NEBOSH Social Purpose Podcast

In the sixth episode of the NEBOSH Social Purpose Podcast, Mariyah Mandhu and Joe Simpson are joined by Bethany Holroyd, Founder and Director of The Safety Superhero Academy, to discuss why safety, health and wellbeing education should start long before people enter the workplace. Together they explore the thinking behind the Shaping Safer Futures programme, why positive safety behaviours can be developed from an early age, and how teachers and schools can help children understand safety through values such as care, trust, responsibility and empathy. The conversation also looks at what may be missing from existing safety education, how these early experiences could influence attitudes towards work, risk and responsibility later in life, and what long-term success could look like for schools, communities and workplaces.

In the fifth episode of the NEBOSH Social Purpose Podcast, Mariyah Mandhu and Joe Simpson are joined by Funmi Adegbola and Yvonne Adebola from SOWSHE-A to discuss PPE, women's safety and the workplace. Together they explore the experiences that first highlighted problems around PPE fit, comfort and usability for women, what their research revealed, and why these issues can have a significant impact on health, safety and wellbeing. The conversation also examines how the project has evolved into a second phase focused on heat stress and working conditions, the importance of listening to workers' experiences, and how a stronger evidence base can help drive future improvements in workplace safety.

In this fourth episode of the NEBOSH Social Purpose Podcast, Mariyah Mandhu and Joe Simpson are joined by Ken Kogei and Jedidah Wafula from Vital Signs Safety Foundation to discuss improving access to occupational safety and health training for Deaf and hard of hearing people in Kenya. Together they explore the barriers Deaf people can face when accessing safety information, how the project challenged traditional approaches to training delivery, and the impact that more accessible and inclusive training can have on individuals and communities. The conversation also examines how the project grew beyond its original scope, the importance of Deaf-led delivery, and the potential for wider change through increased recognition of Deaf-inclusive safety training.

In the third episode of the NEBOSH Social Purpose Podcast, Mariyah Mandhu and Joe Simpson are joined by Victoria Brookbank from Minds That Work and Haley White from Menospace to discuss menopause, mental health and the workplace. Together they explore why the mental health impacts of perimenopause and menopause are often overlooked, the experiences and challenges shared by women through the MenoMinds programme, and the importance of creating spaces where people feel supported and understood. The conversation also challenges common misconceptions, highlights the value of open conversations and workplace support, and reflects on what positive change could look like in the years ahead.

In the second episode of the NEBOSH Social Purpose Podcast, Mariyah Mandhu and Joe Simpson are joined by Nick Pahl from the Society of Occupational Medicine (SOM), Richard Heron from the International Occupational Medicine Society Collaborative (IOMSC), and Gavin Hilson from the University of Surrey to explore the realities of artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM). Together they discuss the occupational health and safety challenges facing mining communities, what research across Brazil, Colombia, Uganda and Zimbabwe revealed, and how those findings are now helping to shape practical action on the ground. The conversation also examines the role of partnerships, local knowledge and community engagement in developing effective solutions, and reflects on what meaningful success could look like for the project in the future.

In the first episode of the NEBOSH Social Purpose Podcast, Mariyah Mandhu and Joe Simpson are joined by Laura Wise and Social Purpose Champions Eloise Byrne and Hannah Wilcox to discuss how Social Purpose became part of NEBOSH, how the programme has developed, and what has been learned along the way.Together they reflect on what makes Social Purpose different, projects and experiences that have stood out, and how the programme continues to evolve through partnerships, collaboration and learning.In the next episode, we'll be exploring the SOM artisanal and small-scale mining project with expert guests.