Pandemic Finances; Gym Memberships; Chintz is back

Available for over a year

A group of academics are calling for a rise in child benefit and better support for families and children who've been impacted financially by the Coronavirus. The Covid Realities research project has been running for almost a year now, documenting the experiences of parents and carers on low incomes. It's a collaboration between the Universities of York and Birmingham, and the Child Poverty Action Group. The research paints a picture of families unable to meet basic costs - like food, bills and school uniform costs. We'll hear from Stacey who lives Bristol, and is a widow with two children, and Kim lives in Wales and has four children - they've both taken part. , As well the researcher behind the project and a response from the Department for Work and Pensions. When gyms reopened after the first lockdown last year 88% of members said they'd return - but what about this time? Since then 400 gyms have closed, and it's feared some people won't be renewing memberships - some have just got used to working out at home now and found cheaper ways to get fit. We'll speak to UK active about that. And there was a time when flowery wallpaper, and twee or cutesy armchairs were seen as the height of unfashionable. Now though, chintz is back and it's proving popular amongst young people who weren't around for all that - so have less association with an explosion of flowery patterns being all too much to handle. We'll speak to the Interior Designer Joanna Plant about that. Presenter: Winifred Robinson Producer: Jess Quayle