The It’s All About People Personalisation Podcast

Ep 75. People Promise: Supporting stronger primary care teams with Helen and Wendy

In this episode, Alison is joined by Helen Ashwell, People Promise Manager, and Wendy Cundy, Head of Primary Care Workforce Transformation, both working in Primary Care (which includes GP surgeries, opticians, community pharmacy, and dentistry). Together they explore the powerful work happening to support and strengthen the workforce.
Wendy explains how they responded to staff survey feedback that people didn’t feel heard or valued, and the changes that followed. Helen shares how she and her colleague Ruth run reflective practice sessions with GP practices and Primary Care Networks, focusing on staff wellbeing and building healthier teams.
They also discuss the impact their work is having, not only on the workforce but also on the patients, and how people now feel “we are a team”. 
The People Promise aligns so closely with Our Shared Agreement and highlights the value of investing in our workforce, so Alison (our Workforce Development Lead) was thrilled! 
If you want to know more about the People Promise work, please don’t hesitate to contact Helen or Wendy.   And if you have been involved in any of this work and want to talk to us more about what you have been up to, please contact us at lhnt.itsallaboutpeople@nhs.net ​ 

Ep 74. Everybody, Every Story - Cancer Awareness Podcast: Lung Screening

In this third episode of the 'Everybody, Every Story' Cancer Awareness Podcast, hosts Kavya and Charlotte are joined by Dr Lucy Rushworth, GP and the Cancer Lead for South Lincolnshire Rural Primary Care Network, and Nick Reed, Programme Manager for Lung Cancer Screening in Lincolnshire. Together, they explore lung cancer screening and why it matters here in Lincolnshire.
They break down common myths, explain who is eligible for screening, what screening actually involves, and how it can help catch lung cancer early, when treatment is most effective.
It’s an open, honest conversation designed to make lung screening feel less scary and more approachable. Whether you’re eligible for screening or supporting someone who is, this episode offers clear, friendly guidance to help you feel informed and empowered.
This podcast series is brought to you by our colleagues at South Lincolnshire Rural Primary Care Network.

Ep 73. Hoarding disorder with Kat and Judy

Alison is joined by Kat and Judy for an honest and eye-opening conversation about hoarding disorder.
Kat is Director for Hoarding Disorders UK (East) Community Interest Company (CIC) and founder of The Hummingbird Effect, a social purpose business that specialises in professional decluttering and organisational strategies.
Judy is an expert by experience, and shares her own story and how she now uses her lived experience to support others through a peer group in Stamford.
Kat talks about the powerful ripple effect of Judy’s openness - how it’s encouraged others to share their own stories, build trust, and form strong connections within the group.
Together, they explore the stigma and shame often linked to hoarding, highlighting the importance of understanding what lies beneath these behaviours. They also discuss the value of kindness, non-judgement, and a few practical tools that can help.
This podcast is not a short listen, but it’s a deeply human one, offering real insight into hoarding and the courage it takes to talk about it.

Ep 72. Occupational Therapy with Zoe, Denis, and Laura

To celebrate Occupational Therapy Week 2025 (3–9 November), Alison is joined by Occupational Therapists Zoe and Laura, and Denis, an expert by experience.
Together, they share Denis’s incredible journey through rehabilitation - a story powered by his determination and by Zoe and Laura’s willingness to do things differently.
Denis talks about how he went from spending 15 months lying in a hospital bed to being able to sit up in his chair, walk into his kitchen and back again, and how those steps transformed his life.
He also speaks movingly about the relationship he built with Zoe and Laura, and how their trust and teamwork made all the difference to his recovery.
This uplifting conversation is a reminder of what’s possible when people work together, and will inspire anyone listening to make the most of what’s available and keep reaching for their goals.

Ep 71. Mental Health Podcast: Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD)

As we head through Autumn and into Winter, many of us feel the impact of the shorter days, lack of sunlight, and bad weather, not just in our routines, but in our moods and energy.
In this first episode of this Mental Health series, our colleagues from South Lincolnshire Rural Primary Care Network, Kavya, Melissa, and Leah, shine a light on Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD).
What is SAD, why does it happen, and how we can support ourselves and each other through the darker months.
The trio explore the power of community support and self-care strategies that make a real difference, drawing on the evidence-based Five Ways to Wellbeing:
Connect - Reaching out to friends, family, or local groups to feel less alone.
Be active - Keeping your body moving to lift your mood, even if it’s simply getting off the sofa and going up and down the stairs.
Take notice - Finding moments of calm and awareness in nature, art, or your everyday surroundings.
Keep learning - Trying something new to spark curiosity and confidence.
Give - Small acts of kindness or volunteering that help others and boost your own wellbeing too.
And for the Our Shared Agreement supporters out there, a key theme throughout the podcast is 'making the most of what we have available to us' (Our Shared Agreement's Foundation 5).
Whether you live with SAD or just struggle through winter’s gloom, this episode offers warmth, practical ideas, and gentle encouragement.
And remember, you’re not alone - and there’s more support around you than you might think. Let’s get through this, together!

Ep 70. Lincoln City Foundation with Alice and Phill

Joining Alison as she sits down with Alice Carter and Phillip Watson from Lincoln City Foundation. Together they explore the Foundation's great work supporting individuals and communities to improve their physical, social, and mental wellbeing - and why what they do ‘isn’t just football’.
Stick with us to the end to hear about how proud Alice and Phill are about the impact their services are having on people - just don’t mention the dog and the naked photo shoot! 

Ep 69. Strength-Based Approaches with Hayley

What does it really mean to work in a strengths-based way - and why should it matter to everyone in health and social care?
In this episode, Alison sits down with Hayley Eccles, Deputy Director of Adult Social Care at Lincolnshire County Council, to explore how a strengths-based mindset transforms the way we think about care and support.
Hayley shares her own journey from Support Worker to Deputy Director, and why those early working experiences still shape her belief that people’s strengths, relationships, and communities are at the heart of meaningful care.
Together, Hayley and Alison unpack what it takes to move from “fixing problems” to building on what people can do, creating independence and connection rather than dependence.
From culture change to community partnerships, Hayley makes a powerful case for being brave enough to do things differently - putting people, not systems, at the centre of everything we do.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation about co-production, compassion, and the golden thread of strengths-based practice running through care in Lincolnshire.

Ep 68. Time to talk: Lincolnshire Talking Therapies

To mark World Mental Health Day on 10 October 2025, Caty from the It's All About People Team sits down with Dee, Barbara, and Tommy from Lincolnshire Talking Therapies for an open and inspiring conversation about mental health and the power of talking.
Dee, a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist (CBT), shares some of her most memorable moments in therapy and how she uses CBT techniques not just with her clients, but in her own life too.
Tommy, a member of Voice2Change, a patient involvement group run by Lincolnshire Talking Therapies, talks honestly about his journey and the lasting positive impact that talking therapies have had on his wellbeing.
Barbara gives a helpful overview of the different types of talking therapy available in Lincolnshire and explains how you can self-refer or join a group if you’re feeling anxious, low, or simply need someone to talk to.
Find out more about Talking Therapies and how to get support: https://www.lpft.nhs.uk/talking-therapies

Ep 67. Person-centred support for a smoke-free life: Lincolnshire’s Acute Tobacco Dependency Service

To mark Stoptober 2025, Gavin from the It’s All About People Personalisation Team sits down with Vicky, Kate, Ashlea, and Praveen from Lincolnshire’s Acute Tobacco Dependency Service to talk about how they support people on their journey to a smoke-free life.
They share how a truly person-centred approach, built on taking time to listen, empathy, understanding, and co-designing support, makes all the difference. By hearing each person’s story and tailoring care around what matters most to them, the team helps create change that lasts.
Tune in for inspiring insights, real experiences, and a powerful look at how person-centred care can transform lives.

Ep 66. Everybody, Every Story - Cancer Awareness Podcast: Breast Screening

In this second episode of the 'Everybody, Every Story' Cancer Awareness Podcast, which marks Breast Cancer Awareness Month (Wednesday 1 Oct 2025 – Friday 31 Oct 2025), host Kavya sits down with Dr. Lucy Rushworth and seven incredible women - Charlotte, Linda, Meena, Melissa, Namrata, Sadia, and Sue - to talk about something that can feel a little awkward but is absolutely vital: breast screening.
Screening can be scary to think about. Myths, misconceptions, and fears often hold people back, but putting off or avoiding screening can mean diagnosing cancer later, when it’s harder to treat. That’s why these women are opening up and sharing their stories.
In this episode, you’ll hear honest conversations about breast screening - the ups and downs, the fears, and even those awkward moments we all secretly worry about. You’ll also hear the facts that cut through the myths - and reminders that screening really can save lives.
Most importantly, you’ll meet women of different ages, backgrounds, and ethnicities who want to empower you with their experiences. Their message is simple: you’re not alone, and talking about screening makes a difference.
This podcast series is brought to you by South Lincolnshire Rural Primary Care Network.