Beyond The System

Jessica Lewis
  • 0.0(0개의 평가)
  • 비영리
  • 매주 업데이트

Beyond the System is my podcast about life in and after care, not through reports or labels, but through lived experience. As someone who grew up in care and now works with looked-after children, I share honest reflections and conversations about growing up in care, participation, identity, and the long-term impact of the system. Some episodes are personal, some feature stories from others, but all aim to centre voices that are too often spoken about rather than truly listened to.

  1. 5일 전

    The Weight Of Change

    This episode explores the weight of change, from school transitions and parenting, to leaving care and stepping into adulthood. Reflecting on my own life and work, I talk about uncertainty, emotional preparation, and why change can feel heavy even when it’s the right move. Because sometimes the hardest part isn’t the change itself it’s everything we carry through it.

    21분

  2. 5월 7일

    The Safety Nets We Don't Talk About

    In this episode, I explore what sits underneath the pressure to prove you’re okay — the reality that many care-experienced young people don’t always have the same safety nets as others. I talk about what safety nets actually look like in everyday life, why their absence creates pressure, and how this impacts young people as they move into independence. Drawing on both lived experience and my work with young people, this episode looks at what needs to change — and why support shouldn’t stop when independence begins.

    12분

  3. 4월 29일

    When You You Feel Like You Have to Prove You're Ok!

    In this episode, I explore the pressure to appear “okay” — especially for care-experienced young people. I share my own experiences of independence, struggle, and the expectation to be the “success story,” and why it’s time we start being more honest about what doing well really looks like.

    10분

  4. 4월 16일

    Bonus Episode- Taking a Break & Coming Back

    After a short break from recording, this episode is a bit of a reset. I talk about the reality of stepping back when life feels full, the pressure we often put on ourselves to keep going, and why taking a pause doesn’t mean you’ve failed — it means you’re human. This is a more personal, honest check-in episode. A reminder that it’s okay to slow down, to take a breath, and to come back when you’re ready.

    11분

  5. 3월 27일

    Mother’s Day, Mixed Emotions & What Family Really Means

    In this episode, I reflect on Mother’s Day — a day that can mean very different things depending on your experiences. After spending time with my mum and sister (and laughing until we couldn’t breathe), it got me thinking about the complexity of relationships, especially for children in care and care leavers. I talk about the emotional weight days like this can carry, the pressure to feel a certain way, and why understanding, choice, and space are so important for young people navigating these moments. I also share a powerful resource created by a care leaver, My Rights, My Life, and why lived experience is so important in shaping better support. This episode is about more than one day — it’s about belonging, relationships, and what family really means.

    13분

  6. 3월 20일

    Independence Isn't A Switch

    In this episode, I’m talking about independence, what it really looks like for young people leaving care. After recently returning from a trip to Cyprus with my family, and hearing my niece talk about buying her first home, it got me reflecting on my own journey into adulthood. Moving into independence at 18 wasn’t easy, and like many care leavers, I wasn’t fully prepared for the realities of it. In this episode I share my own experiences, talk about the importance of preparation and support, and reflect on what independence should look like for care-experienced young people. I also discuss the work we do through participation to help young people build confidence and life skills as they move towards adulthood.

    22분

  7. 3월 13일

    Showing Up Imperfectly

    This episode is about showing up, even when you’re exhausted, stretched, or struggling. I reflect on the pressure many care-experienced people feel to prove they’re “doing okay,” and how hard it can be to keep going without rest or support. I also begin to look at the gaps in the system and what needs to change if we want better outcomes for young people. A gentle reminder that rest isn’t failure, and that showing up imperfectly still counts.

    13분

  8. 3월 6일

    Relationships, Roots, and the Reality of the Care System

    In this episode, I talk about why relationships matter so deeply in care and how one consistent adult can change everything. I share reflections on Michelle, the foster carer who gave me stability, belief, and strong foundations, and George, my Independent Reviewing Officer, who truly listened, remembered what I said, and made me feel seen (and loved my cakes). Alongside my own story, I explore why children go into care, the realities behind the statistics, and why numbers only matter when we remember the children behind them.

    13분
모두 보기(14개)

소개

Beyond the System is my podcast about life in and after care, not through reports or labels, but through lived experience. As someone who grew up in care and now works with looked-after children, I share honest reflections and conversations about growing up in care, participation, identity, and the long-term impact of the system. Some episodes are personal, some feature stories from others, but all aim to centre voices that are too often spoken about rather than truly listened to.

정보

  • 제작진
    Jessica Lewis
  • 방송 연도
    2026년
  • 에피소드
    14
  • 등급
    전체 연령 사용가
  • 저작권
    © Jessica Lewis
  • 웹사이트 보기
    Beyond The System