Explore every episode of the podcast The Fair Ways People Podcast

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, Fair Ways is joined by Matt Smith (Smash Life), a leading voice in care-experienced advocacy and social care support.

Matt shares his journey from growing up in the UK care system to co-founding Smash Life, where he now helps young people through mentoring, training, and lived-experience support.

He discusses the transformative impact of sibling bond, resilience, music, and community on his path to purpose.

Matt’s story is one of survival, growth, and change, emphasizing the importance of compassionate support and better systems for young people. It’s an insightful and inspiring conversation that highlights the power of turning hardship into hope.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, Fair Ways is joined by Chris Wild, a leading voice in social care reform.

Chris shares his journey from a turbulent childhood to becoming a powerful advocate for care leavers.

He discusses the transformative impact of boxing and community on his path to resilience. Chris's story is one of purpose and change, emphasizing the importance of systemic reform and support for young people.

It’s an insightful and inspiring conversation that highlights the power of turning hardship into hope.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, Fair Ways is joined by Dan Hughes, co-founder of Vitae Vi, for an enlightening conversation.

Dan shares his journey from a corporate career to becoming a breathwork and cold immersion expert.

He discusses the transformative impact of breathwork and cold therapy on his recovery from long COVID and cancer.

Dan's story is one of resilience and self-discovery, emphasizing the importance of reconnecting with one's body and managing stress through breathwork. It’s an insightful and inspiring conversation that highlights the power of personal transformation and well-being.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, Fair Ways is joined by Kat Thorne, a keynote and motivational speaker, for an inspiring conversation.

Kat shares her journey from a challenging childhood to becoming a motivational speaker. She discusses the impact of early life experiences, the importance of breaking societal scripts, and her transition from corporate life to motivational speaking.

Kat's story is one of resilience and transformation, emphasizing the power of positive habits and community.

It’s an honest, uplifting, and motivating conversation that captures the spirit of personal growth and empowerment.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, Gareth Webb is joined by Steven Russell, Transformational Speaker, for a powerful and inspiring conversation.

Steven shares his journey from care to community leader.

He discusses the challenges of social care, the importance of mentorship, and his current work in training and workshops.

Steven's story is one of resilience and finding purpose beyond personal struggles.

It’s an honest, uplifting and motivating conversation that perfectly captures the spirit of Fair Ways and the power of role models.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, Gareth Webb is joined by Linvoy Primus MBE, Fair Ways’ second Ambassador, for a powerful and inspiring conversation.

Linvoy shares his journey from East London to the Premier League.

He discusses the challenges of professional sports, the importance of mental health, and his current mentoring work. Linvoy's story is one of resilience and finding purpose beyond football

It’s an honest, uplifting and motivating conversation that perfectly captures the spirit of Fair Ways and the power of role models.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, Gareth Webb is joined by Mandy Priestley, Fair Ways’ Head of Workforce Development.

Mandy shares her personal and professional journey, while also highlighting her passion for training and development, emphasizing her commitment to helping others achieve their potential.

She also reflects on personal challenges, such as her mother's illness, and how these experiences shaped her outlook on life. Throughout, Mandy expresses her dedication to making a positive impact in her field.

It’s an honest, uplifting and motivating conversation that perfectly captures the spirit of Fair Ways and the power of role models.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, Gareth Webb is joined by Dr Emma Woodward, Fair Ways’ Director of Clinical Services.

Emma discusses her journey as a care experienced individual through fostering and education, and how that pathway led to her spending 10 years in New Zealand, before moving back to Portsmouth in late-2024.

She talks openly about the experiences that have shaped her, the values she holds close, how she aspires to make a difference for young people in care today, and why Fair Ways felt like a natural choice when she returned to England.

It’s an honest, uplifting and motivating conversation that perfectly captures the spirit of Fair Ways and the power of role models.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, Gareth Webb is joined by Lauren Steadman MBE, Fair Ways’ first ever Ambassador, for a powerful and inspiring conversation.

Lauren shares her incredible journey as a Paralympian, broadcaster and advocate, reflecting on resilience, identity and what it means to use her platform to create positive change. She talks openly about the experiences that have shaped her, the values she holds close, and why becoming an Ambassador for Fair Ways was such an important step for her.

Together, they explore the importance of aspiration, inclusion and opportunity - particularly for children and young people who have faced adversity - and how sport, belief and the right support can transform lives.

It’s an honest, uplifting and motivating conversation that perfectly captures the spirit of Fair Ways and the power of role models.

Welcome to the Fair Ways People Podcast.

In this episode, Gareth Webb is joined by Craig Morris, Fair Ways’ Head of Health, Safety and Facilities, to hear the story behind the name.

Craig has been with Fair Ways for over 20 years, starting his career working directly in our children’s homes and across our services, before moving into a central support role where he now leads on health, safety and facilities across the organisation.

He reflects on his journey, what’s kept him committed to Fair Ways for more than two decades, and how his experience on the frontline continues to shape the way he supports safe, positive environments for children, young people and staff.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, Gareth sits down with Emma Moore, Headteacher of Fair Ways GLADE School, our specialist ASC (Autism Spectrum Condition) provision.

Emma shares her journey into education, her passion for creating safe, nurturing learning environments, and the values that guide her leadership. From her early experiences supporting children with additional needs to shaping GLADE School into a trauma-informed, relationship-based educational setting, Emma offers an honest and inspiring look into the heart of specialist education.

She opens up about what drives her, the challenges and rewards of leading GLADE School, and her vision for the future of the school and its students.

It’s thoughtful, motivating, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, Gareth Webb sits down with Vic Adams, Fair Ways’ Executive Head (of Education), to explore the story behind the name.

Vic shares her journey through education, from her early career and the moments that shaped her approach to teaching, to leading Fair Ways Education with compassion, purpose and a strong commitment to trauma-informed practice.

She opens up about what drives her, the challenges and rewards of working with children who need a different approach to learning, and some of her key achievements during her time with Fair Ways so far.

It’s thoughtful, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode, Gareth Webb sits down with Lorna Taylor, Fair Ways’ Head of Therapeutic Services, to hear the story behind the name.

From her early career and journey into therapeutic practice, to leading a team that helps embed trauma-informed approaches across Fair Ways, Lorna shares how therapy underpins the care, education and support we provide every day.

She opens up about what drives her, the importance of understanding behaviour through a trauma lens, and some of her proudest achievements during her time with Fair Ways.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

Welcome to Season 2 of the Fair Ways People Podcast!

In this episode, Gareth Webb sits down with Eileen Calnan, Fair Ways’ Head of Safeguarding, to talk about her journey, her passion for protecting children and young people, and what safeguarding really means across our charity.

Eileen shares her passions, opens up on her journey so far and discusses what drives her, as well as some of her key achievements during her time with Fair Ways.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, we sit down with Jon, Fair Ways Director of Operations (Wales), to hear the story behind the name.

From Head of Residential Services, overseeing Fair Ways Residential Children's Homes and Supported Living Homes, to Head of Fostering, Head of Family Services and Director of Operations, Jon has a vast amount of experience in Fair Ways.

To finish Season 1 of the Fair Ways People Podcast, finding out what led him to join Fair Ways, and Jon's outlook on what shaped his early life and what his aims and ambitions are for the future.

Jon shares his passions, opens up on his journey so far and discusses what drives him and some of his key achievements during his time with Fair Ways.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, we sit down with Rob, Fair Ways Finance Director, to hear the story behind the name.

From growing up in Liverpool and finding happiness in his childhood, to being responsible for setting electricity and petrol prices for an entire island, Rob tells us his journey to joining Fair Ways.

Rob shares his passions, hobbies, what drives him, and discusses some of her key achievements during his time with Fair Ways so far.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, we sit down with Wayne, Fair Ways Director of Talent and Performance, to hear the story behind the name.

From his stories from The Royal Navy to his unusual journey that led to him joining Fair Ways, Wayne was initially responsible for overseeing our HR team, before going on to lead Fair Ways Training team as we sought to develop industry-leading programmes and courses as part of our transition to becoming a trauma-informed charity.

Wayne shares his passions, opens up on his journey so far and discusses what drives him and some of his key achievements during his time with Fair Ways.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, we sit down with Laura, Fair Ways Operations Director, to hear the story behind the name.

From her career working in a prison, to joining Fair Ways as a Bank Support Worker, working in Portchester and Manor Farm, Laura then joined Fair Ways School before promotions led her to become a Director in Fair Ways.

Laura shares her passions, and talks about her journey, what drives her, and discusses some of her key achievements during her time with Fair Ways.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, we sit down with Bret, Fair Ways Head of Residential Services, to hear the story behind the name.

From stories of his early life, competing internationally in Judo, beginning his career as a fitness instructor, and the circumstances in which he fell into a career in social care,

Bret was initially responsible for the running of our 5-bed residential children's home in Southampton, before gaining promotion to Head of Residential Services.

Bret shares his passions, opens up on his journey so far and discusses what drives him and some of his key achievements during his time with Fair Ways.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, we sit down with Matt, Fair Ways Director of Quality and Governance, to hear the story behind the name.

From his early life - being born in Germany and being a proud Welshman, to finding out there were two shopping centres in Southampton - Matt opens up on his journey through Social Care and discusses some of his key achievements during his time with Fair Ways.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, we sit down with Natalie, Fair Ways Head of Family Services, to hear the story behind the name.

From her early life, to the moment that led her to Portsmouth and joining Fair Ways - Natalie opens up on her journey and key achievements during her time with the charity.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, we sit down with Paul, Fair Ways Director of IT & Communications, to hear the story behind the name.

From his early life and values that shaped him, to the moment that led to him joining Fair Ways - Paul opens up about the challenges and key achievements during his time with the charity, as well as his values, and why he feels at home at Fair Ways.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, we sit down with Harriett, Director of HR at Fair Ways, to hear the story behind the name.

From early life and values that shaped her, to the circumstances that led her to Fair Ways - Harriett opens up on her approach to people management, as well as sharing a few personal stories and highlights from her career journey to date and what inspires her to make a difference every single day.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, we sit down with Anne, Chair of Trustees of Fair Ways, to hear the story behind the name.

From Anne's early life and values that shaped her, to the moment that led her to Fair Ways - Anne opens up about the challenges, milestones, and mission that guide the Trustees and what she does in her role as Chair.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.

In this first episode of The Fair Ways People Podcast, we sit down with Mac, founder and CEO of Fair Ways, to hear the story behind the name.

From his early life and values that shaped him, to the spark that led to creating Fair Ways - Mac opens up about the challenges, milestones, and mission that’s guided the organisation from humble beginnings to where it proudly stands today.

It’s honest, inspiring, and full of heart - just like Fair Ways itself.