Three stories of people who have found themselves giving or receiving care. Including 26-year-old Hannah who was recently diagnosed with FND, in conversation with her mum Alison - about the wide-ranging impact of the disorder on relationships, work and hobbies. And the importance of celebrating the small wins. And Nina from Essex, who last year volunteered at a care home in order to see her dad Roger during the first national lockdown, and shared their journey with dementia with an online commun...
Sep 01, 2021•32 min
Marianne and Chris Fisher swapped their five-bedroom family house in Shropshire for Trudy the camper van back in 2018. This is not a holiday, but a complete change in lifestyle - the married couple are aiming to step foot in every country in the world. But plans have been somewhat altered by a global pandemic. Multi Story is presented and produced by Becca Bryers. With thanks to BBC Radio Shropshire. You can follow Chris and Marianne's adventures at treadtheglobe.com...
Aug 18, 2021•19 min
Two singers share how personal experience has shaped their song lyrics - from escaping a bad relationship, to long night shifts. Jackie thought she'd found the man of her dreams, but his behaviour soon became suffocating - and even when they split, he wouldn't leave her alone. She now hopes her music will help empower other women in the same situation. Spencer Flay has used the isolation of his crane cabin - 30 metres above sea level - to hone his song writing and ukulele playing skills. Present...
Aug 04, 2021•31 min
Team GB athlete Jake Wightman and his actor brother Sam, talk identical twin rivalry and companionship, on and off the track. Plus former Olympic runners, Angela and Susan reflect on the pros and cons of being known as "The Tooby Twins". Presented and produced by Becca Bryers. With thanks to British Athletics for commentary from the Muller British Athletics Championships 2021.
Jul 21, 2021•33 min
Two stories of people making and continuing legacies - from making space in the equestrian world, to sharing the spiritual teachings of yoga. Freedom found a passion for horse riding as a teenager, when his parents moved the family from Leicester, to the Caribbean island of Antigua. Returning to the UK five years later, he was struck by how much he stood out in the equestrian world, as a young black man from the inner city. He now dedicates his time to ensuring kids from all backgrounds have the...
Jun 23, 2021•33 min
Three stories of people adapting to new and changing situations. Including Ewan, who lost his hearing following a surfing accident and channelled his energy into his passion for tennis; playing the game at the top level, representing Team GB in deaf tennis. Until another change in his hearing forced him to step away. And Emilie, who was volunteering for a children's charity in Uganda when she met five day old Adam - and formed an emotional bond she couldn't shake. Plus 19-year-old Wiki reflects ...
Jun 09, 2021•40 min
Three stories of the way technology can help us form connections and feel less alone. Including Jo from Liverpool and Martin from Skelmersdale, single strangers who weren't looking for love - until they met in a virtual pub. Plus Sheila and her daughter Lynn from Rotherham, who have both found comfort in a very low maintenance cat, called Willow. And Dean, a retired psychiatric nurse from Ipswich who has found happiness in a hobby, which involves "love" dolls as artistic collaborators. Presented...
May 26, 2021•41 min
Three personal stories reflecting on how we interpret and respond to the rules. Including 81-year old Patricia, who has finally found her birth family after a 30 year search - right in the middle of a global pandemic. She's desperate to be reunited with her birth mum on her 100th birthday – but equally determined not to break national lockdown rules. And Wayne, who lives in Oxford with his husband, reflects on the rules that impact him because of his identity as a sexually active gay man - from ...
May 12, 2021•41 min
After a year-long hiatus, Multi Story is back for a fourth series! On 1st January 2020, we released "New Start" - a hopeful episode of the podcast, sharing positive stories of change as we looked forward to a fresh year, full of promise: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p07yhrh0 And then the global coronavirus pandemic hit, and suddenly we all had to alter our expectations and plans. Including Claire (aka "Becca's mum"), whose retirement story we revisit in this taster episode. Plus a taster of ...
May 05, 2021•8 min
How a spontaneous duet between two strangers at a London railway station sparked a viral video and a valued friendship, bringing joy to uncertain times. Last spring, Denis Robinson was playing one of the pianos at St Pancras International, when he was approached by passing musical theatre actor Ceili O'Connor. A video of their performance of Somewhere Over The Rainbow has been shared across the world. But what happened next? The fourth series of Multi Story has been postponed, while the team foc...
Apr 09, 2020•14 min
To welcome in the new decade, stories of life-changing moments and new directions. Including Kate, a Lancashire mum who has taken control of her alcohol addiction, and is now helping others do the same. Plus boxer Tom Hill shares the impact, and the silver lining of losing his job at the Redcar steelworks. And meet Mark Winkless - a huge Leicester City supporter who has gone from being a bad guy, to simply acting one on screen. Presented and produced by Becca Bryers. Executive producer: James St...
Jan 01, 2020•33 min
Getting in the mood for Christmas - a selection of festive audio treats from across England. Featuring the pub serving turkey and mince pies in August; the teen mum preparing for her baby's first Christmas in their new home; and a hospice chaplain and volunteer reflect on bringing festivities to their patients and families. Plus a Victorian Christmas card collector explains why his hobby is so important - and presenter Becca speaks to BBC Radio Leicester's Martin Ballard about his 30 years of sw...
Dec 18, 2019•41 min
Four stories reflecting on what makes us who we are. Including Ash, aka Maria - a drag queen from Stoke, who mixes heavy metal and pop music. Mike from Bristol shares the impact of being part of the Windrush generation, and his hopes to gain official UK citizenship. Plus a Carlisle councillor and street artist swap thoughts on the place of graffiti in their city. And poet Jodie Langford, explains why she's proud to call Hull her home. Presented and produced by Becca Bryers. With contributions fr...
Dec 04, 2019•41 min
Four stories drawn from across England, celebrating the power of words. Featuring the World War II letters sent to Gilbert, from his lover - the mysterious "G". Ninety-seven-year-old Maurice Rutherford is gaining an online following, with his poems reflecting on love and older age (among other things!) Plus, Mansfield's former town crier explains the importance of the role in medieval times. And poet Hollie McNish reflects on the confusion and embarrassment that can come from a difference in reg...
Nov 20, 2019•37 min
Four surprising tales of changing body modifications. Featuring Jayne, who has a prosthetic nose for every occasion (including when she's had a few drinks!). Rising kayaking star, Helena explains why she made the huge decision to have her leg amputated at 22 years old. And Lucy, a Bradford tattooist explains how and why she's created specialist 3D nipple designs. Plus radio presenter Claira Hermet explains the tough journey she went through, to finally love her body. Presented and produced by Be...
Nov 06, 2019•39 min
Reflections on what it means to be in a relationship, or single. Featuring Charlie, Nick and Sydney sharing the emotions and logistics of their polyamorous romance. Plus, nuns Sisters Anne-Marie, Aelred and Gabriel explain why they don't fully consider themselves to be single. And childhood friends, David and Christine on the joy of finding love later in life. Presented and produced by Becca Bryers With contributions from: Letitia George at BBC Coventry & Warwickshire Emily Jeffery at BBC Ra...
Oct 23, 2019•39 min
Three stories exploring the power of tuning in - from the buzzing of bees, to the shared thoughts of our friends. Featuring the Kent man who has cycled around the UK collecting unique sounds and voices as he goes, in order to make a special piece of music. The Listening Project brings two friends together in Scarborough, for an unexpected conversation about food and body image. Plus the Devon doctor who learnt to lip read to treat his patients, after losing his hearing as a young man - and how a...
Oct 09, 2019•37 min
Three secret, untold or unexpected personal stories. Featuring the Wiltshire woman who had no idea her husband was a spy, until three years after his death. Plus childhood memories of a Fenland village once home to elephants, lions and zebras; and the British engineer who has left his mark on the 1969 moon landing. Presented and produced by Becca Bryers With contributions from: Graham Seaman at BBC Wiltshire Hannah Saunders and Heather Noble at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Steve Harris from BBC Radi...
Sep 25, 2019•42 min
Liam has served over 50 convictions, but is hoping this will be his last time in prison. BBC Tees producer Lee Johnson visited him at the Therapeutic Community Wing at Holme House prison in Stockton-on-Tees. This is an extract from the full length documentary House Block 6; part of the England Unwrapped series on BBC Sounds. Multi Story is presented and produced by Becca Bryers.
Sep 11, 2019•7 min
Warwickshire firefighter Tony Dumbleton helped save the life of American police officer Andrew Dahring, after he was injured during a mass shooting in Las Vegas in 2017. A year on, the pair were reunited over the phone.This is a chance to revisit a story from the first series of Multi Story - with an update, and an insight into the work that went into making the reunion a reality. Presented and produced by Becca Bryers, with contributions from Marian McNamee from BBC Coventry and Warwickshire....
Aug 28, 2019•18 min
Revisiting the story of a Leicestershire man facing saying goodbye to the family home he's struggling to afford. John's dilemma featured in the first ever episode of Multi Story - has anything changed since? A reminder of the original story, plus an all important update! This mini episode of Multi Story was presented and produced by Becca Bryers.
Aug 14, 2019•14 min
Samanda Ford, aka "the queen of positivity" was never one to miss a party - even her own funeral wake. The charity fundraiser and radio agony aunt was diagnosed with colon cancer in late 2017, and last summer was told she had just months to live. It was in Sam's nature to continue to find the silver lining in everything. This mini episode of Multi Story was presented and produced by Becca Bryers. With contributions from Stuart Howells at BBC Radio Suffolk.
Jul 31, 2019•11 min
Three stories of fighting back. Featuring the Leicester kickboxer who is "striving", not just "surviving" after her father was imprisoned for child sex offences. Plus the Shropshire wrestler who was (temporarily) forced out of the ring by a cancer diagnosis; and the surprising rise of bare knuckle boxing in the UK. Presented and produced by Becca Bryers With contributions from: Ady Dayman at BBC Radio Leicester Jim Hawkins at BBC Radio Shropshire Johnny I'anson at BBC Radio Leeds...
Jul 17, 2019•38 min
Three stories of breaking the law. Featuring a Manchester student who makes money through escort work; a long-term cannabis user who wants to educate others about the potential dangers of the drugs; and the Berkshire woman who accompanied her husband to an assisted suicide facility in Switzerland. This episode reflects some adult themes - including references to drug use and sex work. Presented and produced by Becca Bryers With contributions from: Chelsea Norris from BBC Radio Manchester John Da...
Jul 03, 2019•31 min
People with at least four decades between them, share and compare their life experiences. Featuring a Nottinghamshire woman who came to the UK from Czechoslovakia with The Kindertransport; the two Coventry men sharing their stories of coming out and living as gay men in 2019; and the two Oxford women in an intergenerational conversation... about intergenerational conversation! Presented and produced by Becca Bryers. With contributions from: BBC Radio Nottingham BBC Coventry & Warwickshire BB...
Jun 19, 2019•33 min
Stories of how the appearance of our skin can impact our identity. Featuring the Leicester woman whose skin has been lightened by the drugs keeping her alive; the Derby woman who's paid for her sleeve tattoos with her pension; and the Leeds student who has grown to embrace her birthmarks. Presented and produced by Becca Bryers. With contributions from: Ben Jackson at BBC Radio Leicester Alex Howick at BBC Radio Derby Oly Woodcock at BBC Radio Leeds
Jun 05, 2019•34 min
Three stories of making a conscious choice to live somewhere, with someone, in some particular way. Featuring the family of four living completely off-grid in Cumbria; a hunt for the residents of a Suffolk town who camped overnight to secure their new-build homes in the 1970s; and the Older Women's Co-Housing group who've built a new community in London. Presented and produced by Becca Bryers. With contributions from: Ed Hanson at BBC Inside Out North East and Cumbria Matt Marvel at BBC Radio Su...
May 22, 2019•38 min
Stories reflecting the important impact other people have on our mental health, good and bad. Featuring a Warwickshire teenager dealing with the death of his paratrooper brother; a Brighton woman explains the challenges of finding love with Borderline Personality Disorder; and two British Somalian women from London, share their experience of intergenerational conversations about mental health in their community. Plus Leicester-based artist David Parkin’s musical response to recovering from clini...
May 08, 2019•43 min
Stories of people impacting the opinions and actions of others, on- and off-line. Featuring the Birmingham teacher with Tourette's Syndrome and a positive message to share; the former EDL member from Suffolk who now teaches "love not hate"; and the Shropshire medical scientist turned social media influencer. Plus Zanna Van Dijk, from 5Live's Fit and Fearless podcast on recovering from life-saving surgery, under the gaze of her online followers. Presented and produced by Becca Bryers With contrib...
Apr 24, 2019•35 min
Stories of the unknown, the untold, and the under-wraps - featuring a secret society in Cambridge who only appear after dark; the Welsh man who accidentally uncovered a tragic family case of murder and the death penalty; and the story of Starlite - a material which could change the world - and the details behind its hidden recipe. Presented and produced by Becca Bryers With contributions from: Chris Berrow at BBC Radio Cambridgeshire Anna King at BBC Radio Gloucestershire Lee Johnson at BBC Tees...
Apr 10, 2019•39 min
