SOUTHPOD

Following on from ‘Walk This May’ and our focus on staying active during pregnancy and beyond. We sat down with an incredible mum, alongside her gorgeous 8‑month‑old baby, for a relaxed, real and honest chat about her journey through pregnancy, postnatal recovery, and breastfeeding.  Together we explored: Staying active during pregnancy Finding your way back to movement after baby The ups and down...

We hear from Holly, a local mum who shares her experience of postnatal mental illness and recovery. Following the birth of her daughter, Holly experienced postpartum psychosis, a serious but treatable condition. She speaks honestly about how she felt in those early weeks, the support she received, and how she was able to rebuild her confidence and connection with her baby. We also hear from Health...

As part of Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 (4–10 May), women share their experiences of accessing specialist perinatal mental health support in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust.   This podcast features women with lived experience and clinicians discussing the impact of early, tailored support during pregnancy and in the first year after birth. Perinatal mental health difficulti...

In this special Southpod episode for World Social Work Day 2026, we explore this year’s global theme: “Co-Building Hope and Harmony – A Harambee Call to Unite a Divided Society.” Social workers play a vital role in supporting individuals, families and communities through some of life’s most challenging moments. In this conversation, colleagues from across our services reflect on what it means to b...

In this episode we're joined by the Southern Trust Nutritional Standards Coordinator Dorota Culbert and Public Health Dietitian Collette O'Brien as they discuss the introduction of the HSC Nutritional Standards across facilities in the organisation.  They explore what the standards mean in practice, how they support healthier choices for staff and visitors and the challenges and successe...

On the latest edition of SOUTHPOD we’re joined by our Workplace Wellbeing Team to learn about the team and their roles, the support they’re offering our staff and impact they’re seeing their support have on teams across the Trust.  We also learn about the role of our Wellbeing Champions and how the team are supporting them to keep wellbeing in the minds of staff.

We start the year off with a great incentive to get healthier. The Public Health Agency 's #DryJanuary campaign is to support and encourage people to abstain from drinking alcohol for the whole month. Read more here https://drugsandalcoholni.info/campaigns/djfgf/ Alcohol remains our number one drug of choice in Northern Ireland and we’re highlighting the work of our Community Addiction Servic...

Our Speech and Language therapist Debi, who works within Sure Start, shares valuable insights on how parents can play a pivotal role in their child's speech and language development. And how the benefits of focusing on how simple interactions during everyday activities can significantly enhance and help children thrive in speech and language development rather than relying solely on toys or d...

Join us as we raise awareness for those living with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease. Our latest podcast features Chris Barron, respiratory nurse specialist who looks further into COPD management, tips for better lung health and the latest treatments making a difference. Whether you're living with COPD, caring for some with the disease or just want to learn more, tune in here.  #WorldCOP...

Being breast aware means knowing what’s normal for you so you can spot any unusual changes as soon as possible. Nicola Pope knows that as she was diagnosed with breast cancer after finding a lump on one of her breasts. Almost a year on from her diagnosis, Nicola shares her story to highlight why we all need to be breast aware.

This month is Breast Cancer Awareness month and in our latest episode we are delighted that our colleagues from Glenanne Breast Clinic are taking over our podcast to discuss this important topic.  Christine and Sarah, both radiographers in the clinic, have been joined by Estelle and Tracey, who have both had first-hand experience of a breast cancer diagnosis and met through their chemotherapy appo...

Early detection and treatment of respiratory infections are crucial for saving lives.  In celebration of #WorldLungDay today we bring you our latest podcast episode with Chris Barron and Royanne Dickson, respiratory nurse specialists and Rhonda Green, respiratory physiologist.  They discuss how to achieve good respiratory health, symptoms of lung disease and the correct treatments available.  #Res...

From its personalised care to its home-like environment to the feeling of empowerment - our Midwifery Led Units (MLU) means so much to many mums during their labour, birth and their immediate post-partum period.  We were delighted to welcome back mum Amy who joined us to talk about her experiences of the MLU within Craigavon Area Hospital. In Amy's words - "there really is no other place...

We catch up with our service user involvement team to find out a bit more information on what the user involvement team does, the training and supports that are available to staff,  and also to hear a bit about the experience of a Hayley, one of the service users that is involved in helping us shape and improve our services.

Especially for #LearningDisabilityWeek, Majella Gorman, one of our learning disability carer consultants sat down with a number of our specialist teams who support service users with a #learningdisability in the community. Clare from the epilepsy nursing team, Hannah from the learning disability crisis response team, Eva from complex care, Ruth from health facilitation and Elaine from the learning...

We have over 200 Volunteers within the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and in this latest episode we have a chat with Eleanor and Katlo, two of our amazing volunteers who share why they love volunteering and what they have gained personally since taking up the role.   As part of #VolunteersWeek, we also catch up with one of our Keyworkers, Rev Michael Rooney and find out how volunteers are s...

From bumps to babies, breastmilk to baby poo - our midwives see it all. With their experience and expertise, they not only support families through the most wonderful times of their life's but are also a huge support to many through difficult decisions or traumatic situations. So how do they get through the highs and lows of what comes with being a midwife? Today to mark International Day of...

Three years ago, the Southern Trust partnered with East London Foundation Trust (ELFT) to develop an Improving Access to Psychological Therapies / NHS Talking Therapies aligned service.  As the three year partnership draws to a close, we take a look back at the success of this partnership, highlighting the wins and challenges experienced and how this service delivery model has been embraced by ser...

On this episode we catch up with Lisa, one of our Social Workers and Ciara, a long standing foster carer to find out what being a foster parent means, how to start the process and the importance of being a foster carer!  Tune in for this inspiring episode. 

Listen to our Stop Smoking Service Specialists across Southern Health and Social Care Trust discuss the vital Stop Smoking service they offer to those people who want to quit smoking, the support they provide to colleagues, the referral process, any concerns about the programme and how to overcome these, the short and long terms benefits of quitting smoking and success stories. 

In our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Laura, Ciara, and Laura to discuss the rewarding world of domiciliary care and working in the Health Service.  We delve into the qualities needed to succeed in this role, the challenges and triumphs experienced, and how you can become part of our dedicated team in the Southern Trust. Tune in and be inspired to make a difference in people's lives...

Join Deepthi and Cathy on our latest podcast episode as we dive into the changes in equality, diversity, and inclusion within the Southern Trust. With firsthand experiences and insights, we'll explore the progress made and challenges in this important area! Don't miss it! 

Special guests from the Southern Trust Recovery college. The Recovery College works to empower those with experience of mental health problems to realise their potential and foster hope, opportunity and control.  They aim to provide an opportunity that is free from stigma, is strengths based and focused on the person and not the illness. Anyone can enroll for a FREE course on our website:  Recover...

To kick off 2024 we catch up with Deputy Sisters Rebekah and Emma who work on the Cloughmore Ward, Bluestone. They dive into the life of a mental health nurse and share their passions about creating safe wards. 

In our latest podcast episode on SOUTHPOD, in recognition of World COPD Day on Wednesday, November 16,  Chris Barron and Elizabeth Sloan, our respiratory nurse specialists and Drs Michael Shiel and Helen Close discuss chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - symptoms, causes, treatment and living with the condition.  #COPD