There is no question that the pandemic has had a considerable effect on countless peoples' mental well-being. The Samaritans are one of the largest mental health charities in the UK, with an army of volunteers working 24/7 to assist anybody who needs them.

After a terrible personal tragedy, Steve Gifford became a Samaritan, giving his own time to help those in crisis.

We discuss his incredible work during the pandemic along with his own experiences.

Covid-19 has had a devastating impact on countless people across the entire world. Many have tragically lost their lives to this virus and more are in need of intensive care. But there is another group of victims now starting to emerge.

Known as "Long Haulers", these people are still suffering from symptoms of Covid-19 several weeks or months after their initial diagnosis. Heather Izzard is one of these people and this is her story about experiencing the full ferocity of the virus.

At the beginning of the pandemic, the UK Government appealed for retired ex-NHS personnel to return to service and ultimately save lives.

James Birdseye is one of the incredible, selfless people who answered the call. After serving for many years as an NHS paramedic, he returned to battle Covid-19 head-on.

In this episode, I hear his stories and views from the Covid front line, including the impact on his own mental health and the attitude of the public towards the emergency services.