Mix 92.6 Podcasts

Jill Burridge finds out from Stuart Falconer, one of those who established The OLLIE Foundation, why and how this local charity raises funds to enable professionals to go into schools and wherever else young people can be reached (eg sports clubs, youth clubs).  The Foundation seeks to raise awareness of why young people may consider taking their own life and to help teachers and youth workers understand more about the risks and how to approach them. (OLLIE is an acronym for 'One Life Lost is Enough'.)

 

 

In the second of two conversations, Terry Jones, Anna Avebury and Chris Delaney tell Rob Pearman about Ver Poets, who it is for, how it operates and about the annual competitions including the open event which welcomes non-members as well as members to submit entries.  Once again, all three read poems of their choice.  For more about Ver Poets, go to verpoets.co.uk.

Peter Graham, a Trustee and long-time volunteer at Centre 33, tells Rob Pearman about the work of the St Albans 'drop-in' facility which provides food, hot drinks, clothing and more for those who are homeless, sofa-surfing or otherwise in need of assistance. Listen in.

Alan Bellinger helps Rob Pearman to understand how an individual can actively participate in the decision-making processes within the NHS – from their local surgery’s Patient Participation Group (PPG) to the wider St Albans & Harpenden Patient Group (www.sapg.org.uk) and then even wider to the County’s scrutiny body known as Healthwatch (www.healthwatchhertfordshire.co.uk).  Every hospital also has a number of volunteering opportunities.  In all cases, check out the website and look for opportunities to get involved.

At the start of a new year of interviews with local people, Rob Pearman takes a look back at some of his favourite extracts from around 30 interviews recorded for Local Life over the past 12 months - with topics ranging from fostering to refugees, from homelesness to mental health, and much more including some musical interludes.

Two articles from Hertfordshire Life Magazine (November 2018) help provide context and background to the impact of WWI on our County and District.  Recorded by volunteer readers at St Albans & District Talking Newspaper by kind permission of the Editor.

Sue Shanahan, Senior Trading Standards Officer, explains to Rob Pearman the tricks that scammers get up to online, on the phone and in print - how to spot them and what to do when you encounter them.  Scamming is easier than robbing a bank!

Samantha Dukelow, Hertswise Locality Worker for the St Albans District, tells Rob Pearman about the work of this County-wide charity.   Hertswise works in partnership with other local charities to provide a range of support services including home visits for those with memory loss, mild cognitive impairment or dementia.  Help and guidance is also offered to family and friends.

Irene Austin, of Herts Welcomes Syrian Families, is joined by a member of one of the Syrian families welcomed to the County.  Together they provide a picture of what life became for this family in their homeland  and why they had to leave, as well as of the work that HWSF is doing to support the families.

Jill Burridge finds out from Musical Director David Temple and a member of the choir, Carole Teacher, about the past, present and future of one of Britain's leading large choirs.  Hertfordshire Chorus performs regularly at major venues around the District and County. This conversation includes several extracts from previous concerts and highlights future events, beginning with a concert commemorating the end of the First World War  at the Watford Colosseum on Saturday 20th October.  Other future events include the annual carol concert of The Willow Foundation at St Albans Cathedral, and Hertfordshire Chorus' own carol concert in the chapel of Haileybury College.  All details can be found at hertfordshirechorus.org.uk.