The Happy Hour
An hour of happiness and wellbeing.
Listen every Monday from 1pm, repeated Thursdays at 6pm and Sundays at 10am.
The Happy Hour is a weekly mix of great music, chat, and happiness and wellbeing hosted by disability advocate Claire Sisk and Paulina Kuchorew. You'll hear experts share advice on looking after our wellbeing, catch candid conversations about sight loss and mental health, and enjoy some music therapy!
Episodes
Showing episodes 1 to 10 of 102
18th August 2025: Arts, Crafts & Wellbeing
On the Happy Hour this week we’re chatting benefits of arts and crafts on our wellbeing and also speak with Scott Boyle about his passion for watercolours and how he’s been creating interesting pieces throughout his sight loss. Plus, a funny news story takes us to New Zealand to meet a cat with a unique fashion taste.
11 August 2025: Brain Health & Supporting New Mums
This week on the Happy Hour we check out a new book in the RNIB Library that wants us to look at the health of our brain. And Paulina hears about new research which reveals that over half of new mums find it harder to cope with their mental wellbeing since having a baby. She’s joined by musician, author, podcast host and mum of three, Izzy Judd, as well as Georgina Sturmer, British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy spokesperson and counsellor. Plus, we look at an electrifying piece of research around sitting in silence and boredom.
4 August 2025: Domiciliary Eye Care in Scotland & Breaking Bad Habits Part 2
This week a bit of eye health news as we hear who is eligible for domiciliary eye care in Scotland. And also, we’re bringing you part two of our conversation on breaking bad habits with yoga teacher Dawn.
28 July 2025: August Almanac, Sensory Matters Worcestershire & Accessible Fun Run
We hear from Millie and Alice at Sensory Matters Worcestershire about their recent collaboration on making a local fun run inclusive. Amelia joins us for a look at the nature, folklore and history of the last of the summer months. And Claire and Paulina look ahead at some random national days, and this week’s funny news story.
21 July 2025: Blind Bowls, Access To Swimming & Snakes On a Plane!
We’re chatting with blind bowls champion Margaret Cusker, who has her sights set on competing at the International Blind Bowls Association Championships in New Zealand in 2027. She’s joined by Willy Goldschmidt from the Hillmorton Social Club, who are helping fundraise to get Margaret to the competition. We’re also going to hear about a new research project that hopes to improve access to swimming for blind and partially sighted people. And finally, a sneaky plane passenger unnerves Claire for this week’s funny news story!
14 July 2025: Discovering New Passions & Isle Of Man’s Therapeutic Garden
We’re going to hear about the opening of a therapeutic garden on the Isle of Man as Jennifer chats with charity Sight Matters, and Paulina chats with James Kyle about his passion for music and playing the piano. Something James fell into five years ago after receiving a wonderful gift. Plus, Claire and Paulina put their party shoes on for new segment: Down The Musical Memory Lane.
7 July 2025: Kim Jaye’s Carrot Cake Recipe, Silence, & The North Pole
Chef Kim Jaye is back with one of her favourite recipes for a scrumptious carrot cake. And for this month’s book spotlight, Paulina takes a look at two books from Norwegian explorer and author, Erling Kagge. It's a two in one recommendation, with a more philosophical book on the benefits of silence, and a travel title focused on our human fascination with reaching the North Pole.
30 June 2025: July Almanac & Why We Struggle With Ending Bad Habits
VI Yoga teacher Dawn Blezard is back for another off the mat chat, this time focusing on the challenge of giving up things that are not contributing to our wellbeing. Plus, Amelia guides us through the sounds, history, and nature of July with the latest Almanac.
23 June 2025: Making Photography Accessible
We’re joined by street photographer Gary Williamson. Gary is registered blind and does amazing black and white photography, often using his own special awareness, play of light, shadow and contrast to orient himself in a space and take amazing snaps. Plus, Claire and Paulina take a look at the random national days coming up in July, and Claire shares her tips for good photos and videos.
16 June 2025: BBQ Trends With Matthew Hoggard & RNIB Community Facebook Groups
This week, Trish Sail joins us to talk about the RNIB Community Facebook groups and how important having a community is for wellbeing. We're also joined by Cricketing Legend and BBQ Connoisseur Matthew ‘Hoggy’ Hoggard to talk about BBQ trends for this summer.