SOFEA SESSIONS

Episode 14: Neurodivergence with Jamie Douglas.

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 guidance around language we should be using when talking about Autism and how to challenge unhelpful comments. 
 
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Episode 13: It's the t'ism - with SOFEA's Autism Advocacy Group.

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 important to them such as friendships, social cues, sensory overload, the education system and their experiences through diagnosis. 
This inspirational group continue to strive for more equality for neurodivergent people, and hope that people listening, whether you are Autistic or not will join the movement to better support and understand neurodivergent individuals!
#autismacceptance 
www.sofea.uk.com
@sofeauk 
 

Episode 12: "Supporting men to fight the fight of life' - The Cornermen

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 a band (and merch!). Links are all below.
A huge thank you to John and Steve for coming onto the #SOFEASESSIONSPODCAST, and for all the amazing work you do in South Oxfordshire.
https://thecornermen.org/
Instagram: @thecornermencic 
The Cornermen Band
 
 

Episode 11: Cooking, community and connection with Alex Mackay.

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: In Conversation with our Deputy CEO, Noel McCarthy

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 can help more people, in better ways.
If you are an individual or business wanting to support what we do please email Noel@sofea.uk.com or if you have a general inquiry about SOFEA contact info@sofea.uk.com. You can also find us at www.sofea.uk.com 
 

SOFEA SESSIONS SHORTHAND: What is Social Prescribing?

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 health and wellbeing.
For more information about Social Prescribing please go to our website www.sofea.uk.com , speak to your GP or email us at Communitylink.sofea@nhs.net 
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SOFEA SESSIONS SHORTHAND: In conversation with the CEO - Strategic thinking and forward planning.

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 are passionate about making positive community change and want to find out more about what SOFEA's exciting plans are for the new few years, this is the episode for you.
 

Episode 9: ’Working In The Care System’ - A Professional’s Perspective, with Beth Francis.

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 known as 'looked after children'). Beth also talks about how working with 'children we care for' influenced her behaviours and beliefs, stating that "behaviour is communication, these young people are not 'naughty' or 'bad', they are trying to get a deep need met and this is often the only way they know how". 
A huge thank you to Beth for coming on to share her experiences and give valuable insight into a professional's perspective of the care system.
For more information about SOFEA visit out website here or email wellbeing@sofea.uk.com 
Response Organisation
For advice on how to support 'children we care for' go to the NSPCC website.
 

Episode 8: Domestic Abuse - Kerry’s Story.

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 signs, ensuring victims are aware of available support, as well as offering guidance to friends and family on how they can help people who are experiencing domestic abuse. In this emotional and brave episode, Kerry talks about the events that took place in the abusive relationship she was in, and how the support of her family and friends helped her into a process of recovery and healing.
Victim Support   
Women's Aid 
Oxfordshire Domestic Abuse Services (ODAS) a2dominion  (Oxfordshire and Buckinghamshire)
Educational videos on domestic abuse referenced in the episode: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_UKSnXmBQA
Special thanks to Kerry for this truly moving, vulnerable and inspirational conversation. 
www.sofea.uk.com 
Email us at wellbeing@sofea.uk.com
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

SOFEA SESSIONS SHORTHAND: What is our model of behavioural change and why does it work?

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 harmful stereotypes or processes in our society. 
In today's episode Marley Simpson, one of our one-to-one mentors at SOFEA addresses the question: 'What is SOFEA's model of behavioural change and why does it work?'. Marley talks through the power of listening to a young person, approaching 'challenging' behaviour with curiosity and compassion instead of punishment and judgement, and gives us an insight into the way he and his colleagues work with young people to enable them to have happier healthier and more meaningful lives. 
To find out more about what we do at SOFEA visit our website. 
Please do leave comments if you wish to give us feedback or email us at wellbeing@sofea.uk.com