Main content

Dr Gwen Adshead

Kirsty Young's castaway is Dr Gwen Adshead, consultant forensic psychotherapist at Broadmoor Hospital.

Kirsty Young's castaway is the forensic psychotherapist Dr Gwen Adshead.

A consultant at Broadmoor Hospital, it is her job to try to understand the behaviour of some of the most vilified people in our society. The Victorian institution in Berkshire is home to more than two hundred men; all people who have been convicted or accused of the most dangerous violent behaviour.

Her life outside work seems impossibly normal - bringing up her children, singing in a choir and gardening fill her spare time. Of her work, she says: "Other people's minds are so fascinating I can't think of anything more interesting and I can't understand why everyone isn't a psychiatrist."

Producer: Leanne Buckle

Record: James Taylor - Shower the People
Book: Biggest book of poetry available.
Luxury: Pen and paper.

Available now

45 minutes

Last on

Fri 16 Jul 2010 09:00

Music Played

  • The Rolling Stones

    Gimme Shelter

    • Let It Bleed.
    • ABKCO.
  • Johann Sebastian Bach

    Suite for Solo Cello No. 1 in G major - Prelude

    Soloist: Pablo Casals

    • Pablo Casals plays Bach.
    • Pearl.
  • Ian Dury & the Blockheads

    Hit Me With Your Rhythm Stick

    • Greatest Hits of the Seventies – Get It On.
    • Hit Label.
  • The Weather Girls

    It's Raining Men

    • 25 Years of Rock ’N’ Roll Vol.2 (1983).
    • Connoisseur Collection.
  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    That Ungrateful Man Betrayed Me (from Don Giovanni)

    Soloist: Kiri Te Kanawa Orchestra: Orchestra of L’Opera in Paris Conductor: Lorin Maazel

    • A Portrait of Kiri Te Kanawa.
    • CBS.
  • Castaway's Favourite

    • James Taylor

      Shower the People

      • Classic Songs.
      • CBS/WEA.
  • Johannes Eccard

    When Mary to the Temple Went

    Choir: The Choirs of St Peter’s in Caversham & St John’s in Mortimer - PRIVATE TAPE

  • Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

    The Lacrimosa

    Orchestra: The Academy of St Martin in the Fields & Chorus Conductor: Sir Neville Marriner

    • Mozart’s Requiem.
    • Philips.
  • Book Choice

    • Biggest book of poetry available

  • Luxury Choice

    • Pen and paper

Credits

Role Contributor
Presenter Kirsty Young
Interviewed Guest Gwen Adshead

Broadcasts

  • Sun 11 Jul 2010 11:15
  • Fri 16 Jul 2010 09:00

Featured in...

The Desert Island Discs podcast

The Desert Island Discs podcast

Subscribe or download individual episodes.

Listen to over 2,000 programmes

Click above to browse castaways, from 1942 to today.

Articles

Read the surprising things we've learned about some stand-out castaways.

Podcast