Alone Together - A Coronavirus Podcast

In this special episode of the Alone Together podcast, we will be celebrating the amazing work done by local heroes in their communities during the Covid-19 pandemic.Matt Millard speaks to the Clifton Cake Fairy, an anonymous local hero, who has been secretly delivering cakes to the front doors of those nominated by family, friends and colleagues for their good deeds.And while it may have been a lonely time for many, in particular those in care homes, Sheila Callaghan has been raising their spirits with performances of wartime songs at their windows. She tells Dan McLaughlin about her singing and fundraising.Morven McIntyre also speaks to Ruairiadh Thompson from The Big Juicy Appreciation Society, a Facebook group usually dedicated to Tennents beer, who has launched a Christmas charity appeal, delivering food parcels to children.Alone Together - A Coronavirus Podcast is a Laudable production from the newsrooms of Birmingham Live, the Edinburgh Evening News, and the Manchester Evening News.It is presented by Morven McIntyre, Dan McLaughlin, and Matt Millard. And it is also edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Alone Together podcast has been with you since the start of the coronavirus outbreak. Amongst all the fear, doom and gloom that has surrounded Covid-19, we’ve been here to bring you the positive stories of our local heroes, as well as sharing fact-filled interviews with experts offering tips, advice and answers to your FAQs about the pandemic.Hosts Matt Millard, Dan McLaughlin and Morven McIntyre look back over the past two series of Alone Together and share their favourite moments.Alone Together is a Laudable production from the newsrooms of Birmingham Live, the Edinburgh Evening News, and the Manchester Evening News.Written and hosted by Matt Millard, Dan McLaughlin and Morven McIntyre.Produced and edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode we take a look at the return to universities for students. What are their concerns about the new academic year? What will lectures look like under social distancing? And what do they feel needs to be done to support them?Matt Millard speaks with Joshua Williams, a postgraduate student at the University of Birmingham and ex-president of the students union, to get a deeper perspective on the challenges that students are facing.Dan McLaughlin speaks with Dr Carole O’Reilly, senior lecturer in media and cultural studies at the University of Salford, who has embraced the change and wants to avoid - in her words - ‘death by PowerPoint’.Dan and Matt also celebrate Journalism Matters Week, an annual campaign that highlights the important role that journalism plays in our society, as they discuss their favourite journalism moments of 2020 so far.Alone Together is a Laudable production from the newsrooms of Birmingham Live, the Edinburgh Evening News, and the Manchester Evening News.Written and hosted by Matt Millard, Dan McLaughlin and Morven McIntyre.Produced and edited by Matt Millard.This October, to mark Black History Month, Laudable has launched a new short-form audio series, Black Lives: Past, Present, and Future. To find out more about the project and how you can get involved, head to laudable.substack.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode Matt and Morven discuss all things holidays, as many countries close their borders in an attempt to stop the global spread of Coronavirus, and we continue to be advised to avoid travel unless absolutely necessary, it seems 2020 has become the year of the staycation.Morven McIntyre speaks with Senior Tourist Insights Manager for Visit Scotland, Chris Greenwood, to find out our current holiday trends, what the pandemic has meant for the UK tourist trade and where he predicts the future of the tourism industry heading.And in our local heroes segment, Dan McLaughlin chats with Harry Taylor, who tells us about how he balanced working night shifts at the Guardian with doing voluntary shifts at the Royal Free Hospital in North West London.Alone Together is a Laudable production, written and produced by Matt Millard, Morven McIntrye and Dan McLaughlin, and is edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lockdown has seen the UK population's drinking levels soar.This episode tackles the subject of our relationship with alcohol and how this has changed during the Covid-19 pandemic.Dan McLaughlin speaks to DrinkAware’s Jennifer Walters about the increase in 'high-risk' drinkers, offering tips and support for those who are struggling with alcohol.Matt Millard speaks to former journalist and business owner Richard Beech about his turbulent relationship with alcohol, which led him to go sober from January.Richard discusses the ill informed stereotypes of alcoholics, and offers advice to recondition your mind against drinking.If you or anyone you know is struggling with alcohol addiction contact DrinkAware’s helpline at 0300 123 1110 or use the online chat service.Alone Together is a Laudable production from the newsrooms of the Manchester Evening News, the Edinburgh Evening News, and Birmingham Live. It is presented by Morven McIntyre, Matt Millard and Dan McLaughlin, and it is produced and edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode we explore the ways we have had to adapt to coronavirus in order to stay safe, and if these changes have helped or hindered our progress to live more sustainably.Are we still on track in the UK for a carbon neutral future? Join us, as we speak to the experts to find out just that!Morven McIntyre speaks to Beth Gardiner, an environmental journalist and author of bestselling book ‘Choked: The Age of Air Pollution and the Fight for a Cleaner Future’, about the lessons that can be learned from the Covid-19 outbreak, to ensure we don’t take a backwards step when it comes to carbon emissions and sustainable living.And Matt Millard speaks with transport expert Tom Millard, a senior consultant and lead for Economics at PJA - an integrated transport, engineering and placemaking consultancy based in Birmingham. Tom explains how the pandemic has impacted travel demand, what the risks are if we all jump into our cars to avoid public transport and what positive things are now being done to help try and reduce the environmental impact of our new, more socially distanced journeys.Alone Together is a Laudable production from the newsrooms of the Manchester Evening News, the Edinburgh Evening News, and Birmingham Live. It is presented by Morven McIntyre, Matt Millard and Dan McLaughlin, and it is produced and edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The music industry, like many other industries, is under threat due to the Covid-19 pandemic.Live music supports 200,000 jobs in the UK - but 60% of those are now under threat.On this episode of Alone Together, Dan McLaughlin and Matt Millard look at the challenges that music is facing - and what can be done to resolve them.London-based singer-songwriter and recording artist Aymee Weir chats to Matt about her experiences as a musician in lockdown - and what her plans are for the future.Michael Webster, who runs record label Bread Records, which promotes and releases music from unsigned and local artists in Manchester, talks to Dan about the challenges facing grassroots music - and what needs to be done to protect it.Dan also chats to Imogen Storey and James Duckworth, members of alt-rock band Novustory, about how they refurbished the Esche Haus Recording Studio in Blackburn during lockdown. Imogen and James, who mentor aspiring musicians at Esche Haus, also share their tips on how to succeed in the industry.Alone Together is a Laudable production from the newsrooms of the Manchester Evening News, the Edinburgh Evening News, and Birmingham Live. It is presented by Morven McIntyre, Matt Millard and Dan McLaughlin, and it is edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Face masks are on the mind - and on your faces (we hope) - on today's episode of Alone Together.Morven McIntyre speaks to Dr Simon Kolstoe from the University of Portsmouth about the importance of wearing face masks. The academic explains the research behind coverings and discusses the communication about their effectiveness.And in our Local Heroes segment, Dan McLaughlin speaks to Anna Simmons, associate assistant headteacher at Buile Hill Academy in Salford, about the support and food packages they have been providing families.Presented and produced by Morven McIntyre, Dan McLaughlin, and Matt Millard. Edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The arts and entertainment industries are in the spotlight on this episode of Alone Together after they were forced to switch off their spotlights under the coronavirus restrictions.Theatres, arts centres, comedy clubs, music venues, and other places of entertainment had to shut their doors in March – and for many, they have remained shut; and for some, they may sadly never open again.Last month, when announcing the £1.57 billion rescue package, prime minister Boris Johnson called the arts the 'beating heart of the country'. On this episode, we ask those working in the industry what needs to be done by the government to keep this beating heart ticking.Gayle Knight from the Civic Arts Centre and Theatre in Oswaldtwistle describes the challenges faced by small, grassroots theatres - and what support they need.Stand-up comedian Jack Gleadow chats about the importance of comedy clubs and Edinburgh Fringe. He also discusses how comics have been coping without paid gigs in lockdown.And in our Local Heroes segment, we chat to restaurant owner Layla Gassabi, who is delivering hot meals to those most in need in Edinburgh.Alone Together is a Laudable production from the newsrooms of the Manchester Evening News, the Edinburgh Evening News, and Birmingham Live. It is presented by Morven McIntyre, Matt Millard and Dan McLaughlin, and it is edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Many parents have had to juggle the responsibilities of work with home-schooling during the Covid-19 pandemic.With lockdown restrictions easing, the pressure could soon be taken off them.Some schools have seen some children return already, whilst the majority of kids are expected to attend from September.On this episode, we get different parenting perspectives of children returning to school after the summer holidays.Lemon-Aid newsletter founder Lynda Moyo and WorkingMamas.com co-founder Shelina Begum join Matt Millard to chat about the positives and negatives of parenting under the coronavirus restrictions, and how parents really feel about sending their children back to school.Alone Together's Dan McLaughlin also speaks with EDS Foundation’s Samantha Smith about her experience shielding with her children during lockdown - and why she is reluctant for kids to return to the classrooms in September.Alone Together is a Laudable production from the newsrooms of the Manchester Evening News, the Edinburgh Evening News, and Birmingham Live. It is presented by Morven McIntyre, Matt Millard and Dan McLaughlin, and it is edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Covid-19 pandemic has seen a shift in communication moving online with technology playing a big role in staying connected with one another.And in this episode, the Alone Together team looks at its role during the lockdown - for good and for bad.Will Guyatt, LBC's tech correspondent, chats to Morven McIntyre about the latest tech trends - and what's here to stay after the pandemic.Psychotherapist and counsellor Maya Tomse discusses the impact of technology on our mental health, especially during the lockdown. She also talks about 'phone phobia', and how to overcome it.And in the first of our 'Local Heroes' segment, Matt Millard speaks to Karen Creavin, chief executive of the Active Wellbeing Society, about their #BrumTogether campaign.Alone Together is a Laudable production from the newsrooms of the Manchester Evening News, the Edinburgh Evening News, and Birmingham Live. It is presented by Morven McIntyre, Matt Millard and Dan McLaughlin, and it is edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Alone Together podcast is back for a second series, and in this bumper opening episode, Matt Millard and Dan McLaughlin explore the world of dating and relationships during the Covid-19 pandemic.Rachael Lloyd, relationship expert at eHarmony, chats to Dan about how the lockdown has affected the way we date - and why you should keep persevering to find love through online dating.Relate's Dee Holmes discusses the findings of the 'Relationships in Lockdown' report – published by the counselling service and eHarmony – as well as offering tips for couples and those in 'turbo-relationships'.Alone Together's Morven McIntyre also speaks to Natasha Frew about her experience of moving in with her boyfriend's family during lockdown.Alone Together is a Laudable production from the newsrooms of the Manchester Evening News, the Edinburgh Evening News, and Birmingham Live. It is presented by Morven McIntyre, Matt Millard and Dan McLaughlin, and it is edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this new series of Alone Together, hosts Morven McIntyre, Dan McLaughlin and Matt Millard will be following the Coronavirus story closely, as we learn to adapt to a ‘new normal’ and slowly come out of the lockdown we’ve been in for these past few months.As businesses reopen their doors for the first time, schools welcome back our children and we return to the workplace, what will our new post-lockdown lives look like? Join us in this new series of Alone Together, to find out just that.Do you know of a local hero? Someone going above and beyond to help during the pandemic?Or do you have some great advice or guidance that you think our listeners should hear?Or are there any businesses or organisations that you think deserve recognition? Then get in touch with us on Twitter where we are @LaudablePods or on Instagram where we are @Laudable_Podcasts. We’d love to hear from you!Alone Together is a Laudable production, recorded from our homes in isolation, brought to you by the newsrooms of The Manchester Evening News, The Edinburgh Evening News and Birmingham Live.Stay safe, stay positive, stay informed and stay tuned. Alone Together series two - Coming Soon.Alone Together is hosted and written by Morven McIntyre, Dan McLaughlin and Matt Millard.Produced and edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

As the coronavirus restrictions start to ease, more people are returning to work - but for many, going back to the office can be a daunting prospect.The latest episode of Alone Together - A Coronavirus Podcast looks ahead to life after lockdown, and how we can stay protected in the workplace.Alone Together’s Dan McLaughlin speaks to Professor Martie van Tongeren from the University of Manchester about the importance of occupational health and how employers should “redesign their work” to protect workers.This episode also marks the end of the first series, bringing together Laudable podcast producers Matt Millard, Morven McIntyre and Dan.Matt, Morven, and Dan look back at the amazing people who have been doing their bits to keep their local communities going. They also thank the experts who have shared tips on how to get on with our everyday lives in lockdown.Alone Together will return for a second series after a short break, centred around on how we are adapting to a new way of life and how this time period will have long term impacts on society.Presented by Dan McLaughlin, Matt Millard, and Morven McIntyre, and edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The coronavirus has caused disruption in many parts of our lives and sleep is no exception.Many of us are now struggling to fall asleep, have disrupted sleeping patterns or have experienced lucid dreaming.On this week’s episode, we discuss the topic of sleep - and how we can improve it.Dan McLaughlin speaks to Professor Mark Blagrove from Swansea University’s Sleep Laboratory about why we may be experiencing vivid dreams in the lockdown. He discusses his research into dreaming, and explains why sharing is caring.And Morven McIntyre chats to Dr Megan Crawford from the Sleep Research Unit at the University of Strathclyde about her research in insomnia - and tips on how to tackle it.Alone Together is presented by Dan McLaughlin, Morven McIntyre and Matt Millard. Edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The lockdown is a difficult time for us all, but it is particularly tough for the vulnerable in our communities.The latest episode of Alone Together - A Coronavirus Podcast looks at the organisations that are helping those who require extra support in isolation.Age Concern, a Lancashire-based charity that specialises in dementia services, is “going above and beyond” to look after the elderly in the lockdown.Alone Together’s Matt Millard speaks to Abby Waylett from the charity about the help they provide - whether that’s free shopping services, food parcels, or simply offering a friendly voice at the end of the phone.Miranda Wardley, a support worker from Hillcrest Futures in Scotland, also discusses their important work to help people with physical and learning disabilities, as well as those who experience the hardships of homelessness and addiction.She tells Morven McIntyre, that the community has offered “amazing” and “endless support”. Miranda also praises the “extremely understanding” medical professionals and “unreal” food banks.Alone Together is a Laudable production. Hosted by Dan McLaughlin, Morven McIntyre & Matt Millard.Edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the latest episode of Alone Together - A Coronavirus Podcast, you’ll hear about how religious communities are staying connected during lockdown, through embracing technology.Join Laudable podcast producers Matt Millard and Morven McIntyre as they learn more about both the practising of Christain and Muslim faiths during the lockdown and how they’ve adapted now that they can no longer visit their place of worship.Alone Together’s Dan McLaughlin, speaks to Reverend Andy Salmon from Salford who is creatively keeping his church connected digitally via Zoom.And you’ll learn how the holiest month of the Muslim calendar, Ramadan, has been adapted during lockdown through the use of technology. Practising Muslim, Tanzeer Rahaman from Bolton shares his experience of fasting and reaching out to others and how technology plays a role in this.Alone Together is hosted by Morven McIntyre, Dan McLaughlin & Matt Millard.Edited by Matt Millard.If you have any comments or questions for Alone Together: a Coronavirus Podcast email morven.mcintyre@jpress.co.uk, matthew.millard@reachplc.com or daniel.mclaughlin@reachplc.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week's episode is about how we are adapting to what is now known as the 'new normal.'More specifically, we take a look at the local businesses who thought fast, adapted quickly to our current situation and are now thriving as a result, whilst also providing vital services to the public and helping those in their local communities.Alone Together's, Matt Millard speaks to James from Wild Bx who adapted his business quickly and efficiently when lockdown restrictions were put in place, introducing local fruit and veg markets to the online marketplace in order to bring fresh local fruit and veg to the doorsteps of many across the West Midlands.Also, Morven McIntyre, finds out how a gin distillery, Oro Distilling Co. in Dalton Dumfriesshire is now making a World Health Organisation accredited hand gel for both key workers and the public. Ray Clynick, co-founder and head distiller at Origin Gin speaks about what motivated them to make the hand sanitizer.Alone Together is a Laudable Production, presented by Morven McIntyre, Dan McLaughlin & Matt Millard.Edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Other than leaving home for food, medicine, exercise or in some cases, work, we are largely stuck indoors during this lockdown.This latest episode of Alone Together - A Coronavirus Podcast offers advice on how to fill that extra time spent at home with your families.For those experimenting in the kitchen, Morven McIntyre speaks to Edinburgh-based chef Barry Bryson about resourceful ways to shop for food – and how to rustle up a dish using staple cupboard supplies.The lockdown also allows time for parents to bond with their children. Hazel Reynolds, founder of Gamely Games, suggests fun and creative ways to keep kids entertained away from their iPads and games consoles.Alone Together is presented by Dan McLaughlin, Morven McIntyre & Matt Millard.Edited by Matt Millard Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode is dedicated to pet owners' during the lockdownAlone Together’s, Dan McLaughlin and Matt Millard discuss missing companionship from furry friends during the lockdown.Dog trainer and dog behavior specialist, Trish Mahon speaks to Matt providing tips on topics from dog stress and anxiety to the best ways to train and socialise a puppy during a lockdown.Alone Together’s, Morven McIntyre speaks to vet of 30 years, Charles Williams who specialises in small animals. Charles provides regulation information from the British Vet Association on key areas including routine buying a new pet, vaccinations and emergencies.If you have any comments or questions for Alone Together: a Coronavirus Podcast email morven.mcintyre@jpress.co.uk, matthew.millard@reachplc.com or daniel.mclaughlin@reachplc.comAlone Together is a Laudable Production, presented by Matt Millard, Dan McLaughlin and Morven McIntyre and edited by Matt Millard. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices