Discover Brightlife

Episodes

1. 16

   The Surprising Reality Of ‘Old Age’

   Challenging perceptions of what being old is really like… That’s Joyce Grandma Williams’ newfound mission in her 80s. The former physiotherapist and recently turned sex blogger closes our Discover Brightlife series with a reality check on the surprisingly good things that are waiting for us in…

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   Apr 16, 2020

   36m
2. 15

   Men In Sheds: Neil

   From welder to factory worker, care home manager to Age UK... Over in Winsford, Neil Corbin is in the driving seat of Cheshire's newest Men In Sheds project. The most important thing on the job? Neil says the role isn’t just admin, it’s also about getting the culture right: “You’ve got people who...

   Oct 17, 2019

   16m
3. 14

   Men In Sheds: Gus

   From sawing to singing... Hartford's Men In Sheds project is overseen by Gus Glynn. After spending several decades working as a self-employed plumber, it’s a job that’s proven full of surprises. But construction and manual labour aren't the only tricks up his sleeve. Outside of work, Gus has made…

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   Oct 17, 2019

   14m
4. 13

   Men In Sheds: Ian

   A loyal husband of 50 years, a proud dad and grandad - and a worrier. That’s how Ian Potts describes himself. He’s been coming to the shed in Hartford for 8 years. The sense of isolation after retirement hit him hard. But the project ran by Age UK Cheshire has become an important part of his…

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   Sep 29, 2019

   15m
5. 12

   Men In Sheds: Eddie

   69 year old Eddie Fallows spent several decades as a chauffeur to the Mayor of Chester, escorting the good and great to Buckingham Palace and gala openings. But retirement left him bored. Without work he lacked purpose and focus. By chance he remembered the Men In Sheds project. It was just what…

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   Sep 29, 2019

   17m
6. 11

   Men In Sheds: Steve

   Steve Jackson started his working career as a professional footballer. Then injury suddenly meant three years later he found himself married and having to enter ‘the real world’ at 21. He spent most of his career working in sales. But a heart attack at 57 meant his time of working on the markets...

   Sep 29, 2019

   14m
7. 8

   Episode 8: Meet The Volunteers

   At the heart of Brightlife Cheshire are our people. The people who we reach out to, the people who we support through funding and the people who believe in our ethos to tackle loneliness in our local communities. But the folk who are also extraordinary in our eyes are those who give up their time...

   Jun 6, 2019

   42m
8. 9

   Extra: The Making of Brightlife

   What will be Brightlife Cheshire's legacy? It's a question Chris McClelland, the organisation's head is already contemplating - just three years into the five year project. In this episode, Clare Freeman looks back at some of the key moments of the podcast series and asks how the team are…

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   Jul 12, 2018

   41m
9. 7

   Episode 7: Finding friends over 50

   Tuesday morning’s are a hoot at Sue’s drop in club at a church in Chester. Yet many of the participants say they’re just grateful to have a reason to get up and out for the day. From newly widowed Thelma struggling with her future, to Pam feeling lost in a new neighbourhood, to Olwyn’s revelation...

   Jun 10, 2018

   15m
10. 6

    Episode 6: Connecting 360

    Nothing surprises Yvonne Boyle and Simone Cobbold anymore. They started Community Compass, which receives funding from Brightlife, walking the streets of Winsford asking those over 50 what services they felt were missing in their area. The heart of their mission is to find creative new ways for...

    Jun 3, 2018

    44m
11. 5

    Episode 5: Carers, Caring And Being Cared For

    Jackie Brown and Sue Downham create, find and nurture support groups across Cheshire to help connect those in need with those who can. As social prescribers, what they don’t know about the local services isn’t worth knowing. But the stories which break their hearts time and time again are the...

    May 27, 2018

    52m
12. 4

    Episode 4: Audrey At 90, Now Artist And Poet

    Once leading a busy bustling life within her community - suddenly Audrey found herself housebound with health complications and no driving licence living alone in a sleepy Cheshire village. Widowed at 59 and now 90, in this episode of Discover Brightlife, Audrey reads a letter to her 30 year-old...

    May 21, 2018

    23m
13. 3

    Episode 3: Reconnecting the lost and lonely

    Our connections with people are at the core of everything we do… Even a smile, a good morning or a nod of the head from a stranger can lift our spirits on a grey and dreary day. But what if it was your job to help cheer someone up? To help them reconnect with the world, and find a purpose? That’s...

    May 11, 2018

    38m
14. 2

    Episode 2: Diagnosing loneliness

    When it comes to visiting a GP, sometimes all we need is a pill, an injection or a simple pat on the back… But how does diagnosing a patient who’s feeling lonely differ to the usual clientele passing through a doctor’s doors? And are feelings of isolation really covered under doctor’s orders...

    May 11, 2018

    36m
15. 1

    Episode 1: The Importance of Laughter

    From the school friends reconnecting at 80, to Tim’s first trip out in months... we introduce some of the people who’ve found a new way after suddenly facing a life alone. It's Saturday Share Club at the Dingle Centre in Winsford, with a three course meal and an opportunity to connect with others...

    May 11, 2018

    36m
16. 1

    Trailer

    If life is one long story of love, of laughter, a little luck and everything that falls in between… then who do we tell our stories to when we suddenly find ourselves alone? Brightlife is part of the National Lottery funded Ageing Better programme, set up by the Big Lottery Fund to help combat...

    May 9, 2018

    3m