Reasons to Care by Diverse Abilities

Across all our episodes, there’s one moment that always brings us joy, and that’s when we take notes from our Happy Jar and relive some of the most charming memories from our team.So in this very special episode, we’re revisiting some of the most powerful moments that we've shared across the series - from maintaining family connections, to charming role reversals, to giving people real independence.This episode covers:Joyful ‘Happy Jar’ moments that showcase why working in care is so rewardingGiving people real choice, voice, and independenceThe power of support in creating magical family memories, like accessible days out and holidaysLong-term relationships in care, including an 18-year journey from childhood into adult servicesMutual care and confidence-building, where the people supported also help staff to grow and be braveClare Rochford https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/Join the Diverse Abilities Teamhttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/careersDiverse Abilitieshttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Cat brings us a Christmas update for all the lovely listeners to Reasons to Care! She shares a quick update on how you can support Diverse Abilities over the Christmas season, and what to look forward to in the new year. As always, in the meantime you can head to our website to get involved: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/Cat Abbotthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/catabbott/Clare Rochford https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/Join the Diverse Abilities Teamhttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/careersDiverse Abilitieshttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Langside is a school like no other; it’s been a special part of the Diverse Abilities journey since 1959, and continues to create a vibrant community!At its heart are wonderful people like Principal Jon Seaward, and Deputy Head Nicki Priddle, who join us on a very special episode of Reasons to Care this month.From the magic of the Langstonbury festival to the everyday triumphs that light up the school, discover how the school’s dedicated team creates magical experiences.This episode covers:The incredible multidisciplinary team of therapists, nurses, and dedicated teaching staffLangside’s very special ‘Langstonbury Festival’, and how events like it bring joy, creativity, and a sense of community to students, staff, and familiesThe importance of celebrating every achievement, no matter how smallDiverse Abilities’ ongoing mission to foster inclusion, support families, and create meaningful experiencesClare Rochford https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/Becky Edwardshttps://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-edwards-a3693b40/Join the Diverse Abilities Teamhttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/careersDiverse Abilitieshttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Every child deserves the chance to embrace the outdoors in all its muddy glory, and our very own Bear Grills is the gateway to outdoor play.Alex Bradford is our Outdoor Learning Lead at The Treehouse, and between his inspiration and the joys of our Nature Nook, children of all abilities are able to embrace nature-based learning!From tool use and bushcraft, to imaginative play and team challenges, discover the opportunities that Alex creates to spark curiosity with every session.This episode covers:The transformative power of outdoor learning and nature-based activities for children of all abilitiesChild-led, sensory-rich experiences that foster independence, creativity, and resilienceThe inclusive community that allows everyone to participate and thriveEmbracing sustainability through creative reuse of donated and local materials in educational settingsThe value of diverse role models and teamwork in careCat Abbotthttps://www.linkedin.com/in/catabbott/Clare Rochford https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/Join the Diverse Abilities Teamhttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/careersDiverse Abilitieshttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

If it’s possible to be a celebrity In the world of caregiving, then there’s nobody with more star power than our very own Dave Austin.Everyone knows him. Everyone loves him. But not everyone knows his story - both in the 34 years he’s spent with Diverse Abilities, or in the mysterious time before…Join us for another lifer’s fabulous story, and discover just long and illustrious a career you can make in the caregiving profession!This episode covers:Dave’s inspiring 34-year journey, showcasing career progression and the many roles within the sectorThe power of person-centered care and how it transforms lives for both staff, and the people they care forPositivity, adaptability, and lifelong learning in overcoming challenges and making a differenceThe lasting connections built among staff, families, and those who we supportDave’s story as living proof that that care is anything but a short-term or limited careerDave Austinhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/david-austin-302871273/Clare Rochford https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/Join the Diverse Abilities Teamhttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/careersDiverse Abilitieshttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Nursing staff are at the heart of everything we do at Diverse Abilities, so it’s an absolute shock to many when they discover how they’re funded… or rather, not.All nursing staff are fundraised, and to paint a vivid picture of just what joy is made from that fundraising, we’re joined on Reasons to Care by Amy Savill and Hollie Adams!Join us to explore the unique daily life of a nurse at Langside and The Beehive, the transformative work that they do for children and adult services, and how you can support these inspiring people.This episode covers:The critical importance of nursing staff in supporting children and adults with complex needs How nursing enables not just education, but the community participation tooA holistic approach to care focusing on individual growth, independence, and personal achievementsThe challenges of having no dedicated funding from NHS or local authorities for nursing servicesSponsor a Nurse:https://diverseabilities.org.uk/nursesAmy Savillhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-savill-a7224a251/Clare Rochford https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/Join the Diverse Abilities Teamhttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/careersDiverse Abilitieshttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Caregiving is so much more than a job to pass the time; it’s a career that can last a lifetime…While Charlotte Snowshall is early in her journey with us in Short Breaks, she has a transformative story that will inspire the passionate, curious minds thinking of care as a career!Join us on Reasons to Care this week, as we hear what turned a temporary role into years of life-changing work, and just how far her career could take her.This episode covers:Charlotte's journey from short breaks crew member to management, showing that care work offers genuine career opportunities The transformative impact of initiatives like Little SquirrelsThe personal passion and energy that underpins caregivers’ careersMisconceptions around care work as a temporary job with no progressionHow care goes above and beyond basic support, creating meaningful experiences for those with additional needsClare Rochford https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/Join the Diverse Abilities Teamhttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/careersDiverse Abilitieshttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Head over to our website to check out how you can get involved - https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

Forget what you know about day centres - The Beehive is a world where creativity and connection thrive!Chelsey Mills is Manager at The Beehive, and she’s perfectly placed to show us what joy Diverse Abilities’ day centre for adults with disabilities really brings to the lovely people we support.This episode covers:Fostering understanding and acceptance of disabilities through early interactions, especially with childrenHow individualised care adapts to each person's unique communication style to provide tailored supportThe diverse and engaging activities that The Beehive offersHow personal connections and family inspire fulfilling careers in care and disability supportJoin the Diverse Abilities Teamhttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

The people we support are all capable of extraordinary things, and they deserve a chance to be recognised for every step of progress they make.That’s how the OPT Award came to fruition, and its creator Lynda Larke is with us to kick off our latest series of Reasons to Care!Join us to discover how the OPT Award can help inspire the people we support to achieve the impossible, step outside of their comfort zones, and create opportunities!This episode covers:The introduction of the OPT Award, and the success stories that it’s given rise toEducating society about the capabilities of the people that we support across Diverse Abilities and beyondHow structured support helps people to overcome fears and break boundariesThe importance of empowerment through recognitionOPT Awardhttps://www.optaward.org.uk/Clare Rochford https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/Join the Diverse Abilities Teamhttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/careersDiverse Abilitieshttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Sports and movement should be for everyone, which is why people like Helen Montgomery are such heroes for bringing sensory sports to life at Langside School!Mirroring real life events like the football World Cup, Wimbledon and Olympics can be the source of inspiration, creativity and delight for all the children we support - discover how sensory sports unlock doors as Helen joins us on another charming episode of Reasons to Care.This episode covers:The unique, dynamic role of a physiotherapist at Langside vs being a community physioTransformative experiences enabled by creatively adapting sportsThe confidence and social development that comes from creating such inclusive opportunities Incredible events that Helen has brought to life, like the ‘Langside Olympics’Clare Rochford https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/Join the Diverse Abilities Teamhttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/careersDiverse Abilitieshttps://diverseabilities.org.uk/https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Diverse Abilities this year celebrates its remarkable 70th anniversary, and so it’s a joy to look back at how Dorset’s disability charity has grown with the daughter of our Founder! Diverse Abilities was set up to support Wendy Barfoot’s sister, Marilyn, and Wendy joins us to share the evolution of Diverse Abilities, her growing role in its history, and how our impact has grown from such humble beginnings. This episode covers: The heartwarming origin story behind Diverse Abilities How Marilyn inspired a movement that’s grown into a lasting legacy Care through the decades, and how it’s changed with the times The power of community, and building something incredible together Clare Rochford  https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/ Join the Diverse Abilities Team https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers Diverse Abilities https://diverseabilities.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/ https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Oh what a wonderful time of year to spread love and Christmas cheer, and there’s nowhere more caring and kind than the hearts of our Christmas caregivers. In one of our most heartwarming episodes of Reasons to Care, we’re celebrating all those who give so much at Christmas time by sharing our favourite stories - from trees carrying on a beloved man’s legacy, to Secret Santa and bauble-swapping shenanigans! This episode covers: Heartwarming holiday traditions with team members and those that they support The rewarding nature of how much joy caregivers bring to families at such an important time of the year The many incredible ways that those in care can inspire people  Join the Diverse Abilities Team https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers Diverse Abilities https://diverseabilities.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/ https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

David Flatman is not only an England Rugby star and pundit, but he’s an incredible ambassador for the Down’s Syndrome Association, and his story is such a heartwarming one… Having grown up with a brother who has Down’s Syndrome, it’s a joy to hear him share how the family bonded together to give him a life of fulfilment, independence, and love! This episode covers: The unwavering dedication of parents caring for David’s brother Unique and profound bonds between SEN siblings Where to find the right support and resources to enable independence Redefining our perceptions of a ‘normal’ childhood David Flatman: https://www.instagram.com/dflatman/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-flatman-5972b517/ Clare Rochford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/ Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers Diverse Abilities: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/ https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

There are so many potential stars in the care industry whose only barrier is realising it’s a place for everyone to shine! Men make up such a small percentage of caregivers in the UK, one of whom is a local favourite in our on-call team at Diverse Abilities, and has been with us for nearly five years now. With International Men’s Day around the corner, it’s a perfect time to explore his journey into care, and what we can do to encourage more male carers in to the profession! This episode covers: The qualities of a great male carer Life in the on-call team What we can do to encourage more male carers into the profession Unique qualities that men can bring to a caregiving team Clare Rochford : https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/ Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers Diverse Abilities: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/ https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Welcome back to Reasons to Care, and it’s a joy to bring you the first of a new run of episodes where we share the inspiring story of Anne, one of the lovely ladies we care for at Diverse Abilities! Anne’s story is one of independence and fulfilment, shining a light on the empowerment that our support gives to so many that come to us in adult services, and it’s a pleasure to share her experience on this month’s episode. This episode covers: What a normal week looks like with the support of Diverse Abilities The friendships that such support enables Anne’s life-changing holiday experience How Anne chooses the activities in her life independently Clare Rochford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/ Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers Diverse Abilities: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/ https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

The partnerships that we can make between charities and businesses can transform countless lives, and every piece of that puzzle counts! We’ve been Colten Care’s chosen charity, which has led to improvements at Langside and beyond, and Jess Farwell’s role in the community is a perfect example of how we can collaborate and achieve so much together. Jess joins us in this episode of Reasons to Care, where we also bust the myth that caregivers need prior experience, and share more heartwarming notes from our Happy Jar! This episode covers: Examples of community support that Jess has been a huge part of, like their recent ‘Chocolate Elf Campaign’  The importance of partnerships between charities and local businesses Encouraging people to contribute their skills to a fantastic cause Transition support for individuals with disabilities from childhood to adulthood services Clare Rochford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/ Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers Diverse Abilities: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/ https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Being both sides of the caregiving coin is an experience that gives you unending gratitude for the work that carers do - such is the case for the remarkable Pam Wills. She worked for Diverse Abilities from 1997, and her son Graeme has had some wonderful experiences under our care, so it’s a joy to share Pam & Graeme’s story in this emotional and uplifting episode of Reasons to Care! This episode covers: Pam’s discovery of the caregiving profession and how rewarding it’s been to her and those she’s worked with The impact of dedicated workers on whole families Emma Wray’s ‘angelic’ nature and how it gave such joy to Graeme and his family Why the myth of caregiving being a lonely profession is so far from the truth Clare Rochford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/ Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers Diverse Abilities: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/ https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Merlin’s Magic Wand is more than a mystical trinket - it’s a charming organisation that creates experiences like no other for those who need them most. At Diverse Abilities we’re so fortunate to work with the international children’s charity, and Elin Parry’s job title captures the joy we can conjure for families - she’s their Magical Programmes Manager. Elin joins us on Reasons To Care for a thrilling episode where she shares all the opportunities and heartwarming bonds that Merlin’s Magic Wand creates. This episode covers: The importance of accessibility, additional support, and sensory experiences in helping families enjoy days out How Elin’s background and love of theme parks led her into care with Merlin’s Magic Wand The impact of support services on not only those needing care, but their families too Highlights from Elin’s work, and the rewarding tales of bringing families together to form lifelong bonds Elin Parry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elin-parry-213428a8/ Clare Rochford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/ Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers Diverse Abilities: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/ https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

There’s a plethora of opportunities within the caregiving world, and through the roles that Aine Penfold has experienced, every single one has brought her happiness and joy. In this episode of Reasons to Care, we look back over the many years that she’s been with Diverse Abilities, and share both what drew Aine towards care, and why it’s been such a rewarding role ever since. This episode covers: Aine’s various roles within Diverse Abilities The detective-like experience of her time as an Occupational Therapist What instigated Aine’s desire to go into care Joyous moments with the families of those she’s helped Clare Rochford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/ Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers Diverse Abilities: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

Caregivers are among the most compassionate people you’ll ever meet, and in her over 20 year tenure with Diverse Abilities, Emma Wray is a perfect example. Emma’s been with us for such a long and illustrious time - there are so many heartwarming stories to tell, and she gives us a glimpse into her journey and the role of compassion throughout it, in this episode of Reasons to Care. This episode covers: Emma’s past roles in sales and running a bar, before finding her current calling The huge variety in all that being a Team Leader entails How you can see the impact of your work on extended families of those being supported Busting the myth around caregiving as a ‘short term commitment, not a career’ Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers Learn about us: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

Introducing Reasons to Care: the amazing new podcast brought to you by Dorset’s disability charity, Diverse Abilities! We’re really excited to bring the world of care to life and share stories that’ll bust myths, open eyes and question perceptions of what it means to be a carer. This first episode we’re dedicating to ourselves, hosts Michelle Turner and Clare Rochford, to share our own journeys in care and how we’ve changed lives through our work - and more importantly how it’s changed our lives in return… This episode covers: Michelle and Clare’s journeys into the caregiving world The breadth of services on offer What we hope to achieve throughout the podcast series Tales from our ‘Happy Jar’ The heartwarming stories that have been written throughout our time at Diverse Abilities Join the Diverse Abilities Team: https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

Hey there, lovely listeners! It's Clare and Michelle from "Reasons to care," the podcast that's all about heartwarming stories and making a difference with Diverse Abilities, Dorset's most incredible disability charity. Join us as we redefine what it means to be a carer. "Reasons to care" will take you on a heartwarming journey, making an impact that truly matters. We'll dive into some uplifting stories that'll make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside, changing lives with love, one story at a time. See you on the podcast waves! https://diverseabilities.org.uk/