By Jill Dando News Kieran is hoping to get a few steps closer to achieving his bucket list with a craft fair fundraiser at Priory Community School in Somerset this Saturday! After he was diagnosed with mitochondrial disease complex one three years ago, Kieran and his mum decided to start
By Jill Dando News Students from Priory Community School enjoyed a special trip to St Georges Care home in Worle, just a stone's throw from their school, to learn from the care profession and interact with residents there. Icing cakes and strawberries were just the ticket as many
By Sofia W, Oliver M, and Theo K, Jill Dando News centre at St Anne’s Church Academy Pupils at St Anne's Church Academy in Somerset, taking part in the Archbishop of York’s Young Leaders Award, have been working on a special community project to raise awareness
By Community Correspondent After nearly two decades behind the wheel as a Bristol bus driver and with a background in policing, Carlos Santos saw firsthand how quickly a life-threatening emergency can unfold. But it was the sudden death of a fellow bus driver from cardiac arrest in late 2024 that
By Jill Dando News An extremely rare pygmy shrew with an albino mutation was found by Anita McMillan near St Austell, Cornwall, while out for a walk. “I went for a walk with my zoom lens, hoping to capture some good photos of birds or butterflies,” said Anita. “This was
By Community Correspondent Twelve universities have achieved the prestigious Fairtrade University and College Award in 2025, continuing to champion ethical consumption and global justice across campuses in the UK. Among them, University of Reading earned the highest ‘three star’ award for exceptional achievement across a broad range of activities including
By Community Correspondent Deputy Ward Manager Lianne Hopkins has been named June’s Health Hero for the unwavering good humour and kindness she shows to children and families on Pelican Ward. Lianne is Deputy Ward Manager on Pelican Ward at Noah’s Ark Children’s Hospital of Wales, an eight-bed
By Community Correspondent The team behind the life-saving Donate For Defib Weston-super-Mare project is thrilled to announce its nomination for a BBC Bristol Make A Difference Award in the Community Category. This incredible recognition shines a spotlight on the project's unwavering commitment to public safety, community empowerment, and
By Education Correspondent UWE Bristol and Avon and Somerset Police have signed a new 10-year agreement, extending their successful partnership to deliver high-quality, forward-thinking police education and training. Since 2019, the collaboration has welcomed more than 1,200 student officers onto programmes such as the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship and
By Education Correspondent The annual Cabot Learning Federation (CLF) Festival of Sport was once again a resounding success, held this year at the University of the West of England’s (UWE) state-of-the-art sports centre. This festival of sport brought together pupils from across both CLF primary and secondary academies for
By Health Correspondent A major milestone in creative health was reached today as the National Arts in Hospitals Network (NAHN) unveiled the UK’s first comprehensive web-based guidance for hospital arts programmes at University College London Hospitals (UCLH). The NAHN Arts in Hospitals Guidance offers practical, evidence-based tools to help
By Jill Dando News The relationship between medieval people and their pets is the topic of the latest book by the University of Leicester’s Dr Ben Parsons. Introducing Medieval Animal Names explores what names medieval people gave to the animals with which they lived and worked. Dr Parsons’s
By Business Correspondent Bristol Airport’s charity golf day was a soaring success once again, raising over £32,000 for its charity partner, the Great Western Air Ambulance Charity (GWAAC), its highest total to date. Held at The Kendleshire Golf Club in South Gloucestershire, the event welcomed 96 players across
By Jill Dando News NASA announced Monday its latest plans to team up with a streaming service to bring space a little closer to home. Starting this summer, NASA+ live programming will be available on Netflix. Audiences now will have another option to stream rocket launches, astronaut spacewalks, mission coverage,
By Jill Dando News There’s a suspicious new arrival at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm this summer—and he’s not quite what he seems. Visitors to the award-winning zoo and conservation charity near Bristol will be greeted by a mischievous new resident: Feathers McGraw, the villainous penguin from
By Jill Dando News A Governor at Newcastle Hospitals was surprised after being reunited with the midwife who helped deliver her daughter over 30 years ago at the Princess Mary Maternity Hospital in Newcastle. Sandra Mawdsley was attending a celebratory event at the RVI, in recognition of International Day of
People
By Josh Bell, Schools and Charitable Correspondent In a remarkable tale of resilience, rapid response, and the power of community, local firefighter Dave is alive today thanks to quick-thinking loved ones, emergency services, and a life-saving defibrillator. One ordinary day turned into a fight for life when Dave suddenly collapsed
Mental Health
By Mental Health Correspondent Weston-super-Mare will host a vital community conversation about men’s mental health on Thursday, 17 July, at The Optima Stadium, home of Weston-super-Mare AFC. Running from 5:30pm to 7:00pm (GMT+1), the event is part of a growing national effort to challenge stigma and
People
By Community Correspondent After sunset on Saturday 28 June 2025, the exterior façade on the Library of Birmingham will be lit up red, white and blue in honour of Armed Forces Day 2025. This is a poignant year that marks the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe (VE) and Victory
Sport
By Jill Dando News Loughborough University and Army Sport have announced a new strategic partnership designed to enhance high-performance sporting opportunities for Army personnel. As part of the agreement, Army Sport colleagues will gain access to Loughborough’s renowned sporting facilities for training, competitive fixtures, and flagship events. The partnership
People
By Jill Dando News Hostel resident channelling energy into boxing to raise money for charity that saved him from streets. A resident of a homeless hostel in Liverpool has signed up for a white-collar boxing match to raise money for the charity he says saved him from being street homeless.
News
By Jill Dando News Carried out as part of a larger plan to support the most vulnerable residents in Manchester, the Council has looked at as many ways as possible to help those who we know have been struggling over recent years. Marie Curie’s recent ‘Dying in Poverty’ report
Health,
By Health Correspondent Technology use among older adults appears to benefit cognitive health rather than harm it, according to a large-scale meta-analysis published in Nature Human Behaviour. The study, which examined data from more than 411,000 adults ages 50 and older, reveals that engaging with digital devices may actually
People
By Community Correspondent A Liverpool children’s fitness coach is urging the local community to lace up their walking shoes and join a special charity walk aimed at supporting older people in Liverpool and Sefton. Neil Fogg, a former Police Officer and founder of Our City Academy, has organised a
Animals
By Charities Correspondent Conservation and education charity Bristol Zoological Society has won five industry awards for its efforts to conserve and protect the world’s most threatened species. The charity, which runs Bristol Zoo Project, has been recognised by the UK sector’s leading body, BIAZA (British and Irish Association
Mental Health
By Mental Health Correspondent More than 2,300 students at the University of Warwick signed up to take time out this exam season with DeStresstival 2025 – a free, four-week programme of wellbeing activities designed to reduce stress and support mental health during a demanding time of year. Organised by Warwick
Animals
By Jill Dando News A Cumbria police officer has been nationally recognised for her outstanding efforts in tackling wildlife crime. PC Sam O’Key, the Wildlife Coordinator for Cumbria Police, has been awarded the inaugural Naturewatch Foundation Challenge Coin for her exceptional investigative work targeting criminals who threaten the welfare
People
By Ellise Hollie-Hayward, Disabilities Correspondent Dr Beth Moulam of York was recently nominated in the Shaw Trust Disability Power 100 list. At the awards, she was named the Number 1 Influencer in the Community and Grassroots Advocate category and placed 10th on the overall list. Recognised for her work as
Business
By Business Editor Pigeon Solar Panels, led by owner Callun Purnell, recently undertook a significant project for JOJU Solar, one of the UK's leading solar installation companies. The task involved cleaning 1,276 solar panels at a client site, a job that was completed in just one day
People
By Community Correspondent In celebration of their 25th anniversary, Chester’s beloved all-female choir, A Handbag of Harmonies, is preparing to surprise the city with a full day of heartfelt music and unforgettable moments on July 12th. Celebrating Community Heroes “The idea came about as it’s our 25th anniversary
Animals
By Jill Dando News Field Crickets are one of the UK’s rarest and most vulnerable invertebrates. With 93 calling males counted at RSPB Farnham Heath and 12 males at RSPB Pulborough Brooks this year, reserve teams, volunteers and supporters are celebrating their success. Previously threatened with extinction, population numbers
Sport
By Sports Correspondent Derwent Park Rangers rugby league club in West Cumbria are celebrating a milestone moment after receiving vital support from broadband provider Fibrus. The club in Workington recently took part in the prestigious Rhinos Challenge at Butlin’s Skegness - one of the country’s largest junior rugby