Diary19:02 Youth Leader Year Two20:01 Stars Fireworks Bonding21:16 Momo Surprise Reunion22:09 Ghost Hunt Gone Wrong24:25 Next Episode Ben InSIPP25:23 Power of Connection27:40 Gratitude Kindness Story30:03 Wrap Up Thanks Goodbye

Email us at [email protected] episode seven of Voices Unlocked, hosts Lorna and Liv welcome their first guest, Lindsay, a parent whose children have been involved with Time Matters for four years since their dad was imprisoned. Lindsay shares how she found out through friends rather than any official contact, her initial anger, and the difficulty of answering the children’s questions without information. She explains deciding to be honest after seeing how lying can cause resentment, and describes how an initial lie about the army upset her son. The conversation highlights gaps in communication from prisons and probation, the impact of media exposure on children, and the “hidden sentence” families feel. Lindsay credits Time Matters and additional school and counselling support with helping her children thrive, discusses her son’s ADHD and need for positive outlets, and notes that home leave and release transitions can be especially challenging. The episode ends with gratitude and encouragement to seek support without shame.00:00 Disclaimer00:34 Welcome and Guest Intro01:27 Four Years In02:16 Finding Out He Was Arrested05:59 Telling the Kids09:36 No Official Support13:47 Media and Online Exposure16:29 Hidden Sentence Impact17:32 Discovering Time Matters21:07 Why Time Matters Helps23:49 Trauma ADHD and Dopamine25:25 Positive snowball effect26:49 Park encounter wins29:00 Boys being vulnerable31:13 Family for life32:38 Home leave struggles35:13 Release rollercoaster37:25 Advice and ditch shame40:34 Kids speaking openly44:42 Gratitude and wrap-up

Email us at [email protected] and Liv welcome guest Aaron, whom they have known since he was a child through Time Matters, and reflect on his early confidence in support groups and media work, including a BBC News interview. Aaron shares how his dad went to prison when he was nine, why his family chose not to maintain contact, and how rebuilding foundations through his mum’s research and peer support helped him cope. He describes stigma and bullying at school, including threats and being judged as destined to offend, and discusses the importance of vulnerability and safe spaces. They talk about the verbatim theatre production Eight Hours There and Back and Aaron’s later work presenting for BBC The One Show. Aaron also recounts being shortlisted worldwide for the International Child Peace Prize, placing second, and shares his current achievements in the Air Cadets and as a Lord-Lieutenant Cadet.00:00 Disclaimer00:34 Welcome and Guest Intro01:34 Catching Up and Memories05:36 Aaron Dad Prison Story06:34 Choosing No Contact09:49 Rebuilding Foundations11:44 Safe Space and Vulnerability14:11 Theatre Project Origins20:04 One Show and Impact23:40 School Struggles and Stigma27:33 Stigma and Expectations29:27 Breaking the Criminal Gene Myth30:48 Safeguarding and Enabling Environments33:01 Motivation and Paying It Forward35:17 London Trips and Tube Chaos38:57 Child Peace Prize Spotlight41:46 Top Three Journey and Global Stage48:03 Subtitles and Speech Impact50:35 Cadets Role and New Achievements52:35 Gratitude and Wrap Up

Email us at [email protected] In episode 5 of Voices Unlocked, Liv and Lorna share their whirlwind trip to the USA after their short drama film That Girl, about a girl growing up with a mother in prison, was selected for the Idyllwild film festival in California. They recount the chaotic travel and arriving in snowy mountains with only summer clothes, meeting supportive festival friends like Nicole, and the emotional experience of watching the film with audiences and receiving heartfelt feedback. The team won three awards, including best editing, a narrative award, and the overall Festival Director’s Choice Award, and Liv describes how meaningful it was to hear pride from her mum as they rebuild their relationship. They end by encouraging young people affected by parental imprisonment that they are not defined by stigma and can achieve their goals.00:00 Disclaimer00:34 Episode Intro and Thanks00:48 Palm Springs Mix Up02:09 Why We Went03:16 Last Minute Travel Chaos04:22 Cabin Life and Roast Dinner05:56 Sharing Our Stories07:14 Awards and Impact11:23 Family Call and Voice Note13:14 Rebuilding With Mum18:22 Bigger Message for Kids20:42 Media Stigma and Future Topics22:41 Gratitude and Goodbye

Email us at [email protected] episode four of Voices Unlocked, Lorna and Liv discuss what school can feel like for a young person with a parent in prison, including stigma, gossip, exclusion, and the difference between maternal and paternal imprisonment. Liv shares thriving academically while also facing playground comments, anxiety and panic attacks, and a harmful incident where a substitute teacher said she would “end up like” her mum.They highlight the importance of good pastoral support and mentors, the challenges of being taken out of class for interventions, and how schools often lack training. The conversation stresses privacy, safeguarding, and GDPR, warning against teachers or students asking what the parent did or Googling cases, and encourages listeners to share anonymous stories and questions.Chapters:00:00 Podcast Safety Notice00:29 Episode Four Setup01:08 School With Prison Parent02:20 Women In Prison Stats05:09 Primary School Memories06:46 Mentors And Support07:51 Playground Gossip Exclusion10:12 Teacher Comment Trauma12:58 Anxiety And Going Home13:53 Cousin As Protector15:59 Netto Bag Bullying17:15 Reebok Classics Disaster19:32 School Stigma and Bullying20:18 Teacher Dos and Donts22:25 Breaking Crime Cycle Myths25:40 Isolation and Social Media Triggers28:09 Privacy Not Staffroom Gossip33:02 When Support Becomes Oversharing35:42 Rights Kindness and Wrap Up

Email us at [email protected] episode three of Voices Unlocked, Liv and Lorna discuss prison visits and contact for children with a parent in prison, stressing that they are not therapists and encouraging listener self-care. Lorna shares UK estimates of 192,000–312,000 children affected and explains that visit experiences vary due to inconsistent policies across prisons.Liv describes her first visit to see her mum, including long travel, visiting orders, searches, supportive staff, and the emotional difficulty of saying goodbye, as well as a negative experience on a family day and a later, colder prison with fewer child-friendly resources. She recounts being unexpectedly placed on a closed visit behind glass and the impact of not being able to hug her mum. They note improvements in family-focused visits, discuss ways to stay connected (letters, email, calls, video), suggest tools like “Missing You” boxes, and offer advice for first-time visitors, including planning self-care.Chapters:00:00 Podcast Safety Notice00:29 Episode Three Kickoff03:12 UK Stats Explained05:02 First Visit Journey07:32 Security And Support09:00 Meeting Mum Inside11:21 Goodbyes And Anxiety15:24 Visits Getting Better17:13 Family Day Story21:09 Good Staff Like Nicole23:05 Why Visits Matter23:19 Travel And Prison Rules26:52 Closed Visit Shock31:18 Should Kids Visit33:04 What Helped After Visits34:05 Keeping The Bond35:35 Letters And New Tech39:52 Theatre Changing Prisons42:48 Advice For First Timers47:23 Self Care And Goodbye

Email us at [email protected] episode two of Voices Unlocked, the hosts remind listeners they are not therapists and encourage self-care during emotional conversations. They reflect on how their long friendship shaped their lives, then discuss how families tell children when a parent goes into custody and what that moment feels like.Liv shares learning at age eight that her mum was in prison after being told she was “working away,” describing delayed grief, unanswered questions, fears shaped by cartoons, and the stigma that made her feel responsible for defending her mum. Lorna explains concepts including ambiguous loss and disenfranchised grief and why carers may delay disclosure while they figure things out. They highlight the value of peer support groups, differences in coping at different ages, and preview episode three on prison visits and contact, ending with Liv reading her award-winning poem “Dear Mum.”Chapters:00:00 Podcast Disclaimer00:29 Episode Two Catchup03:18 Telling Kids The Truth04:01 Finding Out At Eight07:35 Grief And Judgment10:21 Ambiguous Loss Explained14:27 Justin Bieber Support Group17:28 Why Peer Support Works20:04 Second Time Around21:51 Support Group Nerves23:08 New Kids Find Belonging24:26 Family Connection Magic24:51 Why Support Groups Help26:26 Moms vs Dads in Prison28:02 Finding Out the Truth30:12 Suitcase Kid Childhood32:05 Second Time Anger34:07 Posting Parcels in Uniform36:14 Halloween Party Detour39:39 Dear Mom Poem Finale43:44 Gratitude and Wrap Up

Email us at [email protected] the first episode of Voices Unlocked, Liv and Lorna introduce their podcast as a safe space to share real-life experiences of growing up with a parent in prison, while noting they are not therapists and encouraging listeners to look after themselves during emotional conversations.Lorna shares how her career developed through prison research into founding Time Matters UK, and how she met Liv when Liv was eight after Liv’s mum went to prison. They reflect on advocacy moments like Liv speaking at conferences and appearing anonymously on the Jeremy Vine show, discuss stigma and lifelong impacts, and outline future topics such as school, prison visits, and support groups, inviting anonymous questions via email.Chapters:00:00 Podcast Safety Notice01:20 Mission and Audience02:56 Meet the Hosts03:40 Lorna Origin Story07:03 Liv Childhood Impact10:11 Learning to Support Kids14:33 Jeremy Vine Mixup16:42 Finding Your Voice17:40 Mum in Prison Lessons19:27 Why This Podcast Matters21:28 Let Young People Lead25:06 Coping Through Helping29:32 Closing Thanks and Contact