Taking Action

The Real David Cameron

The podcast with no faff, no fuss and no fanfare, just people who have taken action to make us more connected or build healthy relationships or help others deal with hardship and trauma

  1. 3d ago

    Taking Action with the real David Cameron and Ross McKay, author, theatre maker, puppeteer and more

    The episode trails Ross McKay's session at the "Getting to Grips with Trauma" Book Festival which will be held at Cumbernauld Theatre on Sunday 6th September from 10.00 - 5.30. You can buy tickets here https://lanternhousearts.org/events/book-festival-getting-to-grips-with-traum/. Remarkably, a £15 day pass allows you to attend 6 sessions from a choice of 24 authors. It is the biggest literary bargain ever!!. Ross's book, "Daddy's Bad (bed) Day" is reviewed brilliantly by Lesley Frame Whitelaw in the Scottish ACEs Action Community's Trauma in the Arts Review. You can check out their Facebook page here https://www.facebook.com/p/Scotlands-ACEs-Action-Community-61578663712550/  As Lesley says - "The strength of this book lies in its honesty, its compassion, and its ability to open up conversations that are often hard for families. How do you know where to begin to talk about a parent’s mental health struggles? That means it is not just a story for children, but for us adults too. Its message is an important one. It may be about emotional struggles, but it is also about the love, resilience and small acts of connection that help families through difficult days" You can get more information about Ross on his website here https://rossmackaystories.com/ We also mention the wonderful film "Love and Trouble" https://sonjahenrici.com/films/loveandtrouble/. The Scottish ACEs action Facebook page will offer details of screening. We also mention Anam Alba https://anam-alba.com/ and their superb musical production of the children's book The Little Iceberg https://anam-alba.com/the-little-iceberg-story/. It's a packed episode and well worth your time

  2. Jul 24

    Taking Action with the real David Cameron and the Witches of Scotland - Claire Mitchell and Zoe Venditozzi

    I love this episode with Claire and Zoe. It is free flowing, fun and full of laughter, radical political analysis, historical research  and trenchant observations on the current political situation. Claire and Zoe are insightful, unassumingly articulate and fearless. This show is a must for anyone interested in Scottish history and what we highlight and teach about it. It is also for anyone wanting to understand the scale and intensity of the persecution that was conducted on the basis of alleged witchcraft. It is shocking.  There is also lots of discussion about trauma and its inter-generational impact. The episode also trails their session at the "Getting to Grips with Trauma" Book Festival which will be held at Cumbernauld Theatre on Sunday 6th September from 10.00 - 5.30. You can buy tickets here https://lanternhousearts.org/events/book-festival-getting-to-grips-with-traum/. Remarkably, a £15 day pass allows you to attend 6 sessions from a choice of 24 authors. It is the biggest literary bargain ever!!. If you need any further encouragement to listen to the podcast or attend the Book Festival, you can read a wonderful review of Claire and Zoe's book "How to kill a Witch"  (https://www.witchesofscotland.com/book) by Mhairi Gilchrist in the Scottish ACEs Action Community's newsletter which you can sign up for here https://connectedbaby.net/scotlands-aces-journey/scotlands-aces-community/ They also have a Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/p/Scotlands-ACEs-Action-Community-61578663712550/ where you will find lots more information about the Book Festival I really recommend this episode  and all things connected to Witches of Scotland. Please check them out https://www.witchesofscotland.com/

  3. Jul 10

    Taking Action with the real David Cameron and Karen Campbell, author

    This is the first in a series of episodes which form part of the "Getting to Grips with Trauma" Book Festival which will be held at the Lantern house theatre in Cumbernauld on Sunday 6th September from 10.00 - 5.30. You can buy tickets here https://lanternhousearts.org/events/book-festival-getting-to-grips-with-traum/. Remarkably, a £15 day pass allows you to attend 6 sessions from a choice of 24 authors. It is the biggest literary bargain ever!! Karen Campbell is a wonderful introduction to the Festival. Here is the link to her homepage https://karencampbell.scot/. We focus on her latest book "This Bright Life", but we also talk about "Paper Cup", an earlier novel, which I loved. Both are full of insights into trauma and it's impact. Both are profoundly empathetic and stress the importance of connection and community.  One of the great things about them is that they are not polemics or manifestos. The are gripping stories and very enjoyable reads. As the icing on the cake, Karen is a warm, open, engaging and interesting guest

  4. Jun 19

    Taking Action with the real David Cameron and Conor McNamara, Youth Development Worker with the Ocean Youth Trust

    This podcast was an absolute pleasure for me. I have long been committed to outdoor learning and chaired the Outdoor Connections Advisory Group for Scottish Government, so to combine that with addressing Adverse Childhood Experiences was an irresistible opportunity for me. Conor McNamara, Conor.mcnamara@oytscotland.org.uk, does exactly that through his work with the Ocean Youth Trust. You can get a real insight into the Trust's activity through this marvellous video https://oytscotland.org.uk/young-people-from-g15-youth-project-share-their-story-through-film-after-cashback-voyage  and get more information on their website - Home - OYT Scotland  Conor is  wonderfully enthusiastic and was a joy to talk to. His work and that of the Trust make a massive difference to young people through offering opportunities, challenges and support. Listen and find out more including how to help the organisation to reach more young people

  5. May 29

    Taking Action with the real David Cameron and Terry McTernan, Community Activist

    This episode takes us back into the territory of community activism and empowerment and that is something that is at the heart of this series. Terry McTernan has a great story to tell about Ferguslie Park and the people who live there. Often highlighted, Ferguslie had become a byword for the extent and impact of deprivation. Sadly, it had often appeared to be a graveyard for efforts at regeneration and recovery. Terry tells a very different story a community that helped itself. One which made impressive progress when the people who lived there were empowered and encouraged.  He echoes much of the work and thinking of Rebecca Solnit in her books, especially  "A Paradise Built in Hell" and "The Beginning Comes After the End" and these are just some of the references made in this wide ranging conversation about how we really need to address industrial decline, unemployment, poverty and all the impacts of adversity, including adverse childhood experiences. It is fulll of ideas and passion and is a genuinely encouraging and uplifting conversation

  6. May 9

    Taking Action with the real David Cameron and Kenny and Kerry Watson talking about their film "Love and Trouble"

    It is wonderful to come back to the film "Love and Trouble" which we first discussed  in episode 4 of series 1 of this podcast when we spoke to Christo Hird from Dartmouth Films. I now get the chance to talk about not with Kenny and Kerry who are the subjects of the film. I really admire both of them for the way that they have addressed the challenges and issues that they have faced and for the courage and openness that they have shown in allowing the film maker, Amy Hardie into their lives. Amy is a talented and sensitive person and her qualities, combined with the willingness of Kenny and Kerry to share their lives, have created a remarkable film. Showings of the film can be organised through the Scottish ACEs Action Community. If you would like to host a screening for your community or organisation, get in touch with Suzanne Zeedyk -suzanne@suzannezeedyk.com.  She will tell you how Scotland’s ACEs Action Community can help you. There are screenings scheduled for for the School of Health and Wellbeing at Glasgow University on the 11th May -https://www.gla.ac.uk/events/listings/index.html/event/14695 Glasgow Clyde College on 19th May - jroden@glasgowclyde.ac.uk  Dundee College on 20th May https://dvva.scot/news/love-and-trouble-screening-and-qa-with-da-college-20th-may/ Keep an eye on the Scotland's ACEs Action Community Facebook page for details of all screenings.

  7. Apr 24

    Taking Action with the real David Cameron and Laurie Ellis, Head of Academy Coaching at Heart of Midlothian FC

    I am absolutely delighted to be able to release this podcast with Laurie Ellis. It is our first episode dealing with all of the issues, which we have dealt with in other episodes, in the world off sport, Laurie makes clear how important it is that everyone dealing with young people, whatever the context, needs to understand them and respond to their characteristics, experiences and needs. He talks brilliantly about how football academies have to develop players who are ready to move into the first team at their club, but to do more than that, They need to make sure that there are no barriers to their progress from developmental issues or trauma that are not addressed through understanding and the building of relationships. He also recognises the need for coaches to help in the overall development of the young people in the academies. I love his comment about producing "warriors" ready to give their all for their team, but also to be "warriors with compassion". He makes the case that, while coaches have a clear responsibility to their clubs, they have an essential responsibility to the young people who are ion their care. It is an encouraging account of how the culture of, at least some, of football academies has changed and how aware Laurie and other coaches are of the complex world that young people are being prepared for. In Laurie's case, this awareness has led him to seek more learning and information and to engage with the Scottish ACEs Action Community. This is a programme which should engage sports fans, parents and anyone interested in the development of Scotland young people.

  8. Apr 3

    Taking Action with the real David Cameron and Melanie Stuart ACEs activist, lecturer at Dundee & Angus College

    We are back with a bang! Season 2 of Taking Action kicks off with the indefatigable Melanie Stuart, FE lecturer, activist and more. The list of links and references set out below will give you a flavour of the range of this conversation. Mel is open, honest and brave and shares her own personal development in these notes and on the show, but, above all she gets stuff done which is what taking Action is all about. It's one for anyone interested in FE, culture change and courage   Relax Kids This is where the journey began for me, learning about ACEs and how the brain works. As part of Relax Kids training in Scotland, we met Jane Evans, whose work had a significant impact. Link to Jane Evans work which I use in lessons with students https://youtu.be/qKlzd-H2X9w?si=CBbVRsbjXhw8-dbz Website: https://relaxkids.com/ Hand in Hand Parenting Wanting to know more I then discovered Hand in Hand Parenting. The connection-based approach resonated deeply, and The Secret Garden in Fife became my youngest daughter’s nursery because they embedded this relational, connection-first philosophy. Website: https://www.handinhandparenting.org/ An anecdote of mine https://www.handinhandparenting.org/2018/10/how-to-talk-to-teenager  The Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery: Training in the Hand in Hand Approach - Secret Garden Outdoor Nursery  Mel's business Facebook page, a combination of mindfulness and connection based parenting work: https://www.facebook.com/MindfulConnectionsWithMelanie Listening Partnerships (Hand in Hand Parenting) Listening Partnerships have been central to my own growth and embodiment of trauma‑informed practice. Overview: https://www.handinhandparenting.org/2016/08/listen-launch-post-what-is-a-listening-partnership/ Dundee and Angus ACEs Hub (Now Aces Action Community) The hub began in 2018 after an Upstart launch event at Dundee University, watching the Resilience documentary at the DCA, and meeting others committed to change. Website: https://dundeeangusacehub.wixsite.com/dundeeangusaceshub Facebook: Dundee & Angus ACEs Action Community | Facebook ACE-Aware Nation Conference – 2018 Conference Mindfulness Action Research (CAIRN Article) Enhancing Student Wellbeing: The Impact of Mindfulness Exercises on Subject Based Anxiety in Further Education https://www.cdn.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Enhancing-Student-Wellbeing.pdf EIS FELA (Further Education Lecturers’ Association) The union representing FE lecturers across Scotland, including the Dundee branch. Main site: https://www.eis.org.uk/FELA/FELA-Home FE Matters Campaign / Dundee Branch Context For updates on FE campaigning activity, industrial action, and ongoing sector concerns, see Fighting for the Future of Further Education on Facebook. Fighting for the future of Further Education | Facebook Hear2Connect (Community Connection Work) Hear2Connect supports connection-based community work. Private Facebook: hear2connect community | Facebook Private LinkedIn group: https://www.linkedin.com/groups/16096108/ Scotland ACEs Action Community A national community sharing learning and supporting trauma‑informed action across Scotland. ACEs & Trauma Scotland Forum | Facebook ACESAction Community Scotland Forum | Groups | LinkedIn Carnoustie High - Crew What Crew is EL Education - Building the Culture and Structure of Crew  And here is the link to join our screening for those who wish to sign up for the Dundee & Angus College screening of- Love and Trouble - a documentary exploring how trauma lives inside relationships –https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=mQQF_bgn1EKWzZGmwHUsn3ZbWeBjwIRDtBGMEzy1gf1URUtPVlZBODZCWkxOUjRBQlhVVkxQ

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About

The podcast with no faff, no fuss and no fanfare, just people who have taken action to make us more connected or build healthy relationships or help others deal with hardship and trauma

Information

  • Creator
    The Real David Cameron
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    38
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Taking Action
  • Show Website
    Taking Action