'Under The Covers' From Westminster Libraries
Episodes
Author Emma Brankin: Creative Inspiration. Season 4, Episode 4
12 Aug 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Emma Brankin's debut collection of short stories, 'Attention Seekers', has had a great reception . Among other accolades, it was also a contender for ...
Jhalak Prize Founder: Professor Sunny Singh. Season 4, Episode 3
03 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
June 2025 brings the results of the Jhalak Prize which celebrates writers of colour. There will be three recipients: for Prose, for Young Adult/Childr...
Wendy Andrew: Supporting You In Pet Bereavement, Season 4, Episode 2
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Wendy Andrew is passionate about helping pet owners who are suffering 'disenfranchised grief' where their sadness at the loss of a companion a...
The Migrant Story with Professor Panikos Panayi. Season 4, Episode 1
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
International Migrants Day is upon us. And to mark this event we're speaking with Cultural Historian Professor Panikos Panayi. The Migrant experience ...
Dr Juanita Cox: Windrush, Colonialism & Black History Month.
07 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Season 3, Episode 9 Our guest is Dr Juanita Cox who is Black British History Community Engagement Fellow at the Institute of Historical Research. Dr C...
A Brilliant Career: Helen Bailey
05 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Helen Bailey speaks about childhood ambitions coming to fruition via a most extraordinarily varied career. And when she got there, how she "was s...
'52 Lives' with Jaime Thurston. Season 3 Episode 7
19 Jun 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest is Jaime Thurston, founder of the charity, '52 Lives'. Every week this amazing organisation responds to requests for help posted on social m...
Christie Junor-Sheppard: The Big Life Moments
02 Apr 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our guest is Christie Junor-Sheppard, the Head of Registration Services at Westminster Council. From presiding over celebrity weddings at the magical ...
Paul Minter and the 'Head Up' charity. Season 3, Episode 5
09 Feb 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we meet Army Veteran Paul Minter who is talking about the work of the Armed Forces charity ‘Head Up’. It aims to improve the menta...
David Wilkins' Westminster Smart City
04 Dec 2023
Contributed by Lukas
With us this month is David Wilkins, who is Head of Smart City Programmes for Westminster City Council. In his time in the role, David's aim has b...
Black History Month with Sara Ashbourne
16 Oct 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we're focusing on Black History Month. Librarian Sara Ashbourne actually helped launch Under the Covers, by being the very first g...
Hamza Taouzzale, Youngest Lord Mayor of Westminster
31 Aug 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Hamza Taouzzale became the youngest ever Lord Mayor of Westminster at the age of 22. During his term, which ended in May this year, he found himself t...
Esther Stanhope, the Impact Guru. Season 3, Episode 1
31 Jul 2023
Contributed by Lukas
What is Glossophobia? It's the fear of public speaking. Our guest, Esther Stanhope, travels the world helping people to confidently express themselves...
Nick Ross: Broadcaster, Journalist, Campaigner.
05 Jun 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode, Nick Ross talks crime: the TV programme, 'Crimewatch', the Jill Dando Institute of Crime Science, and his book on the subject...
Bhushan Kumar: Digital Creative
11 Apr 2023
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we hear from Bhushan Kumar whose social media side line has boosted his career and his confidence. Bhushan also speaks about his passi...
Sarah Newman: Embracing Challenge
13 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
March 2023 is Women's History Month. In this episode we hear from a woman who's risen to challenges and faced them down. Sarah Newman credits the love...
Maida Vale: The Iconic Music Studios. Season 2, Episode 6
13 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
The BBC has put Maida Vale up for sale and will move to a new site. Andy Rogers, senior producer at Radio 1, takes us on a magical mystery tour of the...
Loy Phillips: Champion. Season 2, Episode 5
09 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
We're marking the achievements of Loy Phillips. She brought passion and drive to celebrating the Windrush Generation. And after the murder of George F...
Becky Laxton-Bass: 'Women of London'. Season 2, Episode 4
05 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
With her company, 'Women of London', Becky Laxton-Bass conducts walking tours which follow in the footsteps of famous and not so famous women who have...
Danger Zones and Long Lost Family: BBC Journalist, Caroline Wyatt. Season 2, Episode 3
03 Oct 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In a distinguished journalistic career, Caroline Wyatt has held a number of posts: Foreign Correspondent, Presenter and War Reporter. She recalls the ...
The Actors' Church with the Reverend Simon Grigg: Season 2, Episode 2
05 Sep 2022
Contributed by Lukas
St Paul’s Church, Covent Garden is nicknamed 'The Actors' Church', due to its centuries' old connection with the Theatre World. Its Rector, The Reve...
The Cartoon Museum: Steve Marchant opens the doors. Season 2 Episode 1
01 Aug 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Steve Marchant conducts a walk-through of the fascinating venue, the Cartoon Museum, located in Westminster's Fitzrovia. And he speaks of how he creat...
'Celebration!': Episode 12 - Season 1 Round Up
02 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
This month marks a year since the podcast was launched and we're celebrating the amazing contributions we've had. This episode features something from...
The Campaign To End Loneliness: Episode 11
04 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
There are nine million lonely people in the United Kingdom, with a social cost running into billions of pounds. This month we’re hearing from Robin ...
'She Is You' with Caroline Odogwu. Episode 10
07 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Caroline Odogwu co-founded 'She Is You' to help young women from diverse backgrounds to achieve professionally and personally. Caroline describes how ...
Ashlee Barnard: Episode 9
01 Feb 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In February's edition we hear from Ashlee Barnard who helps IT and other council departments to connect and really understand each other, as an IT Str...
Sara Nisha Adams, Author of 'The Reading List': Episode 8
03 Jan 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Sara Nisha Adams talks about her debut novel, ‘The Reading List’, a finalist in the Goodreads Choice Awards. It celebrates the healing nature of r...
Silver Stories: Shared Reading: Banishing Loneliness. Episode 7
06 Dec 2021
Contributed by Lukas
We hear how lonely elders are gaining a new lease of life when children read to them on the phone. Elisabeth and David Carney-Haworth (both OBEs) talk...
Supporting Inclusion, Kelly Van Roy: Episode 6
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Kelly Van Roy speaks about volunteering with Youmanity, a charity celebrating social inclusion, equality and human rights. Kelly, a postgraduate stude...
Louisa Augustine - Women Build Bridges Too: Episode 5
03 Oct 2021
Contributed by Lukas
What does Black History Month mean to Louisa Augustine, Bridge Engineer at Westminster City Council? Louisa also talks about choosing her career in en...
'Grow the Pie' - in conversation with Alex Edmans: Episode 4
06 Sep 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Alex Edmans’ book ‘Grow The Pie’, a 'Financial Times Best Books of 2020’, shows how companies can make profits AND serve society. The Professo...
Peter Curran, Broadcaster: Episode 3
02 Aug 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Peter Curran, broadcaster and documentary-maker shares his reading choices and more. He speaks of finding ‘a treasure trove’ in the mobile library...
Susie Johns, Therapist: Episode 2
05 Jul 2021
Contributed by Lukas
Susie Johns is an author and therapist. She describes how Emotional Freedom Technique, (EFT or tapping) can ease stress and phobias - including fear o...
Head to Head with a Library Officer. Episode 1
07 Jun 2021
Contributed by Lukas
This is the launch of a new podcast. The first episode features Sara Ashbourne who works in a Westminster library. She’s speaking about books she lo...