Critical care nurses' mental health; Allotments; Women of the Miners’ Strike; Mother and son referees

Covid 19 has been difficult for everyone but one group that’s been at the front line of fighting the pandemic is critical care nurses. There are reports of record sickness levels partly due to stress and mental health issues at the same time as new plans for how people are nursed in intensive care are introduced. Anita Rani talks to Nicki Credland who chairs the British Association of Critical Care Nurses.

A new study reveals women with allotment plots now outnumber men for the first time. A recent study by Dr Tilly Collins and Ellen Fletcher of Imperial College London, found that in London almost two thirds of plots – 64% - are now occupied by women. The National Allotment Society estimates that half of holders nationally are now women - compared to just two percent in 1973. Dr Tilly Collins and allotment holders Irene O’Malley and Sonia Hyman, join Anita to discuss their appeal and why traditional allotments have become a very different kind of space where women want to relax and be self-sufficient.

Anne Scargill and Betty Cook met at the beginning of the miners' strike in 1984. Betty was a proud miner's daughter, wife and mother, who was determined to support her family and community. Anne happened to be married to Arthur Scargill, the president of the National Union of Miners. She too was steeped in the history of coalfield culture. Together they helped to create the Women Against Pit Closures movement. They have just published a book called Anne and Betty: United by the Struggle. Betty joins Anita to talk about her memories of that time and the impact it had on women’s lives, with Ian Clayton who helped gather the material for the book.

Patsy Andrews has been a football referee for the last 16 years, one of 2146 women across all levels of the game, compared to 29,244 men at the end of the 2019/20 season. Her son, Akil Howson, has followed in his mum's footsteps and is now officiating in the English Football League Championship. They join Anita to discuss the inspiration for their continued involvement in football.

Presenter: Anita Rani Producer: Sarah Crawley