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The Variety Vodcast series throws a spotlight on some of the charity's wonderful Celebrity Ambassadors, exploring their growing up years, how they got to where they are now, and what supporting Variety means to them. 

Variety's Pod-Ability podcast series explores the unseen, complex challenges facing the parents and families of disabled children, offering in-depth discussion as well as practical suggestions and signposting. Our closed Facebook group offers a safe, private, supportive and understanding space to talk about issues raised by each episode with like-minded parents and families of children with special educational needs and disabilities.

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The Variety Vodcast: Caroline Monk chats to legendary boxer Michael Watson, MBE

6th April 2021

In the latest episode of Variety Vodcast, boxing legend Michael Watson, MBE, chats to Caroline Monk about his childhood, his early boxing career, and the serious brain injury he sustained during a world title fight with Chris Eubank in 1991, which cut his career tragically short. In a deeply moving conversation, Michael demonstrates the same strength of spirit he once showed in the ring, and shares how his faith has fuelled his remarkable recovery.

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The Variety Vodcast: Caroline Monk chats to impressionist and comedian John Culshaw

21st December 2020

In the first episode of The Variety Vodcast, impressionist and comedian Jon Culshaw – a long-standing Variety supporter – reminisces with host Caroline 'Monkey' Monk about Variety children’s Christmas parties, growing up in Lancashire and wanting to be Dr Who. He also lets on as to why Mike Yarwood is still his biggest influence. Look out for some spot-on impressions of a few very famous people!

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What financial relief is available to families with disabled children?

3rd October 2020
What financial relief are families with disabled children in the UK entitled to? And how should they go about accessing it? Does a child need a formal diagnosis for a family to claim? How has the benefits system changed during the pandemic with regard to disabled children? To discuss these questions and more, our host Dave King is joined remotely over Skype by Carlos Hagi, who is a member of the Expert Advice Team at Citizens Advice Head Office, specialising in welfare benefits. Carlos brings over 35 years’ experience as a welfare benefits adviser. Also joining Dave, is Mark Arnold, whose son James has a range of additional needs.
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How parents can look after the mental health and emotional wellbeing of children with disabilities during lockdown

1st May 2020
While it's reassuring that the COVID-19 virus rarely makes children physically ill, in this episode oF Variety Podability we’re exploring what impact the coronavirus crisis is having on the mental health of children with special educational needs and disabilities. We also look at how parents can best look after children's emotional wellbeing at home during the current lockdown, while responding to the crisis in a way that builds their emotional resilience. Dave King is joined remotely over Skype by Tamsin Cottis, an acclaimed senior child psychotherapist and pioneer in the area of psychotherapy for children with learning disabilities, and Rosalind Grainger, mother of Esja, who has a learning disability.
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