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.

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.

This episode is about showing up, even when you’re exhausted, stretched, or struggling.

I reflect on the pressure many care-experienced people feel to prove they’re “doing okay,” and how hard it can be to keep going without rest or support. I also begin to look at the gaps in the system and what needs to change if we want better outcomes for young people.

A gentle reminder that rest isn’t failure, and that showing up imperfectly still counts.