FocusAF

Why Volunteering Matters with Tracey Noon

Tracey Noon is the Operations Manager at Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale Council for Voluntary Service (BPRCVS). Her job is to help local groups and people make their communities better places to live. In this episode, Tracey talks about her own journey and how her experiences help her support others. We talk about why volunteering is so important, and how using your own story can make a big difference in someone else’s life. Learn more about BPRCVS: https://bprcvs.co.uk/ [https://bprcvs.co.uk/] Visit our website: www.advocacyfocus.org.uk [https://advocacyfocus.org.uk/] Connect with us: Facebook: AdvocacyFocus [https://www.facebook.com/AdvocacyFocus] LinkedIn: advocacy-focus [https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocacy-focus] Instagram: @advocacyfocus [https://www.instagram.com/advocacyfocus/]

Talking About Death and Dying with Jenny England

What song do you want to be played at your funeral? Where would you want to spend the end of your life? Having honest conversations about death can bring comfort, connection, and control. It’s a part of life, so let’s talk about it. Jenny England is the Compassionate Communities Project Lead at St Catherine’s Hospice in Preston. It’s her mission to help us all feel more comfortable talking about death, dying, and grief – so we can support each other when it matters most. In this powerful episode, Jenny talks about why the Dying Matters campaign helps with starting honest conversations about the end of life, planning, bereavement, and how communities can come together. She shares stories, practical ideas, and explains why talking about dying isn’t just important – it can be life-changing. To learn more about the Compassionate Communities project at St Catherine’s Hospice, visit their website: https://www.stcatherines.co.uk/our-care/compassionate-communities/ [https://www.stcatherines.co.uk/our-care/compassionate-communities/] Visit our website: www.advocacyfocus.org.uk [https://advocacyfocus.org.uk/] Connect with us: Facebook: AdvocacyFocus [https://www.facebook.com/AdvocacyFocus] LinkedIn: advocacy-focus [https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocacy-focus] Instagram: @advocacyfocus [https://www.instagram.com/advocacyfocus/]

Ask An Advocate: Children’s Mental Health Advocacy with Chloe Henshaw

Chloe is one of our Advocacy Managers at Advocacy Focus. She has worked with us for 10 years and now supports children and young people with their mental health under our St Helens contract. In this episode, Chloe talks to us about what children’s mental health advocacy means, how it helps, and why it’s important. We recorded this as part of Children’s Mental Health Awareness Week, to help more people understand how to support young people with their mental health and wellbeing. Learn more about children and young people's advocacy on our website: https://advocacyfocus.org.uk/services/children-and-young-peoples-advocacy/ [https://advocacyfocus.org.uk/] Visit our website: www.advocacyfocus.org.uk [https://advocacyfocus.org.uk/] Connect with us: Facebook: AdvocacyFocus [https://www.facebook.com/AdvocacyFocus] LinkedIn: advocacy-focus [https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocacy-focus] Instagram: @advocacyfocus [https://www.instagram.com/advocacyfocus/]

Breaking the Stigma of Debt and Embracing Financial Wellness with Dawn Sheedy

In this episode, we’re joined by Dawn Sheedy, a fully qualified financial advisor and passionate advocate for financial wellness. As the founder of Dawn Sheedy Financial Management [https://partnership.sjp.co.uk/partner/dawnsheedy], she’s on a mission to change the way people approach money, believing that financial health is essential to overall wellbeing.  Dawn shares her insights on breaking the stigma of debt and empowering people to take control of their finances - because it’s never too late to start your journey to financial confidence.  Connect with Dawn on Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn at Dawn Sheedy Financial Management. Visit our website: www.advocacyfocus.org.uk [https://advocacyfocus.org.uk/] Connect with us: Facebook: AdvocacyFocus [https://www.facebook.com/AdvocacyFocus] LinkedIn: advocacy-focus [https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocacy-focus] Instagram: @advocacyfocus [https://www.instagram.com/advocacyfocus/]

Health Coaching with Amanda Robinson

We talk with Amanda Robinson, an award winning health and well-being coach and founder of Health Steps. Amanda shares what it’s like to work with a health coach and how they can help people feel better at work and in life. We also chat about how your gut and brain are connected, give easy tips to make your gut healthier, and share small steps you can take to start 2025 feeling great. Resources:  * Visit the Health Steps website: www.healthsteps.co.uk [http://www.healthsteps.co.uk]  * For blogs and recipes, visit: https://www.healthsteps.co.uk/blog [https://www.healthsteps.co.uk/blog] * For Amandas Facebook group, search for : ‘Health Steps Community-Health and Wellbeing support for all’ Visit our website: www.advocacyfocus.org.uk [https://advocacyfocus.org.uk/] Connect with us: Facebook: AdvocacyFocus [https://www.facebook.com/AdvocacyFocus] LinkedIn: advocacy-focus [https://www.linkedin.com/company/advocacy-focus] Instagram: @advocacyfocus [https://www.instagram.com/advocacyfocus/]