Hello and welcome to Kairos Family Support, the podcast where we talk about real support for real families. I’m James one of the senior managers at Kairos, and I’m here with Sarah , our Principal Social Worker. Sarah, how are you doing today?Hi James, I’m good, thanks. Excited to talk about what Kairos actually does, because, honestly, there’s a lot more to it than people might think. It’s not just one-size-fits-all, is it?No, not at all. That’s what I love about Kairos, actually. Everything’s tailored. Whether you’re a parent, a young person, or just someone going through a rough patch, the support is built around you. We’re talking emotional support, practical help, and some really specialist programmes.Yeah, and it’s all rooted in compassion. I mean, you start by being met where you are, not where someone thinks you should be. There’s stress and anxiety management for adults, play therapy for kids, crisis intervention for families—just to name a few.Exactly. I remember working with a family who were facing a really tough transition—dad had lost his job, the kids were acting out, mum was just overwhelmed. We used solution-focused therapy, which is all about finding small, practical steps forward. It wasn’t about fixing everything overnight, but helping them see what was already working, and building on that. Sometimes, just having someone listen and help you spot those little wins makes all the difference.That’s so true. And it’s not just about the crisis moments, either. There’s ongoing support—like building confidence, resilience, and helping people reconnect with themselves and their families. It’s about giving people the tools to keep going, even after the sessions end.Yeah, and I think that’s what sets Kairos apart. It’s not just a quick fix. It’s about long-term wellbeing, and making sure people feel seen and supported, whatever they’re facing.And then there’s the specialist side, which I think a lot of people don’t realise. Kairos does a lot with military personnel and their families, both in the UK and in Cyprus. That’s a whole different set of challenges, isn’t it?Oh, absolutely. Military life is unique—there’s the constant moving, the deployments, the pressure to just get on with it. And sometimes, people don’t want to go through official channels for support, because, well, it can feel like it’s all going on your record, or it’s not really independent.Yeah, that confidentiality is huge. Kairos is independent, so people can get support without worrying it’ll affect their standing or get back to the chain of command. That’s a big deal for trust.I worked with a family in British Forces Cyprus, actually. They were struggling with the transition back to the UK—kids were anxious, mum was feeling isolated, dad was dealing with a lot of stress from work. We offered one-to-one sessions, some trauma support, and just a space to talk things through. It wasn’t about ticking boxes, it was about helping them find their feet again, at their own pace.And it’s not just the military, either. There’s support for NHS staff, social workers—anyone in those high-pressure roles. Burnout, compassion fatigue, all of that. The support is flexible, too, so it fits around shift work and the realities of those jobs.Yeah, and the team’s got people with real experience—ex-military, social workers, therapists. It’s not just theory, it’s lived experience. That makes a difference when you’re trying to build trust and actually help people open up.Let’s talk about the Emotional Independence Support Service, because I think that’s something a lot of people need right now. It’s for anyone feeling lonely, overwhelmed, or just stuck—whether you’re a carer, someone going through a big life change, someone perhaps finding themselves isolated and alone, or just needing a bit of extra support.Yeah, and it’s more than just a befriending service. You get one-to-one support from someone who’s qualified—therapists, coaches, social workers. It’s about helping people move forward, not just keeping them company. Like, if you need an hour to yourself because you’re a carer, or you want help building confidence to get back out into the community, it’s all there.And advocacy, too. Navigating social services can be a nightmare—sorry, but it’s true. Kairos helps families understand their rights, review what support they’re actually getting, and challenge things if they’re not right. It’s about making sure people’s voices are heard, especially when the system feels overwhelming.I think that’s so important, especially for young people. Building resilience and confidence isn’t just about therapy, it’s about having someone in your corner, helping you figure out what you need and how to ask for it. I’ve seen young people go from feeling completely lost to actually believing they can handle what’s next. It’s not magic, but it’s powerful.And the support is flexible—daily, weekly, monthly, whatever works. It’s about meeting people where they are, in person or online, and not forcing them into a box. That’s what makes it accessible, I think.And it’s not just about individuals or families, either. Kairos is really active in the community—running workshops, training courses, outreach programmes, partnering with schools and local organisations. It’s about building a network of support, not just waiting for people to come to you.Absolutely, things like community resilience workshops, mental health awareness campaigns, and projects with schools. It’s about early intervention—catching things before they become a crisis. And honestly, it helps break down stigma, too. When people see support as something normal, not something to be ashamed of, it changes the whole atmosphere.I’ve seen the impact of those outreach efforts. People who might never have reached out for help on their own end up getting support because it’s right there in their community. It’s about making support visible and accessible, so no one feels left out.And it’s not just about the big events, either. Sometimes it’s the small things—like a workshop at a local school, or a partnership with a community group, or just that friendly weekly chat—that make the biggest difference. It all adds up to a more supportive environment for everyone.Totally. And that’s really what Kairos is about—meeting people where they are, whether that’s in a therapy room, at home, online, or out in the community. There’s always another way to reach out, and always someone ready to listen.So, that’s a little window into what Kairos Family Support does. We’ll be back with more stories, more insights, and hopefully a few laughs along the way. Thanks for joining us today.Yeah, thanks for listening. Take care of yourselves, and each other. See you next time, Sarah.See you, James. Bye everyone.

Episodes

Support for Every Step