Antonette had a successful career in sales and marketing for many years. When she decided to take a step back she begun volunteering as a morning Ward Support Volunteer. After 18 rewarding months a position as a Health Care Assistant came up. Seven years on, with support and training, she is a Senior Health Care Assistant and loves her newfound and unexpected career! Hear her journey.

Producer and host: Neena Spary

A conversation with Antonette

During Race Equality Week, Rachael and Sarah are taking on a tough but incredibly important subject: ‘Does racism still exist?’. It’s a question that sparks strong opinions, but for many people, the answer is painfully clear—racism isn’t just part of history; it’s still shaping lives and communities today.

Belonging and Beyond - Does Racism Still Exist?

'Facing poverty; Finding belonging'

Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.

In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included? We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.

In this episode we meet Rob Mills, Chief Executive of Walton Charity a hyperlocal organisation working to create an Elmbridge free from poverty. We'll be talking about belonging- what it means in our communities and how we can all build stronger connections.

If you would like to share your thoughts and views or be part of Belonging and Beyond, please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk.

Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah DowdProduced by Sarah Dowd Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore.
Resources: 

Understanding poverty ⁠UK Poverty 2025: The essential guide to understanding poverty in the UK | Joseph Rowntree Foundation⁠ 
Find out more about the Walton Charity Here w⁠ww.waltoncharity.org.uk⁠  ⁠Elmbridge Poverty Profile — Walton Charity working in the heart of the local community⁠
Donate food or your time ⁠Find a food bank | Trussell⁠
Make a difference locally ⁠Find the nearest charities with Charitiesnearme.uk⁠- filter to find charities that support people living in poverty. 


Belonging and Beyond: Facing Poverty; Finding Belonging

Today’s episode is a special one. We’ll be reflecting on Ramadan—a sacred month of fasting, reflection, and community for Muslims around the world. This year, Rach and Sarah along with other Colleagues are taking part in a unique way. They’ll be fasting today in curious allyship alongside some of our Muslim colleagues and Volunteers and breaking fast with them this evening.
If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk  and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk 
Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd
Produced by Sarah Dowd 
Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore

Resources:
Ramadan Guide 2025 | Muslim Council of Britain

15 Facts about Ramadan | Islamic Relief UK

Instagram @_languagematters 

Belonging and Beyond: Reflecting on Ramadan

Belonging and Beyond: Caring with Pride; a Husband's Story (part 1)

Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.
In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included? We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.
Today, we're honoured to be joined by Mike Parish, a 2024 Attitude Magazine Pride Award winner. Mike's story is one of love, dedication, and advocacy. After meeting his Husband Tom in 1975 they shared 47 years together. When Tom was diagnosed with progressive supranuclear palsy — a rare and degenerative form of dementia — Mike became his primary carer, navigating both the practical and emotional complexities of caring for the person he loved. Out of this experience, Mike co-founded the LGBTQ+ Dementia Advisory Group in 2022, working to ensure that LGBTQ+ people facing dementia receive the support, dignity, and understanding they deserve.


In Part One, we hear Mike and Tom’s story: their life together as a couple, and their journey through dementia, love, and loss. In Part Two, Mike shares insights from his advocacy work and lived experience, including how we can better support LGBTQ+ people — and those closest to them — when they are unwell or approaching the end of their life. 


If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk  and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk 
Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd
Produced by Sarah Dowd
Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore
Resources:
Ted and Noel Film ⁠https://www.dementiavoices.org.uk/ted-noel-film-fighting-homophobic-abuse-in-care-homes/⁠
Dementia Advisory Group ⁠http://lgbtqdementia.org/webinar-series/⁠
Compassion in Care ⁠https://blogs.kcl.ac.uk/socialcareworkforce/2023/02/20/going-into-the-care-closet/⁠ ⁠Support Services in the Sector | Stonewall⁠



Belonging and Beyond: Caring with Pride; a Husband's Story (Part 2)

Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.
In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included?
We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.
Today, we’re honoured to be joined by Shirley from One Voice 4 Travellers, a passionate advocate for Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller women, girls, and families. Shirley’s story is one of strength, community, and lived experience as a woman from the Romany community. 
In this episode, Shirley guides us through the unique customs and rituals surrounding dying, death, and bereavement within the Traveller community. We’ll hear how these traditions shape experiences of loss, and why understanding and respecting them is so important—especially in healthcare settings, where cultural understanding can make all the difference. 
If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk.
 
Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd
Produced by Sarah Dowd 
Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore


Resources:


One Voice 4 Travellers – One Voice 4 Travellers


Gypsy, Roma and Traveller (GRT) support - Surrey Community Action


Inclusion Health Team (supporting Gypsy, Roma and Traveller, Showmen and Boater, Homeless and Asylum-Seeking families)


Friends, Families and Travellers


National survey exposes racism and discrimination faced by Gypsy, Roma and Traveller people - Friends, Families and Travellers

Beyond Labels - Belonging and Dying in the Traveller Community

Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.

In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included?

We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.
Today, we’re highlighting the experiences of refugees and displaced people, emphasising the vital importance of belonging and the opportunity to contribute to society as part of their journey. 

We are joined by Nurettin, a trustee at Elmbridge CAN — a local charity doing incredible work to support refugees and asylum seekers here in our community. Nurettin has also generously offered to share his own lived experience, helping us understand the challenges and triumphs that come with building a sense of belonging in a new place. 

If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk  and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk 

Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd
Produced by Sarah Dowd 
Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore

Resources:

Elmbridge CAN | positive action for refugees

Home - Refugee Council

Refugee Action Kingston

LTA Padel in Britain | Play, compete & learn What is Padel Tennis?


Belonging and Beyond: Finding Home.

'Together in Song'

Welcome to Belonging and Beyond: Exploring Belonging Through How We Live and Die, brought to you by Princess Alice Hospice with your hosts Rach Basak, Head of Community Involvement and Support and Sarah Dowd, Head of Inclusion.

In this series, we’ll have honest conversations about inclusion, belonging, and the barriers created in society for some. Together with guests from all walks of life, we’ll be unpacking big questions like: What does belonging look like? Who gets to belong? And how can we build communities where everyone feels seen and included?

We are excited to be here and hope it sparks reflection, connection, and maybe even change.
Today, we’re joined by Sarah, the Musical Director of our Hospice Community Choir, a unique group that brings together bereaved family members, carers, patients, staff, volunteers, and people from the local community. In this episode, we’ll talk about how singing in a group can support emotional well-being, build new connections, and help people feel part of something bigger: especially in times of grief or uncertainty. 

If you would like to share your thoughts, views or be part of Belonging and Beyond please do get in touch at sarahdowd@pah.org.uk  and rachaelbasak@pah.org.uk 

Hosted and produced by Rachael Basak and Sarah Dowd

Produced by Sarah Dowd 
Edited by Sarah Dowd and Elizabeth Lattimore

Belonging and Beyond - Together in Song

Providing free, high-quality compassionate care & support for patients, families & carers, living in a large part of Surrey, south west London and Middlesex.