Langside is a school like no other; it’s been a special part of the Diverse Abilities journey since 1959, and continues to create a vibrant community!

At its heart are wonderful people like Principal Jon Seaward, and Deputy Head Nicki Priddle, who join us on a very special episode of Reasons to Care this month.

From the magic of the Langstonbury festival to the everyday triumphs that light up the school, discover how the school’s dedicated team creates magical experiences.

This episode covers:

• The incredible multidisciplinary team of therapists, nurses, and dedicated teaching staff

• Langside’s very special ‘Langstonbury Festival’, and how events like it bring joy, creativity, and a sense of community to students, staff, and families

• The importance of celebrating every achievement, no matter how small

• Diverse Abilities’ ongoing mission to foster inclusion, support families, and create meaningful experiences

Clare Rochford

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Becky Edwards

https://www.linkedin.com/in/becky-edwards-a3693b40/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Every child deserves the chance to embrace the outdoors in all its muddy glory, and our very own Bear Grills is the gateway to outdoor play.

Alex Bradford is our Outdoor Learning Lead at The Treehouse, and between his inspiration and the joys of our Nature Nook, children of all abilities are able to embrace nature-based learning!

From tool use and bushcraft, to imaginative play and team challenges, discover the opportunities that Alex creates to spark curiosity with every session.

This episode covers:

• The transformative power of outdoor learning and nature-based activities for children of all abilities

• Child-led, sensory-rich experiences that foster independence, creativity, and resilience

• The inclusive community that allows everyone to participate and thrive

• Embracing sustainability through creative reuse of donated and local materials in educational settings

• The value of diverse role models and teamwork in care

Cat Abbott

https://www.linkedin.com/in/catabbott/

Clare Rochford

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

If it’s possible to be a celebrity In the world of caregiving, then there’s nobody with more star power than our very own Dave Austin.

Everyone knows him. Everyone loves him. But not everyone knows his story - both in the 34 years he’s spent with Diverse Abilities, or in the mysterious time before…

Join us for another lifer’s fabulous story, and discover just long and illustrious a career you can make in the caregiving profession!

This episode covers:

• Dave’s inspiring 34-year journey, showcasing career progression and the many roles within the sector

• The power of person-centered care and how it transforms lives for both staff, and the people they care for

• Positivity, adaptability, and lifelong learning in overcoming challenges and making a difference

• The lasting connections built among staff, families, and those who we support

• Dave’s story as living proof that that care is anything but a short-term or limited career

Dave Austin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/david-austin-302871273/

Clare Rochford

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Nursing staff are at the heart of everything we do at Diverse Abilities, so it’s an absolute shock to many when they discover how they’re funded… or rather, not.

All nursing staff are fundraised, and to paint a vivid picture of just what joy is made from that fundraising, we’re joined on Reasons to Care by Amy Savill and Hollie Adams!

Join us to explore the unique daily life of a nurse at Langside and The Beehive, the transformative work that they do for children and adult services, and how you can support these inspiring people.

This episode covers:

• The critical importance of nursing staff in supporting children and adults with complex needs

• How nursing enables not just education, but the community participation too

• A holistic approach to care focusing on individual growth, independence, and personal achievements

• The challenges of having no dedicated funding from NHS or local authorities for nursing services

Sponsor a Nurse:

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/nurses

Amy Savill

https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-savill-a7224a251/

Clare Rochford

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Caregiving is so much more than a job to pass the time; it’s a career that can last a lifetime…

While Charlotte Snowshall is early in her journey with us in Short Breaks, she has a transformative story that will inspire the passionate, curious minds thinking of care as a career!

Join us on Reasons to Care this week, as we hear what turned a temporary role into years of life-changing work, and just how far her career could take her.

This episode covers:

• Charlotte's journey from short breaks crew member to management, showing that care work offers genuine career opportunities

• The transformative impact of initiatives like Little Squirrels

• The personal passion and energy that underpins caregivers’ careers

• Misconceptions around care work as a temporary job with no progression

• How care goes above and beyond basic support, creating meaningful experiences for those with additional needs

Clare Rochford

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/

Head over to our website to check out how you can get involved - https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

Forget what you know about day centres - The Beehive is a world where creativity and connection thrive!

Chelsey Mills is Manager at The Beehive, and she’s perfectly placed to show us what joy Diverse Abilities’ day centre for adults with disabilities really brings to the lovely people we support.

This episode covers:

• Fostering understanding and acceptance of disabilities through early interactions, especially with children

• How individualised care adapts to each person's unique communication style to provide tailored support

• The diverse and engaging activities that The Beehive offers

• How personal connections and family inspire fulfilling careers in care and disability support

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

The people we support are all capable of extraordinary things, and they deserve a chance to be recognised for every step of progress they make.

That’s how the OPT Award came to fruition, and its creator Lynda Larke is with us to kick off our latest series of Reasons to Care!

Join us to discover how the OPT Award can help inspire the people we support to achieve the impossible, step outside of their comfort zones, and create opportunities!

This episode covers:

• The introduction of the OPT Award, and the success stories that it’s given rise to

• Educating society about the capabilities of the people that we support across Diverse Abilities and beyond

• How structured support helps people to overcome fears and break boundaries

• The importance of empowerment through recognition

OPT Award

https://www.optaward.org.uk/

Clare Rochford

https://www.linkedin.com/in/clare-rochford-65b9501b7/

Join the Diverse Abilities Team

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/careers

Diverse Abilities

https://diverseabilities.org.uk/

https://www.linkedin.com/company/diverse-abilities-plus/

https://www.instagram.com/diverseabilities/