Unique Connections At The Table

Dr Beverley Samways

Unique Connections At The Table is a podcast dedicated to exploring the profound power of human connection. Hosted by the team behind Unique Connections, whose work is focused with people with learning disabilities who are traumatised or distressed, this podcast dives into the heart of what it means to build meaningful, informed relationships - including with non-speaking individuals. Each episode invites listeners to the table to share stories, insights, and strategies that highlight our shared humanity. Because everyone is made for connection. No exceptions. Join us at the table and discover how we can create a world where everyone belongs.

  1. #5 in conversation with Dr Noelle Blackman: trauma, relationships, power-dynamics and recovery

    Apr 27

    #5 in conversation with Dr Noelle Blackman: trauma, relationships, power-dynamics and recovery

    Dr Noelle Blackman is a psychotherapist, coach, consultant and trainer specialising in the field of trauma informed practice and the role of senior leaders in organisations supporting people with learning disabilities. Over the last 30 years her focus has remained on the importance of human connection as a fundamental element of wellbeing in all aspects of life. In this episode, we talk about how trauma affects the whole system: individuals, staff and organisations, and how applying the principles of trauma informed practice creates healing cultures, that allow organisations to change the story. We discuss the nature of trauma, its effects, and the importance of understanding communication styles in trauma-informed care. We explore the significance of building relationships, creating trauma-informed environments, and the need for organisational change to support trauma recovery. We also touch on the impact of collective trauma and share success stories that highlight the potential for healing and recovery. Chapters 00:00 Understanding Trauma in Learning Disabilities 05:12 Complex Trauma and Its Implications 10:46 The Role of Communication in Trauma 15:49 Building Relationships Through Trauma 21:22 Creating a Trauma-Informed Environment 27:08 Organizational Change and Trauma-Informed Care 32:30 The Impact of Collective Trauma 38:01 Success Stories in Trauma Recovery

    51 min
  2. #4 in conversation with Dr John Keesler: Trauma-informed care: why it's necessary and how to make it happen

    Apr 1

    #4 in conversation with Dr John Keesler: Trauma-informed care: why it's necessary and how to make it happen

    Dr John Keesler was the first person to publish about why trauma-informed care should be embedded into services people with learning disabilities way back in 2014. He has continued to focus his energy in working with direct care services, and trauma institutes to work out how we can best implement TIC in the sector. In this episode, we discuss the importance of understanding trauma, the role of relationships in healing, and the challenges organizations face in implementing trauma-informed practices. We drill down into the need for reflective leadership, organisational change, and a focus on creating safe and trusting environments for both clients and staff. Ultimately, we consider the potential for healing and recovery within trauma-informed frameworks. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Trauma-Informed Care 02:27 Understanding Trauma-Informed Care 05:01 The Importance of Relationships in Care 07:28 Challenges in Implementing Trauma-Informed Care 10:26 Organizational Change and Leadership 13:08 Navigating the Journey of Change 15:26 The Impact of Trauma on Organizations 18:17 Hope and Recovery in Trauma-Informed Care

    28 min

  3. Mar 11

    #3 in conversation with Lisa Lea-Weston: how embedding supervision in human services facilitates wonderful work

    In this conversation, Beverley Samways and Lisa Jane Lea-Weston discuss the critical role of supervision, particularly in supporting teachers and leaders, and how this is a foundational need for any organisation wanting to respond well to people in their care who are traumatised or distressed. They explore the misconceptions surrounding supervision, its importance in fostering emotional well-being, and how it can empower educators to better serve their students. Through real-life examples, they illustrate the profound impact supervision can have on both individual educators and the broader school environment, emphasizing the need for regular, structured support systems in educational settings. Chapters 00:00Introduction to Supervision in Education 02:38Understanding the Concept of Supervision 05:18Who Should Have Supervision? 08:18The Importance of Supervision in Education 10:55The Role of Supervision in Trauma-Informed Practices 13:42Real-Life Impact of Supervision 16:35The Ripple Effect of Supervision 19:27Conclusion and Resources

    28 min
  4. #2 In conversation with: Dr Julie Calveley

    Feb 11

    #2 In conversation with: Dr Julie Calveley

    Dr Julie Calveley is the founder-director of NAC Wellbeing. NAC empowers caregivers to provide compassionate, attuned support for people with severe and profound disabilities. In this conversation, Julie Calveley and Beverley Samways discuss effective care strategies for individuals with learning disabilities, particularly focusing on self-injury. They explore the importance of understanding emotional responses, the role of attunement in care, and the use of tools like intensive interaction and video guidance to enhance communication and support. The discussion emphasises a holistic approach to emotional wellbeing, aiming to help individuals feel better inside rather than just managing behaviours. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Nurturing Effective Care 02:10 Understanding Self-Injury in Learning Disabilities 03:49 The Importance of Emotional Attunement 10:14 Achievement and Attunement in Care 21:51 Tools for Support: Intensive Interaction and VIG 32:10 Holistic Approaches to Emotional Wellbeing

    32 min
  5. #1 In conversation with: Dr Paddy McNally

    Jan 7

    #1 In conversation with: Dr Paddy McNally

    Paddy McNally is a consultant clinical psychologist who has spent most of his career focusing on applying trauma-informed care principles to those supporting people with learning disabilities. He has published "A Framework for the Implementation of trauma-informed care in Residential and Supported Living Services for Adults with a Learning Disability", which is freely available online. In today's conversation, we talk specifically about the moments of 'stuck-ness' - when the relationships between a person and the team serving them appear to be stuck in circular interactions. This can feel very frustrating to everyone, and lead to feelings of hopeless. Paddy explains how we can understand these moments as being enactments of past trauma being played out unconsciously in the relationships and interactions - or even the organisation or system - around a person. However, once noticed, even a small change in the interaction can bring some relief to everyone. The conversation emphasizes the need for organizational support and reflective practices to create a safe and effective care environment. Ultimately, the significance of human connection in the healing process is paramount. Chapters 00:00Introductions 02:24Understanding Trauma-Informed Care Principles 05:21The Impact of Trauma on Care Relationships 08:11Enactments in Care Teams 10:58Breaking the Cycle of Trauma in Care 13:34The Role of Staff Reflection and Support 16:18Creating Safe Spaces for Staff 19:03The Importance of Organizational Support 21:43Navigating Crisis in Care Settings 24:24The Path to Recovery for Care Teams 27:03Conclusion: The Human Experience in Care

    29 min
  6. Trauma and Learning disabilities #11: Trauma recovery for people with severe learning disabilities

    06/04/2025

    Trauma and Learning disabilities #11: Trauma recovery for people with severe learning disabilities

    In the final episode in this series, Bev and Jen discuss the complexities of implementing trauma-informed practices in settings supporting people with severe learning disabilities. They draw on their own experiences to break down the challenges, and why 'off-the-peg' trauma-informed models can fall short when it comes to non-speaking individuals. They go on to discuss what sorts of engagements and tools they utilise to build spaces that help those with little or no spoken communication feel seen, heard and safe-enough to begin to process their experiences and overwhelming emotions. This final conversation draws to a close this series focused on the challenges and possibilities for creating spaces that allow those with severe learning disabilities to heal from traumatic experiences.

    34 min
  7. Trauma and learning disabilities #10. You can't give what you haven't received.

    05/07/2025

    Trauma and learning disabilities #10. You can't give what you haven't received.

    In this conversation, Bev and Jen explore the emotional and psychological costs associated with care work, particularly in direct care settings. They discuss the challenges of managing vicarious trauma, the importance of support systems, and the need for self-care among care workers. The dialogue emphasizes the significance of creating a supportive environment that acknowledges the emotional toll of the work and promotes recovery and regulation for both staff and those they care for.

    30 min
  8. Trauma and learning disabilities #9: Finding the boundaries for safe relationships

    04/30/2025

    Trauma and learning disabilities #9: Finding the boundaries for safe relationships

    We discuss the place for boundaries inside trauma-informed practice, particularly in educational settings - that 'no' is both a trauma-informed word and a kind word in the right context. They discuss the importance of understanding trauma in students, the necessity of boundaries, and the balance between compassion and discipline. The dialogue emphasizes the role of relationships in healing and the need for a nuanced approach to care that recognizes both the costs and benefits of emotional investment in vulnerable individuals.

    30 min
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About

Unique Connections At The Table is a podcast dedicated to exploring the profound power of human connection. Hosted by the team behind Unique Connections, whose work is focused with people with learning disabilities who are traumatised or distressed, this podcast dives into the heart of what it means to build meaningful, informed relationships - including with non-speaking individuals. Each episode invites listeners to the table to share stories, insights, and strategies that highlight our shared humanity. Because everyone is made for connection. No exceptions. Join us at the table and discover how we can create a world where everyone belongs.

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