DISCOVER Voices | disAbility Cornwall & IoS

Life as a Carer: Managing Difficult Talks on Independence | Care to Speak #5

In this episode of Care to Speak, host Steve Horscroft sits down with Mandy May, a dedicated carer navigating the challenges of both professional and unpaid family care. Mandy shares her personal experiences caring for her mother, who has dementia and arthritis, as well as the journey of arranging support, accessing adult social care and ensuring her mum stays connected and engaged.
🧡 Topics covered:✔️ Recognising early signs of dementia✔️ The impact of social isolation during COVID-19✔️ Managing difficult conversations about independence✔️ Finding and working with self-employed carers✔️ The role of memory cafes and social activities✔️ Accessing direct payments and navigating adult social care
Mandy’s story highlights the realities of balancing family, work, and caregiving responsibilities while ensuring dignity and quality of life for loved ones.
🔗 Listen & SubscribeCatch Care to Speak on YouTube, Spotify, Amazon and other platforms.
💬 Join the ConversationAre you a carer? Share your experiences in the comments below.
#CareToSpeak #DisabilityCornwall #DementiaCare #UnpaidCarers #AdultSocialCare #podcast #carerspodcast
-
Please consider subscribing to our YouTube Channel! And if you want the audio-only version, please search DISCOVER Voices on all major audio platforms including Spotify, Apple Podcasts & Amazon Music. 
DISCOVER Voices is a brand-new podcast network that discusses life through the lens of people living with long-term health conditions or disabilities. 
We welcome a variety of hosts all with their own podcast series, giving their own outlook and take on topics and discussions that are close to their heart. 
We try our very best to make these podcasts as accessible as possible, if you require captions to access our podcast, please view the podcast on our YouTube Channel where all of our videos have closed captions, simply search DISCOVER Voices on YouTube search bar. 
Discover Voices (c) 2025, a production by registered charity, disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly.

Technology Enabled Care | Dementia Toolkit Series | Cornwall Memory Cafe Podcast #28

In this episode of the Dementia Together Toolkit podcast, Anna Lempriere speaks with Jane and Jay from the Cornwall Rural Community Charity (CRCC) about technology-enabled care and how digital support can improve life for people living with dementia and their carers.
Learn how CRCC’s Digital Together project – in partnership with Cornwall Council and others – is making technology more accessible across Cornwall. From free tablet loans and digital skills training to helpful devices like Alexa and virtual reality tools, this episode explores how simple tech can enhance independence, safety, and connection.
🧠 Topics include:Digital lending schemes through CRCC and Cornwall CouncilTech support and taster workshops in Memory CafesHelping carers set reminders and manage routinesAccessibility in rural areasUsing Alexa, tablets, and VR to support wellbeing
This series is created by the Cornwall Memory Cafe Network, part of disAbility Cornwall & Isles of Scilly, to provide clear, supportive guidance for anyone affected by dementia.

What is Lasting Power of Attorney? | Dementia Toolkit Series | Cornwall Memory Cafe Podcast #27

In this episode of the Dementia Together Toolkit series, we speak with Karen Malkin, Clinical Lead Manager for the Dementia Liaison Service in Cornwall. Karen provides expert advice on the importance of early planning for dementia care, particularly focusing on the crucial steps to take before a diagnosis progresses.
Karen explains how to navigate issues like mental capacity, and why it’s important to address them in the early stages of dementia. She also covers the legal considerations of setting up a lasting power of attorney and an advance care plan, ensuring that individuals living with dementia can have their wishes respected as their condition progresses.
With valuable tips on ensuring that both individuals and their families are prepared for the journey ahead, this episode is a must-listen for those looking to make informed decisions about care and support. Tune in to hear how proactive planning can make a world of difference in ensuring a person’s dignity, choices, and wellbeing are upheld throughout their dementia journey.
🌟 Welcome to the Dementia Toolkit Video Series 🌟Your one-stop shop for everything dementia-related. In this series, we provide simple, educational advice to support you on your dementia journey. Learn from professionals and individuals with lived experience as we address key questions and offer personalised guidance.

Dementia Memory Assessment Process | Dementia Toolkit Series | Cornwall Memory Cafe Podcast #26

In this episode, we’re joined by Allison O'Kelly, an advanced clinical practitioner with extensive experience in the Memory Assessment Service in Cornwall. Alison shares her journey into dementia care, discussing the evolution of the Memory Assessment Service and its crucial role in diagnosing and supporting those with dementia. With a background in clinical practice, Alison explains how the service has expanded over the years, offering a range of support options including assessments, diagnoses, and follow-up care for individuals living with dementia.
This podcast is relaxed, inclusive, and welcoming, making it a must-listen for anyone looking for reliable, supportive, and accessible information on dementia care. Whether you're a professional, a carer, or someone living with dementia, the Dementia Together Toolkit is here to provide expert advice, support, and hope for navigating the dementia pathway.
🌟 Welcome to the Dementia Toolkit Video Series 🌟Your one-stop shop for everything dementia-related. In this series, we provide simple, educational advice to support you on your dementia journey. Learn from professionals and individuals with lived experience as we address key questions and offer personalised guidance.- 

Blue Badge Barriers | It's Time for Action | #NationalBlueBadgeDayOfAction 💙

🎧 Listen to the podcast now and hear how your stories are helping to challenge policy, shift attitudes, and push for accessible, inclusive parking across Cornwall.
A massive thank you to the 629 people who responded to our Blue Badge parking survey, especially the 250+ who shared detailed comments. Your voices have made one thing clear: the system is not working for many of us, and it's time for change. 
🔍 What you told us:44% faced delays or issues applying for or renewing their Blue Badge.63% couldn’t pay for parking due to inaccessible systems.80% avoid venues with poor disabled parking provision.75% believe businesses are missing out on the £140 million spending potential of Cornish Blue Badge holders, the power of the Purple Pound.
Your feedback has helped shape our special Blue Badge Day of Action podcast episode, featuring Cornwall Councillor Steven Webb and Steve Paget MBE. Together, we explore these issues and push for real action from those in power.
A thank you to Councillor Steven Webb for producing this podcast, please do check out his podcast 'Stillness in the Storms' on Spotify, Apple and YouTube. 
Let’s make sure disabled people can access our towns, services and communities, not be shut out by poor parking design.
#BlueBadgeDayOfAction #PurplePound #AccessibleCornwall #DisabilityCornwall #InclusionMatters #NothingAboutUsWithoutUs #BlueBadgeParking

Urinary Tract Infections & Toileting | Dementia Toolkit Series | Cornwall Memory Cafe Podcast #25

Let's Talk Bladder & Bowel Health
In this essential episode, host Anna Lempriere speaks with bladder and bowel specialist Jordan Trevelyan about an often-overlooked aspect of dementia care. With compassion and clarity, Jordan offers practical advice, expert tips, and reassurance around common continence concerns faced by people living with dementia and those who support them.
From early warning signs to product options, getting the right support, and tackling taboos, this conversation empowers listeners with the knowledge to navigate bladder and bowel health confidently and respectfully
Whether you're living with dementia, a family member, or a professional carer, this episode is for you.
🌟 Welcome to the Dementia Toolkit Video Series 🌟Your one-stop shop for everything dementia-related. In this series, we provide simple, educational advice to support you on your dementia journey. Learn from professionals and individuals with lived experience as we address key questions and offer personalised guidance.

Dementia Falls Prevention Tips | Dementia Toolkit Series | Cornwall Memory Cafe Podcast #24

Did You Know? 90% of Dementia-Related Injuries Are Due to Falls.Two-thirds of people living with dementia are at risk of falls.
Welcome to this eye-opening episode of the Common Memory Café Podcast, where we dive deep into the critical topic of falls among people living with dementia. In this episode, our expert guest, Paul Cadger, Dementia Education Lead at Kernow Health CIC, shares his extensive knowledge—drawing on his background as a physiotherapist—to explain:
What exactly constitutes a fall?Paul clarifies the definition of a fall, highlighting the importance of understanding what unintentional drops from one level to another really mean.
Risk factors and triggers:Discover why aging, muscle weakness, medication interactions, visual impairments, and even environmental factors (like poorly contrasted home settings) play a huge role in fall risk. Did you know that a study in Australia found that 90% of all injuries in people with dementia were related to falls?
Identifying and assessing fall risks:Learn about the key questions healthcare professionals use to assess fall risk—beyond just asking if someone has fallen in the last year—and why a multifactorial falls risk assessment is essential.
Practical strategies for prevention:Paul discusses actionable steps that carers, people living with dementia, and care providers can take. From adjusting your home environment (e.g., ensuring proper contrast on surfaces) to engaging in strength and balance exercises, these insights can make a real difference.
The broader impact on quality of life:Understand how a single fall can lead to a downward spiral in confidence and physical health, and why early intervention and tailored support are so crucial.
Guest Information:Paul Cadger – Dementia Education Lead, Kernow Health CIC📧 Email: paul.cadger@nhs.net

Digital Inclusion for Dementia Support | Dementia Toolkit Series | Cornwall Memory Cafe Podcast #23

In this insightful episode of the Cornwall Memory Cafe Podcast, host Anna Lempriere speaks with communications specialist Susie Inman about an exciting initiative to improve digital inclusion across Cornwall — particularly for older people, carers, and those living with dementia.
Susie shares how the Digital Inclusion Team at Cornwall Council is supporting community organisations to recruit and train “digital champions” — volunteers who receive free, accessible training to help others gain basic tech skills. From booking GP appointments and ordering groceries, to spotting scams and staying connected with loved ones, the programme empowers people to confidently navigate the digital world.
The conversation highlights how Memory Cafes are ideal places for introducing tech in a gentle, person-led way. Susie explains how even a short, 30-minute training session can open the door to loaning tablets, accessing free Wi-Fi, and enabling volunteers to help others develop essential skills.
With simple processes, no prior expertise needed, and a real opportunity to transform lives, this initiative has the power to increase independence and reduce isolation — all while promoting digital confidence and safety.
👉 Learn more or get involved: https://www.cornwall.gov.uk/digitalchampion

Latest Research into Dementia | Dementia Toolkit Series | Cornwall Memory Cafe Podcast #22

In this episode, Anna is joined by Dr Simon Vann Jones, Consultant Psychiatrist in Older People’s Mental Health and the NIHR Dementia Research Lead for the South West. Simon shares personal insight into what drew him to dementia care, discusses current treatments including Donepezil and Memantine, and offers an expert view on emerging research and clinical trials.
With a warm, relaxed tone and clear, accessible explanations, this series aims to empower you with knowledge, whether you’re navigating a diagnosis, caring for a loved one, or simply want to know more.
Tune in, learn something new, and share with those who might benefit. Your journey matters, and you’re not alone.
🌟 Welcome to the Dementia Toolkit Video Series 🌟Your one-stop shop for everything dementia-related. In this series, we provide simple, educational advice to support you on your dementia journey. Learn from professionals and individuals with lived experience as we address key questions and offer personalised guidance.

Let's Talk Public Transport in Cornwall | The Advocacy Fellows #13

Welcome back to The Advocacy Fellows Podcast – where young adults with learning disabilities speak up, share stories and inspire change.
In this episode, we explore public transport in Cornwall and how a lack of access can seriously affect people living in rural communities. From missing bus services to long travel times and inaccessible routes, our Fellows share personal stories, insights and experiences, the good and the frustrating.
📊 Backed by research from Citizens Advice Cornwall, we talk about:
- The decline in bus services across the county- How poor public transport limits independence- Real experiences from people across Cornwall- What needs to change to make travel easier and fairer for everyone
🚉 You’ll hear honest opinions, from train journeys to dreams of visiting Wembley, and the barriers that stand in the way.