Survive grow inspire

03/09/2025

🎤 **Launching Soon: The Speaker’s Programme** 🎤
Are you passionate about public speaking? Ready to take the stage and share your voice with the world?

Before you grab the mic, let’s talk about the **realities** of the speaking world — the **pros** that make it exhilarating, and the **cons** that make it challenging.

✨ **Pros of Public Speaking**
✅ **Impact & Influence** – Your words can inspire, educate, and transform lives.
✅ **Personal Growth** – Boosts confidence, clarity, and communication skills.
✅ **Networking Opportunities** – Connect with like-minded professionals and industry leaders.
✅ **Career Advancement** – Opens doors to new roles, collaborations, and visibility.
✅ **Creative Expression** – Share your story, your message, your truth.

⚠️ **Cons of Public Speaking**
❌ **Performance Pressure** – Nerves, stage fright, and the fear of judgment are real.
❌ **Time & Preparation** – Crafting a powerful talk takes effort, research, and rehearsal.
❌ **Criticism & Feedback** – Not every audience will agree or applaud.
❌ **Inconsistent Income** – Especially in the early stages, gigs may be unpaid or sporadic.
❌ **Travel & Logistics** – Speaking engagements can mean long hours and lots of travel.

💡 **The Speaker’s Programme** is designed to help you navigate all of this — with expert guidance, real-world insight, and a supportive community.

📅 **Stay tuned for the launch date!**
🔗 DM me or comment below if you want to be the first to know when we go live.

28/08/2025

✨ New Podcast Episode! ✨

I had the honour of joining Scott Radovanovich on his podcast for a deep and meaningful conversation. We explored how childhood trauma can shape us and how healing and resilience can lead to true triumph in adulthood.

I’m so grateful to Scott for creating the space to share my story and for the powerful dialogue we had. 🙏

If you’ve ever struggled with the weight of your past or are seeking inspiration for your journey forward, this episode is for you. 🎧💬

👉 Tune in to the latest episode on Spotify& Heart Radio.— link in the comment below⬇️

Thank you again, Scott, for having me on your show! 🙏

18/08/2025

I've done some more writing, and thanks to Anastasia Koutsounia, the Senior Editor at Community Care magazine, it's been featured in their new feature entitled: My Care Story. Please feel free to take a look and let me know what you think.

https://www.communitycare.co.uk/2025/08/15/my-care-story-social-workers-recognised-black-child/

It may be of particular relevance to those of you working with ED&I strategies in mind, but also, those of you know would like to enhance your work as Social Care Leaders and Managers.

A huge thank you to Anastasia!

My story is a vital reminder that representation isn’t just symbolic—it’s transformational. It challenges professionals to go beyond policy and into practice, asking: *Are we truly seeing the children we serve? Are we recognising their full identities?*

This article is especially valuable for those developing or refining ED&I strategies. It offers a real-world example of how inclusive practice can change outcomes.

by Paris Bartholomew ‘My Care Story’ is a new series dedicated to amplifying the stories of care-experienced individuals and providing social workers with vital insights to improve the support they offer. As a speaker and a trainer who advocates to raise awareness and dispel myths about the care...

06/08/2025

🌿 Healing Is the Story We Rarely Tell (because it feels as if no one wants to hear that, only the trauma story)🌿

We often hear the stories of trauma — the pain, the adversity, the survival. But what about the healing? What about the journey that follows the breakdown, the quiet courage it takes to rebuild, to show up, to be vulnerable again? 🫶 💪

In my upcoming talk, I’m shifting the spotlight to the process of healing — the real, raw, and transformative work that allows us to move from surviving to thriving. 😍 I’ll be sharing 10 healing modalities that have supported my recovery from trauma and adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), and helped me navigate the complexities of C-PTSD (Complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder). 🫢

These modalities are not just tools — they are lifelines. They’ve helped me let go, reclaim my voice, and cultivate the grit it takes to show up every day, even when my nervous system says “no.” Healing is not linear, and it’s not always visible. But it’s powerful. It’s sacred. And it’s possible! 🌟

This talk is for anyone who’s ever felt broken, unsafe, or unseen — and for those who are ready to begin (or continue) the journey of healing. It's for those who work with the broken, shattered lives of past hurt and pain, for those who may be experiencing vicarious trauma, burnout or chronic stress& those who work with any of the above🙏

I bring to this conversation:

☑️ Lived experience rooted in intersectionality and resilience
☑️ Psychological insight informed by research and practice
☑️ Spiritual depth that honours the soul’s capacity to grow
☑️ And, most importantly, a motivational mindset that believes in transformation.

Let’s talk about what healing really looks like. Let’s honour the process, not just the pain.

🗣️ Book me for this transformative conversation.
📅 Let's have a zoom / teams mtg to discuss what you need
📍 We can plan ahead for a future keynote

🔗 www.parisbartholomew.com

Because healing deserves a stage too! 🎙️

29/07/2025

Has Anyone Heard of Somatic Intuition? 🤔

This phrase came to me during my Tai Chi practice—a moment of stillness where my body seemed to speak louder than my thoughts.

For years, I carried the weight of childhood trauma in my body. I didn’t always realize it, but it showed up in tension, fatigue, and a constant sense of unease. 🥹 😥 😢 Talk therapy, EMDR & creative expression helped me understand the why, but it was through Tai Chi that I began to feel the how—how my body held on, and how it could begin to let go. I began to feel safe in my own body, and you can not heal from ANY pain, physical or otherwise, unless you feel safe. 🛟

Tai Chi taught me to listen—not just with my ears, but with my whole being. The slow, intentional movements became a language of healing. I started to notice subtle shifts: a softening in my shoulders, ☺️ 🙋‍♀️ a deeper breath, a sense of groundedness I hadn’t felt in years. I practice Yang style, short form, for those of you who know a little about the many types of Tai Chi & Chi Gong practices that exist.

This is what I call somatic intuition—the body’s quiet wisdom guiding us toward balance, safety, and self-trust. 🙏

I’m sharing this because I believe healing is not just a mental journey. It’s physical. It’s emotional. It’s energetic. And sometimes, the most profound insights come not from thinking harder, but from feeling deeper.

In this pic, myself, my teacher and two other students were practising in the park. It was such a memorable day, because my teacher's beautiful Border Colly, 🐕 Ruby kept running through our legs, as she wanted to play. She passed away last week, and I was reminded of how our pets are such an integral part of our lives. RIEP Ruby, love. 💜

If you’ve experienced something similar, in terms of healing transformation—through movement, meditation, or any embodied practice—I’d love to hear your story.

Let’s normalize healing in all its forms!

25/07/2025

24/07/2025

Lovely short break up North 😃

22/07/2025

I recently had the honour of being a guest on Brain Health : Unchanging Your Pain podcast with Dr Ruth Allen, where we explored the deep and lasting impact of trauma on brain health.

First, a heartfelt thank you to Dr Allen for holding such a thoughtful and compassionate space. It’s not always easy to speak openly about painful chapters of life—but it’s necessary.

🔔 Trigger warning: This episode contains sensitive material, including personal reflections on my childhood in care and the realities of living with early trauma.

What we know from neuroscience is that trauma—particularly chronic and early life trauma—can fundamentally shape the developing brain. It can impact emotional regulation, memory, learning, and even the ability to feel safe in the world. But what neuroscience also shows us is that the brain is not fixed. With the right support, safety, and relationships, healing and rewiring are possible.

By sharing my story, I hope to contribute to a deeper understanding of what it really means to support children who have experienced trauma. This isn’t just about awareness—it’s about action. It’s about professionals being trauma-informed, brain-aware, and relationship-focused.

If you work with children in any capacity, I hope this episode gives you insight—and encouragement.

🎧 Listen here: https://lnkd.in/eVbTZVUr

18/07/2025

Another proud moment! 😁

I’m incredibly honoured to have been featured in Lincolnshire’s latest campaign to recruit more foster carers. Thank you to the amazing team for including me in such meaningful work.

Foster carers truly change lives. Right now, so many children across Lincolnshire need safe, supportive homes—and people who believe in them. If you’ve ever considered fostering, now is the time to step forward. Your care could be the turning point in a child’s life.

This campaign is especially close to my heart because of my own connection to fostering. I’m still in touch with the wonderful foster carer who supported me—and I’m proud to be the godmother to her daughter’s second child, a beautiful little girl named Ceanne 💕

Fostering creates lifelong bonds. It’s not just about providing a home—it’s about building a future.

17/07/2025

Mindfulness of breathing practice

I've been going to the LBC since 2007, when I embarked on a journey of spiritual discovery, I just wanted to learn how to meditate, I wasn't particularly interested in the Buddhism part, to be honest. My curiosity got the better of me and I decided to attend a short course, Introducing the Buddha. Then, about a year later, I went on retreat, my first retreat, where I didn't get a wonk of sleep due to a incessantly loud snoring woman who was sharing the dorm room with me. But I was hooked from the off. I learnt o mediate, developed a daily practice and in 2012 I was asked to join the team.

Being part of the Wednesday night team gave me the opportunity to embark on some of their other courses, for free, and to learn what it meant to be part of the Sangha (Buddhist community for connection and support). 18 years later and I totally believe in the transformational power of Buddhist meditation and the Dharma (teachings). I've become more patient, caring, empathetic, loving and I notice things, the beauty the world gives us and the power of love.

Trauma, bad experiences, not having my basic needs met and a distrust of people had made my heart and mind hard against the subtleties of life: the love and the laughter, the joys and the hope were all clouded, and I literally built a wall around myself, a cloak of armour against any more heartbreak and pain. Meditation and Buddhist practice has slowly melted away that wall, one painful brick at a time, and allowed me to let the light in, to let go, to breathe!🙏

16/07/2025

Who saw Ch4 First Dates Season 24 Ep2?

For me, it began in childhood. My heart was broken long before I grasped the concept of love, rooted in the realization that my mother couldn’t care for me as a mother ideally should. This early experience profoundly impacted my ability to form and navigate relationships as an adult.

Despite my belief in the Power of Love and a longing to give and receive it, I’ve spent years working through the shadows of my past. Having had the incredible opportunity to appear on Channel 4’s First Dates, where I met a remarkable woman named Serena, I was filled with hope, expectation and a desire for the love I want to give & the love I believe I deserve. From the moment we connected, her kindness and empathy shone through, and I felt a deep, genuine bond.

We decided to remain friends, realizing that relationships—no matter their form—play a crucial role in our lives. Yet, for those of us with early attachment wounds, forging romantic connections can feel particularly challenging. As we grow older, our understanding of love evolves, yet our standards can sometimes make it harder to connect, especially in today’s fast-paced world of social media and dating apps.

Being single for a long time, I cherished my experience on the show. It was a reminder of the complexity of dating — filled with laughter, serious moments, and inspiring stories from fellow daters navigating their journeys. If you haven't already, I encourage you to watch Season 24, Episode 2 of First Dates on Channel 4 Catch Up, it was definitely an entertaining watch, but also quite sad, powerful, authentic and heartfelt.

I’m grateful for this journey and always open to feedback about the episode. Let’s continue to share our stories and support one another in the pursuit of love and connection.

16/07/2025

CLPP Care Leaver's Progression Partnership, thank you, it was an honour to speak candidly about my experiences of education as a care leaver.

Education can be a powerful and transformative tool for care leavers, but it's often accompanied by unique challenges that need understanding and targeted support.

Key Points

1. We have Unique Barriers:
Care leavers—young people who have been in the care system—often face instability, emotional trauma, and disrupted schooling. These experiences can lead to lower educational attainment compared to their peers.

2. Aspirations vs. Access:
Many care leavers have strong aspirations, but may lack the consistent support systems (like parental guidance or financial backing) that others rely on to navigate education pathways.

3. Support is Crucial:
Specialized support—such as personal advisors, mentoring, designated teachers in schools, and local authority support teams—can significantly improve outcomes. Universities and colleges that offer bursaries, accommodation guarantees, and outreach programs also play a vital role.

4. Resilience and Potential:
Despite the obstacles, care leavers often demonstrate remarkable resilience. With the right opportunities, they can thrive in education, develop confidence, and pursue meaningful careers.

5. Legal and Policy Support (UK example):
In the UK, policies like the Care Leaver Covenant, Virtual Schools, and higher education bursaries aim to level the playing field. However, consistent implementation and awareness remain a challenge.

Book me to come & expand on these important points 👉