Make a Difference

Feb 15 2022 57 ep. 1.7k

Make a Difference Podcast artwork

Surprising stories from communities across England who are pulling together during these uncertain times.

Originally broadcast on local BBC radio.

Find out more on bbc.co.uk/makeadifference.

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Happy Hit: Zumba dreams

Feb 15 2022 4 mins

Latin aerobics fan Hannah took up Zumba during lockdown when she had to shield.When gyms reopened, Hannah qualified as a teacher and is now the first Zumba teacher in the UK with Downs syndrome.

Happy Hit: From riverside bench to Windsor Castle

Feb 02 2022 4 mins

Meet Jay Flynn, as online pub quizmaster who hosted weekly quizzes, which at their peak attracted 180,000 people, and raised more than £1m for charity.Before he was a quizmaster, Jay spent nearly two years living on a bench on London's Victoria Embankment.Jay talked to BBC Radio Lancashire just before he was made an MBE by Prince William at Windsor Castle.

Happy Hit: A lullaby from a loving dad

Jan 20 2022 3 mins

When Karen Robson was a baby her father, Brian Teasdale Snr, composed music for her. Brian had a brain injury which left him unable to compose and needing round-the-clock care. Karen shared her story with BBC Radio Newcastle's Gilly Hope and with help from the station's listeners, Brian's song has now been released as a digital download.Host: Letitia George Digital producer: Rachae

Happy Hit: Bryson Walks to School

Jan 13 2022 5 mins

Nine-year-old Bryson Taylor has cerebral palsy and had an operation on his spine in February. He has been training hard with his physiotherapist Lorna Wicken to achieve his goal of walking to school for the first time.This is his story of determination as he sets off to walk the half-mile or 800m journey.#Host: Letitia George Digital producer: Rachael Smith Executive Producer: Kath

Happy Hit: Grandma's voice

Jan 05 2022 5 mins

A lost recording of her beloved late grandma Margaret sparks heart-warming memories for Lucy James from Kidsgrove, Staffordshire. Lucy was a 13-year-old pupil at St Margaret Ward Catholic Academy when she was asked to take part in BBC News School Report. She recorded herself and her grandmother going around Stoke-on-Trent's Gladstone Pottery Museum, and talking about the city's pot

Welcome to Happy Hit

Dec 31 2021 1 mins

A snack-sized treat featuring family, friendship or other good-hearted folk to warm up your week.Letitia George introduces a hand-picked pop of positivity selected from the best of local BBC Radio across England.If you have a story of love and kindness that will make others smile then tell us about it at bbc.co.uk/makeadifference.

A message from the world to COP26

Oct 29 2021 25 mins

Young people have a message to world leaders at the United Nations climate conference.We hear from listeners to BBC Radio 1, young Climate champions across the UK, experts and young people from the BBC World service and pledges to change from both local BBC radio and around the world. This is a powerful and direct message to decision makers showing how voices around the world kn

Making A Difference in 2020: Part 2

Dec 30 2020 23 mins

Becca Bryers looks back on a very uncertain year and shares some of her favourite stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio.

Making A Difference in 2020: Part 1

Dec 23 2020 24 mins

Becca Bryers looks back on a very uncertain year and shares some of her favourite stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio.

Kindness at Christmas

Dec 16 2020 26 mins

Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio.This episode - the family from Tees who have just received the best Christmas gift ever, in the form of a stem cell donor for eight-year-old Evie. Plus the Indian restaurant in Leicester, helping ensure no one goes hungry on 25th Decemb