Welcome to Blondy's People.
On this page you will meet some of the most epic people around. From Social workers to vicars you will hear discussions on subjects such as Gangs, exploitation, social enterprise, feminism, domestic abuse and the power of telling your truth.
Blondy's people is based on the concept that it takes a village to raise a child and no one person or organisation has the answers to tackle the many different issues our children and young people face, but together we have the chance to create something quite amazing.
It could not be easier. Find the episode that takes your fancy, click the picture and join us on the Blondy's People journey.
Episode 3: Jenny @ Bear Face Theatre
The one about the power of archiving positive growth for all those affected by the criminal justice system
Jenny is the Co-founder and Joint Artistic Director for BearFace Theatre. Based in Hampshire, they work creatively, collaboratively, and proactively to achieve positive growth aimed at all those affected by the CJS. Using the arts as a catalyst to raise the voices of those who feel marginalised and unheard aiming to unify and strengthen community connections.
Episode 4: Paul McKenzie
The one about the power of film, grooming and social media platforms.
Paul McKenzie is a former gang member who now works with children and young people, using the power of film to show them that they have great potential both in front of and behind the camera. With these young people, Paul and his team have gone on to create some outstanding short films including SICK, a short film about that focuses on the fact that the mental health of the youth is often overlooked. Paul is also the founder of Foam, a social media platform that aims to safeguard those that use it.
Episode 7: Sunny Dhadley
The one about lived experience and social change
Sunny has been rock bottom and knows what that feels like. He also knows how it feels to fight your way to the top. Sunny us a TEDx and motivational speaker, systems analyst and social impact consultant - with lived experience of addiction and over a decade of experience within the charity and public sectors. Sunny says that integrity and humility are his core values and which "enabled me to take a start-up organisation to reach its full potential as a leading UK service provider. Within a decade, I successfully developed an embryonic concept and created a respected service model that holistically assisted people that had been affected by addiction & other modern day harms (such as – low levels of skills/education, poor mental health, social injustice, homelessness, unemployment, indebtedness etc.)".
Episode 9: Fiona Broadfoot
The one about the women who rose from the ashes.
Fiona is a radical feminist and sex work survivor and founder of the Build A Girl Project, a survivor-led social enterprise working with young women at risk of, or experiencing, sexual exploitation. A survivor of child sexual exploitation herself, Fiona was forced into prostitution at 15. She managed to leave 11 years later, with nothing but the clothes on her back, and has been an activist ever since. In March 2018, she and two other women, who chose to remain anonymous, won a landmark legal case to no longer have to disclose their convictions for soliciting. Fiona says these convictions (which she calls a “document of abuse”) have not only held her back from employment, but were a huge barrier to leaving prostitution in the first place.
Episode 10: Sabrina & Nathan Dennis
The one about family, love and legacy
Sabrina and Nathan are the founders of First Class Legacy, who's goal is to create an amazing nation of Young people that are fun, dynamic, excited, working together in love, respect and harmony as they live and fulfil their purpose in life. First Class Foundation is founded on Values based leadership and principles. First Class Foundation projects & programmes serve young people from across the city, helping them to get involved and make a difference around their areas of passion & purpose.
We are First Class Foundation “Building a First Class Nation!”
The one with the deputy head talking about the importance inclusive education
Steve is a deputy headteacher in a large secondary school in Luton. His areas of responsibility include culture and capital and daily operations. He is passionate about ensuring every student accesses a fully inclusive education that allows them to achieve both their academic and personal potential for future success. He is developing and widely sharing 'Beyond The Gate' - a school-based response to societal youth violence - and is this year beginning, alongside his work in school, a part time secondment to work alongside the Youth Justice Board to further develop this model.
Episode 14: Sally Jackson
The one with where we learn about feminism
Sally is a trustee for Filia. Sally works with those affected by domestic abuse and violence. She helps to give a platform to the women who may never of had the chance to have a voice before. She is an advocate for us. For women. I mean she went to the house of lords and spoke about how the various forms of male violence against women fit the definition of torture and how as a state we are failing in our international obligations.
The one for Believe in Bee
I met Jhiselle when I presented at one of her events with Junior Smart and we hit it off straight away. She brings a power and a presence to a room that you can’t deny. I like that in a person. Jhiselle is not the kind of women you want to challenge unless you have facts and figures. The work she has done around gangs and exploitation is above and beyond. Jhiselle is a social worker who is here to save and change lives. She is her for the young people. She walks the walk and talks the talk .
Believe In Bee is a charitable Non Profit Organisation created to support vulnerable persons aged between 10 – 27 years of age who have suffered Domestic Violence, Abuse, Exploitation, and Post Trauma during their adolescent years.
Rebecca (or Becky as we call her) is every nervous about her video going out. She doesn’t want people to think she knows everything about SEN. She is a very humble woman. Becky (At the time of recording ) was a SEN intervention coordinator in a deprived secondary school and is now training to become a teacher.
Becky makes people not feel stupid both adults and children. She has a way of walking into a situation and making sure that everyone in the room is advocated for despite their needs (Or not).I have seen Becky give children a voice in situations with just by her ability to help people break things down and then say them again. Becky makes sure no child ever feels the way Blondy did that day. She would take it as a personal failing if they did.
Episode 18: Bird Podcast
The one about real life stories from prison
Nina and Kate created Bird podcast so they could talk about the things they wanted to. They allow real life stories from prison to be shared with whoever wants to here it (10,000 at the last count just so you know). They ask the question that needs to be asked “What does it really mean to do time?” and then get as many different opinions as they can on that subject. I don’t think they truly know how epic they both are. Did I mention they were awarded ‘Outstanding Digital Media Champion’ winners at the Criminal Justice Alliance awards in 2019…. yup….
Debbie is one of Blondy’s people because the role she is doing now is something I respect and would love us to do more work together. She gets it, she sees what people need to do to make this world a better place. Debbie is also one of Bondy’s people because we have both come through the other side of being a secret keeper and want others to know the power of telling your truth
Simon is a Professor at University of West London, England. He currently works in the Research Centre for Cybercrime and Security and specialises in urban street gangs, dangerous dogs, acid attacks, hate crime and youth crime.
He has a wide range of practitioner and professional experience in crime reduction and community safety including working for the Home Office as Regional Crime Advisor (London). He has an extensive history in urban regeneration and criminology having worked on over 2,000 social housing estates in the UK. He has written and produced numerous community safety audits, strategies and reports and in 1999 was co-inventor of Acceptable Behaviour Contracts (ABCs).
