Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.

In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included?

We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.

Today we’re joined by Peter and Gulliver from Fighting With Pride, the LGBTQ+ Armed Forces charity supporting veterans, serving personnel and their families.

We talk about the impact of the historic ban on LGBTQ+ people serving openly in the Armed Forces, and the loss, trauma and injustice that many people experienced as a result.

We also explore stories, legacy and what it means to rebuild a sense of belonging.

If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk

Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd

Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore

A gentle note for listeners: In this episode discuss themes of trauma and LGBTQ+ discrimination. Please listen in a way that feels right for you.

Resources:

Fighting With Pride: The Armed Forces LGBTQ+ Charity

LGBT Veterans Independent Review - GOV.UK

Fighting with Pride: LGBT in the Armed Forces Hardcover - P&PS Group Ltd

Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.

In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong?And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included?

We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.

Today we’re joined by Stephen and Scott from New Dialogue the home of Healthwatch Kingston. Together, they work with local people to understand their experiences of health and care services and make sure those voices are heard.

In this episode, we talk about their recent work exploring the experiences of adults with autism and ADHD following bereavement. We hear how they worked with this community, created opportunities for people to share their stories, and the importance of making sure people feel listened to, understood and supported.

If you would like to share your thoughts, viewsor be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk

Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd

Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore.

A gentle note for listeners: In this episode we very briefly discuss baby loss as part of a wider conversation about grief and bereavement. Please listen in a way that feels right for you.

Resources:

30 March 2026 - Everyone experiences bereavement differently. In this podcast series, New Dialogue/Healthwatch Kingston spoke to adults with ADHD and autism to discuss their experiences of grief and bereavement.

This work was made possible by the ICCM Metals Recycling of Metals scheme via Kingston Voluntary Action.

15 December 2025 - Following careful consideration of their organisation's mission, and the future of independent voice, the Healthwatch Kingston Board agreed to change thecharitable company name to ‘New Dialogue’.

13 June 2025 - Building on earlier findings, Healthwatch Kingston and partners worked to engage underrepresented groups through community workshops, surveys, and youth-led creative projects, to better understand experiences ofgrief and the accessibility of bereavement support across south west London.

13 July 2022 – In 2021, Healthwatch Kingston and Kingston Voluntary Action were commissioned by the then South West London Clinical Commissioning Group

Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.

In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included?We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.

In today's episode, we're joined by Blair Parrott and Jack Smith to talk about men's mental health, community, and the power of creating spaces where people feel they belong. From Andy's Man Club and Men's Pit Stop to green health and wellbeing initiatives, we explore how connection, purpose and peer support can help people feel seen, valued and less alone. We'll also hear about the importance of asking for help, giving back to others, and why small acts of connection can have a ripple effect across our communities.

If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk

Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd

Produced by Sarah Dowd

Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore

A gentle note for listeners: In this episode we briefly discuss suicide as part of a wider conversation about men's mental health and wellbeing. Please listen in a way that feels right for you.

Resources:
ANDYSMANCLUB - It's Okay To TalkMen's Pit Stop | Healthy SurreyGreen health and wellbeing | Healthy Surrey

Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.

In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included? We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.

Today, we’re really pleased to be joined by Maddy French, Maddy’s research explores differences in access to palliative care, and also looks at how the language we use can shape how people are understood and supported. In this episode, we’ll be talking about inequity in palliative care, and in particular, how ideas like “choice” show up in practice — and what happens when people don’t actually have the same options available to them.If you’d like to explore this further, you can access the toolkit developed from Maddy’s research here:

👉 https://lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9BwMd7nQev4Nooe?Q_CHL=qr

If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah DowdProduced by Sarah Dowd Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore

Resources:

Toolkit Here:

https://lancasteruni.eu.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_9BwMd7nQev4Nooe?Q_CHL=qrTrauma-informed palliative care: A systematic scoping review of evidence sources describing concepts relevant to an emerging field of practice

Trauma Informed Care NHS Catalogue

Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.

In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included?

We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.

This month we’re really pleased to be joined by Carol from Age UK Richmond, and Harry, who is a member of the Rainbow Café community.

The Rainbow Café is a welcoming space for older LGBTQ+ people to come together, connect and just be themselves. It’s a place for friendship, support and belonging, and it’s making a real difference in people’s lives.

In this episode, we talk about why spaces like this matter, what belonging really means, and what we can all learn from creating communities where people feel safe, seen and included.

If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk

Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd

Produced by Sarah Dowd

Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore

Resources:

Age UK Richmond Rainbow Cafe

https://www.ageuk.org.uk/discover/2025/february/the-rainbow-cafe/

The Circle Project

https://research.kent.ac.uk/chss/research-projects/creating-inclusive-residential-care-for-lgbtq-elders-circle/

It’s more than rainbows in reception

https://www.nobarriershere.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Its-more-than-rainbows-in-receptions-Working-with-LGBTQ-People-in-Palliative-and-End-of-Life-Care-pdf.pdf

Not going in the care closet

https://queercircle.org/reflections/not-going-in-the-care-closet/

The Pitt on HBO

https://www.hbomax.com/gb/en/shows/pitt-2024/e6e7bad9-d48d-4434-b334-7c651ffc4bdf

Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.

In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included?

We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.

Today we’re really pleased to be joined by Sam Dorney-Smith. Sam is a Queen’s Nurse, Professional Nurse Advocate and Practice Nurse Specialist Practitioner who has spent more than twenty years working alongside people experiencing homelessness and other inclusion health groups.

We’re really looking forward to this conversation about inclusion, dignity and what good care looks like for people who are often left out of the system. Thank you so much for joining us.

If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk

Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd

Produced by Sarah Dowd

Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore

Resources:

Homelessness at end of life: Information for professionals | Marie Curie

Community of Practice - Homeless Palliative Care Network

SPEAR London - Supporting people experiencing homelessness in London

Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.

In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included?

We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.

This episode is a little different. Today, we’re taking some time to look back on the past year and reflect on some of the conversations that have really stayed with us.

This month we’re talking about what we’ve learned from our guests, from our work at PAH, and from each other. We’ll reflect on conversations about anti-racism, faith, identity, care and love. And we’ll share why, despite everything, we still believe belonging is something we can build together.

If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk

Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd

Produced by Sarah Dowd

Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore

Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.

In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included?We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.

This month, we’re delighted to be joined by Steve Marshall. Steve is a clinical academic who combines his work as a palliative care social worker at King’s College Hospital with research at The Cicely Saunders Institute. His work focuses on improving care for people and families at the end of life. Steve is currently undertaking qualitative data collection on a Marie Curie funded research project entitled The Take-up Study, which is exploring the take-up of welfare benefits towards the end-of-life. This work is already leading to practical, evidence-based guidance to support professionals in their practice in applying for benefits with those to likely to die in the next 12 months.

If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah DowdProduced by Sarah Dowd Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore

Resources:Info about the KCL/CSI research project: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/research/the-take-up-study

Marie Curie's Dying in Poverty report: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/document/dying-in-poverty-report-2025

Marie Curie's petition: https://campaigns.mariecurie.org.uk/page/159107/petition/1?ea.tracking.id=web

In the podcast we discuss that Macmillan Grants are no longer available nationally please see here for advice and support on other financial support Macmillan Grants | Macmillan Cancer Support Money advice | Macmillan Cancer Support