Watford Matters with Dean Russell

Recently, I sat down with Suzanne Samaka (founder of #HonestyAboutEditing campaign), Danny Bowman (mental health advocate) and Daniel Magson (chair of Anorexia and Bulimia Care) to discuss body imaging, how images are edited online and in the printed press, and eating disorders.

In this episode, I sit down with the Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, George Eustice MP.

We're slowly beginning to normalise conversations around our mental health. It begins with a simple 'how are you?'. For the latest in my series of mini mental health conversations, I'm pleased to be joined by the latest of Watford's leaders - Cheska Tyler, the headteacher at Cherry Tree School. 

Meet Shaf - Shaf is the founder of CageFit Gym in Watford. It’s a real community hub and he’s helping people become both physically and mentally fit. I popped along (not to work out sadly) but to speak to him for the latest of my mini-mental health conversations.

One positive from the past few difficult months has been people and community groups in Watford looking out for one another and displaying a strong spirit of neighbourliness. And volunteering with people like Enoch at One Vision has made a big difference for a lot of people’s mental wellbeing.

Here in Watford we are working to make it normal to talk about our mental health. My next mini-mental health conversation is with Harjit Singh, Deputy Lieutenant, and a local community volunteer with One Vision. He’s had his hands full helping others during the pandemic.

Watford's mental health conversations - one of my main focuses in Parliament is to make it normal to talk about our mental health with friends, neighbours and colleagues. I want Watford to lead the way on this - and I’m pleased to begin my series of mini mental health conversations with Maria Manion who runs Watford Business Improvement District (BID). 

One of my main focuses in Parliament is to make it normal to talk about our mental health with friends, neighbours and colleagues. I want Watford to lead the way on this - and I’m pleased to begin my series of mini mental health conversations with Watford Chamber of Commerce Chief Executive Chris Luff and apprentice Lee. 

Watford's school kids definitely excel in maths - and pupils at Holywell Primary School proved it to the Chancellor when he dropped in recently to give them a virtual lesson! The skills on show were incredible and I was very proud of each and every pupil. You can listen to the full session with Rishi in this episode. 

Meet Mark Wilson - Mark is a Neurosurgeon, a doctor in the Air Ambulance, and co-founder of the GoodSam app. The app matches those in need of CPR with those that can provide it, lets people share their live video and location with emergency services, and so much more. Mark joins me in this episode. 

The rollout of the Covid-vaccine is progressing at pace both nationally and here in Watford - and it is thanks to our brilliant doctors, nurses, staff and volunteers. Everyone in the top four priority groups has now been offered a jab, the over-65s are next in line. We’ve still got a way to go, but the end of the Covid nightmare is finally in sight.

I recently caught up with Elliot Howard-Jones and Cath Slater from Hertfordshire NHS Community Trust - they've been heavily involved in setting up mass vaccination centres across Hertfordshire. You can catch our full conversation in this episode. 

Our local schools are doing an incredible job giving lessons digitally and keeping our children learning. I was excited to virtually visit St Paul's C of E VA Primary in Kings Langley to thank the teachers and pupils and answer some of their questions - Year 6 definitely put me through my paces and you can listen to how it went in this episode! 

Thank you to Watford’s faith groups for pulling our neighbourhoods together and helping vulnerable people throughout the pandemic. In this episode I'm joined by Dr Rev Peter Waddell from Abbots Langley and Bedford Church and we discussed the impact of Covid on the community, mental health, prayer, and much more. 

Did you know Watford Gurdwara's volunteers served meals free of charge to our community during the Covid pandemic? This concept of meals for people regardless of their religion, colour, gender or ethnicity is called 'Langar'. Harjit Singh from Watford Gurdwara joins me in this episode to discuss this and much more. 

Watford's faith groups, like North Watford Jamia Mosque, have been instrumental in helping their neighbours during Covid and I'd like to thank them. I'm joined by Imam Hafiz Saleem in this episode where we discuss volunteering, embracing technology and much more. 

Watford's faith groups have done an incredible job helping the community during this pandemic. And they've had to adapt quickly under difficult circumstances. The Jewish community for instance cannot use technology or electricity for Shabbat, their day of rest on a Saturday, which rules out services on Zoom. You can find out how Rabbi Mordechai Chalk innovated to get round that, and much more, in this episode. 

Shaun Bailey may be the Mayor of London this time next year, and his work and approach will affect Watford residents. He joins me in this episode where I ask him about his background, his priorities, the Met Line extension into Watford, and much more.

Do you still read your local newspaper? I absolutely love to catch up on the Watford Observer every week, but there's no doubt the internet has impacted the industry. And if you're thinking of a career in local journalism, how should you go about it? I'm pleased to be joined by Watford Observer’s Deputy Editor Robert Collins to discuss this and much more. (Yes I got to interview him for a change, normally it’s the other way around!)

As we celebrate the end of World War One and remember our fallen heroes, I feel honoured to have spoken to local veteran Scotty Darroch. Scotty served in the Army for 10 years before becoming an ambassador for charity Give us Time. Scotty joins me in this episode and tells us more about his incredible story. 

Covid and lockdown has had a big impact on mental health increasing stress, fear and anxiety for many people - but it has also given us an opportunity to get to grips with it and do something about it. I brought together some of our fantastic local charities and together we drew up a mental health recovery plan. At the heart of it is making mental health conversations the norm in our schools, workplaces and neighbourhoods.  My ambition is for Watford to lead the way on this. More here with Herts Mind Network; Watford & Three Rivers Trust; New Hope Charity; Signpost South West Herts; and more. 

Football legend Luther Blissett is possibly the most famous Watfordian. He joins me in this episode to discuss a range of issues such as Covid, community relations and what Watford means to him. 

Sir Ian Livingstone has a fascinating CV. Chief Exec of BT, then trade minister responsible for our exports, now Chairman of British multinational Dixons Carphone. He joins me in this episode to talk tech, leadership and business being a force for good.

Did you know New Hope, the homeless charity here in Watford, has been around for 30 years? They’ve done an incredible job over lockdown helping dozens of rough sleepers into temporary accommodation like the local Travelodge and the YMCA. Now we need to work together and make sure they get the support they need to stay off the streets and turn their lives around. I caught up with Matthew Heasman, the CEO at New Hope in this episode.

David Lloyd is the Police and Crime Commissioner for Hertfordshire, and he has a big job on his hands. He's been elected to the role and is tasked with making sure Watford and Hertfordshire remain safe.  Amongst many things, he sets the local policing plan and budget and holds the Chief Constable to account. David joins me in this episode. 

During the Covid crisis, Watford Football Club turned Vicarage Road into a sanctuary for doctors, nurses and staff at Watford General Hospital which included meals, beds and chill out zones. Just one way our brilliant community pulled together during this tough time. I caught up with Paul Da Gama from West Herts NHS trust for this episode. 

The Covid outbreak hit us suddenly a few weeks back and it’s changed some of our habits in a big way. Many of us have got used to working from home, and we’ve found technology like Zoom and Skype actually works! And that will mean a big shift in the way we commute - especially in the immediate future. Francis Thomas from London Northwestern Railway joins me in this episode. 

Did you know that Camelot, who operates the National Lottery, is a major Watford employer - employing more than 700 people locally. And the National Lottery has invested a huge £40bn into good causes since it started 25 years ago. Watford has received £37m of that and some of that cash been used to renovate Cassiobury Park. More here with Nigel Railton.

Lord Lieutenant Robert Voss is Her Majesty’s personal representative for Hertfordshire. Robert carries out duties on behalf of the Queen, and in Hertfordshire his packed agenda includes being President of the scouts, the local cadets and reserves force, and the patron of many local charities. During the Covid crisis, he has been working with local hospices to build a 'wish list' get them what they need. Robert joins me in this episode. 

Meet Donna - a local volunteer and district councillor. Donna and her husband have been doing an amazing job picking up shopping and delivering prescriptions for vulnerable people during this pandemic. Donna joins me in this episode. 

We are incredibly lucky to have Jim McManus as our Director of Public Health in Hertfordshire. Jim has worked in 4 pandemics and brings a wealth of experience and important lessons with him as we recover from Covid. Great to talk to him in this episode. 

Watford Football Club has done a tremendous job completely transforming their ground into space for doctors, nurses and staff at Watford General Hospital. Feeling very lucky to live in such a generous community, and pleased to be joined by Glyn Evans from the club.

Mental health - everybody goes through days where they don’t feel great and it’s ok to talk about it. Ask your friend or colleague if they are ok, especially during these tough times. Sometimes asking twice is good. Very pleased to discuss this and more with Watford’s Mental Health champion Cllr Rabi Martin. 

I’m really pleased to hear that older people who need help during this pandemic are asking for it. It’s not always easy for them as some are not on social media, and in many cases older people try and make do and are too proud to ask for help. Small Acts of Kindness is a charity doing a great job delivering warming packages and helping reduce loneliness. More here with Founder Lynne Misner.

Nik Allen is an excellent local journalist at My Local News who sadly caught coronavirus. He’s now better - he opens up about his darkest hour battling the virus and he tells us what it was like inside the much loved Watford General Hospital.

The Street Angels and Chaplains at WATFORD TOWN CENTRE CHAPLAINCY are doing an amazing job in looking after the mental health of people working in our town centre. The COVID-19 lockdown means they can’t visit workplaces at the moment, but they are innovating and adapting to the circumstances. I'm pleased to be joined by Frances from the Chaplaincy to discuss this and much more. 

Whether it’s bin collections, helping homeless people or making sure burials happen, we’re making sure people get their core services during this coronavirus lockdown. I'm really pleased to be joined remotely by Mayor of Watford Peter Taylor who is doing a brilliant job for the community with Watford Council.  

Hertfordshire County Council is doing an incredible job during COVID19 - keeping our local schools open for children of key workers and providing social care for those who need it. Their Chief Exec Owen Mapley joins me remotely in this episode to discuss their fantastic efforts. And a big thank you to everyone volunteering in Watford to help vulnerable and isolated people as we get through this crisis. 

Over the coming days I'm beginning a series of community information podcasts to throw a spotlight on some of the great work happening in Watford during this challenging time. I'm pleased to be joined by Bob from Watford & Three Rivers Trust who is helping coordinate the local volunteering effort with Watford Council. Forgive the audio quality, these episodes are being done remotely to keep everyone safe and we are putting information out in as real time as possible.