Applications to nursing have increased by nearly 40% during the pandemic, perhaps a positive to come out of a crisis? Reporter Olivia Snelson has more.

Nursing applications increase

Many rely on the tram network in Greater Manchester, but campaigners in Salford Quays are calling for services to run into the early hours of the morning in a bid to improve safety. Reporter Olivia Snelson has more.

Night Trams Campaign

Last year, 90% of female jazz musicians experienced gender-based discrimination - that’s according to a study by Key-change, a group campaigning for underrepresented artists. 

Reporter Olivia Snelson went to find out more about the UK jazz scene and the experiences of female musicians.

Gender bias in Jazz

Recent data shows UK teens spend an average of four hours a day on social media, and plenty of studies have shown the relationship between higher social media use and poor self-esteem.

But could we be witnessing a positive shift towards healthier and unedited content online, as the ‘skin positivity movement’ continues to grow? 
Our reporter Olivia Snelson has more.

The skin-positivity movement

Olivia Snelson Demo

One in eight women and girls have struggled to afford period products for themselves or a dependent in the last six months, that’s according to the charity ActionAid. 

In the first episode of this series, 18-year-old Anita Okunde shares her experience of period poverty. 

With the cost of living crisis worsening, many are being tipped into vulnerable situations and charities across the country are at breaking point.

Episode 1: The Cost Of Cramps Crisis

According to the well-known period brand Always, 85% of young people have tried to hide the fact that they're on their period from those around them, meaning those struggling to access products are less likely to reach out for support. 

Reporter Olivia Snelson visited period charities at work, to understand the ways in which we can tackle the stigma of periods.

Episode 2: Changing The Cycle

Two mothers, two sides of the story… 

Shauna Gauntlett is a mother of three from Dundee who opened up about her experience of period poverty, relying on friends and family for products. 

Caroline Herman runs a period charity with her daughter Cara, in the south of England. 

In the penultimate episode of this series, Olivia Snelson hears from both women, using their experiences to advocate for better access to period products.

Episode 4: Mother Nature

Join reporter Olivia Snelson for the final episode of The Bloody Truth: Period Poverty & Shame, as she delves into the politics of periods. 

Scotland recently introduced legislation which protects the right to free period products, work is being done in Wales to tackle period poverty and improve education in schools, but will England follow suit anytime soon?

Episode 5: The Politics Of Periods

The founder of period organisation ‘Don’t Cramp My Style’, Freya Slack, has been working tirelessly to tackle period poverty across Greater Manchester and the Peak District.

In this episode, Olivia Snelson goes along to take part in the charity’s recent fundraising event.

Episode 3: Not Your Average Pub Quiz

Journalist. MA Broadcast Journalism at Salford University.