SOFEA SESSIONS

In today's brand new episode, Chris Alderson (SOFEA's marketing and content assistant) has come on to share his story about how music has positively affected his mental health. Chris joined SOFEA initially as a volunteer following a challenging relationship breakdown; where he struggled with his mental health and was out of employment for 3 years. Now, Chris is working at SOFEA not only in the med...

In today's brand new episode we follow Jake's journey through SOFEA—starting out as a student, building confidence, forming real connections, and eventually stepping into employment. It’s a story of growth, community, and finding your place in the world.  If you would like to support Jake's fundraiser click this link: Jake Wilkinson is fundraising for SOFEA To get in touch email us at wellbeing@so...

We have a brand-new SOFEA SESSIONS SHORTHAND episode out now! In this episode, we welcome Alice Piggott (SOFEA), and Ben Drabble (CEO of Didcot TRAIN Youth), who share how they have been working in partnership to improve the wellbeing of Didcot's young people. They talk about the new partnership: The Didcot Wellbeing Web which is a new initiative of local charity partners, statutory services and b...

Trigger warning: This episode contains conversation about suicide, sexual and physical abuse, bullying, explicit language and traumatic themes. 18+ advised.  November is Men's Mental Health month ('Movember'), and to raise awareness, Stephen Norris bravely shares his story of how he overcame enormous amounts of trauma as a child; bullying, family breakdowns, a suicide attempt and being misplaced i...

Today's brand new episode is with Ben Tuppen, SOFEA's Getting Oxfordshire Online Programme Manager. Today also marks to beginning of Getting Online Week; a national campaign promoting nearly 50 events around the county - at libraries, NHS, community groups and more - all helping people to learn more about and build confidence using the internet. If you a) need digital support or b) want to support...

Today’s Shorthand episode explains how SOFEA’s Nourish and Flourish programme – launched in partnership with the Didcot Primary Care Network in January 2022, addresses 3 key issues… Rising childhood obesity; since 2006, childhood obesity rates have increased by 30% nationally and in Didcot alone, by 40%. Rising chronic disease in adults. Barriers to health eating.  Dr Kerry Lock, SOFEA’s Nutrition...

To celebrate Pride Month last month, Logan (he/him) has come onto the podcast to share his story about coming out as gay. In this episode, Logan, who is on SOFEA's education programme, bravely shares how coming out changed his life and how expressing himself through fashion and makeup impacts his self-confidence.  This episode references bullying, homophobia and other potentially triggering topics...

Episode 14 is with the lovely Jamie Douglas from Response organisation; talking all things neurodivergence. Previously a teacher in a secondary school, Jamie was diagnosed as Autistic aged 40, and is also a parent of a neurodivergent child, giving him a breadth of lived and professional experience. This episode covers everything from diagnosis, energy drinks, the UK education system, and even some...

To celebrate Autism Acceptance week, we have a very special youth-led episode with CJ, Max and Mia who are all members of our Autism Advocacy Group. All three of these wonderful young people are at SOFEA on various education and employability programmes, after having struggled in the mainstream education system as Autistic young people. They each share parts of the lives, focusing on themes import...

Trigger warning: this episode discusses men's mental health and themes around suicide.  'Because everyone needs someone in their corner’. In this month’s episode, John and Steve from @thecornermencic join us to discuss how they combine boxing and men’s mental health support. This episode covers everything from suicide prevention, myths around men’s mental health, …. oh, and The Cornermen even have...

Episode 11 is here! Alex Mackay joins us for a walk down memory lane; through his magnificent career and how it led him to being SOFEA’s Kitchen Magician. From cooking, to community, to connection, this episode covers so much, with a few laughs along the way.    Ps. this episode does feature a tiny bit of strong language!

Episode 10 is here! Our Deputy CEO and Director of Business Innovation, Noel McCarthy has joined us to talk about why communicating our model and why it works is so important, he also reflects on his past four years at SOFEA and how this has led him to his new role, which aims to strategically connect with businesses that share our values and why this is integral to a sustainable SOFEA model, that...

In today’s episode our Social Prescriber Link Worker Selina has come on to talk about what Social Prescribing is, why we feel it’s needed in the community and how people can access the support. At SOFEA, we work with the Didcot PCN and also in partnership with Age UK to support people with a wide range of social, emotional or practical needs, thereby enabling them to take greater control of their...

We are coming into our 10th year at SOFEA, so we invited our CEO Richard to reflect on lessons learnt over the last 9 years; focusing on how we can evolve and grow in the ever-changing society we live in; whilst benefiting the people in our communities.  Richard talks about the importance of working towards reducing inequalities and how our 3-year strategy is going to help us achieve that.  If you...

Today's episode is with Beth Francis, the Quality Improvement and Operations Manager at Response. Beth's professional background is in the care system, predominantly working in a children's home. In this episode Beth talks us though some of the challenges professionals and young people face and the importance of forming consistent, honest and solid relationships with 'children we care for' (also k...

Trigger Warning: This episode goes into detail of physical and domestic abuse and may be distressing for some listeners. If you are affected by anything you hear today, the organisations listed below have been recommended by Kerry for those who need support or advice. Today's episode is with Kerry, a survivor of domestic abuse who bravely shares her story in the hope of raising awareness of the si...

The SOFEA SESSIONS podcast brings you a brand new feature: SOFEA SESSIONS SHORTHAND episodes.  These mini-episodes will be addressing key questions that SOFEA often get asked, that highlight the way we work and why it works for many people in the community. These episodes aim to tackle challenging and innovative questions, to inspire others and enable out-of-the box thinking that may challenge har...

Trigger warning - this podcast episode references the following themes: Youth violence, knife crime, racism, suicidal ideation, abuse, grooming and exploitation.  Ryan Goodenough is an advocate for young people and men’s mental health. Using lived experience mixed with professional experience Ryan works as a Senior Youth Worker at Didcot TRAIN and in 2022 founded HisMind, a mental health network f...

Trigger warning: this episode references depression and conversations around adoption. If you are affected by anything you hear in this episode, the organisations below are able to offer support. Today's episode features SOFEA's lovely Director of Learning and Development, Ruth, who shares her story of Adopting three children. Ruth shares her experiences of going from a family of two, to five, inc...

Today's episode is with Sundus, one of our Education Mentors at SOFEA who shares her experiences of Racism in school. She talks about the impact racist comments and actions had on her behaviour, school attainment, mental health and wider family dynamics. Sundus also reflects on how being at SOFEA has changed her life, helped her to regulate her emotions and empowered her to help other young people...

This episode is with our wonderful Taraji, SOFEA's No Limits Programme Manager, experienced life coach, super-mum and all round inspiration! This episode covers everything from struggling with depression, becoming a new mum, balancing parenting with self-care and connecting back to your true-self! An authentic and moving episode that everyone should listen to, regardless of if you are a parent or...

Today’s guest is Max who talks about his lived experience of Autism, challenges stereotypes and talks about the importance of representation of Autism in the media. Max is a student at SOFEA and wanted to open up about his experiences in the hope he may help other's with their own feelings of being Autistic, but also to raise awareness to the 'neurotypical' community and ask what they can do to he...

Content trigger warning: Themes discussed are gender dysphoria, transition surgery (not explicit), coming out and navigating through relationships as a Trans man. Hello! Welcome to the SOFEA Sessions podcast. Our guest today is Dom, who is a Trans man and is here to share his story. In this episode Dom talks about all things Trans, from coming out to medical transitions. If you are effected by any...

Welcome to the first episode of the SOFEA Sessions Podcast! This podcast is delivered to you by SOFEA charity number 1155783; a place where we enable people to transform their lives. Todays guest is our CEO and co-founder, Richard Kennell, who talks about how SOFEA began and explains the work we do to support our local communities through our 3 Pillar Model: Work, Study and Wellbeing. For more inf...