Speak Up Sunderland

Feels like it's been AGES since Betty & Stevie properly caught up. It must be, because apparently Betty "misses Stevie's face". Yeah, right! Betty & Stevie share their experience of receiving the "little prick" - erm, vaccine, and what they're looking forward to as the lockdown lifts. And we want to hear from you - have you received your little prick? What was your experience like? Leave a voicemail message with us on the Speak Up Sunderland website! --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a podcast proudly produced in Sunderland, for Sunderland. This episode was hosted by Betty Ball and Stevie B, and produced by Jay Sykes. Our music was created by Timecrawler 82, and our logo and branding by Jorge Vinicio. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on our Facebook and YouTube!

How can you capture the mood of a country at war in a documentary? With a uniquely poetical, musical filmmaking style, artist and filmmaker Prof. Esther Johnson was commissioned by 14-18 Now to create "Asunder" - a uniquely moving and vibrant documentary which interweaves narratives from conflict overseas with characters in the North East. "Asunder tells the story of what happened to an English town during the First World War, with almost all of its men abroad fighting and its women and children left behind. The North East was in the front line, thanks to its shipyards and munitions factories." Our host Betty Ball meets Esther to hear all about the process of creating Asunder - poring over a hundred sources of archive material, working with renowned presenters Kate Adie and Alun Armstrong, and the composition of original music which makes Asunder such a distinctive WW1 documentary. Featuring original music from the soundtrack composed by Sunderland’s Mercury-nominated Field Music and Newcastle’s Warm Digits, performed with the Royal Northern Sinfonia and The Cornshed Sisters. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a podcast proudly produced in Sunderland, for Sunderland. This episode was hosted by Betty Ball, and produced by Jay Sykes. Our music was created by Timecrawler 82, and our logo and branding by Jorge Vinicio. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on our Facebook and YouTube!

This is Len Gibson, BEM. He’s reading from his collection of poetry, which he’s compiled over the past hundred years of his life. You heard that right, Len Gibson turned 100 years old on the third of January this year. Len’s regarded as not only a hero to Sunderland, but also a national hero. During the second world war, Len was a member of the 125 Anti-Tank Regiment Royal Artillery. Between 1942, and 1945, Len was held as a Far East Prisoner of War - he was forced by the Japanese Empire to work on a railway which stretches between Thailand and Burma - the “Death Railway”, as it’s come to be known. Len was one of an estimated 180,000 - 250,000 prisoners of war who were subjected to forced labour on the railway. Len’s a well-known figure here in Sunderland. Usually, Len would be delivering a reading at our city’s Remembrance Parade. It’s one of the biggest parades in the UK, the biggest outside of London. This year, because of the ongoing lockdown, the Remembrance Parade it’s moving online. Sunderland City Council are creating a series of short films alongside the day. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a podcast proudly produced in Sunderland, for Sunderland. Our hosts Betty Ball and Stevie B, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Our music was created by Timecrawler 82, and our logo and branding by Jorge Vinicio. This episode features recordings of the Sunderland Remembrance Parade by Mike Walker Camera, and additional music by Andy G. Cohen. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on our Facebook and YouTube!

"Oh my God. OH MY GOD! It's Betty and Stevie!! [Unintelligible.]" From across the pond, living in Traverse City, Michigan, meet Mark Whitley - the self-proclaimed number one fan of Speak Up Sunderland. He's listened to every episode of Speak Up Sunderland. No, but for real, every. Single. Episode. We wanted to surprise him with a video chat. (In fact, everyone was surprised. Betty was still in her dressing gown, bless!) We reflected on some of our “favorite” moments throughout the series, and just why Mark loves podcasts! --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a podcast proudly produced in Sunderland, for Sunderland. Our hosts Betty Ball and Stevie B, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Our music was created by Timecrawler 82, and our new logo and branding by Jorge Vinicio. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on our Facebook and YouTube!

Meet "Wor Vera", a.k.a. singer Deborah Taylor-Smith, who's donating her time and her voice by performing songs from throughout the decades outside care home residents across the North East. As care homes across the country are losing lives to COVID-19, Deb, who's studying BA Performing Arts at the University of Sunderland, is lifting spirits for residents when they're in need of positivity more than ever. "I have to hold back tears. A lot of the places I go to, the care homes, people are living with dementia. They can't remember that they've just had food before the show, they don't remember what happened five minutes ago. "But as soon as I start singing these songs, they light up, they wave flags, they're dancing. It's overwhelming." Join us as hosts Betty Ball & Stevie B meet Deborah back at the last Speak Up Sunderland Live before the COVID-19 outbreak began, at the Fire Station in Sunderland. Hear about her journey; from gaining confidence and realising her talent, to beginning singing in public, booking gigs, and making a successful living from singing. Featuring Abbie Bianchi, and Angie Cumerford. --- --- --- We want to be your platform if you have anything to share with us - how you're feeling, how you've been affected, or your family, your business, your wellbeing - absolutely anything. Please send us a voice recording as a private message on our Facebook - we'll be using content in our upcoming episodes. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a podcast proudly produced in Sunderland, for Sunderland. Our hosts Betty Ball and Stevie B, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Our music (heavily butchered this episode!) was created by Timecrawler 82, and our new logo and branding by Jorge Vinicio. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on Facebook!

Our hosts Betty Ball and Stevie B get together for a call after a really intense week. Now with his job as a deep cleaner classifying him as a "key worker", Stevie B shares his experience of deep cleaning tower blocks of COVD-19. It's not all doom and gloom - Betty gets sloshed in the bath, and we learn the etiquette of proper underwear. --- --- --- We want to be your platform if you have anything to share with us - how you're feeling, how you've been affected, or your family, your business, your wellbeing - absolutely anything. Please send us a voice recording as a private message on our Facebook - we'll be using content in our upcoming episodes. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a podcast proudly produced in Sunderland, for Sunderland. Our hosts Betty Ball and Stevie B, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Our music (heavily butchered this episode!) was created by Timecrawler 82, and our new logo and branding by Jorge Vinicio. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on Facebook!

Happy New Year from Betty and Stevie at Speak Up Sunderland! Together we chat festive memories, play a stupid game, and tell you all about a couple of new projects we're launching next year: Living History North EastSunderland Libraries --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a podcast proudly produced in Sunderland, for Sunderland. Our hosts Betty Ball and Stevie B, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Our music (heavily butchered this episode!) was created by Timecrawler 82, and our new logo and branding by Jorge Vinicio. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on Facebook!

Meet two of the volunteers who take the calls that help save lives, and hear what it's like on the other end of the phone line at the Sunderland Samaritans. Sandy Shearer and Katie Mitchell share why they're driven to support this important charity, and a bit of behind-the-scenes gossip into the perhaps unexpected humorous phone calls. The Sunderland Samaritans are turning 50 next year, so they’re looking to recruit more and more volunteers, with their “50 for 50” campaign. Head to samaritans.org/volunteer if you fancy joining them, or call 116 123. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a podcast proudly produced in Sunderland, for Sunderland. Our hosts Betty Ball and Stevie B, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Our music (heavily butchered this episode!) was created by Timecrawler 82, and our new logo and branding by Jorge Vinicio. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on Facebook!

Red Riding Blood. Witches put to trial. The monsters behind the screen. This is the Speak Up Sunderland Halloween Special. Spooky stories for Halloween, read by 6 members of Spectral Visions Press, a publishing house based at the University of Sunderland who focus on the gothic, horror, and macabre. Joining us live to share stories at the Fire Station in Sunderland were Spectral Visions' two founders: Dr. Alison YoungerColin Younger "Gothic is sexy, gothic is everything. Our students loved it, so we set Spectral Visions up so they had somewhere to publish it. It's not just students - we encourage anyone from Sunderland to submit work." "When students leave university, they don't just leave with a degree, but they leave with work experience from a publishing house, and with published writing. So it's a good first step on the ladder." And with poetry / creative writing readings from: --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a podcast proudly produced in Sunderland, for Sunderland. Our hosts Betty Ball and Stevie B, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Our music (heavily butchered this episode!) was created by Timecrawler 82, and our new logo and branding by Jorge Vinicio. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on Facebook!

Work on a £11million new music venue in Sunderland's city centre has just begun, alongside the redeveloped Fire Station. When it opens in 2021, the "Auditorium" promises to be Sunderland's answer to mid-size venues - a 450-seater venue with music and theatre performances around the year. It's part of the MAC Trust's continued plans to develop a cultural quarter in Sunderland. Rebecca Ball, Creative Director of Sunderland Culture, joins hosts Betty Ball and Stevie B to share the latest developments in Sunderland. Click here for a full transcript of this episode. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a podcast proudly produced in Sunderland, for Sunderland. Our hosts Betty Ball and Stevie B, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Our music was created by Timecrawler 82, and our new logo and branding by Jorge Vinicio. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on Facebook!

40 days at sea. 6 metre waves. A diet of 10,000 calories a day. And four men in a rowing boat, battling all kinds of waves, wind and weather to cross the Atlantic. Meet John Adams - he's taking on a fierce competition called the "Talisker Whiskey Atlantic Challenge". Along with three other crew mates, Derek Spence, John Ford, and Colin Corfield, John will be testing his endurance and his limits. It's all in aid of raising money for the Scots Guards Charity, supporting serving and retired soldiers, and their families. Find more about their campaign Row 4 Heroes, including how you can help support the charity. Hear Betty probe John about how he's going to go to the bathroom, how long dairy products are going to last, and so much more. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a podcast proudly produced in Sunderland, for Sunderland. Our hosts Betty Ball and Stevie B, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Our music was created by Timecrawler 82, and our new logo and branding by Jorge Rodrigues. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on Facebook!

Cut the cake, put on a "cheap and nasty tat" foam hat, and celebrate our first birthday with us! ONE YEAR OLD, BABY! Betty, Stevie, and a gathering of local listeners at the Fire Station in Sunderland, reflect back on the first season of the podcast. We share some of the first season highlights, some success stories that have emerged from bringing Sunderland residents together, and our hosts' recent trip across the Atlantic to New York. Speak Up Sunderland is a finalist in the New York Festivals Radio Awards 2019 - Best Podcast: Arts & Culture. We are endlessly grateful to financial support from Sunderland City Council. It's because of you that Betty and Stevie were able to visit New York to collect their certificate. We are so proud of this city, and we're thrilled to have represented you in New York! --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a podcast proudly produced in Sunderland, for Sunderland. Our hosts Betty Ball and Stevie B, and our producer is Jay Sykes. With music by Timecrawler 82, and our new logo and branding is made by Jorge Rodrigues. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on Facebook!

"Every patient is a person, an individual, a human being. And we've got to make sure, no matter what age and how far on they are in their dementia, that they have that dignity right up to the end." June Ainsley works full time with autistic and special needs children. But due to the help she received from a dementia charity here in Sunderland when her mother was admitted to hospital, she now spends her free time organising fundraising campaigns. Whether it's dressing as Elvis and visiting the guests, organising fundraising events such as the upcoming sponsored 'bed push' along the seafront, or organising collections for objects like hairdryers, pyjamas, underwear, toiletries, stationary and shampoo, which people would otherwise go without. The Dementia Outreach Team (or DOT) at Sunderland General Hospital have nominated June for this month's Stars of Sunderland - and we couldn't agree more! Stars of Sunderland, created by journalist James Barker, showcases people in Sunderland who have done amazing things in their community - and gives a little back to the people who go out of their way to do so much. But before we begin today, we have some really good news to share... --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is proudly made in Sunderland! Our hosts are Betty Ball and Stevie B, with music by Timecrawler 82, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on Facebook!

"We've done something that the BBC have noticed. That's a pretty big statement, isn't it?" - Stevie B "I'm proud to be getting out of this car, and being the voice of Sunderland. Big love to everyone who has been a part." - Betty Ball On Wednesday last week, at 8pm, our friends Betty and Stevie joined The Evening Show on BBC Newcastle. Host Tamsin Robson asked Betty & Stevie about their adventures - what it's been like to create podcasts about Sunderland. This podcast was recorded literally "on the road to BBC Newcastle" - as our friends Betty & Stevie reflect back on their journey, and some of their key episodes / memories on the way. The full show is still available on BBC Sounds, if you fancy listening. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is proudly made in Sunderland! Our hosts are Betty Ball and Stevie B, with music by Timecrawler 82, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on Facebook!

This episode of the Speak Up Sunderland podcast carries a trigger warning: Our guests talk about attempted suicide, depression, panic attacks, and lived mental health experiences. Another bumper episode, recorded at our last Speak Up Sunderland LIVE event at The Peacock in April; in collaboration of Katie Baggott, founder of the 'S.O.S. Sunderland Opinion and Stories' website. This episode features: Claire Coulthard, the founder of peer support group Red Balloons, who shared about the importance of looking after both your mental and physical health, and how the two are entwined. Incredible live poetry from Sunderland-based poets Hester Dowling and Adam O'Wellen. Both have written gripping poetry from perspectives of poor mental health, and had the room entranced. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is proudly made in Sunderland! Our hosts are Betty Ball and Stevie B, with music by Timecrawler 82, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.com Twitter - @SpeakUpSun Instagram - @SpeakUpSun or join us on Facebook!

This episode of the Speak Up Sunderland podcast carries a trigger warning: We talk about attempted suicide, post traumatic stress, substance abuse, and mental health issues - with people who have lived mental health experience. Local inspiration 18-year-old Paige was commended by the Northumbria Police for her project called 'Notes on the Wear', where she single-handedly attached 40 different messages to Sunderland's Wearmouth bridge last year. The idea; that if she could save even one person from attempting suicide, the project would have been more than worth it. To date, Paige has received 19 messages to thank her for changing their lives. The Stars of Sunderland series is produced by journalist James Barker. It's all about highlighting the work of exceptional individuals or organisations in Sunderland that go above and beyond for the community. Paige Hunter joined us at our fourth Speak Up Sunderland Live event at The Peacock, alongside Katie Baggott, founder of the 'S.O.S. Sunderland Opinion and Stories' website, launching in May 2019. 'S.O.S.' is a website focused on mental health stigma and awareness, and it’s launching in May 2019. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is proudly made in Sunderland! Our hosts are Betty Ball and Stevie B, with music by Timecrawler 82, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.comTwitter - @SpeakUpSunInstagram - @SpeakUpSunderlandor join us on Facebook!

Meet the Sunderland woman who's working to put herself out of a job... Alreeet! We're proud to launch a new project as part of Speak Up Sunderland... It's called "Stars of Sunderland". It's all about highlighting the work of exceptional individuals or organisations in Sunderland that go above and beyond for the community. In this first episode, journalist James Barker who's heading up our "Stars of Sunderland" project introduces the idea at our first LIVE event, and our Betty nominated the first recipient... Kate Townsend is the Coordinator of the Sunderland Foodbank Network. Kate works tirelessly to organise donations across several foodbanks around Sunderland, and make sure that people don't go without food and other essentials. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is proudly made in Sunderland! Our hosts are Betty Ball and Stevie B, with music by Timecrawler 82, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Join us on our journey: Our website - SpeakUpSunderland.comTwitter - @SpeakUpSunInstagram - @SpeakUpSunderlandor join us on Facebook!

Alreet! We're back, live from the Peacock in Sunderland city centre on Wednesday, with Sunderland-based singer & songwriter Marty Longstaff (a.k.a. The Lake Poets). You may know Marty's song "Shipyards" as the title track on the Netflix documentary series "Sunderland 'Til I Die", detailing a difficult season for the SAFC (Sunderland Association Football Club), produced by Fulwell 73... But tonight, in front of a live audience, Marty shared the origins of this beautiful, heart-wrenching song, and led a conversation about Sunderland's shipbuilding history, the value of arts in education, and the importance of supporting local music. Huge thanks to everyone who joined us live at the Peacock, but especially to everyone who joined the discussion with Marty: Victoria ArmstrongFrederick Street GalleryJacob KirkbrideUniversity of Sunderlandprevious episode of Speak Up SunderlandStephanie Smiththe Sunderland INDIE --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is proudly made in Sunderland! Our hosts are Betty Ball and Stevie B, with music by Timecrawler 82, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Follow our journey on Twitter - @SpeakUpSun, on Instagram - @SpeakUpSunderland, or join us on Facebook!

Alreeeet! Welcome to our very first Speak Up Sunderland Live podcast! This is part one. We're so thrilled to have recorded in front of a live audience - huge thanks to our friends at the Peacock in Sunderland city centre. Kate Townsend, the Coordinator of the Sunderland Foodbank Network joined us to share about the hugely important service they provide to at-need residents of Sunderland, and the future plans of their food collections. And a surprise guest to the mic, University of Sunderland student Adam O'Wellen, who shared his experience with using a food bank, his opinions on the community in Sunderland, and on social isolation, in the form of incredible original poetry. Next week, join us for another instalment of our first live event: Featuring the Head of the Sunderland City Council, Graeme Miller, and more surprise original poetry by local poet & artist Hester Dowling. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a weekly podcast, proudly made in Sunderland and about Sunderland! Our hosts are Betty Ball and Stevie B, with music by Timecrawler 82, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Follow our journey on Twitter - @SpeakUpSun, on Instagram - @SpeakUpSunderland, or join us on Facebook!

Alreet! A bit of a hard-hitting episode from the outset this week. Craig Hilton, the Manager of the Salvation Army's Swan Lodge Lifehouse in Sunderland, and Deb Fozzard, Director of the Sunderland Connect Network, joined us in the studio to talk addiction and homelessness in Sunderland. --- --- --- Speak Up Sunderland is a weekly podcast, proudly made in Sunderland and about Sunderland! Our hosts are Betty Ball and Stevie B, with music by Timecrawler 82, and our producer is Jay Sykes. Follow our journey on Twitter - @SpeakUpSun, on Instagram - @SpeakUpSunderland, or join us on Facebook! Or, come meet us in person! We're live at the Peacock for our debut public recording, on Wednesday 16th January 2019, 7pm - 10pm. Have a drink, a natter, meet other listeners, and share your stories about Sunderland. --- --- --- If you, or a loved one, are in need of any of the public resources & support services discussed in this episode, please follow the links below; Swan Lodge Lifehouse (Salvation Army) Wear Recovery Sunderland City Council Oasis Community Housing Sunderland Foodbank