ABOUT DUNDEE VOICES
Dundee Voices is the podcast that does more than promote local charities. We talk to the people behind Dundee’s Third Sector, exploring the values of each guest, their personal journeys and how they arrived at where they are today.
NEW EPISODE EVERY WEDNESDAY
Episode 1 – Lizzie Palmer, Dundee Rep Dramatherapy (22/07/2026)
For over 30 years Dundee Rep have been at the forefront of a very special form of psychotherapy that uses creative approaches borrowed from the theatre to help people with their mental health.
Ben Lawrie is joined by Lizzie Palmer from Dundee Rep’s Dramatherapy service to discuss how dramatherapy can work for some people where other approaches haven’t. Lizzie also talks about common misconceptions and the challenges of delivering dramatherapy for people in prison.
Ben and Lizzie take a tour of the Dramatherapy space at Dundee Rep before settling in to the studio chat.
Written and presented by Ben Lawrie. Filmed and edited by Ross Bull. Produced by Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action.
Episode 2 – Darren Sayer, Penumbra Mental Health (29/07/2026)
Launched in July 2023, Hope Point is a 24/7 Community Wellbeing Centre in the heart of Dundee city centre offering free and confidential support over the phone, by text, or face to face at their drop-in on South Ward Road.
Ben Lawrie is joined by Darren Sayer, Operations Manager at Hope Point, to discuss how frontline support delivered by peer practitioners works in practice, the challenges of working nightshift while being present for people in distress, and just who Dave The Coo really is.
Ben and Darren take a tour of Hope Point before settling in to the studio chat.
Written and presented by Ben Lawrie. Filmed and edited by Ross Bull. Produced by Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action.
https://penumbra.org.uk/services/hope-point-dundee-wellbeing-support/
Episode 3 – Gill Thomson, The Yard Dundee (05/08/2026)
Having a son with complex needs opened Gill Thomson’s eyes to the lack of an inclusive play service in Dundee, but rather than wait for someone else to take action she rolled up her sleeves and created the service herself.
Ben Lawrie is joined by Gill Thomson to discuss how her early experiences running an after school club led her to Edinburgh-based charity The Yard and, in 2015, establishing a branch in Dundee.
Ben and Gill take a tour of The Yard’s fantastic play space, trying out some of the state-of-the-art equipment, before settling in to the studio chat.
Written and presented by Ben Lawrie. Filmed and edited by Ross Bull. Produced by Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action.
https://theyardscotland.org.uk/get-support/our-centres/dundee/
Episode 4 – Rachel Duke, Hearing Voices Network Dundee (12/08/2026)
Hearing Voices Network Dundee, commonly known as Haven, run a drop-in centre and cafe in Dundee’s Hilltown for voice-hearers, their friends, and families.
Ben Lawrie is joined by Rachel Duke, Development Officer with Hearing Voices Network Dundee, to discuss how the service began, connecting with people who have very different lived experiences, and the stigma surrounding people who hear voices.
Ben and Rachel take a tour of Haven, the Hearing Voices Network drop-in centre, before settling in to the studio chat.
Written and presented by Ben Lawrie. Filmed and edited by Ross Bull. Produced by Dundee Volunteer and Voluntary Action.
https://hearingvoicesnetwork.co.uk/
Episode 5 – Guen Rota, Art Angel (19/08/2026)
Episode 6 – Michael Richardson, DVVA Mental Health Engagement (26/08/2026)
