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Growing Hope provides free therapy for children and young people with additional needs in partnership with local churches across the UK. Growing Hope Conversations is a podcast series sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.
Episodes
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Tuesday Oct 07, 2025
Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast.
In this week’s podcast we’re thrilled to be joined by Carrie Grant MBE. Carrie is a parent of four children with special educational needs, TV presenter, vocal coach, leadership coach, ordained minister and campaigner for families with SEND.
This week is Part 1 of Bambi’s conversation with Carrie. Carrie reflects on raising four children (three birth, one adopted), navigating misdiagnoses, battling stigma within schools and churches, and fostering an inclusive church community that centre marginalised voices.
This is a podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families. Join our host, Bambi French, as she welcomes guests who’ve been there - sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.
00:00 Introduction to the podcast
00:22 Introduction to Carrie Grant
02:11 Navigating the World of Special Educational Needs
05:36 The Intersection of Faith and Special Needs
08:52 Challenging Norms in Faith Communities
14:27 Creating Inclusive Spaces for Marginalised Families
17:37 Understanding Healing and Disability in Faith
23:05 Redefining Needs and Neurodiversity
24:37 Part 2 Coming Next Week
Get involved:
Buy a copy of A Very Modern Family by Carrie and David Grant
Join monthly Growing Hope newsletter
Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Thursday Oct 02, 2025
Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast.
This week, we're joined by Dr. Léon Van Ommen, Co-director of the Centre for Autism and Theology at the University of Aberdeen.
Léon highlights practical and theologically rooted ways to support neurodivergent individuals within worship and church life. He explains how 'normal church habits' might be exhausting for some neurodiverse people, and two simple steps churches can take to overcome that.
This is a podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families. Join our host, Bambi French, as she welcomes guests who’ve been there - sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.
00:00 Introduction to the podcast
00:19 Introduction to Autism and Theology
06:13 Understanding Autism's Influence on Faith 09:20 Challenges for Church Leaders in Inclusion
12:24 Theological Values for Inclusion
15:09 Creating a Welcoming Church Environment
18:09 The Role of Community in Belonging 20:51 Practical Steps for Understanding and Inclusion
23:53 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning
38:36 Introduction to Accessibility in Churches
Get involved:
Listen to the Autism and Theology Podcast
Book your place at the Faith on the Margins: Engaging with Nonspeaking and Black Autistic Christians Conference from 5th-7th November 2025.
Sign up to the quarterly newsletter and occasional calls for research participants
Buy a copy of Léon's book Autism and Worship, by Dr Léon Van Ommen
Neurodiversity and Faith Series booklets
Centre for Autism and Theology Webinars
Join monthly Growing Hope newsletter
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Wednesday Sep 24, 2025
Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast. The podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families.
Join our host, Bambi French, as she welcomes guests who’ve been there - sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.
In this episode, we're joined by Sophie Killingley, a freelance illustrator and writer. Sophie shares her family’s journey through multiple autism diagnoses. She describes the joys and struggles of being a SEND family - and a pastor's family - within a church community.
Sophie is married to Pete and has two neurodivergent teens and a cat called Major Tom. She is passionate about the intersection of faith and creativity and breaking down the sacred/secular divide to explore the world as it is, and freeing others to do the same. Her work and cartooning are quirky offerings of humour and heart from her perspectives on mental health, Christian culture, and the daily realities of having a neurodivergent family.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Growing Hope Podcast
00:19 Navigating Neurodivergence: A Personal Journey
08:12 Experiences in the Church: Support and Challenges
14:04 The Impact of Autism on Family and Faith
18:01 Creating a New Ministry Through Art and Writing
25:10 Empowering Children with Additional Needs
30:07 Final Thoughts and Encouragement
38:03 Accessibility Training for Churches
Get involved:
- Visit Sophie’s website
- Sign up to Sophie’s mailing list
- Podcast: Triptych Conversations Podcast
- Follow Sophie's Substack
- Look out for Sophie's new book coming in 2026: Blessed are the Neurodivergent
- Join the monthly Growing Hope newsletter
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Wednesday Sep 17, 2025
Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast. The podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families. Join our host, Bambi French, as she welcomes guests who’ve been there - sharing real stories, honest struggles, and how churches can truly make a difference.
In this week’s episode we’re excited to be joined by Graham Miller, CEO of London City Mission, a charity working to share the good news of Jesus Christ with those in London unlikely to otherwise hear it. LCM help churches build bridges into communities in their local area where Jesus Christ isn’t widely known. Graham is a parent of children with additional needs and he himself has been diagnosed with ADHD, having received his diagnosis as an adult.
Graham reflects on leadership, faith and ADHD, and how neurodiversity in leaders is both a challenge and an opportunity.
Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast
00:21 Introduction to Graham Miller and London City Mission
02:05 Graham's Journey to ADHD Diagnosis
04:55 Understanding ADHD and Its Impact on Life
06:34 Navigating Leadership and ADHD Diagnosis
09:31 The Impact of ADHD on Faith
12:24 Understanding Neurodiversity in Faith Communities
15:32 Supporting Families with Additional Needs
18:08 The Role of the Church in Inclusion
21:25 Overcoming Isolation in Neurodiverse Families
24:26 Embracing Neurodiversity as a Strength
27:18 Encouragement for Neurodiverse Individuals and Families
32:37 Accessibility Training for Churches
Get involved:
Read about the work of London City Mission and how you can get involved at lcm.org.uk/
Email us at info@growinghope.org.uk
Hear updates from Growing Hope in our monthly newsletter: growinghope.org.uk/newsletter
Listen to The Conversations Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Wednesday Sep 10, 2025
Welcome to Growing Hope Conversations Podcast. The podcast from Growing Hope, a charity offering free therapy for children and young people with additional needs, and support for their families.
In this episode, Rachel tells Bambi about her family’s journey of raising children with additional needs. She reflects honestly on grief, joy, and the unexpected gifts along the way. Rachel also speaks about navigating the tension between faith, disability, and healing - how her perspective on prayer shifted, and the hope she holds onto in the midst of uncertainty. A moving conversation for parents, carers, and churches seeking to understand how to walk with families in both challenge and hope.
Bible verses referenced:
Isaiah 9:6-7 “And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the greatness of his government and peace there will be no end.” (NIV)
Ephesians 3:16-19 “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.” (NIV)
Chapters:
00:00 - Introduction to the Podcast
00:19 - Introduction to Rachel's Journey
04:55 - Navigating Early Challenges and Grief
10:57 - Faith, Healing, and Acceptance
19:02 - The Impact of Writing and Community Support
25:01 - Words of Wisdom for Parents
28:12 - Conclusion and Future Hope
28:56 - Find out more about When Dreams Change
Get involved:
- Read Rachel and Andrew Wilson’s book The Life You Never Expected: Thriving while parenting special needs children
- Listen to The Conversations Podcast on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform
- Read about the work of Jubilee+
- Email us at info@growinghope.org.uk
- Hear updates from Growing Hope in our monthly newsletter: growinghope.org.uk/newsletter
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Friday Nov 12, 2021
Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.12 Sophie Guthrie-Kummer & Pregnancy Choices // This is the last episode in our series and it is such an interesting one! Our hosts Naomi and Mark chat to Sophie about pregnancy choices and additional needs. Sophie is the Director at Choices – a charity which supports parents through pregnancy and beyond. You can face really difficult choices when you're pregnant. It’s a very vulnerable time and it's important to be well equipped and informed about the complex choices you may have to make. Sophie works with women and men during a range of pregnancy crises as a counsellor.
Growing Hope Conversations is a new 12-part podcast series sharing stories of those living with additional needs and tackling barriers of accessibility. We believe real change in society starts with
honest conversations. #WelcomeToTheConversation
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
Wednesday Nov 10, 2021
Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.11 Kay Morgan-Gurr & Public Accessibility // This week Naomi and Mark talk to Kay. Kay is Co-founder of the Additional Needs Alliance and the current chair of Children Matter. She is also the disability advisor to Spring Harvest and serves on the Evangelical Alliance council. Kay uses a wheelchair and has a visual impairment.
In this episode Kay shares her experience of what its like to navigate society as a wheelchair user and someone with additional needs. These stories and conversations are really important as we begin to rebuild society after Lockdown. There are lots of opportunities to make our public events, spaces and buildings more inclusive.
Growing Hope Conversations is a new 12-part podcast series sharing stories of those living with additional needs and tackling barriers of accessibility. We believe real change in society starts with honest conversations. #WelcomeToTheConversation
Wednesday Nov 03, 2021
Wednesday Nov 03, 2021
Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.10 Sarah Hutt and Phil Guthrie - Disability and Conflict // This week Naomi and Mark talk to Sarah and Phil the co-founders of Crux. Crux aims to help people and communities navigate conflict. They want to equip people to have the conversations that matter.
Having a child with additional needs is complex. There are often difficult decisions and conversations that need to be had. We often meet families who are experiencing conflict. This could be with their family, neighbours, school or healthcare provider. If you relate to this, we hope this episode gives you some helpful advice so you can take a step towards resolving the conflict in your life.
Growing Hope Conversations is a new 12-part podcast series sharing stories of those living with additional needs and tackling barriers of accessibility. We believe real change in society starts with honest conversations. #WelcomeToTheConversation
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Wednesday Oct 27, 2021
Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.9 John Naude & Disability and the Church // This week our hosts Naomi & Mark have a conversation with John Naude, the Associate Vicar at The Point Church in Burgess Hill. John was born with spina bifida and was the first stipendiary (paid) clergyman to use a wheelchair. There is a perception in our society (and in the church) that you can’t be disabled and lead. We believe all people have the ability to connect with God and make a positive difference in our world. At Growing Hope, we want to encourage and enable people to do what God has created them to do. John has some fantastic advice about following God’s calling. We hope you enjoy the episode!
Growing Hope Conversations is a new 12-part podcast series sharing stories of those living with additional needs and tackling barriers of accessibility. We believe real change in society starts with honest conversations. #WelcomeToTheConversation
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Wednesday Oct 20, 2021
Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.8 Lynn McCann & SEN Schooling // This week we are joined on Growing Hope Conversations by Lynn McCann to chat about SEN schooling. As Mark says in the episode - Children and young people only get one chance at their school years so making sure they get the right support and encouragement is absolutely vital. Lynn McCann is an Autism Specialist Teacher with Reach Out ASC in North West England. Lynn delivers strategies and support for individual pupils in Secondary Schools to enable them to thrive. She is the author of three books for teachers and is also a speaker and trainer. Lynn has a wealth of experience and has some fantastic advice for teachers, parents and other educators. Particularly those working with children who have Autism.
Growing Hope Conversations is a new 12-part podcast series sharing stories of those living with additional needs and tackling barriers of accessibility. We believe real change in society starts with honest conversations. #WelcomeToTheConversation