Beyond The System

The Safety Nets We Don't Talk About

In this episode, I explore what sits underneath the pressure to prove you’re okay — the reality that many care-experienced young people don’t always have the same safety nets as others. I talk about what safety nets actually look like in everyday life, why their absence creates pressure, and how this impacts young people as they move into independence. Drawing on both lived experience and my work with young people, this episode looks at what needs to change — and why support shouldn’t stop when independence begins.

When You You Feel Like You Have to Prove You're Ok!

In this episode, I explore the pressure to appear “okay” — especially for care-experienced young people. I share my own experiences of independence, struggle, and the expectation to be the “success story,” and why it’s time we start being more honest about what doing well really looks like.

Bonus Episode- Taking a Break & Coming Back

After a short break from recording, this episode is a bit of a reset. I talk about the reality of stepping back when life feels full, the pressure we often put on ourselves to keep going, and why taking a pause doesn’t mean you’ve failed — it means you’re human. This is a more personal, honest check-in episode. A reminder that it’s okay to slow down, to take a breath, and to come back when you’re ready.

Mother’s Day, Mixed Emotions & What Family Really Means

In this episode, I reflect on Mother’s Day — a day that can mean very different things depending on your experiences. After spending time with my mum and sister (and laughing until we couldn’t breathe), it got me thinking about the complexity of relationships, especially for children in care and care leavers. I talk about the emotional weight days like this can carry, the pressure to feel a certain way, and why understanding, choice, and space are so important for young people navigating these moments. I also share a powerful resource created by a care leaver, My Rights, My Life, and why lived experience is so important in shaping better support. This episode is about more than one day — it’s about belonging, relationships, and what family really means.

Independence Isn't A Switch

In this episode, I’m talking about independence, what it really looks like for young people leaving care. After recently returning from a trip to Cyprus with my family, and hearing my niece talk about buying her first home, it got me reflecting on my own journey into adulthood. Moving into independence at 18 wasn’t easy, and like many care leavers, I wasn’t fully prepared for the realities of it. In this episode I share my own experiences, talk about the importance of preparation and support, and reflect on what independence should look like for care-experienced young people. I also discuss the work we do through participation to help young people build confidence and life skills as they move towards adulthood.