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 139
11 May 2026: Taking Action For Good Mental Health
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week so we’re focusing on this year’s theme, which is taking action for good mental health. We’re going to hear from GB Disabled Strongman, chat VIPA about their VI tennis sessions in Yorkshire, and also share a selection of wellbeing tips from our blind and partially sighted guests.
4 May 2026: Head On Campaign & Audio Stories For Children
We speak with mental health activist and rapper Shocka about Head On, a major new mental health campaign calling for a faster, fairer and more modern mental health system in Britain. We also hear from blind storyteller and songstress Yuna, who tells us about her YouTube channel, which shares free audio stories for children. Plus, we take a look at this week’s funny news story and look back at the year 2022 for Down the Memory Lane.
27 April 2026: Why Asking For Help Can Be Hard & May Almanac
With May upon us, Amelia has another Almanac as she learns about some curious facts from history surrounding the month. Plus, our favourite yoga teacher Dawn is back with another off the matt chat. This time we focus on why asking for help can sometimes feel challenging.
20 April 2026: Finding Whimsy In Everyday Life & Scrumptious Cookie Bars Recipe
We hear from blind mum Lianne Orr, who shares her life on TikTok and explains how she creates more whimsy in her life by romanticising everyday moments. Plus, we join Paulina in the kitchen for a lovely cookie bar recipe that will make you everyone’s favourite home baker.
13 April 2026: In Conversation With Royal Navy Veteran and Blind Baker Penny Melville-Brown
We’re joined by Royal Navy veteran, blind baker and Holman Prize winner Penny Melville-Brown for a 2-part conversation. She shares what she’s learned over nearly 30 years working in the disability field and why she decided to self-publish a book “It Could be You” on the topic. Plus, Claire and Paulina look at some positive health news and Claire shares the origin story of her white cane, Rick the Stick.
6 April 2026: Quitting Smoking & Movie Review: The Magic Faraway Tree
This week, we hear about a collaboration in Sunderland that’s aiming to improve accessibility of smoking cessation services. Plus, a nice family friendly movie recommendation with Emmy as we review The Magic Faraway Tree and finally, Claire and Paulina take a look at a paw-sitively awesome health news story.
30 March 2026: Sport & Leisure For Young People & April Almanac
Spring is in the air as Amelia brings us the April Almanac with more facts, history and nature from the month. We’re also going to hear how a researcher in Scotland wants to improve access to sport and leisure for children with disabilities, and Claire and Paulina will go Down The Memory Lane to the year 2000.
23 March 2026: Prostate Cancer Awareness Month & Book Review: Religion for Atheists
Since March is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, we’re going to talk about Prostate Cancer, from early diagnosis, to symptoms and treatment. We’re also joined by Amelia for a review of an interesting philosophical book called Religion for Atheists: A non-believer's guide to the uses of religion. Plus, funny news story, national days, and Claire tells us about her recent baking collaboration with RNIB and baker Briony May Williams.
16 March 2026: Using Tools To Help You & a Spicy Noodle Recipe
Yoga teacher Dawn returns to share some wisdom just in time for spring as we chat white cane training and not being scared to use tools to aid our wellbeing, even in yoga! And Paulina tries a spicy and easy noodle dish. Plus, funny animal facts are back and today's letter R leaves the ladies struggling with pronunciation.
9 March 2026: Ocular Melanoma, Rare Cancer & The Golden Spurtle Review
We hear from Charity Ocular Melanoma UK and two women who were diagnosed with the cancer, Carol and Jamie, as they share why the charity is campaigning for Government to take action now and help provide life-saving treatments for patients whose cancer has spread to the liver. Plus, Amelia and Hubert review “The Golden Spurtle” a feel-good documentary about the famous World Porridge Making Championship in Scotland.