Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.

In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong?And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included?

We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.

Today we’re joined by Stephen and Scott from New Dialogue the home of Healthwatch Kingston. Together, they work with local people to understand their experiences of health and care services and make sure those voices are heard.

In this episode, we talk about their recent work exploring the experiences of adults with autism and ADHD following bereavement. We hear how they worked with this community, created opportunities for people to share their stories, and the importance of making sure people feel listened to, understood and supported.

If you would like to share your thoughts, viewsor be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk

Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd

Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore.

A gentle note for listeners: In this episode we very briefly discuss baby loss as part of a wider conversation about grief and bereavement. Please listen in a way that feels right for you.

Resources:

30 March 2026 - Everyone experiences bereavement differently. In this podcast series, New Dialogue/Healthwatch Kingston spoke to adults with ADHD and autism to discuss their experiences of grief and bereavement.

This work was made possible by the ICCM Metals Recycling of Metals scheme via Kingston Voluntary Action.

15 December 2025 - Following careful consideration of their organisation's mission, and the future of independent voice, the Healthwatch Kingston Board agreed to change thecharitable company name to ‘New Dialogue’.

13 June 2025 - Building on earlier findings, Healthwatch Kingston and partners worked to engage underrepresented groups through community workshops, surveys, and youth-led creative projects, to better understand experiences ofgrief and the accessibility of bereavement support across south west London.

13 July 2022 – In 2021, Healthwatch Kingston and Kingston Voluntary Action were commissioned by the then South West London Clinical Commissioning Group