In this powerful episode of the Able to Care podcast, hosts Andy Baker and Nadine Sutton welcome Sosa Henkoma, a survivor and a beacon of resilience who shares his profound journey from the streets of Nigeria to the challenges he faced in the UK. A keynote speaker featured in The Guardian, Sosa dives deep into the cultural shocks, personal losses, and his battle against exploitation that shaped his life. His story is not just about survival but about transforming suffering into awareness and empowerment for the community.

Sosa Henkoma is a survivor of child criminal exploitation in the UK. Forced into a gang at a young age, he experienced violence and hardship. Despite this, Sosa escaped that life and now works to help others. He uses his experiences to raise awareness about modern slavery and advocates for vulnerable youth. Sosa is a consultant for organisations like Youth Unity and the Human Trafficking Foundation.

Key Moments:

• 00:00:21 - Introduction of Sosa and his background.
• 00:01:46 - Sosa's early life in Nigeria and the cultural shock of moving to the UK.
• 00:03:15 - Discussion on the familial and societal challenges Sosa faced upon relocating.
• 00:04:05 - Sosa describes the breakdown of family relationships and subsequent abuse.
• 00:09:27 - Sosa's experience with foster care and encountering a new, but challenging, family dynamic.
• 00:14:05 - Insights into Sosa's struggle with identity and belonging in his new environments.
• 00:19:23 - Sosa's journey into public speaking and advocacy work.
• 00:26:09 - The pivotal role of understanding one’s past to shape a better future.
• 00:32:14 - The importance of immediate needs and how they can lead to manipulation or support.
• 00:39:32 - Sosa reflects on the long-term impacts of his experiences and the importance of trust and connection.

Key Messages:

• Awareness and education are crucial in changing perspectives about child exploitation and recovery.
• Understanding and addressing immediate needs can lead to either manipulation or genuine support, impacting long-term outcomes.
• The importance of supportive relationships and trust in overcoming adverse childhood experiences.
• How personal history and experiences shape one's actions and decisions in adulthood.

Join us for this profound conversation that not only sheds light on the struggles many face but also highlights the strength and resilience possible in the face of adversity. Be sure to engage with Sosa's work through the links provided in our podcast description to learn more and support his mission.

Find Sosa on Instagram @sosa_est or LinkedIn sosa-henkoma-a99514251

Enjoyed this episode? Don't miss out on future conversations! Make sure to subscribe to our podcast for upcoming episodes featuring insightful guests and fantastic hosts. Stay connected! Follow us on social media @abletraining on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, @abletocarepodcast on TikTok) for behind-the-scenes content, updates, and community engagement. Want to delve deeper into topics discussed on the show? Visit our training website https://www.able-training.co.uk/ for valuable resources and courses to support caregivers on their journey. Thank you for listening! Your support means the world to us. Stay tuned for more inspiring conversations

Exploitation, criminal exploitation, CCE, trafficking, modern slavery, care, looked after children, foster care.

🎧 Join host Andy Baker on the Able to Care Podcast, sponsored by Able Training Support Ltd, as he explores the crucial topic of creating sensory safe spaces in care environments. Gain insights into the diverse challenges faced by individuals with sensory processing issues, trauma backgrounds, and mental health conditions. Discover practical strategies for designing calming environments, from managing visual stimuli to implementing aromatherapy. Explore proactive approaches for stress management and behavior regulation, and learn essential safety considerations for maintaining secure sensory spaces. Share your experiences and insights within our community as we strive to foster positive outcomes for all.

Timestamps:

00:00:20 - Introduction to Sensory Safe Spaces: Host Andy Baker introduces the episode topic, focusing on the importance of creating sensory safe spaces in various care settings.

00:00:54 - Understanding Sensory Processing Challenges: Discussion on the prevalence of sensory processing issues, including their impact on individuals across different populations, such as those on the autistic spectrum or with mental health conditions.

00:02:13 - Importance of Environment Design: Explanation of how the sensory environment plays a crucial role in managing distress behavior, emphasizing the need for sensory safe spaces within care environments.

00:03:38 - Visual Stimuli Management: Exploration of strategies for managing visual stimuli, including adjusting lighting and utilizing calming visual elements to create low-stimulus environments.

00:06:45 - Addressing Auditory Preferences: Discussion on addressing auditory preferences, including providing quiet spaces or utilizing white noise machines to promote relaxation.

00:08:15 - Tactile Comfort and Autonomy: Explanation of the importance of tactile comfort and providing choices in sensory environments, especially for individuals with sensory sensitivities.

00:09:21 - Aromatherapy Benefits: Overview of the benefits of aromatherapy in promoting well-being, with a focus on selecting suitable scents based on individual preferences.

00:10:43 - Utilizing Smells Strategically: Discussion on the strategic use of scents to influence mood and behavior, with examples from care settings to enhance nutrition and promote relaxation.

00:11:27 - Incorporating Movement: Exploration of the importance of incorporating movement-based sensory activities, such as swinging or trampolining, to regulate sensory experiences.

00:12:52 - Proactive Planning and Safety Measures: Overview of proactive planning strategies, including minimizing sensory stimuli, providing choices, and ensuring safety within sensory safe spaces.

Enjoyed this episode? Don't miss out on future conversations! Make sure to subscribe to our podcast for upcoming episodes featuring insightful guests and fantastic hosts. Stay connected! Follow us on social media [@abletraining on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, @abletocarepodcast on TikTok) for behind-the-scenes content, updates, and community engagement. Want to delve deeper into topics discussed on the show? Visit our training website https://www.able-training.co.uk/ for valuable resources and courses to support caregivers on their journey. Thank you for listening! Your support means the world to us. Stay tuned for more inspiring conversations

#SensorySafeSpaces, #CareEnvironments, #SensoryProcessing, #Well-being,# VisualStimuli, #Aromatherapy,#ProactivePlanning, #SafetyMeasures, #Podcast,#AbleToCarePodcast

The Able to Care podcast, sponsored by Able Training Support Ltd, brings you another insightful episode. Host Andy Baker welcomes Tem, known for her podcast "Helping Teachers Thrive,". Tem’s shares her 15 years of teaching experience, specialising in secondary and special education. They discuss the symbiotic relationship between teachers and students, emphasising the importance of teacher well-being for positive outcomes. Tem shares insights into challenges teachers face, including class sizes and the mainstream vs. special education debate. They delve into parent-teacher collaboration, highlighting the need for empathy and communication. Join the conversation and discover valuable strategies to support teachers and students alike.

Key Timestamps:

• 00:00:21:08 Introduction of Tem and her podcast, "Helping Teachers Thrive"
• 00:02:08:11 Tem shares her teaching journey and background
• 00:06:34:19 Discussion on Tem's passion for teaching and starting her podcast
• 00:09:25:20 Importance of teacher well-being for positive student outcomes
• 00:10:05:09 Tem's podcast covers various topics, including feedback and nutrition
• 00:13:22:13 Exploration of challenges in mainstream vs. special education
• 00:16:03:00 Tem discusses feedback from teachers and the impact of collaboration
• 00:18:10:05 Parent-teacher disconnect and strategies for improved collaboration
• 00:21:51:02 Importance of empathy between parents and teachers
• 00:23:18:02 Discussion on the tiring nature of teaching and learning
• 00:29:22:01 Limitations of rigid lesson plans and the need for adaptability
• 00:33:20:20 Tem emphasizes the importance of positive culture in teaching
• 00:39:52:11 Strategies for improving communication between parents and teachers
• 00:52:02:24 Tem shares her top three teaching tips
• 00:54:15:18 Importance of collaboration and empathy in the teaching profession
• 00:56:05:18 Closing remarks and where to find Tem's podcast and resources

Key Messages

• Collaboration between educators and parents is essential for promoting positive outcomes for students.
• Empathy and validation are crucial for both teachers and parents, recognizing the challenges they face.
• Prioritising the well-being of teachers and students is paramount for creating a supportive learning environment.
• Tem's Teaching Tips offers valuable resources and insights for educators and parents, including her podcast, "Helping Teachers Thrive," and social media presence.

Check out Tem's podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/helping-teachers-thrive/id1681843058

Enjoyed this episode? Don't miss out on future conversations! Make sure to subscribe to our podcast for upcoming episodes featuring insightful guests and fantastic hosts.

Stay connected! Follow us on social media @abletraining on LinkedIn, Facebook and Instagram, @abletocarepodcast on TikTok) for behind-the-scenes content, updates, and community engagement. Want to delve deeper into topics discussed on the show? Visit our training website https://www.able-training.co.uk/ for valuable resources and courses to support caregivers on their journey.

#education #ParentTeacherPartnership #StudentSupport #EmotionalWellness #EducationInsights #TeacherTips #ParentingAdvice #EducationPodcast #StudentSuccess #SchoolCommunity #EducationalResources #EducationForAll