After a Devastating Car Accident, She Lost Her Confidence—Then Everything Changed

She Stopped Leaving the House After Her Accident. What Happened Next Is Inspiring

Innovative People Podcast | Hosted by Tina Jesson

Guest: Melissa Harriman

Host: Tina Jesson

What happens when a life-changing accident takes away your confidence, your independence, and your sense of purpose?

In this heartfelt and inspiring episode of Innovative People Podcast, host Tina Jesson sits down with Melissa Harriman, a former Skilled Hands participant whose remarkable journey demonstrates the power of resilience, creativity, and community support.

Melissa shares how a severe car accident changed her life dramatically. Following significant spinal injuries and three separate spinal operations, everyday activities became a challenge. The confidence she once had disappeared, and she found herself withdrawing from the outside world, rarely wanting to leave her home.

Everything began to change when her carer discovered a Skilled Hands workshop advertised on Facebook and encouraged her to attend.

Initially unsure about stepping outside her comfort zone, Melissa decided to enrol on a 12-week millinery course. What started as a simple creative workshop soon became a turning point in her recovery journey.

The course gave Melissa something she had been missing for a long time: purpose, routine, confidence, and connection.

Encouraged by her experience, Melissa continued her learning journey by enrolling on Skilled Hands’ Jewellery Making programme, followed by the Bag Making course. Over time, the workshops became much more than opportunities to learn new skills—they became stepping stones towards rebuilding her confidence and rediscovering her potential.

Melissa discusses how the skills she developed through Skilled Hands inspired her to start her own small business, providing a flexible way to work around her health needs while regaining independence and control over her life.

Her determination and entrepreneurial spirit led to an important milestone when she participated in a summer fair at her children’s school. The response exceeded all expectations, with nearly all of her products selling on the day.

In recognition of her achievements, Melissa was awarded the Skilled Hands Woman of the Moment Award, celebrating her courage, initiative, and commitment to turning adversity into opportunity.

During the conversation, Melissa reflects on the significance of receiving awards and recognition, explaining how they continue to serve as powerful reminders of what she is capable of achieving despite the challenges she has faced.

The discussion also explores the importance of Skilled Hands’ annual Red Carpet event, where participants have the opportunity to showcase their work, celebrate their achievements, build confidence, and share the spotlight with their families. Melissa explains how events like these not only empower workshop participants but also create confidence-building opportunities for their children through involvement in the runway experience.

This episode is a powerful reminder that resilience is not about avoiding hardship—it’s about finding the courage to move forward, one step at a time.

Key Topics Covered:

• Recovering from a life-changing car accident

• Living with spinal injuries and multiple surgeries

• Overcoming isolation and rebuilding confidence

• Discovering Skilled Hands through social media

• Learning millinery, jewellery making, and bag making

• The therapeutic benefits of creativity and crafting

• Starting a small business after injury

• Winning the Skilled Hands Woman of the Moment Award

• The importance of recognition and celebrating achievements

• Red Carpet 6 and Threads of Resilience

• Empowering women through artisan skills and entrepreneurship

• Building confidence through community support

About Skilled Hands Organisation CIC

Skilled Hands empowers women through artisan crafts training, enterprise development, confidence-building programmes, and community support. Through workshops including millinery, jewellery making, dressmaking, bag making, soap making, and other creative skills, the organisation helps women develop practical skills, confidence, and pathways towards greater independence.

WATCH THE FULL INTERVIEW HERE⬇️

https://youtu.be/_D9da86yg3I

Thank you for listening to Innovative People Podcast.

If you enjoyed this episode, please like, comment, subscribe, and share it with someone who may need encouragement to keep moving forward through life’s challenges.

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#RedCarpet6

USHA SOOD | Breaking Barriers: A Life in Law and Advocacy for Women

A Conversation with a Legal Pioneer

At Innovative People Podcast, we believe powerful stories inspire meaningful change. In this latest episode, host Tina Jesson sits down with trailblazing barrister Usha Sood, a woman whose career has shaped legal protections for women, children, and vulnerable communities across the United Kingdom.

With more than five decades of legal experience, Usha Sood has dedicated her life to advancing human rights, family law, children’s welfare, and migration justice. As Nottinghamshire’s first female barrister and Head of Trent Chambers, her journey represents courage, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to fairness.

From Breaking Barriers to Building Change

Entering the legal profession at a time when few women practised law, Usha faced sexism and institutional resistance. Rather than stepping back, she used these challenges as motivation to create space for future generations of women in the legal field.

In this deeply reflective conversation, she shares what it meant to navigate male-dominated courtrooms, establish credibility, and ultimately become a respected voice influencing national legal reform.

Her story reminds us that progress often begins with individuals willing to challenge long-standing systems.

Influencing Law That Protects Children

One of the most significant highlights of Usha’s career is her contribution to Section 55 of the UK Borders Act, a provision ensuring that children’s welfare is prioritised in immigration decisions.

During the episode, she explains how legal advocacy can directly shape policy and why safeguarding children must remain central to immigration and family law decisions. Her insights reveal the human stories behind legislation — stories that often go unheard.

Advancing Domestic Abuse Legislation

Usha also discusses her work advising the government on domestic abuse laws, including the recognition of coercive and controlling behaviour as a form of abuse.

She explores how cultural expectations, societal pressures, and legal gaps can affect women differently across communities, emphasising the need for legal systems that understand lived realities as well as legal definitions.

The conversation highlights both the achievements and ongoing challenges in protecting survivors and ensuring justice remains accessible.

Choosing Advocacy Over the Judiciary

In a candid moment, Usha reflects on her decision to leave the judiciary to advocate more directly for vulnerable women and children. While the judiciary offered influence, advocacy allowed her to work closer to the people most affected by injustice.

Her reflections offer a rare insight into the emotional and ethical decisions behind a lifelong legal career.

Advice for the Next Generation

A particularly inspiring part of the episode is Usha’s message to young people. She encourages those as young as 17 to engage with NGOs, volunteer organisations, legal internships, and community initiatives.

According to Usha, meaningful change begins long before professional titles — it starts with empathy, curiosity, and a willingness to serve others.

Watch the Full Episode

You can watch the full conversation below and hear directly from Usha Sood as she shares her journey, challenges, and hopes for the future of justice.

▶ Watch the full episode here:

https://youtu.be/5uSoPBIrRB8?si=_vpZSsh2d8nfnbJa

About Innovative People Podcast

Innovative People Podcast is the media arm of Skilled Hands Organisation CIC, a community organisation committed to empowering people — especially women and children — through creative learning, arts, crafts, and practical skills workshops.

Through conversations with leaders, innovators, and changemakers, the podcast amplifies voices that inspire resilience, leadership, and social impact.

Learn more about our work:

www.skilledhandsorganisation.org

Why Stories Like This Matter

At Skilled Hands, empowerment goes beyond practical skills; it includes storytelling, visibility, and representation. By sharing journeys like Usha Sood’s, we aim to inspire communities to recognise their potential, challenge barriers, and contribute positively to society.

This episode is more than an interview — it is a reminder that justice evolves through courage, persistence, and people who refuse to remain silent.