The Northern Guide to Happiness

29/11/2022

Any time you need a pick-me-up, our entire back catalogue of cheering podcast episodes is available.

Find us on Spotify, iTunes - all the usual places - plus our website: https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/

17/11/2022

I'm brightening up this rainy day by listening again to our interview with Anne Iqbal who told us a bit about her early life in Kenya and her home now in the North East. I always say this, but this photo of Anne and her sister is one of my favourite pictures ever!

https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2021/07/13/anne-iqbal/

11/11/2022

How can sport - in this case football - help people talk about their mental health?

We chatted with Ashley and Azeem from
United Foundation about their campaign. Listen to our conversation here: https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2021/03/02/episode-thirty-one/

26/10/2022

Here's a flashback to our interview with northern legend Rod Clements of Lindisfarne Live. Listen for an insight into the life and music of North Shields' very own Ivor Novello award-winner!
https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2022/03/01/rod-clements/

05/10/2022

Next time you crunch through the autumn leaves at your local park, you might spot some of the volunteers who keep our parks and green spaces in good shape.

Here's our chat with Tim Crook from the Friends of Gosforth Central Park: https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2021/10/19/tim-crook/

27/09/2022

Next time you're at a Newcastle match you might spot the NUFC Supporters' Foodbank team. Bill from the foodbank was a guest on our podcast - here he is explaining why the foodbankw as set up and how it all works:

Visit the post for more.

20/09/2022

How about organising a playstreet for Halloween this year?

Here's our episode with Alison Stenning of Play.Meet.Street North Tyneside - have a listen to learn how playstreets work and why they're great:

https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2021/11/09/alison-stenning/ Playing Out

25/08/2022

We'll miss Alfie Joey when he leaves BBC Radio Newcastle later this year but at least we have him as part of our podcast archive for ever!

Hear our chat with the multi-talented presenter, comedian, artist here: https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2021/11/16/alfie-joey/

09/08/2022

Today I'm delving waaaay back in our archive to our fifth episode, when we chatted with Jo from the Community Foundation Tyne & Wear and Northumberland and she told us not only how the Foundation supports causes in the North East, but also how being in water, and swimming, stills her worries.

Find all our old episodes on our website, and Jo's is here: https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2020/08/04/episode-five/

20/07/2022

If you're visiting Whitley Bay at the weekend make sure you pop in to For the Love of the North in Spanish City. As well as having all sorts of lovely things to buy, they're also currently showing an exhibition of seaside views by North East artists.

Here's a throwback to when we chatted with Lucy and Paul about their venture on the podcast:

https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2021/11/02/lucy-and-paul-hull/

Lucy and Paul Hull run a fabulous place in Spanish City in Whitely Bay called For the Love of the North which is small business supporting other small businesses and the local community. They talk …

05/07/2022

We hear that Elvana, the much loved Elvis-Nirvana mash-up went down a storm at Glastonbury, and will be appearing at the Tyne Theatre & Opera House in September.

Get a taster of what Elvana: Elvis Fronted Nirvana are all about with this episode of the Northern Guide to Happiness, where we meet Elvana frontman Paul Kell:

https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2020/07/28/episode-four/

Visit the post for more.

22/06/2022

🌞Heading to the beach? Here's something to listen to while you enjoy the sea and sun: we chatted with Zahra Ravenscroft from the Environment Agency about the power of blue spaces to boost our wellbeing.

https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2021/05/18/zahra-ravenscroft/

11/06/2022

Last chance to book! Join us on Tuesday to learn all about play streets and how to organise one where you live.

Free, everyone welcome: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/337955523067

With Alison Stenning from Play Meet Street North Tyneside

09/06/2022

From our archive - here's the episode where we met Jack Lowe of The Lifeboat Station Project. Jack's on a 10-year mission to photograph every RNLI lifeboat station, travelling in his converted ambulance.

Find out how he's getting on:
https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2021/04/20/jack-lowe/

27/05/2022

Play Streets! What are they? Why are they great? How can you organise one where you live?

Play Street's Alison Stenning is holding a free session on 14 June - come along if you'd like to find out more. All welcome!

Book your free place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/337955523067

20/05/2022

If you missed our recent music workshop with Faye MacCalman, there's a similar event coming up at Cobalt Studios in Shieldfield - you don't need any musical experience and you'll work together on a final performance, alongside other musicians!

https://cobaltstudios.co.uk/events/me-lost-me-blue-rinse-community-residency/

19/05/2022

Join us on 14 June as we learn how to organise a play street, with Play.Meet.Street North Tyneside's Alison Stenning. It's free, and Alison will talk about how play streets work, what the benefits are, and how you can make it happen where you live.

Everyone welcome!

Book a free ticket here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/337955523067

With Alison Stenning from Play Meet Street North Tyneside

12/05/2022

Thanks to everyone who's attended one of our events and made a donation to the NUFC supporters' food bank we've passed our fundraising target and £358 is on its way to support the food bank - thank you all!

You can still donate here if you'd like to: https://newcastlewestend.enthuse.com/pf/thenorthernguidetohappiness-43776

11/05/2022

Thinking of organising a jubilee street party? Or would you like to close your street on a regular basis for everyone to get together and play out?

Alison Stenning from Play.Meet.Street North Tyneside is giving a free talk on how you can make this happen in your neighbourhood - 14 June at The Linskill Centre in North Shields. Book your free place here:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/play-streets-how-to-organise-your-own-neighbourhood-playing-out-session-tickets-337955523067

10/05/2022

Another North East listen which will brighten your day - check out Discovery Museum's new series uncovering stories of forgotten North East comedy.

https://stories.twmuseums.org.uk/

Join hosts Gavin Webster, Lee Kyle, Si Beckwith and John Gibson as they explore the history of North East comedy. Hear stories of lesser-known comedians and entertainers, who paved the way for today’s comics. Expect sketches, songs, stories and silliness.

09/05/2022

We're back next week with a new episode.

In the meantime, here's our chat with comedian Si Beckwith where we talk all things comedy & happiness including hearing about Si's collaboration with Discovery Museum to uncover forgotten stories of North East comedy.

https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2022/05/03/si-beckwith/

06/05/2022

Last chance to book! Learn from the brilliant Faye MacCalman all about improvising music in our free workshop tomorrow in Gosforth.

Suitable for teens and adults, and everyone's welcome, regardless of musical experience.

Find out more and book: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/improvisation-and-music-making-workshop-tickets-327370202087

04/05/2022

Want to have a go at improvising music on a range of instruments? Join musician Faye MacCalman for a fun, free workshop at Gosforth Civic Theatre. Suitable for teens and adults, everyone welcome regardless of musical experience!

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/improvisation-and-music-making-workshop-tickets-327370202087

03/05/2022

📢New episode!📢
This week we meet comedian Si Beckwith and hear how he's unearthing memories of North East comedians gone by. Listen on our website, or wherever you get your podcasts.

https://thenorthernguidetohappiness.co.uk/2022/05/03/si-beckwith/

28/04/2022

Thanks to everyone who's booked to join us at Gibside tomorrow, we're looking forward to it! There are two spaces left if anyone else fancies coming along:

https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/308523571307

27/04/2022

Maracas at the ready - our next event is a music-making workshop with musician Faye MacCalman!

Suitable for teens and adults, you'll get to try something new, whether you're an experienced musician or a complete beginner.

Have a look and book a free place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/327370202087

Learn how to improvise and make new music with musician Faye MacCalman

26/04/2022

🌲Last chance to book! 🌲

Add some calmness to your month with our guided walk and forest bathing session at Gibside - National Trust in Gateshead.

Inspired by the Japanese ancient art of Shinrin-yoku, our guide will help you disconnect from the day’s stresses, slow down and immerse yourself in the beautiful green surroundings of Gibside.

£5 per person, including admission, and all proceeds go to NUFC Supporters' Foodbank: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/308523571307

Calm your mind with a relaxing forest bathing session at Gibside