The Shifting Perspectives Podcast

Launched in Down’s Syndrome Awareness Week 2019, the Shifting Perspectives Podcast is brought to you by the DSA and hosted by Richard Bailey, photographer and curator of the Shifting Perspectives project.

It tells the stories of people who have Down’s syndrome as well as of their families and carers, raising a smile, providing insights and challenging commonly held attitudes and prejudices.

Series 1

Series 2

Series 3

Series 4

Series 1

Series One: Episode One – Sarah Merriman

Meet Sarah, a twenty-something city girl and Spurs fan. Richard and Sarah discuss her life so far, including school, college, work, and hopes for the future. A Major Adjustment by Andy Merriman (Sarah’s dad) is available to purchase from our online shop.

Series One: Episode Two – Ian Richardson

Richard and Ian discuss fatherhood and family life. Ian’s six year old son Arran has Down’s syndrome and is at a mainstream primary school. He talks to Richard about being Arran’s dad, family life and walking the Wainwrights.

Series One: Episode Three – Billie-Jo Strummer Bailey

Richard chats to his daughter Billie-Jo about school, friends, adventures and college life.

Series One: Episode Four – Jane Chong

Jane talks to Richard about Step And Stone, the inspiration behind the project as well as her family, including her son Andrew who has Down’s syndrome.

Series One: Episode Five – Sarah Gordy

Actor, dancer, model…recipient of an MBE and an honorary doctorate…Sarah and Richard talk about her career highlights, current projects and being an ambassador and advocate.

Series 2

Series Two: Episode One – Ophir Yaron

“Live life to the max!” is very much Ophir’s mantra. The twenty-something Londoner tells us about leaving home, working two jobs, keeping up a long-distance relationship, and a very special moment she shared with her absolute favourite popstar, Jessie J. Ophir’s art can be seen here.

Series Two: Episode Two – Sarah Roberts

An award-winning blogger, a published author, and a busy mother of three. Just how did Sarah Roberts manage to fit training for a marathon into her schedule too? Keep up to date with Sarah and her family here..

Series Two: Episode Three – Nick and Alex Bourne

Not afraid to admit he was ‘ashamed’ of his brother when growing up, siblings Alex and Nick are now travelling the world together to find out how other brothers and sisters live with Down’s syndrome.

Series Two: Episode Four – Dr Elizabeth Herrievan

Elizabeth’s daughter Amy is 13 and she has Down’s syndrome and Autism Spectrum Condition. Liz talks about the hugely positive impact Amy has had on her professional career, and also the ways in which her family has adjusted life to make Amy feel more comfortable.

View Dr Elizabeth’s infographic here.

Series Two: Episode Five – Jack Hale

Jack chats to Richard about living semi-independently (and enjoying the cleaning!) keeping up two jobs as a waiter, winning numerous gold medals, and his dream of becoming a public speaker.

Series 3

Series Three: Episode One – Alex Rawle

Alex Rawle is the Project Manager for DSActive, the programme run by the Down’s Syndrome Association to provide opportunities for people who have Down’s syndrome to lead active and healthy lives. He talks nutrition, sleep, mental health, and how to keep fit and motivated during the coronavirus pandemic.

NB: This podcast was recorded in early December 2020, during the Covid-19 pandemic. Advice was in accordance with public health guidelines at the time of recording.

Series Three: Episode Two – Caitlin and Mark Trevor

Caitlin Trevor is an incredibly busy young woman.

The 17-year-old has been studying for her GCSEs and a BTEC, and loves art, landscape photography and drama. She has collected more than 120 medals for swimming, and wants to be a swimming coach and classroom assistant in the future.

She speaks alongside her father Mark, and the pair tell us how they’ve taken up running together over the pandemic. You can find out more about The Allium Collection and purchase Caitlin’s cards here.

Series Three: Episode Three – Christopher Davies

Christopher Davies is an exceptional man and absolute gentleman.

He talks openly about the loss of a close friend, the death of his beloved father, and his recent experience of Covid-19.

The 45-year-old lives independently and loves swimming, snooker and script writing.

Series Three: Episode Four – Claire Harris and Abigail Clay

Claire Harris and Abigail Clay are sisters who both love acting. They previously made a film together called possABILITY about finding employment for people who have Down’s syndrome. Claire is also a keen swimmer and football player, and Abigail has recently started a drama group called Shakespeare 21 for adults who have Down’s syndrome.

Series Three: Episode Five – James Ducarreaux

James Ducarreaux lives life to the full. He’s an avid Bournemouth FC supporter and loves nothing more than a beer and a laugh with the lads. He’s employed at Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service through our WorkFit programme and appeared on TV’s The Undateables back in 2018. He didn’t find love then, but he has some very exciting news on the romance front now.

Series 4

Series Four: Episode One – Ann Cleeves

Ann Cleeves is an award-winning crime writer whose books have been brought to life on television. Her novels were dramatised as the TV detective series Vera, in which actor Daniel Laurie, who has Down’s syndrome, played Adam Beecher, and now her book The Long Call, has just been aired on ITV. In it, actor Sarah Gordy plays one of the main characters. So in this special podcast, we’ve handed the mic over to Sarah to interview Ann herself. They chat about Ann’s career, inspiration, and some very interesting jobs she’s done in the past.

Series Four: Episode Two – Tash and Clare

Tash and Clare live together in a supported living setting and have been best friends for more than 20 years.

In this episode, they speak to Richard about their jobs, busy fitness schedules, friendship, and their shared love of foot spas, cake and Champagne. It’s a laugh a minute with these two…

Series Four: Episode Three – Tommy Jessop

Tommy Jessop is acting royalty. He stole the show at the National Television Awards show in September by dancing live on stage, and gave a star performance as Terry Boyle in the BBC’s hugely popular series ‘Line of Duty’. In this episode, Tommy talks to Richard about his amazing career to date, his thoughts on diversity in the arts, and his personal ambition to become the next James Bond.

Series Four: Episode Four – Steph and Chris McCann

Siblings Steph and Chris live in Northern Ireland and describe each other as best friends. They talk to Richard about growing up, living together during the Coronavirus pandemic, and how Steph has helped Chris get through some dark times. They also discuss Steph’s hobby of tag rugby, child minding job, and her love of posh dinners, hotel stays and cocktails.

Series Four: Episode Five – Luke Ensor

Luke is 25 and a huge Manchester United fan. He is in paid employment thanks to the DSA’s WorkFit programme, goes to college, and loves watching the soaps on TV. Last year, he fell head over heels in love with his girlfriend Emily, and tells Richard about his hopes for wedding bells in the future.