Local news

Here are the news reports, videos and podcasts our reporters have written

Healthier You NHS Diabetic programme - Course 2 Kathy reported on her start of this course and now can update you on how the course has progressed.

PLEASE! PLEASE!! LOOK AT YOUR PROFILE INFORMATION Bill shares some tips on staying safe online.

Adventures of Phil's Stag Weekend - Part One Nigel shares his adventure of his youngest son's celebration, Phil, is getting married in August. Nothing can stop this ageing well ambassador. 

An ageing well ambassador goes to see an ageing well lady. Peter our music correspondend. Dionne Warwick is someone that I have been meaning to see for a long time and always passed on for one reason or another. I figured that this was probably the last tour by the iconic lady who has just entered her 83rd year (so definitely ageing well).

Finding out about Community Engagement Team at Northumbria police Jackie recently met with Michelle George Community Engagement Officer within Northumbria Police. 

A GRAND - IF DAMP - DAY OUT  Bill shares his trip out to Beamish although he didn't think that he would be visiting Beamish in the rain. 

The third book about the adventures of a Sunderland seagull is set to soar. Pauline our reporter and local author shares with us her experience of writing and getting books published 

Our reporter Dorothy likes to get out and about on public transport Here she gives useful advice on the use of bus passes and Metro Gold Cards. 

An ageing well gig reporter goes to see an ageing well folk legend Peter our music correspondence reports on this gig 

Our Bill (reporter) receives an award for volunteering.  Jackie our reporter is reporting on Bill's award and the benifits of volunteering 

Roker Park model boat club  We recently met with Roker Park model boat club treasurer Alan and asked him to give us more information about the club.

Mobility in Airports  Bill our reporter is well travelled and shares his experience of mobility support in airports.

Jackie our reporter shares advice on the DVLA which has applied new rules for car drivers approaching 70 years of age. Once you've turned 70, you'll need to renew your licence every three years.

Living with Sigh lost Kevin our reporter shares that since suffering a stroke. 

Another of our reporters travels to Ireland Cilla featured in the photograph recently visited Ireland and shares some history that she learned.

James Bond Gala Sunderland Empire Theatre 4 February 2024 By Peter our music corresponden. An ageing well ambassador goes to see an ageing well secret agent in our great Empire theatre 

Marys visit to Donegal, Sligo and Derry Mary our reporters recently travelled to Ireland seeing lots of sights and shares the experience with us!

Washington Old Hall Dorothy our reporter shared her knowledge of history and her recent trip to Atlanta 

Ginger Mickey gets chipped  Bill our reporter shared his experience of helping a friend out! 

The Movers Liz our reporter's is part of Sunderland Movers at Sunderland Empire. The Movers learn Ballet and Contemporary Dance which is a class for adults over 65 

Surviving a Stroke  Reporter Kevin recently suffered a stroke. He describes himself as stubborn. Some would say he's determined. Read his article and judge for yourself. 

Elevating Volunteer Well-being: Addressing Mental Health and Engagement in Volunteer Organisations Last month, reporter Laura met up with Alison Pake who wanted to share her experience of volunteering. 

 Another Astonishing Concert Performed by our City's own Orchestra By Mark reports one of our newest reporters the Sunderland Symphony Orchestra (SSO) and its sell-out seasonal Spring Concert on Saturday 23^rd March to capacity audience at St Gabriel's Church on Chester Road. 

Lindisfarne Newcastle City Hall 23 December 2023 Peter our music correspondent has so many memories of this iconic Geordie band in an iconic venue. So many memories for me. Please accept my apologies for reminiscing about this band and the venue, but they are both so important to my musical meanderings through life. 

 Bill shares his thoughts on Digital Exclusion Bill our reporter reflects on Digital Exclusion. Digital is a funny thing to call the battle with the computer chip.

 5 top tips from savvy shoppers Dorothy our reporter has spent the last few weeks asking friends and family (strangers too!) what their top tips are for managing on a budget. 

 The Healthier You NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, also known as the Healthier You programme.  Kathy our reporters shares here experience of being diagnosed with pre-diabetes. 

Chris Difford The Fire Station Sunderland 31 January 2024   An Ageing Well Ambassador goes to see an ageing well Squeeze songster at our new great venue. By music correspondent Peter Smith 

 The true value of connections  Laura reporter shares Ageing well - The true value of connections 

We'ar Shining a light reporter's and Ageing well Ambassadors VIPs at launch event for NEW Washington Well-being Hub We'ar Shining the Light team 

Ian Anderson presents 'Christmas with Jethro Tull' York Minster 18 December 2023 Peter Smith music correspondent  

 He sounded like a nice man! Bill one of our reporters shares with us his concerns about scams 

Ageing Well with Gratitude  Laura one of our reporters shares with us ageing with gratitude thoughts 

Five Top tips for Staying Young or Ageing Well?  Reflections from Dorothy on Ageing well! 

Madonna 02 Arena London 6 December 2023 Reflections of going to see Madonna By music correspondent Peter Smith 

Travelling to the City of Kelowna in Canada Our Ageing well reporter shares his trails, obstacles, and experience of still travelling around the world with his mobility scooter, nothing stops him!!!! Written By Bill 

The Very Best Of Elvis In Concert- Live On Screen, Newcastle Utilita Arena 28 October 2023  An Ageing Well Reporter goes to see a timeless legend who will never grow old on the screen with full orchestra. Wonderful. Magical. I was transported to Las Vegas, Heartbreak Hotel and Graceland all in the same evening.   By music correspondent Peter Smith 

The importance of meditation and prayer in my life Our reporter Laura Ann Hind, loves to travel and take on new adventures. Here she talks to us about her trip to the island of Malta, and how it encouraged her reflections on the importance of meditation and prayer to her life. 

Dave Stewart, the Eurythmics Songbook, Sunderland Empire Theatre 10 November 2023  An ageing well old hippy Sunderland storyteller goes to see another ageing well Sunderland lad. Written by Peter 

A novel idea - the pleasure of joining a reading group  Talking about a book you've just read is far more rewarding if the people you are talking to have also read it. And their opinions will probably not be quite the same as yours. Written by John & Geja 

Dame Joan Collins Tyne Theatre Newcastle 1 October 2023 An Ageing Well Reporter goes to see a timeless Superstar who is ageing well who will never grow old on the screen. Written by Peter 

We'ar Shining The Light: Whats good about ageing in Sunderland?

We'ar Shining The Light: Throwbask questions around Sunderland

Walking the Camino de Santiago - Talking About My Generation Have you walked the Camino de Santiago or are you looking for advice and inspiration to do so? Would you like to learn something new about an amazing pilgrimage experience abroad from those who have completed it? In this episode, we have joined forces with our sister North West newsroom Talking about my generation where reporter Laura Ann Hind from Sunderland interviews local resident Tina Lowes and our Talking About My Generation reporter Niall McGuinness about their experience of walking the Camino De Santiago, an extensive network of ancient pilgrim routes stretching across Europe.

Ageing in Sunderland Check out their new podcast about where they share their opinions on ageing in Sunderland.

 Life changing equipment to try out at City Hall sight loss exhibition.  A sight loss exhibition was held at City Hall, Sunderland, to give people the opportunity to gain more knowledge and try out life changing equipment. Written by reporter Deb 

Spain and living in the present Spain and living in the present. Written by reporter Laura  

The Night we Danced with Yoko Reflections of Performances by Yoko Ono Written by reporter Peter

Free "Strength and Balance" sessions help prevent falls  We'ar Shining the light report Dorothy is doing the class and shares her thoughts on the classes. Written by reporter Dorothy 

Do you need help with your water bills?  If you're on a low income or receive Pension Credit, Northumbrian Water may be able to reduce your bills by up to 50%. Written by reporter Dorothy 

 Helping Sunderland to age well SUNDERLAND's Ageing Well Ambassadors have met to celebrate ageing and promote age-friendly practices in the city. Following the UN International Day of Older Persons (IDOP), which took place on 1 October, the annual conference was held yesterday (3 October) to bring the ambassadors together. Press release  

Local company led by an ageing well director, have developed a computer workstation designed with diversity in mind Local company led by an ageing well director, have developed a computer workstation designed with diversity in mind. Written by reporter Peter 

Pension Credit - are you missing out on what you deserve? Many people in Sunderland could be missing out on pension credit payments worth hundreds of pounds, the Department for Work and Pensions has warned. Pension Credit gives you extra money to help with your living costs if you're over State Pension age and on a low income. Written by reporter Angela.  

Putting Hendon back on the map Back on the Mapis a charity passionate about enhancing the quality of life of people living and visiting Hendon and the East End of Sunderland. Written by reporter Lynn 

Local lass does good - Glenda Young award-winning short story writer and novelist   We'ar shining the light met with Glenda Young and asked her to tell us about herself. Written by reporter Jackie  

Singing from the same song sheet is good for the soul The Sunderland Rock Choir meets every Monday evening, 7.30pm-9pm, and all are welcome to join in and sing along with the group at Bethany City Church, Bede Tower. Here We'ar Shining The Light reporters John and Geja Holmes Hadderingh talk to some of its members to see what they enjoy - and it is not just the singing. Written by reporter Geja 

Free transport to and from hospital for cancer patients, thanks to charity  Daft as a brush Cancer patient care provides a free transport service to and from the Freeman and RVI Hospitals for outpatients undergoing chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy treatment - from all areas of north east England.  Written by reporter Dorothy 

 REVIEW: The Who Durham Riverside Cricket Ground at Chester-le-Street 19 July 2023 By music correspondent Peter Smith  

Why don't you tri-volunteering? Our reporter Geja offered to volunteer for the WorldTriathlonChampionship Series, held on Sunderland's beautiful coastline at the end of July. Here she tells us about being involved in such an important event and her experience of volunteering. Written by reporters John and Geja

Friendship from across the pond Peter Smith, a member of We'ar Shing The Light Sunderland reporters, interviewed his friend John who is also from Sunderland and now lives in America. The interview focused upon John's experience of living in the US for 40 years, the retirement process relative to the UK and their joint love of rock music. Both Peter and John are 65 years plus and still enjoying life, working and rocking! 

REVIEW: Martin Turner (Wishbone Ash) The Cluny, Newcastle 4 August 2023  By music correspondent Peter Smith