Episodes
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Happy Hit: Zumba dreams
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.
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Happy Hit: From riverside bench to Windsor Castle
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...
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Happy Hit: A lullaby from a loving dad
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…
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Happy Hit: Bryson Walks to School
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…
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Happy Hit: Grandma's voice
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...
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Welcome to Happy Hit
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...
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A message from the world to COP26
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...
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Making A Difference in 2020: Part 2
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.
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Making A Difference in 2020: Part 1
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.
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Kindness at Christmas
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....
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Memory Runs and Favourite Customers
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 summer - she shares what impact it's had on the family and how she, and her...
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Christmas Helpers and Blooming Friendships
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 Radio Leicester and BBC Radio Leeds.
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Love at a distance and a celebrity goose
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.
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Mr Christmas and Metal Detectors
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 been bringing festive cheer to his Hertfordshire neighbours for the past 42...
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A Letter To My Younger Self
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.
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Recycled Cycles and Wedding Winners
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 his community, and not one, but two wedding success stories in the time of...
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Jacket Potatoes and Speedos
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 project who has benefitted from free meals, as well as dished them out. And the...
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Sheepdogs and Camp Outs
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 sheepdog, and the 4.5 hour journey to make it happen. Plus the 10 year old boy,...
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Phone Calls and Garden Angels
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 on the bike" and "the man in the window", and reflect on the positive impact…
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Seaside Trips and Plastic Wigglies
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 NHS workers for a free holiday beside the sea, and the Worcestershire...
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Positive Vibes and Spiders
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio. This week, inspiring stories of people who seem to find a silver lining in every cloud - including Dee from Trowbridge, who believes kindness should...
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Helicopters and Helping the Homeless
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio. This episode features Bob, who has been homeless for seven years - and has just completed a 24 hour bike ride to say thank you to the community…
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Lifesaving Lorries and Nominated Names
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio. This episode features an emotional reunion between Jo from Derby, and Carl - the trucker who stopped his lorry behind her broken down car in the…
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Helmets and Headbands
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together to help others, drawn from across BBC Local Radio. This episode features 16-year-old skateboarder Sid, who spent four weeks in hospital recovering from a near fatal head trauma. He and his family are...
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New Friendships and Messages of Hope
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...
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Rickshaw Trips and Bingo Wins
Good news stories from across England, of people making a difference in uncertain times. Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together during the coronavirus pandemic, drawn from across BBC Local Radio. This week including the Southport care…
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Stolen Cycles and The Queen’s Stockings
Good news stories from across England, of people making a difference in uncertain times. Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together during the coronavirus pandemic, drawn from across BBC Local Radio.
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Doggy Paddles and Sweet Ninjas
Good news stories from across England, of people making a difference in uncertain times. Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together during these uncertain times, drawn from across BBC Local Radio. This episode: - London paramedic, Richard on...
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Cover Acts and Covered Faces
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together during these uncertain times, drawn from across BBC Local Radio. This episode: - How Wookey villagers supported 92-year-old John after his house was broken into - BBC CWR listeners offer support to...
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Romance and Reunions
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together during these uncertain times, drawn from across BBC Local Radio. This episode: - While on furlough, Nina has been volunteering at the Chelmsford care home where her dad Roger lives - and loving it -...
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Face Masks and School Leavers
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together during these uncertain times, drawn from across BBC Local Radio. This episode: - De Montfort University contour fashion student Disha, is putting her sewing skills to good use making reusable face...
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Decorating and the Digital Divide
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together during these uncertain times, drawn from across BBC Local Radio. This episode: - Shelagh from Coventry completes a 1,000 steps charity challenge, as part of her recovery from a stroke - and shared…
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Fire Fighters and Food Banks
Guest host Phillipa Goymer, from the Pregnant Teens podcast, brings you stories of people making a difference in England.
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Dogs and Dinners
Whilst Becca Bryers takes a well earned break, Adam Clarkson from the Unusual Times podcast brings us the latest from the BBC's Make A Difference campaign. This week he's got stories showing how people are helping each other during the current crisis. Involving dogs, sweets, takeaways and a...
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100 Days
Becca Bryers looks back at 100 days of Make A Difference across BBC Local Radio - guiding you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Curries and High Heels
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together during the coronavirus pandemic, drawn from BBC Local Radio. This episode: the burlesque dancers from Standish who has taken her lessons online, as has the home cooks sharing Indian recipes through...
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Tigers and Pick 'n' Mix
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of people across England who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Pom Poms and Flamingos
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of people across England who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Biscuits and Bin Lorries
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of people across England who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Marathons and Camper Vans
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of people across England who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Channel Swimming and Tooth Filling
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of people across England who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Lockdown Lines
Becca Bryers guide you through a selection of poems from across England, inspired by the people who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic. Over 750 000 stories of people offering help and support pouring into BBC Local Radio’s ‘Make A Difference’ service have inspired a powerful...
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Silly Walks and Football Talk
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of people across England who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Tambourines and Trampolines
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of people across England who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Songwriting and Cake Baking
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of people across England who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic.
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Elvis and Trucker Takeaways
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of people across England who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic. This episode: a Bedfordshire couple who were forced to abandon plans to renew their wedding vows in Las Vegas, are serenaded by "The King" on their doorstep (at…
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Bubbles and Bikes
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of people across England who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic. This episode: an emotional dedication to a much loved mum in Merseyside, and praise of the NHS staff who cared for her. Plus a call for help from North...
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Lambs and Keepy-Uppies
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of people across England who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic. This episode: the 10-year-old from Cambridgeshire aiming to complete over 7 million keepy-uppies (with a little help!) to raise money for keyworkers; a woman…
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Storytime and Veg Box Fantasies
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of people across England who are making a difference during the coronavirus pandemic. Find out more via bbc.co.uk/makeadifference
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Supporters and Survivors
Becca Bryers guides you through surprising stories of communities across England pulling together during the coronavirus pandemic, drawn from BBC Local Radio. This episode: two stories from one Birmingham hospital - the nurse and the patient; plus the big difference a small gift of shoes has made...
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