Living with pain doesn’t have to mean living alone. In this episode, we explore the power of Pain Cafés, a compassionate, community-based approach that is helping people manage chronic pain in practical, holistic ways.

Alison is joined by Emma Farrington, Wellbeing Team Lead, First Coastal Primary Care Network (PCN), Anna Chapman, Personalised Care Lead at K2 PCN, and Lauren Boon, Health and Wellbeing Coach, Thrive Tribe, K2 PCN.

Together, they share how Pain Cafés support people to live well with pain, reduce reliance on medication, and build confidence through peer support, pacing, mindfulness, and other self-management skills.

You’ll hear real insights from the first groups of Pain Café users, learn why collaboration across communities matters, and discover how small, low-cost ideas can make a big difference to people’s lives.

Listen now to hear how Pain Cafés are changing the way we support people living with pain across Lincolnshire and consider what you could do in your area.

Carl shares his journey from alcohol addiction to becoming a volunteer, driven by a deep desire to repay the health and care system that supported him. In his own words, “A leopard can change its spots!”

Along the way, Carl reflects on the people who made a difference in his life, including Clare and Karen, Assistant Managers at De Wint Court, an Extra Care housing scheme in Lincoln, where he now lives. Both Clare and Karen join the conversation to share their perspectives.

We also hear from Mary Nel, Lead Practitioner at Lincolnshire County Council, who highlights the real impact of Carl sharing his story, and how it can inspire meaningful change for others.

Recorded at De Wint Court, this podcast captures his honest, powerful reflections on where he has been, how he has transformed his life, and what he hopes to do next.

Join Alison as she chats to Tricia Nicoll and Bryony Shannon about all things Gloriously Ordinary Language.

They discuss why Tricia felt the need to create ‘Test 2’ of Gloriously Ordinary Lives, the words and phrases that make Bryony go ‘Hmmm’, and how the two of them came together to explore the powerful impact that language has on people, practice, and purpose.

Tricia and Bryony then make the mistake of asking Alison about the work happening in Lincolnshire to spread the learning from the Gloriously Ordinary Language session she attended, and about the ripples this is creating. Alison completely takes over the podcast, but no-one seems to mind as they all agree that we need to ‘be more curious, be more kind, and be more human!’