SoWhoCaresAnyway

SoWhoCaresAnyway E23 The Harmony We Forgot in Chaotic Systems

When a consultant haematologist steps out of the system and walks into a forest, something begins to shift, in her, and in how she sees care.
In this episode, I'm joined by Dr Jane Stevens, Associate Medical Director at Darent Valley Hospital: clinical leader, organisational change-maker, and former haematologist. Jane’s journey through burnout, trauma, and rediscovery led her to Sophrology, Salutogenesis, and the creation of Out in the Fields, a retreat program quietly reshaping staff wellbeing across the NHS.
We explore what happens when we stop diagnosing dysfunction and start listening for vitality. It’s a conversation about presence, practice, and the quiet rebellion that begins when health is created, not delivered.
Whether it's a hospital boardroom at 4pm or a canopy of trees, you’ll hear how small acts of noticing might just be the beginning of something bigger.
No spoilers. This is another great episode and this is your invitation to tune in and discover......
 
Show resources
Out in the Fields Retreat Program🌐 outinthefields.org
Sophrology Academy (Kent)🌐  Sophroacademy
Viktor Frankl📖 Book: Mans search for meaning
Salutogenesis – Antonovsky📚 Book: Health stress and coping Dancing for Parkinson’s🌐 Dance for Parkinsons and English National Ballet project_Dance for Parkinsons
Brain Odyssey🌐 Stroke Odysseys
Forest Bathing / Shinrin-yoku🌐 The Forest Bathing Institute and Phytoncide and forest bathing
 

SoWhoCaresAnyWay E22 Given wings to create ripple effects

Are you ready to make ripples, be creative, and develop an environment where everyone thrives?
In this episode, I am joined by Cheryl Young, an Advanced Clinical Practitioner and Professional Nurse Advocate working in Whitstable Medical Practice, a community-based Urgent Treatment Centre on the Kent coast. With over two decades of nursing experience, Cheryl brings a rich blend of clinical expertise and human-centred leadership and a fierce passion for making workplace wellbeing more than just a tick box.
From bluebell walks to balcony huddles, gratitude journals to recruitment innovation, Cheryl shares how a culture of care has quietly reshaped her team’s practice. Through her distributed and supportive leadership, she has developed a creative, inclusive, and emotionally intelligent team that are not only equipped to look after each other, but, in an environment where everyone can ask, challenge, and receive the support they need, they provide safe, effective, and sustainable care to the people they serve.
This conversation threads beautifully through previous episodes, expanding on themes raised by Rebecca Myers who unpacked the emotional toll of health and care work, and Grace Cook from the Foundation of Nursing Studies, who explored the power and potential of clinical supervision an Heidi Edmunds compassionate distributed leadership . It also echoes the insights of James Metcalfe  from the North York Moors Trust , who spoke about the importance of outdoor spaces and wellbeing walks, ideas Cheryl has boldly brought into her practice for staff as well as her local community.
Together, we explore how creativity, inclusion, and emotional intelligence aren't “extras”, they’re essential tools for safer, stronger healthcare. And how small, purposeful actions can ripple outward into lasting change.
We discuss how giving people the support they need, space to speak and time to reflect, develops an environment of continuous professional learning, improvement, and wellbeing, all of which positively impact the communities they care for.
If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to embed wellbeing into a busy clinical setting, and how culture becomes “just how we do things around here” this one’s for you.

SoWhoCaresAnyway E21 Would you like to put that wheelbarrow down?

Are You Ready to Take Centre Stage? 
In this episode, I am delighted and honoured to be joined by Barbara Stilwell  who shares how the power of listening transforms people, communities and countries, why healthcare systems around the world are deeply interconnected, and why we all have a role in shaping better solutions for communities—whether in nursing, public health, or beyond. 
Barbara Stillwell is a globally recognised nursing leader and health workforce specialist. From pioneering nurse practitioner development in the UK to shaping international healthcare policies at the World Health Organization (WHO), she has been at the forefront of advancing nursing leadership and workforce resilience. Her work spans health system reform, decolonisation of healthcare, and strengthening community-led solutions, making her a vital voice in discussions about global health equity and nursing’s role in shaping sustainable healthcare models.
Key Themes Covered 
✅ Listening as a Superpower → By listening we have the power to understand what people want? What can they do? What have they got and how can they work to pull this together in a way that's going to be sustainable for them? and cocreate solutions with individuals, communities, and systems and countries. Taking a #DoWith and Asset Based Community Development (ABCD) approach. 
✅ Decolonisation of health care and the power of networks, where people know and understand their communities; Taking a Place-Based Learning & Community Network approach and consider how local health systems can drive local and global health responses and strengthen resilience. 
✅ Globalisation and global health affects us all → We are all linked, our health is interdependent and we need to take a global view to endure health and health care systems are sustainable. 
✅ Why Women and Nurses Must Take Centre Stage → Moving beyond token representation, claiming leadership roles, and shaping policy from the front, not the sidelines. 
Deeper Insights & Connections 
Barbara’s insights link to previous discussions, including: 
🔹 Episode 15 breaking the status quo through place based learning → The power of networks   
🔹 Episode 2 #DoWith and Episode 13 star with whats strong not wrong  → Working with people and seeing people and communities as assets to cocreate solutions
Call to Action 
🔹 How do you see nurses shaping global healthcare? Share your thoughts and tag me in the conversation! 
🔹 Consider, does it matter if we take a global view? If so, why and what needs to happen to make this a reality?
Episode resources 
📖 Barbara Stillwell’s book: Global Health and Nursing

SoWhoCaresAnyway E20 The Silent Strength of Resilient Teams

Are you ready to consider what resilience means and how to develop resilient teams?
In this episode, I am delighted to be joined by Grace Cook, a Person-Centred Practice Facilitator at the Foundation of Nursing Studies (FoNS), to explore how Resilience-Based Clinical Supervision (RBCS) shapes workforce wellbeing, recruitment, and person-centred care.
Grace shares how she worked with Professor Gemma Stacey during her PhD research, which led to the development of RBCS, offering structured reflection for nursing professionals.
This episode links closely to previous discussions with Rebecca Myers, exploring the cost of emotional labour, and Adam Lent, discussing the #DoWith approach.
Together, we explore:
The reality of resilience, why the ‘keep calm and carry on’ rhetoric isn’t the full picture.
How structured reflection strengthens teams, helping staff feel valued, supported, and empowered.
Understanding emotional regulation systems, how threat, drive, and soothing responses impact workplace culture.
The power of positive reframing, shifting perspectives to improve care and team dynamics.
Compassionate flow, how the way staff are treated influences the care they provide.
Why person-centred care reduces service demand—meeting real needs rather than cycling through appointments.
This episode is about more than resilience—it’s about creating cultures where professionals thrive, teams grow stronger, and care becomes truly person-centred with a #DoWith approach.

SoWhoCaresAnyway E19 Flying in ever decreasing circles

“Are you ready to stop looking for problems to fix and start asking the right questions? What matters most to you, and how can I help you achieve that?” 
In this episode of So Who Cares Anyway, I speak with Diya Sharma, a postgraduate researcher, associate lecturer at Canterbury Christchurch University, and advocate with Muscular Dystrophy UK. Diya’s journey challenges deep-seated assumptions about disability, happiness, and autonomy, demonstrating that true freedom begins with choice, not circumstance. 
Despite facing ongoing physical and social barriers, Diya refuses to be defined by her wheelchair. Her passion for travel pushes against societal expectations, proving that accessibility isn’t just about infrastructure—it’s about changing mindsets. While misconceptions about disability have affected her own social well-being, Diya has cultivated resilience, pursued academic excellence, and become a strong advocate for others, encouraging them to reclaim their right to freedom of movement. 
This episode explores: 
 How society often assumes what people need instead of asking what matters to them. 
The right to freedom of movement and how Diya is shaping conversations around inclusion. 
Why people with disabilities are often viewed through a lens of limitations rather than possibilities. 
How support should focus on empowerment—not deficits. 
Diya’s story is a reminder that true inclusivity means listening, understanding, and removing barriers—not making assumptions about what people can or cannot do. By shifting the conversation from “What do you need?” to “What matters to you, and how can I help you achieve that?”, we unlock opportunities for everyone to thrive. 
Show resources;
https://www.musculardystrophyuk.org/
https://www.scope.org.uk/

SoWhoCaresAnyway E18 Seeing People for Who They Are

Are you ready to have a friendly conversation to discover people for who they are? 
In this episode of #SoWhoCaresAnyway, I chat with  and Aaron Tebano, two inspiring Learning Disability Student Nurses from the University of Winchester. They are advocating for the profession of Learning Disability Nursing to empower, support, and advocate for people rather than define them by their challenges. 
 
Together, we discuss: 
The importance of not losing sight of people. Friendly conversations help us recognise individuals for who they truly are—seeing their strengths, passions, and aspirations rather than asking, “What’s wrong with them?” 
Why giving people time to shine leads to more meaningful, person-centred care. 
How positive choices and empowerment shape better outcomes for people with learning disabilities. 
The impact of advocacy and problem-solving in Learning Disability Nursing and why we need more Learning Disability Nurses. 
Rachel and Aaron share their insights on how Learning Disability Nurses make a difference, supporting people and their carers with care, compassion, and creativity. 
Show Resources
Makasong choir - Makasong – Makaton Signing Choir - TALKmoreCORNWALL CIC 
Time2Shine - Time2Shine | Cornwall Accessible Activities Programme
'Nursing According to Us' podcast - Learning Disability Nursing..... According to us! - Nursing according to us. | Podcast on Spotify
Promotional video for LD Nursing at Winchester - University of Winchester learning disability nursing
Makaton video by Winchester nurses for International Nurses Day - Treat People with Kindness (Harry Styles) - Makaton - for International Nurses Day
Positive Choices Reflections on the Positive Choices Winchester conference | Blogs | Royal College of Nursing 

SoWhoCaresAnyWay E17 Start with what's strong, not wrong

Are you ready to take a challenge, starting conversations with three people in your own community?
In this episode I am delighted to be joined by Cormac Russell, a global leader in Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD). In this episode we explore how communities can shift from focusing on needs and deficits to recognising strengths and assets, ensuring change is driven by local people, relationships, and existing resources. Cormac talks about how, by ensuring that people are defined by their gifts they can actively contribute and interact within their own community. Cormac explains the true meaning of community, love, friendship and being there for each other. Starting with what’s strong, not wrong we all need to consider, ‘Is there a community solution to this problem before we start institutionalising somebody or before we start moving into a clinical intervention, might there be a non-medical way?’
This episode has something for everyone who cares about their communities, as Cormac shares stories, experiences and insights about
- What Asset-Based Community Development (ABCD) means in practice and how to embed this in practice
- How communities can build on their strengths and assets, as a way to address their concerns
- The importance of citizen-led initiatives in creating sustainable change 
- Practical ways professionals can support community-led development without taking over   
- The connection between loneliness and feeling useless—why social inclusion matters 
- How communities can take action to reclaim public spaces and foster belonging 
- Why young people often feel "tired", the hidden link to social disconnection   
Cormac Russell is the Founding Director of  Nurture Development and a member of the ABCD Institute at DePaul University  . With over 25 years of experience, he has trained communities, agencies, and governments in strength-based approaches to development. He is also the author of books such as Rekindling Democracy, The Connected Community, and Asset-Based Community Development: Looking Back to Look Forward. 
Resources & Links
- Cormac Russell and Dr Sasha DeWolfe’s podcast The Connected Community    
-Learn more about Cormac Russell’s work at [Nurture Development] Nurture Development
- Find out more about Cormac Russell's books 
- Watch Cormac’s TEDx talk on community-led change        
- BBC Survey on loneliness trends among different age groups  Who Feels Lonely? The results of the world's largest loneliness study
- Nigel Crisp’s book on community health creation vs. hospital-based care community health creation vs. hospital-based care   
- Buurtzorg healthcare.
-Join Cormac for  a discussion on Child Welfare Through a Community-Centered Lens

SoWhoCaresAnyway E16 Talking Today, Preparing for Tomorrow

In this episode, I have the pleasure of speaking with Harry Bannister, a Specialist Nurse in Organ Donation, Who works for NHS Blood and Transplant. Amongst other things Harry talks about how he guides families through some of the hardest moments of their lives, reflecting on the weight of these conversations, where families are asked to make life-changing decisions while navigating overwhelming grief. 
Harry highlights the importance of fully understanding organ donation and having conversations with loved ones. Preparing for what we hope will never happen, but knowing decisions are best made in advance
Harry explains the emotional labour of his work, describing how specialist nurses must balance clinical precision with deep human empathy. He shares how reading letters from recipients, families whose children or loved ones have regained their lives thanks to a transplant, can be both heart warming and heart breaking. Knowing that organ donation offers hope in tragedy helps sustain him through the difficult moments, but the reality of these discussions never becomes easy. 
The conversation also highlights the psychological weight of working in intensive care, particularly during the Covid pandemic, and the complex feelings of burnout and guilt that many healthcare professionals experience.
This episode explores resilience, grief, and the profound emotional labour of healthcare, offering a raw and honest look at the complexities of working intensive care and organ donation. 

SoWhoCaresAnyway E15 Breaking the Status Quo Through Place-Based Learning

What if healthcare wasn’t just about clinical expertise and procedures, but about learning within communities and building networks to truly understand people's needs? 
In this solo episode, I take you on a swift tour of my personal journey—one that started with a childhood dream of nursing and evolved into a mission to reshape how learning happens to meet the needs of people in ways that work for them. From frontline nursing in the 1980s to leading place-based learning initiatives, I explore how embedding learning cultures within systems can drive people-centred, integrated care. 
In this episode I talk about 
My journey from frontline nursing to system leadership
What place-based learning really means—moving beyond workplace learning to learning in the place
The three core values that emerged from my Darzi Project:
People-centred learning
education that supports how we meet the needs of people in our communities in ways that work for them
creating education and learning environments that work for people providing care
Cultures of learning in teams—creating environments that encourage questioning, reflection, and growth
Networks for learning together—expanding education beyond organisations into communities and wider systems
How training hubs, community education facilitators, and cross-sector partnerships are shaping a new approach to learning in healthcare
Why stepping beyond traditional structures led me to found Reflective Ruth Consultancy and this podcast
Call to Action:
I challenge you to rethink learning, embrace collaboration, and take action—whether in healthcare or beyond. Support the #DoWith movement, build learning networks, and stay curious. 
Resources;
https://www.kingsfund.org.uk/insight-and-analysis/projects/do-with
https://arc-kss.nihr.ac.uk/news/blog-achieving-people-centered-integrated-care-through-place-based-learning
https://arc-kss.nihr.ac.uk/news/blog-achieving-people-centered-integrated-care-through-place-based-learning

SoWhoCaresAnyway E14 Igniting Curiosity

Are you ready to be curious, listen to naïve questions and explore the answers?
For too long, research has been seen as something reserved for “clever people,” locked behind academic walls and inaccessible to frontline healthcare workers. But what if research was really just about asking the right questions—even the seemingly naïve ones?
In this episode, Claire Pegg, joins me on #SoWhoCaresAnyway breaking down the mystique of research, redefining it as an act of curiosity rather than expertise and taking a wider systems thinking #DoWith perspective. Together we explore how research transforms healthcare, why nurses, midwives, and AHPs deserve a bigger seat at the table, and how simply questioning what we accept as truth can lead to real-world innovation.
Claire shares her own journey from intensive care nurse to her influential roles as a research leader. Claires roles include RRDN Health and Care Director for Nursing, Midwifery and Allied Health Professionals with the National Institute of Health Research  Workforce and People Senior Manager NHS England South East and  Programme Lead - Nursing and Midwifery Research Leadership South East Regional Research Delivery Network  
If you’ve ever thought research was not for you, or is irrelevant, this conversation might just change your mind.
Show resources; 
SORT - https://www.england.nhs.uk/long-read/self-assessment-of-organisational-readiness-tool-sort-guide/
* Multi-professional research capability framework https://advanced-practice.hee.nhs.uk/our-work/research/multi-professional-practice-based-research-capabilities-framework/
* Poster for sign up for the Advancing practice COP
* NIHR website for development opportunities https://www.nihr.ac.uk/about-us/who-we-are
Related research
Research led by nurses and the contributions they make as members of multidisciplinary research teams can drive change (Shepherd et al., 2022) https://www.england.nhs.uk/nursingmidwifery/research-and-evidence/
Evidence from research influences and shapes the nursing profession and informs and under pins policy, professional decision making and nursing actions (Shepherd et al., 2022)
There is a positive association between engagement in research by healthcare organisations and improvements in healthcare performance (Boaz et al., 2015)
There is significant association between clinical research activity, academic output and reduced patient mortality (Bennett et al., 2012; Ozdemir et al., 2015)
The relationship between nursing education and research with quality patient outcomes is clearly recognised (Henderson and Winch, 2008)
Academic-clinical collaborations promote a culture that challenges the status quo (Albert et al., 2019)