This week on Episode 7, we're joined by Lorraine, mum to our Young Ambassador, Jacob, for a searingly honest conversation about life as the parent of a child with a serious long-term illness.

Lorraine shares the realities behind the diagnosis—the emotional, physical, and practical challenges, the impact on family life, and the resilience it takes to keep going. This is a powerful and heartfelt discussion that offers an unfiltered insight into the toll long-term illness can take, while highlighting the strength, love, and hope that carry families through.

Whether you're a parent, healthcare professional, or simply want to better understand the lived experience of families facing serious childhood illness, this is an episode you won't want to miss💛

What role does play have in children's healthcare, and why is it so important in hospital?

In this episode, Charlotte is joined by Sarah, Policy & Public Affairs Manager at Starlight, to discuss how play helps children cope with hospital stays, supports their emotional wellbeing, and improves their overall healthcare experience.

Together, they explore the evidence behind play in paediatric care, the challenges of ensuring every child has access to it, and the work Starlight is doing to make play an essential part of healthcare for children across the UK.

Whether you're a healthcare professional, student, parent, or interested in child health and wellbeing, this episode offers practical insights into why play should never be seen as an optional extra in hospital care.

Listen now and discover why play matters in children's healthcare 💛

When Change Meets Resistance

In this episode, Charlotte is joined by Sophie's Legacy Ambassador, Phil Shelley, Senior Operational and Policy Manager – Soft FM and National Lead for Food at NHS England.

Drawing on both lived experience and national healthcare leadership, they explore why change can be so difficult within hospitals, the barriers that families and healthcare professionals face, and why listening to patients and families is essential to creating lasting improvements.

This is a thought-provoking conversation about leadership, collaboration, and the determination needed to challenge the status quo and improve hospital experiences for every family.

If you're passionate about creating positive change in healthcare, this is an episode you won't want to miss💛