In this episode, we're joined by Roger Metcalfe, Chair of the Safer Neighbourhood Board and Inspector Jon McLoughlin of Richmond & Twickenham Safer Neighbourhoods Team. Both Roger and Jon are working tirelessly to be constantly improving community safety around Richmond upon Thames, sitting down with Talk Richmond to discuss the various ways you can report crime, the role of the Safer Neighbourhoods Board and how our partnership approach keeps Richmond upon Thames the safest in London. From the Richmond Safe Space to Police WhatsApp channels, we learn about what support is out there for residents, as well as how Richmond locals can support the Police and the local communities by reporting crime when they see it.

As the only London borough that straddles the Thames, we have a unique identity that energises our public spaces and attracts visitors. Although the summer weather can be patch, young people still gather on the riverbanks from across southwest London to swim in the Thames. We know the Thames is a hotspot, particularly during the hot weather, so we partnered with the RNLI and London Fire Brigade to prevent another tragedy from happening. In this episode Robert Davies, Borough Commander of the London Fire Brigade, joins the Talk Richmond to discuss how young people can stay safe in the water, help if they see someone in trouble and still enjoy the river during the warm weather.

In light of the cost of living crisis, Talk Richmond sits down with Clare Box, founder of the Real Junk Food Project, Twickenham to talk about how we can all do our part to reduce the amount of food we throw away – keeping our food bills low and doing our part to tackle climate change. Clare also shares helpful tips and recipes to make your food budget go further and keep bellies full of nutritious meals.

Susan Chappell, project coordinator at the South West London Energy Advice Partnership (SWLEAP), joins Talk Richmond for a detailed discussion on how to keep warm during the winter months as energy bills soar. Susan covers the green cost-saving tricks you need to know to keep your energy bills down, the cold out and your carbon emissions low.

Talk Richmond is joined by Simon Westgarth, Chief Executive of the Richmond Furniture Scheme to discuss the incredible work the scheme does to address furniture poverty whilst reducing waste and bringing the community together. This episode gives an overview of how the Scheme is helping the most vulnerable in the community set up their homes, even in the face of the cost of living crisis and how we can support the work they do.

Are you looking for ways to reduce your food bill? On this week’s episode, Richmond Foodbank Manager, Paul Beadle, joins our host to talk about how to access food support in the borough, where you can cut costs in your food shop and ways you can help others in light of the cost of living crisis.

The reality of the cost of living crisis is here, and people need help to make sure they are able to eat well and stay warm this winter. For some of us, these are familiar challenges and for others this uncertainty maybe a new experience. Fortunately, regardless of your circumstances, there is a huge amount of support being offered to residents in Richmond upon Thames and during this new series, we are helping you navigate the variety of support, help and advice available to help you see out the financial storm. In this episode Giles Read, Managing Director of Thinking Works, joins the Talk Richmond to discuss how to keep your energy bills down, tackle fuel poverty, and create a more sustainable future without sacrificing your warmth and health.

Join Nic Newman, an Occupational Therapist in the NHS, for a guided breathing exercise.

1.3 million people in the UK are suffering from Long Covid, which is when symptoms persist after four weeks of having the virus. An international study revealed that there are over 200 different symptoms across 10 different organ systems – from fatigue to memory loss and blurred vision. There is currently no cure for Long Covid, but there is help to manage symptoms. In this episode, Nic and Genevieve join Talk Richmond and its host who is currently experiencing Long Covid, to talk about the work they are doing to help people manage their symptoms. Nic is an Occupational Therapist in the NHS and Genevieve is a Long-Term Health Conditions Lead and Senior Therapist for Richmond Wellbeing Service. Together they discuss the official definition of Long Covid, common symptoms, the Richmond Wellbeing Service, the Richmond Long Covid Service, and the impact on everyday life.

Andy Graham from the London Wetland Centre joins Talk Richmond to talk about climate change and the threat of flooding. He talks about how wetlands offer a natural solution to some of the issues of climate change and what we can all to help slow the increased risk of flooding.

Mairead McCormick is the Chief Operating Officer at Kingston Hospital. In this week’s episode, she joins us to talk about Kingston Hospital’s current experience of the COVID-19 pandemic – from staff shortages to increased violence against staff members. She also discusses how many people are sick with COVID-19 in the hospital and what we can all do to help relieve the pressure on the NHS.

There are enough clothes on the planet to clothe the next six generations of the human race, and the fashion industry accounts for 8-10% of global carbon emissions. Charlotte Morley is the Founder and CEO of thelittleloop – a company on a mission to create a world without children’s clothing waste. Thelittleloop is a shared wardrobe that allows parents and carers to dress their children in ethical and sustainable clothes, and in an affordable way. Listen to this episode to find out more about the impact of the fashion industry and clothing waste on our environment and the changes you can make to start shopping better for our planet.

The Director of Public Health, Shannon Katiyo joins Talk Richmond for an important discussion on the impact of cold weather on COVID-19, and what we should all be doing to help protect ourselves and those around us.

Do you know how simple, effective technology can help people stay independent and in their homes for longer? From Alexa to video carephones, there are plenty of easy-to-use devices that can help. On this week’s episode Wendy and Kerri join Talk Richmond to talk about different technologies and the future of care delivery.

Dr Kathryn Kashyap joins Talk Richmond to talk about her work as a School Improvement Adviser on racial justice and decolonising the school curriculum. Kathryn’s work looks at rethinking, reframing and reconstructing what is being taught in schools and the need to look at the entire curriculum and how it is taught.

Matt Allchurch is the Lifeboat Operations Manager at the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), Teddington Lifeboat Station. Matt joins Talk Richmond to discuss how the RNLI saves lives along the River Thames, including how the Teddington Lifeboat station operates, what its responsibilities are, and what it was like to be involved in the minke whale rescue attempt.

Doctor Patrick Gibson, the GP Borough Chair for Richmond upon Thames, joins Talk Richmond for a detailed discussion on the rollout of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to 12–15-year-olds. Dr Gibson covers everything you need to know including how the decision to vaccinate the age group was made, the trial evidence behind the decision, the extremely rare but important side effect to be aware of, and the roll of schools in helping to deliver the vaccine.

The Director of Public Health, Shannon Katiyo, joins Talk Richmond to talk about the new coronavirus variants first detected in India and now spreading across the UK. Shannon covers what we mean by variants of concern, the impact of variant B1617.2 on vaccine appointments and what the situation is looking like in Richmond upon Thames.

What does the post-pandemic future look like for our high streets and town centres? How will they recover and adapt to changing consumer behaviour? Has the pandemic created new opportunities for our high streets and town centres? Ojay McDonald, the Chief Executive of the Association of Town and City Management, joins Talk Richmond to answer these questions and share his expertise on the new ‘industrial revolution’ and how high streets/town centres should ultimately aim to bring people together.

London Fire Brigade firefighter, Georgina Mann, talks about Public Sexual Harassment in light of Sarah Everard’s death and the thousands of women who shared stories of being intimidated or harassed by men in public places. Georgina shares her specialist knowledge on Public Sexual Harassment and speaks openly about her own experiences.