Ben Davie is a mind and movement specialist. As someone who is passionate about health and wellbeing, Ben shares his expertise in a range of ways.

With a background in working abroad as a sports coordinator, working as a fitness coach with The Body Coach Online Nutrition and head of HIIT and running at Digme fitness, Ben clearly has a passion for helping others achieve their goals.

In 2015, he started Ben Davie Fitness where he created Move With Ben. His goal was to make fitness accessible for all and to reach out with easy to follow, useful content - through his social channels. He started with a YouTube channel with free home workouts, has worked with a number of Corporates delivering 8 week well rounded programs and has also delivered motivational talks on all things Fitness/Well-being.

During lockdown, he felt an overwhelming purpose to work with Children and to do his bit to help support during an incredibly challenging time. So he started daily YouTube videos - including Energizing workouts, Yoga, Mindfulness and Sport Specific. He also utilised additional professionals for extra variety - including 'Sing and Sign' videos.Ben’s work now includes Schools Wellbeing where he provides children with tools for life, both Physically and mentally.

Alongside all this he also has an online running program, is an instructor on the Deliciously Ella Feel Better app, is a wellbeing coach at Nuffield Health, First Team recovery coach at Dagenham and Redbridge football club and co-founder of Keep Your Cool.

Oh, and hes a dad too!

How he finds the time to do all of these things, I don't know. But lets find out...

Coach Ben Davie: Instagram Keep your cool wellbeing: Instagram

*Trigger warning* This episode contains explicit language and sensitive topics around abuse and knife crime.

From gangs to youth mentor and tv personality...

Groomed from the age of 9 and growing up through physical abuse, drug addiction, knife crime and many stints in prison, Carl Scott has turned his life around and is now a mentor and youth ambassador. As Program manager at Project Youth, he leads intervention projects focused on mentoring and conducting workshops for young people at risk of serious violence or facing challenges in their family, education, or community settings.

Through all the work Carl does, he has become influential on social media and has appeared in many mainstream TV shows too.

Project youth youth project Project (Twos a duo) Youth | LinkedIn twosaduo (@twosaduoofficial) | TikTok Instagram

Amanda is a research psychologist, passionate about children’s play. She is the CEO of the research consultancy Fundamentally Children and Dr Gummer’s Good Play Guide - a consumer-facing review site for children’s toys, apps, learning and baby products.

She is the independent chair of the Association of Play Industries, is an NED for

Families in Focus CIC, and is on the advisory board of a small number of mission-led startups. Amanda has a PhD in neuropsychology, the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education and over 20 years experience working with children and families.

Widely considered as the UK’s go to expert on play, parenting and child development, her book ‘Play’ was published in May 2015.

Amanda has an increasing international profile and was commissioned by the Toy Association to create the STEAM toy accreditation framework and is the UK Chapter chair for Women in Toys..

Amanda is regularly in the media and continues to take an active role in research, presenting papers at various international conferences. She is often involved in government policy around children’s issues, presenting her Balanced Play Model at the European Parliament in September 2019.
FUNdamentally Children | Home - FUNdamentally Children Dr. Amanda Gummer | LinkedIn

The Good Play Guide - Your one-stop for all things 'play'

Mark is proprietor of 'Left n Write'​ Ltd and has a left-handed son. Along with his wife, Heather, they opened “Anything Left-Handed” in 1994 and with Heather being an ex-Primary School teacher, they were immediately drawn to the educational side of being left-handed and found that there was minimal active help or training on how to help left-handed children within the UK Education System.

Since then, he has been campaigning with his local MPs, which included questions in the House of Commons and meetings with Ministers at the Department of Education, sadly without any changes happening.

He has co-written the 'Left Hand Writing Skills'​ set of 3 Handwriting practice books as well as the "So You Think They're Left-Handed?" book with his wife, and designed the 'Writewell' mat. In March 2021, he initiated the formation of LEFT-IN.org, a global interest group formed with the aim to improve the information and education available to the educators of left-handed children around the world.

In July 2023, he launched a new interactive training video 'Left-Handed Children - A Guide for Teachers and Parents', now on sale via websites in the UK, Australia, Nigeria and the USA. He has given workshops to groups of Childminders, Early Years Practitioners, LEA training groups, Private and State schools over the past 28 years. Left 'n Write – Left Handed Shop

Melissa is a home educating parent to a teenager aged 14 and has been home educating for the past four years. She has worked in recruitment, communications and engagement, and learning and development working in both the public and private sector with a focus on youth employment and youth participation.Melissa has also successfully delivered work experience/work related learning programmes in upper schools, engaging with employers and further and higher education providers.

More recently, Melissa has lead on a project with a local Careers Hub supporting young people not in school or who are are home educated, and their families, in accessing careers advice and information. Melissa is now working with home educating families to ensure their teenagers are fully informed on the support and employment and training opportunities available to them after home education, making the most of their skills and abilities.

Join us today to hear about how Melissa finds home education, what we can do as parents to support career development and empowering our young people to work towards the jobs they dream of.

MelissaScripted (@melissascripted) • Instagram photos and videos Education Otherwise - | Education is Compulsory - School is Optional Home Education UK - Free Skills and Careers Resources for Home Ed Students - Youth Employment UK Home - Home Education Futures The Careers Hub | SWLEP

Veena Virahsammy is a former award winning radio presenter and marketing consultant. She is a qualified clinical hypnotherapist and CEO of alternative provision Oxford Creators.

Join us today as we delve into the depths of alternative provision and what it takes to set up your own when you feel like you have been let down by the system.

You can contact Veena on her website: HOME (veenav.com) Veena | Alternative Education (@mumtomillionaire) | TikTok Veena | Alternative Education (@mumtomillionaire) • Instagram photos and videos

Emma and Emily are the dynamic duo behind The Autism Wellbeing Project - a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting autistic adults in Halton and the surrounding areas. As a Community Interest Company (CIC), their primary goal is to provide comprehensive support services tailored to the unique needs of each individual.

Find out more about the wonderful work they are doing in today's podcast episode.

Connect with AWP:

The Autism Wellbeing Project The Autism Wellbeing Project (@autismwellbeingproject) | TikTok

Facebook The Autism Wellbeing Project CIC: Overview | LinkedIn

TRIGGER WARNING: this episode contains some discussions around losing a child & grief As a dedicated and experienced neurodivergent educational leader, Simon is deeply committed to neurodiversity inclusion and enhancing the educational experiences of all students and educators. With over two decades of experience in teaching, educational leadership, and management, Simon has honed his skills and knowledge in this field by graduating with distinction with an MBA in Educational Leadership & Management and is currently pursuing a Doctor of Education.

Simon’s research explores how educational leadership, management, and administration impact neurodivergent teachers compared to their neurotypical peers. So shedding light on this topic, as well as founding Neurodiversity in Education CIC, Simon aims to drive positive change in educational settings and advocate for the needs of all neurodivergent individuals.

On today's episode Simon shares his research alongside opening up about the loss of his daughter and his own Autism diagnosis.

Hope House Children's Hospices Healing Through Grief: Find Strength and Resilience (aftereverleigh.com)

Bethany-Shannon Memorial Ice Hockey Festival (bethanyslegacy.org) Neurodiversity in Education CIC Embrace Neurodiversity Ltd