Voices Unlocked

Voices Unlocked Ep. 9 | Dr Ben Rakes on INCCIP Global Support for Children With Incarcerated Parents

In this Voices Unlocked episode, we welcome Dr. Ben Rakes, who shares his current role teaching academic skills at University Campus Oldham and reflects on decades of work supporting young people affected by the criminal justice system. The conversation focuses on InCIP (International Coalition for Children with Incarcerated Parents), how it emerged from links between the COPING project (2010–2013) and Francis Suby’s Ugandan organisation Wells of Hope, and how InCIP was shaped at the 2015 Dallas conference before its first conference in New Zealand in 2017. Chapters: 00:00 Important Disclaimer 00:34 Meet Dr Ben Rakes 02:20 Surreal Holland Conference 05:00 What InCIP Is 05:22 Francis and Wells of Hope 08:55 InCIP Conferences Grow 10:42 Youth Panels Ripple Effects 12:32 South Korea Youth Empowerment 17:15 Huddersfield Escape Room Story 19:21 Online Conference and Bells Palsy 21:22 Ben Highlights Resilience Debate 24:23 Uganda Realities and Stigma 27:28 Uganda Prison Story 28:48 No Lawyer No Justice 29:39 Children Homes Abroad 31:38 Rethinking Resilience 33:44 Community Builds Strength 35:41 Incip Growth And Vision 36:44 UN Status And Youth Board 42:04 Gratitude And Farewell

Voices Unlocked Ep. 8 | International Stories and Unexpected Connections

Email us at voicesunlocked26@gmail.com Lorna and Liv return for Episode 8 of Voices Unlocked with a disclaimer that they’re not therapists and the stories are based on lived experience. They discuss international travel and speaking at conferences, starting with Liv’s first international conference at 15 in Caux, Switzerland, held in a castle with young people from around the world sharing experiences of vulnerability. Liv describes lasting friendships formed there, youth-led activities, talent shows, and how connection supports healing. They reflect on Paris, including Liv’s first time being allowed out to see the Eiffel Tower under careful supervision, and Liv later traveling alone to Brussels for youth-team planning meetings. Liv also shares a difficult period during conference travel when her nanny Liz died from glioblastoma and how safeguarding lead Darren supported her. They preview a future episode with guest Ben about InSIPP and end with gratitude, including a humorous story about Liv accidentally getting into a stranger’s car. Chapters: 00:00 Disclaimer And Care 00:34 Episode Eight Intro 01:06 Switzerland Castle Conference 04:10 Friends For Life 06:10 Healing Through Connection 07:06 Youth Team And Paris 08:30 Eiffel Tower Safety Story 10:22 Solo Trip To Belgium 13:03 Darren And Grief Support 15:10 Favourite Conference Moments 15:53 Bonfire Fireworks Moment 16:23 Talent Show Spotlight 18:09 Castle Views Video Diary 19:02 Youth Leader Year Two 20:01 Stars Fireworks Bonding 21:16 Momo Surprise Reunion 22:09 Ghost Hunt Gone Wrong 24:25 Next Episode Ben InSIPP 25:23 Power of Connection 27:40 Gratitude Kindness Story 30:03 Wrap Up Thanks Goodbye

Voices Unlocked Ep. 7 | Navigating Life as a Parent with an Ex-Partner in Prison

Email us at voicesunlocked26@gmail.com In episode seven of Voices Unlocked, hosts Lorna and Liv welcome their first guest, Lindsay, a parent whose children have been involved with Time Matters for four years since their dad was imprisoned. Lindsay shares how she found out through friends rather than any official contact, her initial anger, and the difficulty of answering the children’s questions without information. She explains deciding to be honest after seeing how lying can cause resentment, and describes how an initial lie about the army upset her son. The conversation highlights gaps in communication from prisons and probation, the impact of media exposure on children, and the “hidden sentence” families feel. Lindsay credits Time Matters and additional school and counselling support with helping her children thrive, discusses her son’s ADHD and need for positive outlets, and notes that home leave and release transitions can be especially challenging. The episode ends with gratitude and encouragement to seek support without shame. 00:00 Disclaimer 00:34 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:27 Four Years In 02:16 Finding Out He Was Arrested 05:59 Telling the Kids 09:36 No Official Support 13:47 Media and Online Exposure 16:29 Hidden Sentence Impact 17:32 Discovering Time Matters 21:07 Why Time Matters Helps 23:49 Trauma ADHD and Dopamine 25:25 Positive snowball effect 26:49 Park encounter wins 29:00 Boys being vulnerable 31:13 Family for life 32:38 Home leave struggles 35:13 Release rollercoaster 37:25 Advice and ditch shame 40:34 Kids speaking openly 44:42 Gratitude and wrap-up

Voices Unlocked Ep. 6 | Aaron’s Story, Finding Support, and the International Child Peace Prize

Email us at voicesunlocked26@gmail.com Lorna and Liv welcome guest Aaron, whom they have known since he was a child through Time Matters, and reflect on his early confidence in support groups and media work, including a BBC News interview. Aaron shares how his dad went to prison when he was nine, why his family chose not to maintain contact, and how rebuilding foundations through his mum’s research and peer support helped him cope. He describes stigma and bullying at school, including threats and being judged as destined to offend, and discusses the importance of vulnerability and safe spaces. They talk about the verbatim theatre production Eight Hours There and Back and Aaron’s later work presenting for BBC The One Show. Aaron also recounts being shortlisted worldwide for the International Child Peace Prize, placing second, and shares his current achievements in the Air Cadets and as a Lord-Lieutenant Cadet. 00:00 Disclaimer 00:34 Welcome and Guest Intro 01:34 Catching Up and Memories 05:36 Aaron Dad Prison Story 06:34 Choosing No Contact 09:49 Rebuilding Foundations 11:44 Safe Space and Vulnerability 14:11 Theatre Project Origins 20:04 One Show and Impact 23:40 School Struggles and Stigma 27:33 Stigma and Expectations 29:27 Breaking the Criminal Gene Myth 30:48 Safeguarding and Enabling Environments 33:01 Motivation and Paying It Forward 35:17 London Trips and Tube Chaos 38:57 Child Peace Prize Spotlight 41:46 Top Three Journey and Global Stage 48:03 Subtitles and Speech Impact 50:35 Cadets Role and New Achievements 52:35 Gratitude and Wrap Up

Voices Unlocked Ep. 5 | Film Festival Adventures & Parental Incarceration Stories

Email us at voicesunlocked26@gmail.com  In episode 5 of Voices Unlocked, Liv and Lorna share their whirlwind trip to the USA after their short drama film That Girl, about a girl growing up with a mother in prison, was selected for the Idyllwild film festival in California. They recount the chaotic travel and arriving in snowy mountains with only summer clothes, meeting supportive festival friends like Nicole, and the emotional experience of watching the film with audiences and receiving heartfelt feedback. The team won three awards, including best editing, a narrative award, and the overall Festival Director’s Choice Award, and Liv describes how meaningful it was to hear pride from her mum as they rebuild their relationship. They end by encouraging young people affected by parental imprisonment that they are not defined by stigma and can achieve their goals. 00:00 Disclaimer 00:34 Episode Intro and Thanks 00:48 Palm Springs Mix Up 02:09 Why We Went 03:16 Last Minute Travel Chaos 04:22 Cabin Life and Roast Dinner 05:56 Sharing Our Stories 07:14 Awards and Impact 11:23 Family Call and Voice Note 13:14 Rebuilding With Mum 18:22 Bigger Message for Kids 20:42 Media Stigma and Future Topics 22:41 Gratitude and Goodbye