Growing Hope Conversations

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 

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

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

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

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

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

Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.7 Beth Mellor & Additional Needs Parenting // Naomi and Mark chat with Beth Mellor about additional needs parenting. In 2015 Beth set up Take 5 & Chat in Whitley Bay to create a safe space for parents and carers to meet together over a slice of homemade cake. Beth understands the anxieties many parents face on their own and wanted to create a community of families that could support each other. If you don't live in the Whitley Bay area you can join the Take 5 & Chat community on Facebook.

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

Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.6 Nicola Watson & Additional Needs and Isolation // This week our hosts talk to Nicola Watson who is the Additional Needs Co-ordinator for Care for the Family. Nicola also has 3 children of her own, one of whom has global developmental delay. In this episode Nicola shares her advice as a professional, working with families who have children with medical, additional and mental health needs, and as a parent. Nicola highlights the importance of asking for help if you are experiencing challenges and isolation. If this episode resonated with you because you are feeling alone in your situation then please get in touch. Stay tuned to the end of the episode to hear Nicola's fantastic idea for helping adults with additional needs build friendships, improve their self-esteem and become more of a part of society through work.

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

Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.5 Adeola Aremu & Parenting a child with Autism // Welcome to this week's conversation! Our hosts Naomi and Mark are joined by Adeola Aremu who shares her personal story of caring for her son who has autism whilst also single-handedly raising 3 other children. Adeola's incredible story will encourage those facing similar challenges. It’s also a great episode if you would like to understand more about the joys and challenges of raising a child with additional needs.

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. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify (link in bio) #WelcomeToTheConversation

Growing Hope Conversations // Ep.4 Paul and Becky Harcourt & Disability and Leadership // Our hosts Naomi and Mark are joined by Paul and Becky Harcourt - national leaders of New Wine England and All Saints' Woodford Wells in London. They talk about their experience of working in public-facing leadership roles whilst also raising children who have additional needs. This juggling act of balancing work and family life is one many parents experience and there is some great advice in this 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. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify (link in bio) #WelcomeToTheConversation