Hardship Britain: Personal Stories of Social Issues Today

Summary

Individuals who have experienced some of society's biggest issues tell their stories - and search for answers

From climate change, fake news and vaccine hesitancy to mental health, addiction and domestic violence, there are no shortage of societal problems facing the UK right now. But while we are aware these challenges exist, without personal experience it is hard for us to understand what it is like to struggle with them, and harder still to envision potential solutions.

These compelling documentaries, first broadcast on radio under the title 'My Name Is...', introduce us to a range of individuals who have confronted various hardships, telling their stories and following them as they ask difficult questions and endeavour to drive positive change. Among those we meet are Rachel, who has been sectioned multiple times and seeks to challenge the status quo around psychiatric treatment; Katie, a onetime problem gambler investigating how online gambling firms target the vulnerable; Abi, who almost died at the hands of her violent boyfriend and now helps others stay safe; and Fozia, a doctor horrified by the Covid conspiracy theories that leave patients afraid to come to hospital even when they're seriously ill.

We also hear from others whose stories are less harrowing, but equally absorbing. There's Noga, a 17-year-old youth strike organiser doing everything she can to save the planet; Hamza, a basketball and martial arts coach who believes broadening access to sport can improve opportunities for disadvantaged kids; Lucy, who's looking for love and wondering whether to ditch the dating apps; and 11-year-old Roman, who adores Minecraft and wants to know if his parents' limits on his screen time are fair.

Offering unique insight into the lives of a host of extraordinary people, these fascinating first-person accounts highlight the complexity of the issues affecting Britons today, and provide diverse perspectives on how we can set about tackling them.

Production credits
Presented by Noga Levy-Rapoport, Rachel Waddingham, Katie, Josh Walker, 'Courtney', Peter Trimingham, Beth Miles, Abi Blake, Imogen Rhodes, Fozia Hayat, Natasha Saunders, Lucy, Roman, Niellah Arboine, Jordan Lee, Anna, Elvis MacGonagall, Hamza Malik, Joshua Styles, Anna, Christina Adane, Natalie, Haroon Mota, Sam, Kate Deeming, Bex Wilson, Laura Brothwell, Claire Randall, Chris Fox

Produced by Sue Mitchell, Ben Crighton, Lydia Thomas, Miles Warde, Richard McIlroy, Ben Carter, Eliza Lomas, Kevin Core, Mugabi Turya, Seren Jones, Lucy Proctor, Giles Edwards, Beth Hemmings

Production Coordinators: Anne Smith, Gemma Ashman, Dave James, Sarah Goodman, Helen Surtees, Siobhan Maguire

Editors: Philip Sellars, Emma Rippon, Gill Farrington

First broadcast on BBC Radio 4 on the following dates:

My Name is Noga 1 April 2019
My Name is Rachel 8 April 2019
My Name is Katie 22 April 2019
My Name is Josh 6 May 2019
My Name is Courtney 27 May 2019
My Name is Peter 6 January 2020
My Name is Beth 27 January 2020
My Name is Abi 3 February 2020
My Name is Immie 10 February 2020
My Name is Fozia 27 July 2020
My Name is Natasha 3 August 2020
My Name is Lucy 17 August 2020
My Name is Roman 24 August 2020
My Name is Niellah 31 August 2020
My Name is Jordan 1 February 2021
My Name is Anna 8 February 2021
My Name is Elvis 15 February 2021
My Name is Hamza 1 March 2021
My Name is Josh 8 March 2021
My Name is Anna 16 August 2021
My Name is Christina 30 August 2021
My Name is Natalie 6 September 2021
My Name is Haroon 28 February 2022
My Name is Sam 7 March 2022
My Name is Kate 14 March 2022
My Name is Bex 21 March 2022
My Name is Laura 25 July 2022
My Name is Claire 08 August 2022
My Name is Chris 29 August 2022


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