It's Notts Just Physio

Send us Fan Mail Join us for another inspiring episode of It’s Notts Just Physio , where we sit down with Lily, a third-year Children’s Nursing student, to reflect on her international elective placement in Sri Lanka. Lily shares what motivated her to take part in this opportunity and how the experience shaped her both personally and professionally. This episode explores the realities of healthcare in a global context, the challenges and rewards of observing practice in a different cultural setting, and the skills Lily gained along the way. Packed with honest reflections, personal growth, and practical takeaway tips, it’s a must-listen for students considering an international placement and anyone curious about learning beyond the classroom

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of It’s Notts Just Physio, we’re joined by Benson, now a third-year Adult Nursing student, who reflects on his elective placement in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. As an international student himself, Benson shares what motivated him to take part in an overseas placement and how his background shaped his experience. Benson talks candidly about his time in the accident and emergency department, the challenges he witnessed in a high-pressure clinical environment, and how he learned to navigate them. This thoughtful episode explores powerful reflections on personal resilience, professional growth, and the impact of seeing healthcare through a global lens. The episode offers a valuable insight and inspiration for students considering similar opportunities.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of It’s Notts Just Physio , we’re joined by two top physio students, Will Newman and Sam “Mud” Waters, to talk all things Movember, mental health, and why these conversations genuinely matter. We get into what “it’s okay not to be okay” actually looks like in real life -checking in on your mates, being honest when things aren’t right, and understanding the role we have as clinicians to support more than just the physical side of health. This is about mindset, perspective, and having the courage to speak up. We also highlight the incredible effort behind the Movember campaign, including Jaime Bernaldo de Quiros, Tom Passmore, and Will Craven, who took on an immense challenge -walking approximately 156 miles from The University of Nottingham Highfields all the way to Twickenham to raise awareness and drive these conversations forward. Proper commitment for a proper cause. There’s a strong message here around connection, backing each other, and what can be achieved when people feel supported -whether that’s in sport, uni, clinic, or everyday life. A really important and honest conversation that we hope resonates. Content note: This episode includes discussion around suicide. Useful links: https://andysmanclub.co.uk https://notts-talk.co.uk/# The NHS helpline (available 24/7), call 111 and select mental health option 2 The Samaritans (24hr freephone) 116 123 Text SHOUT to 85258 (24hr text support) Movember: https://uk.movember.com/ The Hairy Hikers: https://www.instagram.com/thehairyhikers_/ Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/ Mens Own RFC: https://www.instagram.com/mensownrfc/ Bletchley RFC: https://www.instagram.com/bletchleyrufc/ Chinnor RFC Thame: https://www.instagram.com/chinnorrfcthame/

Send us Fan Mail 2nd episode of Mini Series about understanding what actually matters in becoming a safe, effective, confident clinical Physiotherapist. We have Dan Towey, Teaching Associate on UoN sharing his knowledge and experience.

Send us Fan Mail What’s first year physio actually like? In this episode, two of our second-year students Max and Tom who sit down with two current first years to get the real story - the highs, the challenges, and everything in between. From finding your feet in those first few weeks, to managing the workload and building confidence, this is an honest, student-led conversation about what to expect. If you’re holding an offer with us or thinking about applying for our course, this is your chance to hear from people who were in your shoes not long ago… and are now thriving.

Send us Fan Mail 1st episode of Mini Series about understanding what actually matters in becoming a safe, effective, confident clinical Physiotherapist.

Send us Fan Mail Join us for a brand-new season of It’s Notts Just Physio . The two Gracies - both third-year Physiotherapy students - kick things off by sitting down with the legend himself, Roger Kerry, to talk through his career and explore how Physiotherapy education and teaching have evolved over the years. It’s a fantastic episode packed with insight into the profession, the shifting landscape of evidence and practice, and how today’s students are being prepared for the future workforce.

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Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Dr Helen Garr Part 2 – The Stigma of Burnout With Special Guest Host, Sam Roberts In Part 2 of our powerful conversation centred around burnout with the incredible Dr Helen Garr – Medical Director of NHS Practitioner Health and widely known as The Wellbeing GP – we build on personal stories to explore the broader impact of burnout and mental health stigma in healthcare and daily life, while providing practical strategies to manage your own mental health and wellbeing to help avoid burnout. We dive into how stigma continues to silence those who are struggling, and why creating safe, open conversations around mental health is more important than ever. Helen shares practical ways to care for your own wellbeing, prevent burnout, and how physio students and practitioners can play a key role in recognising emotional distress in patients, peers, friends, and family. A must-listen moment in this episode is Helen’s brilliant “5 F’s for Managing Mental Health” – her trusted framework for staying grounded, maintaining positive wellbeing, and staying connected to the world around her. Think of these 5 F’s as your personal protective equipment (PPE) for the mind. They are simple, memorable, and genuinely powerful - and they could change the way you support yourself and others. We also talk about the power of small actions - the importance of a gentle "nudge" - and how seemingly minor encouragements can make a huge difference in someone’s life. 💬 The episode wraps with a light-hearted but deeply personal reflection as Helen shares "A Trip to Rome" , a heartfelt story about the loss of her mother, the meaning of holidays, and how grief can reshape our view of rest, time, and presence. 🎥 You can also watch her moving video on this story on YouTube . In Japan, there’s a word – Daijoubu – which means “it will be okay.” Let this be your reminder that no matter where you are right now, there is hope, help, and healing ahead. ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode contains discussion of sensitive topics including burnout, depression, suicide , and grief. Please listen with care and remember: you are not alone. Support & Resources If you're struggling or affected by anything discussed in this episode, these resources are here for you: Student Emergency Support – University of Nottingham Student Wellbeing Services – University of Nottingham NHS Practitioner Health – Confidential support for NHS staff The Wellbeing GP – Dr Helen Garr’s official site The Wellbeing GP on Instagram Samaritans – 24/7 confidential support PAPYRUS – Support for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – Mental health support for men and young people Mind – Mental health support and advocacy Help in a Crisis – Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Mind Wellness Action Plan (Workplace tool) Marie Kond

Send us Fan Mail 🎙️ Dr Helen Garr Part 1 – Burnout & Finding Confidence Throughout Your Career With Special Guest Host, Sam Roberts Welcome to a two-part special exploring burnout and mental health in the NHS and beyond. In this first episode, I’m joined by the incredible Dr Helen Garr – Medical Director of NHS Practitioner Health and widely known as The Wellbeing GP . Helen shares her personal journey through the world of medicine – from battling imposter syndrome to becoming the confident, compassionate leader she is today. We explore how to spot the early signs of burnout using tools like “temperature checking”, and the importance of tuning into what fuels or drains your wellbeing. We also discuss the prevalence and causes of burnout in the NHS, and why recognising these pressures is a vital step toward change. Expect warmth, honesty, and a few laughs too. We’ll also help you identify your “positive mood blowers” — the people that lift your energy - and how a big-headed book might just help boost your self-belief and confidence when you need it most. As RuPaul says: "If you can't love yourself, how in the hell you gonna love somebody else?" ⚠️ Trigger Warning: This episode includes open conversations about burnout, depression, and suicide . Please listen with care, and know support is available. 🔗 Support & Resources If you're struggling or affected by anything discussed in this episode, you're not alone. These resources are here to help: Student Emergency Support – University of Nottingham Student Wellbeing Services – University of Nottingham NHS Practitioner Health – Confidential support for NHS staff The Wellbeing GP – Dr Helen Garr’s official site The Wellbeing GP on Instagram Samaritans – 24/7 confidential support PAPYRUS – Support for young people struggling with suicidal thoughts CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) – Mental health support for men and young people Mind – Mental health support and advocacy Help in a Crisis – Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS 🎧 Coming soon – Part 2! In the next episode, we go even deeper, tackling: The ongoing stigma surrounding mental health Practical management strategies for burnout The benefits of digital detoxing in a connected world How to lead with authenticity and model wellbeing And how to support and influence the people around you - your friends, family, patients, and colleagues. Stay tuned – Part 2 is packed with insights you won’t want to miss!

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Send us Fan Mail On this very special episode of It’s Notts Just Physio , Producer George steps out from behind the scenes to help co-host an exclusive interview with “Super” Sam Austin . From being scouted and picked up by Burton Albion under Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink, to becoming a fan favourite at Kidderminster Harriers and starring in the iconic clash with Wrexham that helped secure promotion for Notts County, and now making his mark at Southend United, Sam’s football journey is defined by hard work, adaptability, and resilience. In our conversation, Sam opens up about a recent injury and his recovery process, shares his insights on the behind the scenes of what makes a great physiotherapist, and explores the mental health challenges that come with life in football. This episode gives a real window into the dedication, mindset, and character that have shaped Sam’s career - honest, down-to-earth, and inspiring.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode, we sit down with Paul Gill, our new Head of School, to explore his inspiring journey from nursing practice to research and academic leadership. Paul shares key moments from his career, the lessons he’s learned along the way, and offers thoughtful reflections on navigating challenges in both life and in study. Whether you're a student facing your own academic journey or someone interested in the wider world of healthcare and education, Paul’s insights and advice are grounded, motivating, and full of relevance.Tune in for a conversation that blends career reflection with practical wisdom for the road ahead

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of ' It’s Notts Just Physio' , we’re joined by Danny Donnelly - a passionate and multi-talented adult nursing student whose journey bridges creativity, care, and community. As a musician, producer, and accessibility consultant, Danny brings a unique perspective to their work as a student nurse, carer, and researcher. Their projects are grounded in empathy and innovation, all with the aim of making spaces more inclusive and connected. Their mission is simple: to amplify unheard voices, create nurturing spaces, and inspire positive change through creativity and care. Supported using public funding by the National Lottery through Arts Council England and supported through generous donations from the University of Nottingham alumni, staff, students and friends through Cascade funding. Explore the anthologies, animations, community art projects, and carer resources from the project here: https://createwithcare.org/ (Launching mid-July) Support for Carers: Young Carers: youngcarersnotts.co.uk Adult Carers: carershub.carersfederation.co.uk If you’d like to be part of the growing movement to raise awareness and improve support for carers, or just want to find out more, please feel free to get in touch: dannyjd.artist@gmail.com Trigger Warning: This discussion touches on mental health and the experiences of young carers. If this brings up anything difficult for you, please take whatever steps you need to care for yourself, whether that means skipping that part, grounding yourself, or speaking to someone you trust.

Send us Fan Mail We’re thrilled to welcome the awesome Sianne to the podcast this week! Sianne is our brilliant Physiotherapy student intern who’s currently taking a year out from her studies to work with us as part of the teaching team. As a mature student with a previous degree under her belt, Sianne brings a unique and valuable perspective. In this episode, she shares her journey through both studying and teaching, offering honest reflections and insights into life on the current Physiotherapy course. This is one you won’t want to miss!

Send us Fan Mail This episode truly embodies the "Not Just Physio" spirit, as we welcome Claire Mitchell, a final year nursing student, and our guest host Dr Alexandra Carlin to discuss a recent student-led publication. Claire will share her experience of studying at UoN and the how she converted one of her essay’s into a national publication. Claire recognised that cervical screening coverage has been declining in the UK and explored innovative strategies, such as self-sampling, to promote screening. It is hoped that Claire’s journey will inspire others to study and disseminate their work. You can read Claire's publication here: Mitchell, C. and Carlin, A. (2025) Strategies to promote cervical screening for an aging demographic: a global insight. Practice Nursing, 36(1). https://doi.org/10.12968/pnur.2025.36.1.8 Blurb goes here

Send us Fan Mail Dan Towey and Sam Roberts first crossed paths as first year students on the BSc Physiotherapy course. Fast-forward a few years, and they’re now back - this time as teaching associates. In this honest and insightful episode, Sam opens up about his experiences with mental health, specifically depression, and reflect on how it has impacted his studies and the importance of support networks in both personal and professional life. This episode ties in with Mental Health Awareness Week which falls on 12-18th May 2025, reminding us that conversations like this are more important than ever. The duo also tackle the age-old question: which crisps would you take with you to a desert island? Stay tuned for an upcoming episode, where Sam will be hosting a special episode with his former GP, diving into her current work on mental health within the healthcare workforce. If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, please find a list of key resources below: Common signs and symptoms of depression Cognitive Behavioural Therapy - NHS Mind CALM Samaritans The University of Nottingham Counselling Service

Send us Fan Mail It's Notts Just Physio welcome the amazing Claire Thompson to the show. Claire is the Director of student wellbeing, and it was truly amazing to sit and talk around mental health, and the amazing support that she has helped create at the university for our students.

Send us Fan Mail In this episode of It’s Notts Just Physio , we’re excited to introduce one of our newest Teaching Associates, Sam Roberts ! Sam shares how a football injury kickstarted his journey into physiotherapy and offers valuable insights from his time in clinical practice. Tune in for his top tips on building rapport with patients, setting effective goals, and what truly motivates him in his career. Don’t forget to check out all our links—including a way to have your say about the future of the pod! 👉 linktr.ee/itsnottsjustphysio