New Friendships and Messages of Hope

New Friendships and Messages of Hope

Author: BBC Local Radio September 2, 2020 Duration: 27:21

A men's mental health special, featuring people making a difference in uncertain times.

Including the Derbyshire man who is using his own experience of a mental health crisis, to help save the lives of others - posting messages of hope and love on bridges across the county.

Just a warning, this episode contains conversations about suicidal thoughts and physical assault. If you need help or advice related to your own mental health - or are concerned about someone else - you kind find lots of information and links to organisations who can help by going to bbc.co.uk/actionline


In a world that often feels fragmented, Make a Difference offers a necessary counter-narrative, sharing surprising stories from communities across England who are pulling together. This BBC Local Radio podcast captures the unscripted moments of cooperation and resilience that define our times, moving beyond headlines to find the human connections being forged in neighborhoods, towns, and cities. Each episode is a journey into the personal journals of collective action, exploring how ordinary people are addressing challenges in society, culture, and even health and fitness, from grassroots mental health projects to local cultural initiatives that rebuild a sense of belonging. You'll hear directly from the individuals at the heart of these efforts, their voices preserved with the intimacy and authenticity of its original local radio broadcasts. Listening to this podcast feels like discovering a series of quiet, powerful revelations about the capacity for kindness and practical support that persists around us. It’s a collection of audio snapshots that together form a larger, hopeful portrait of England, reminding us that impact often starts with a simple conversation next door. These are not grand manifestos, but real stories of tangible change, curated to inspire and connect.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 57

The Make a Difference Show
Podcast Episodes
Memory Runs and Favourite Customers [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 24:45
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio.This episode - Emily's husband of 12 years, Simon took his own life this…
Christmas Helpers and Blooming Friendships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 23:32
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio.Featuring stories from BBC Radio Cambridgeshire, BBC Radio Stoke, BBC Ra…
Love at a distance and a celebrity goose [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 19:13
In today’s episode we re-unite a woman with her partner in a care home, a little girl speaks to the doctor who saved her life, and we explore the bond between man and goose.
Mr Christmas and Metal Detectors [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:01
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio.This episode - a dedicated to Mr Christmas, aka Dave Edwards who has bee…
A Letter To My Younger Self [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 30:02
Four people from across England share how a Children in Need funded project has helped them, in the form of a letter to their younger self.Produced and presented by Becca Bryers and Dimple Patel.
Recycled Cycles and Wedding Winners [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:03
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 Shropshire man fixing up old bikes to help people in…
Jacket Potatoes and Speedos [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:33
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio.This episode - meet Kerry, the dedicated volunteer at a Goole food proje…
Sheepdogs and Camp Outs [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:46
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio.This episode - an emotional reunion between a retired farmer and his she…
Phone Calls and Garden Angels [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:48
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio.This episode - we listen in on the first conversation between the "man o…
Seaside Trips and Plastic Wigglies [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 26:03
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio.This week including the residents of Whitby who last weekend welcomed in…