‘People will listen’: turning anger into community pride in North Shields

Dashing through the snow with Father Chris … It does not get any more seasonal, even if it feels like there might be a final syllable missing. To be honest we are not really dashing, it’s more a leisurely walk-and-talk, around North Shields. And the snow, the remnants of an early Tyneside flurry, is patchy and dirty rather than deep and crisp and even.Father Chris is real though – Father Chris Hughes, Catholic priest; the diocese is a strategic partner for the local chapter of Citizens UK, one of five charities supported by this year’s Guardian charity appeal, under the theme of “hope”. The appeal supports grassroots voluntary groups that nurture community pride and positive change, providing an antidote to division and hate

Tell us: are you a young person from the UK who has recently moved abroad?

Young people are leaving the UK in high numbers and we’d like to find out more about the reasons why.Is it about finding a better salary abroad or concerns about rising costs and tax in the UK? How did you choose where to move? How have you found the experience?You can tell us your experience of moving abroad using this form.Please include as much detail as possible. Please include as much detail as possible. Please include as much detail as possible

Tell us: how are you being affected by the rise in UK flu cases?

Flu cases rose 55% in one week in England this month, as the NHS braces for a “worst-case scenario” in the next fortnight as hospitals, GP surgeries and ambulances services come under intense strain.It comes as the British Medical Association has lined up strike action for resident doctors in England next week over concerns on pay.We want to hear from you.How are you affected by the rise in flu? Are you a patient who has become unwell, or have you changed your behaviour to try and avoid infection? Are you a healthcare worker dealing with the impact? What are your thoughts on the potential strike action?You can tell us about how the rise of flu cases is affecting you here.Please include as much detail as possible

‘He was struggling with his breath. I sat beside him and sang’: the choir who sing to people on their deathbeds

It’s a brisk November afternoon in the village of South Brent in Devon and, in a daffodil yellow cottage, two women are singing me lullabies. But these aren’t the sort of lullabies that parents sing to their children. They are songs written and sung for terminally ill people, to ease them towards what will hopefully be a peaceful and painless death.We are at the home of Nickie Aven, singer and leader of a Threshold Choir. Aven and her friend are giving me a glimpse of what happens when they sing for people receiving end-of-life care

Strikes could collapse flu-hit NHS amid worst crisis since Covid, says Streeting

Wes Streeting has told resident doctors that strikes and a sharp rise in the number of flu cases over the Christmas period could be “the Jenga piece” that forces the NHS to collapse.The health secretary said the NHS faced a “challenge unlike any it has seen since the pandemic” and urged resident doctors to accept the government’s offer and end their action.He said: “The whole NHS team is working around the clock to keep the show on the road. But it’s an incredibly precarious situation. Christmas strikes could be the Jenga piece that collapses the tower

‘It’s hardly an inconvenience’: your views on wearing a mask to combat flu

The number of patients in hospital with flu in England has reached a record high for this time of year. The latest data puts the daily average at 1,717, with 69 in critical care.Speaking to Times Radio this week, Daniel Elkeles of NHS Providers, which represents health trusts, said anyone with flu or cold symptoms “must” wear a mask in public.However, Downing Street said only that wearing a mask to help prevent the spread of respiratory illness was “something people can consider”.We asked people their views on wearing a face covering and what they thought of the conflicting guidance