This podcast series aims to raise awareness about the experiences and needs of women who have had children removed from their care. It was created by a group of women who have completed the Pause Programme, who all have experience of having children removed from their care.

In this episode, we’ll be focusing on the experiences of women who had children placed in kinship care, which is when a child lives with a relative or close family friend who isn't their parent. Our hosts, Helena and Jade, speak to Sharon McPherson, who is the Co-Founder of Families in Harmony and also a kinship carer herself. Families in Harmony is a social enterprise set up in response to racial disparity in the kinship care community.

This episode will explore the value of kinship care, some of the challenges that can arise for kinship families, and the racial disparity – in policy, practice and support services – that Families in Harmony exists to challenge.

Hosted by Helena and Jade, who have both completed the Pause Programme
Produced by Fi Gilligan and Karina Graham
Music by Ben Jacob
Editing by Will Jacob

To find out more about Pause, visit: pause.org.uk

In this special episode of In a Mother’s Mind, we sit down with two women who share lived experience of the challenges portrayed in the new film Lollipop, a raw and emotional story directed by Daisy-May Hudson.

Lollipop follows Molly, a young mother recently released from prison, as she tries to reunite with her children. But instead of finding support, she’s blocked by a system that demands she secure stable housing before regaining custody, even though she can’t get housing without her children. The film explores a vicious cycle many women know all too well: the intersections of incarceration, homelessness, child removal, and social services.

In this episode, they speak directly with Daisy about the making of the film, what inspired her to tell this story, and the role that storytelling plays in shifting stigma and changing systems.

**trigger warning** although there is no description of physical acts of violence, this podcast episode discusses experiences and the impact of domestic abuse. Please take care when listening.

Welcome to our third season of ‘In a Mother’s Mind’! This podcast series aims to raise awareness about the experiences and needs of women who have had children removed from their care. It was created by a group of women who have completed the Pause Programme, who all have experience of having children removed from their care.

Around 1 in 5 children in the UK experience domestic abuse, often when still in the womb. This can have a profound impact on the rest of their lives, including an increased likelihood of being subject to domestic abuse or being abusive later in life. Domestic abuse is also the most common reason for children being taken into care. In this episode, we talk to Lauren Seager-Smith, CEO of For Baby’s Sake, about breaking the intergenerational cycle of domestic abuse and what systemic changes need to happen in order to meet the individual needs of families. Suzanne and Vanessa – who have both completed the Pause Programme – then reflect on some of the complexities of protecting your children whilst also seeking support when being subject to domestic abuse.

If you’re experiencing – or are at risk of domestic abuse – you can call the free National Domestic Abuse Helpline on 0808 2000 247. There’s also more information and support – including a live chat – available on the Women’s Aid website.

For Baby’s Sake works with expectant parents until the time of the baby’s second birthday. Their programme takes a whole-family approach, dealing with the entire cycle and history of domestic abuse, identifying and directly addressing the trauma or traumas that lie at the heart of the problem. Find out more about their programme and referrals here.

Hosted by Helena, who has completed the Pause Programme
Also featuring Suzanne, Vanessa and Vicky, who have all completed the Pause Programme
Produced by Fi Gilligan and Karina Graham
Music by Ben Jacob
Editing by Will Jacob

To find out more about Pause, visit: pause.org.uk

Welcome to a very special bonus episode of In a Mother’s Mind! This episode is hosted by Vanessa, a birth mother who has completed the Pause Programme and continues to get involved in Pause’s campaign work. Two years ago, Vanessa decided to write a letter to the social worker who removed her children from her care. In this episode, she talks to Jules Hillier, Chief Executive of Pause, about what made her decide to do this and the impact of her decision.

We are pleased to share this episode with you this week, which is Social Work Week in the UK, to highlight positive relationships between social workers and birth parents. We recognise that everyone’s journey is different, but we hope that Vanessa’s experience inspires listeners who might be in a similar situation, to overcome hurdles that they feel are holding them back.

Hosted by Vanessa, a woman with experience of the Pause Programme
Produced by Fi Gilligan and Karina Graham

Music by Ben Jacob
Editing by Will Jacob

To find out more about Pause, visit: pause.org.uk

Episode 3

Welcome back to the final episode of this season of ‘In a Mother’s Mind’! This podcast series aims to raise awareness about the experiences and needs of women who have had children removed from their care. It was created by a group of four Pause graduates, who have experience of having children removed from their care.

In this episode, Vanessa speaks to Sarah Moat, her former Pause Practitioner, about how Pause works in partnership with local authority housing providers to support women with their housing situations. Karina Graham, Pause’s Involvement and Communications Assistant, then leads a discussion with the podcast group to discuss the emotional challenges of staying in the same home, or moving to a new one, after having children removed from their care. As a group, they talk about some of the practical and creative ways they have approached this.

If you are going through – or have gone through – care proceedings and have been hit by the bedroom tax, you may be eligible for financial support through a Discretionary Housing Payment (DHP). Find out more about this and how to apply on the government website.

Hosted by Helena, a woman with experience of the Pause Programme
Featuring Heidi and Vanessa, women with experience of the Pause Programme

Produced by Fi Gilligan and Karina Graham
Music by Ben Jacob
Editing by Will Jacob

To find out more about Pause, visit: pause.org.uk

Welcome to episode two of this season of ‘In a Mother’s Mind’! This podcast series aims to raise awareness about the experiences and needs of women who have had children removed from their care. It was created by a group of four Pause graduates, who have experience of having children removed from their care. 

We know from government figures that domestic abuse is one of the leading causes of homelessness amongst women, and housing is the primary barrier for women attempting to leave abusers. This is even more complex when children are involved. In this episode, we talk to Vicky Jennings, who is a Senior Practitioner for BCHA’s women’s refuge in Plymouth, about some of the challenges women and children face when fleeing domestic abuse, as well as some housing solutions that are available. We’ll then delve deeper into the issue of domestic abuse by talking to barrister Rachel Cooper, from Coram Chambers. We’ll get a legal perspective on what’s being done to make the family courts more trauma-informed and what more needs to be done.  

If you’re experiencing – or are at risk of domestic abuse – you can ask your local council for support finding another place to live. You can find out more information on the Shelter website. You can also call the free National Domestic Abuse Helpline if you need help finding a refuge space.  

When talking about support services available in Plymouth, Vicky mentions the local charity Trevi and their Sunflower Centre, Plymouth’s only women’s centre, providing a safe hub for connection and hope. 

Vicky also mentions how pets can be an additional barrier to leaving an abusive relationship, as not all emergency accommodation accept animals. You can find out about national services that could help on the Refuge website. If you live in London and need access to an animal refuge for your pet, you can contact the charity Mayhew.    

Hosted by Helena, a woman with experience of the Pause Programme   
Interviews by Heidi and Helena, women with experience of the Pause Programme   
Produced by Fi Gilligan and Karina Graham 
Music by Ben Jacob  
Editing by Will Jacob  

To find out more about Pause, visit: pause.org.uk 

Welcome back to another season of ‘In a Mother’s Mind’! This podcast series aims to raise awareness about the experiences and needs of women who have had children removed from their care. It was created by a group of four women who have experience of having children removed from their care and who have completed the Pause Programme.

In this season, we will be discussing some of the complexities women face around housing, when going through – or after going through – care proceedings. We are kicking the season off with a discussion with Polly Neate, CEO of Shelter. We discuss some of the practical and financial challenges this group of women face, and what can be done to better support them. We are also joined by Angela Frazer-Wicks, who is the Chair of Trustees for Family Rights Group, to hear about her own personal difficulties with housing before, during and after having her two children removed from her care.

**Trigger warning: please take care when listening to this podcast episode, as there are references to personal experience of the care system, violence and suicide.

If you are experiencing difficulties with housing, there are lots of services out there where you can get support. In the podcast episode, Polly mentions that St Mungo’s and Homeless Link have been doing some important work around understanding women’s experiences and making homelessness services more trauma-informed.

As Angela mentions in her interview, you can seek advice from Family Rights Group about care proceedings.

If you are experiencing domestic abuse, contact Women’s Aid, or a local domestic abuse charity in your area.

Hosted by Helena, a woman with experience of the Pause Programme
Interviews by Helena and Vanessa, women with experience of the Pause Programme
Produced by Fi Gilligan and Karina Graham
Music by Ben Jacob
Editing by Will Jacob

To find out more about Pause, visit: pause.org.uk

Welcome back to this very special season of Pause and Listen! This is the final episode in our season ‘In a Mother’s Mind’, which aims to raise awareness about the mental health experiences and needs of women who have had children removed from their care. It was created by a group of five Pause graduates who have experience of having children removed from their care.

In this episode, we share some messages of support for other women who have had children removed from their care. We will also hear some music written and performed by Vanessa.

Hosted by Helena, a woman with experience of the Pause Programme
Messages of support by Chloe, Elaine, Emily, Heidi and Helena, women with experience of the Pause Programme
Produced by Fi Gilligan
Music by Ben Jacob
Editing by Will Jacob

To find out more about Pause, visit: pause.org.uk