This is part two of our interview with best-selling author Jenny Molloy.

In the first part of Paolo and Paul's conversation with Jenny, they focused on her first memoir "Hackney Child". In episode eight, they discuss her follow-up "This Isn't Love", sharing her experience in care and the immense risks faced by children in care that are often overlooked by society and the authorities.

Jenny speaks candidly about the emotional and psychological toll of growing up in care, feeling a lack of self-worth and a sense of belonging, she discusses the misconception that children in care are somehow to blame for the abuse they face, often being dismissed as "impossible to manage" or even "asking for it" due to their circumstances. These vulnerable children are left in limbo, too old to be considered children by the system but far too young to be exposed to the adult world.

Having been in care since the age of nine, Jenny opens up about her untold experiences after leaving the safety of her children's home at 13, moving into a ‘secure unit’. While the unit may have been designed to provide security, Jenny reveals that it was far from being a place of safety.

And with Paolo and Paul leading the conversation, despite the dark subject matter, expect some humour (and Spurs being shoehorned in whenever possible) and ultimately a story of hope, resilience, acceptance and forgiveness.

It will leave you wanting more...

For more information:
Click on the link to buy Jenny's books https://amzn.to/3DroRtq
Follow Jenny on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hackneychild/

Credits:
Produced by Simon Wady
Filmed by Adrian Tanner, Many Hands Productions
Theme music by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band

Thank you for listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like and subscribe...and tell a friend.

Keep up-to-date on guests, future episodes and other news on our website, including all our social platforms.

Watch episodes on our YouTube page.

May we all shine on.

In episode seven, Paolo and Paul visit the offices of Coram Voice to learn about their writing competition for care-experienced young people and meet one of last year’s winners, Evan Amery. Evan’s journey is one of resilience, courage, and transformation.

At just 11 years old, Evan was outed by a close friend. After coming out as transgender, and struggling with his mental health Evan, aged 14, found himself in a psychiatric unit. Upon his discharge into foster care, he faced a new fear—life with strangers. But his foster family, Nick and Jackie, provided the love, acceptance, and support he needed to heal and be himself.

Through poetry and performance, Evan rediscovered his confidence, embraced his identity, and found a way to express his emotions. Winning last year’s Coram Voice competition played a significant role in his journey, giving him a platform to share his story and inspire others.

Paolo and Paul also speak with Linda Briheim-Crookall, who shares insights into this year’s writing competition and the incredible growth of Coram Voice. From its humble beginnings in a social worker’s front room, the organisation has evolved into a vital support system for nearly 10,000 care-experienced children and young people in 2021/22.

For more information:
Buy Evan's book: https://amzn.to/3RkL7Ix

Learn more about Coram Voice: https://coramvoice.org.uk/
Information on this year’s writing competition: https://coramvoice.org.uk/get-involved/voices-writing-competition/

Credits:
Produced by Simon Wady
Filmed by Adrian Tanner, Many Hands Productions
Theme music by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band

Thank you for listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like and subscribe...and tell a friend.

Keep up-to-date on guests, future episodes and other news on our website, including all our social platforms.

Watch episodes on our YouTube page.

May we all shine on.

In this episode, Paolo and Paul hit the road to sit down with Jenny Molloy, the best-selling author of Hackney Child and This Isn’t Love.

In the first part of a two-episode special, we talk about the events detailed in Hackney Child. At just nine years old, Jenny, along with her two brothers, went to the Stoke Newington police station and asked to be taken into care after an angry mob attacked their family home. The mob’s fury was sparked by the revelation that Jenny’s mother had been working as a prostitute, and one of her clients was a neighbour’s husband.

Although Jenny escaped the neglect of her alcoholic parents and the severe poverty they faced, life in care still brought its own set of challenges. However, as Jenny shares, the caring staff and social workers who saw something good in her became her saviours during this turbulent time.

This conversation is one of resilience, survival, and the joy found in small moments of happiness.

For more information:
Click on the link to buy Jenny's books.
Follow Jenny on Instagram.

Credits:
Produced by Simon Wady
Filmed by Adrian Tanner, Many Hands Productions
Theme music by Michael Head and the Red Elastic Band

Thank you for listening.

If you enjoyed this episode, remember to like and subscribe...and tell a friend.

Keep up-to-date on guests, future episodes and other news on our website, including all our social platforms.

Watch episodes on our YouTube page.

May we all shine on.