57 episodes

Surprising stories from communities across England who are pulling together during these uncertain times.
Originally broadcast on local BBC radio.
Find out more on bbc.co.uk/makeadifference.

Make a Difference BBC Local Radio

    • Society & Culture

Surprising stories from communities across England who are pulling together during these uncertain times.
Originally broadcast on local BBC radio.
Find out more on bbc.co.uk/makeadifference.

    Happy Hit: Zumba dreams

    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.

    • 4 min
    Happy Hit: From riverside bench to Windsor Castle

    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 before he was made an MBE by Prince William at Windsor Castle.

    • 4 min
    Happy Hit: A lullaby from a loving dad

    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 has now been released as a digital download.
    Host: Letitia George
    Digital producer: Rachael Smith
    Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison

    • 3 min
    Happy Hit: Bryson Walks to School

    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 800m journey.#
    Host: Letitia George
    Digital producer: Rachael Smith
    Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison

    • 5 min
    Happy Hit: Grandma's voice

    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 going around Stoke-on-Trent's Gladstone Pottery Museum, and talking about the city's pottery industry, where her grandmother worked in the 1970s.
    Lucy contacted BBC Radio Stoke to see if the recording of her grandmother, who died in 2019, still existed. It was a long shot, but after an extensive search, an ex-producer at the local radio station found a CD.
    Host: Letitia George
    Digital producer: Rachael Smith
    Executive Producer: Kathryn Morrison

    • 5 min
    Welcome to Happy Hit

    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 about it at bbc.co.uk/makeadifference.

    • 1 min

Top Podcasts In Society & Culture

Third Ear
Third Ear
Mørklagt
DR
Tyran
DR
Afhørt
Ekstra Bladet
Sørine & Livskraften
Kristeligt Dagblad
Bag om forbrydelsen
Nordjyske

More by BBC

Global News Podcast
BBC World Service
You're Dead to Me
BBC Radio 4
In Our Time
BBC Radio 4
6 Minute English
BBC Radio
The Documentary Podcast
BBC World Service
Lives Less Ordinary
BBC World Service