A year and a half ago, J Grange was excluded from school, labelled a troublemaker and was going down the wrong path.The Chelmsford rapper was experiencing run-ins with the police but an appearance in court changed everything.Now, the 17-year-old is on a different path - making music and wanting to spread vitally important messages.The teenager had always wondered why he was acting up and why he was acting differently - until he was diagnosed with ADHD.After that diagnosis, the mental health struggles that came along with it - the frustration, the depression and the anger - were suddenly put into perspective.Beforehand that anger caused him to go down the wrong path but things are very different today.J Grange now focuses on what inspires him - making upbeat music to help people escape from whatever dark periods they may go through.It also helps him release anger and deliver his mental health messages to his fans.He also mentors disadvantaged children through a charity to guide them down a different path than the one he did.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each show we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.Music in this episode is from Broke For Free and J Grange.You can find J Grange’s YouTube channel by clicking here For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Humans of Chelmsford

From court to raising mental health awareness - the rapper making a difference

Steve Hughes, from Chelmsford, is a man who has had to learn how to live his life without vision.The 38-year-old has Stargardt’s disease - a genetic condition that means he only has his peripheral vision at best.He has been dealing with the condition since childhood but in the last two years his eyesight has rapidly deteriorated.That resulted in a drop in confidence when going out and a massive readjustment to his life.  But through the pain of losing even more of his eyesight Steve has found inspiration in running and he has also set himself the daunting challenge of taking part in 10 exhausting sporting events.He’ll also be raising money for a worthy Chelmsford cause along the way - the Sanctus homeless charity.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each show we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.Music in this episode is from Broke For Free.For updates on the podcast follow the Facebook page or the Twitter page.You can find Steve Hughes' funding page by clicking here. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The blind dad who turned to running to cope with his sight loss

On the second episode of the third series of Humans of Chelmsford we hear the story of Brian McGovern, the co-founder of Cool to be Kind Chelmsford.The community project has been helping rough sleepers in the city for several years and they have risen to become one of the prominent voices in the bid to improve the situation.Through their outreach services they have come to know several rough sleepers within the city centre as well as the complex issues many have to deal with. Brian is someone who has a close connection with them. Through Cool to be Kind he is tackling the issue head on and is arguing for several policies he believes can help change these people's fortunes.He also argues that society has failed if there is just one person out living on the streets.With numbers out on the streets growing, Brian takes us through the intricacies of homelessness and explains why there is no easy fix.He also tells us why he has become so personally invested in these people's struggles.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each show we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.Music in this episode is from Broke For Free.For updates on the podcast follow the Facebook page or the Twitter page.You can find more about Cool to be Kind by clicking here. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The man fighting so Chelmsford's rough sleepers can have a brighter future

On the first episode of Series Three of Humans of Chelmsford we meet Essex actress Claudia Grace McKell.She’s had to overcome a lot to get to where she is – overcoming deafness and a car crash that could have killed her.Those experiences – regardless of how difficult they might have been – have helped to shape her life into what it is now.Claudia’s current aim is to help shatter stereotypes in her new independently produced film that she has written herself.The storyline draws on a lot of her own challenges as it follows the story of a troubled young deaf woman who is desperate to be heard when she falls in love with a local hero.It focuses on the daily struggles in her family life and her own self-esteem. There’s also a huge sense of importance placed on women in sport.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each show we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.Music in this episode is from Broke For Free.For updates on the podcast follow the Facebook page or the Twitter page .You can find out more about Just a Girl by clicking here. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The actress who overcame deafness and a serious car crash to produce her own film

On episode five of the second series of Humans of Chelmsford, we meet 18-year-old football referee Chloe Butler.As one of the Essex FA’s female officials Chloe has an important role to play in the sport with women’s football on the up.Traditionally football has been a man’s world and, despite the female game taking enormous strides in recent years, there are still some who believe women have no part to play in the game.But that’s not stopping Chloe who is taking on these hurdles first hand.Being a referee is hard enough when you have to take into account the abuse you might get.But when you combine that with social media abuse and prehistoric views on the sidelines it gets that much harder.In a key year for women’s football, with the 2019 World Cup beginning in June, Chloe knows she has a role to play in promoting the sport she loves.She also knows that if she is seen to be doing, more girls might just want to be like her in the long run.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each show we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.Music in this episode is from Broke For Free.For updates on the podcast follow the Facebook page or the Twitter page . For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The referee showing football is as much a women's game as it is a man's

On episode four of the second series of Humans of Chelmsford we meet Mark Strutton, the owner of restaurant Shwings and a former DJ.Mark’s life is very much focused on his chicken restaurant Shwings, which opened back in November 2018.But life before Chelmsford was very different for Mark, as he was a highly successful DJ in Marbella regularly mixing with the cast from The Only Way is Essex.As he says in this podcast your brain is either wired to do maths and numbers, or it’s wired up to be creative.Mark definitely falls under the second category.On this episode of the podcast Mark tells us all about his time in Spain mingling with the cast people have come to know and love.He also explains the changes the TV show had on the area and the Marbs scene in general.But eventually there came a point where everything had to stop and his focus became about his new restaurant, a place that is continuing to be a success in Chelmsford City Centre.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each show we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.Music in this episode is from Broke For Free.For updates on the podcast follow the Facebook page or the Twitter page .You can find out more about Shwings by clicking here. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The city centre restaurateur at the heart of the The Only Way is Essex scene

On episode three of the second series of Humans of Chelmsford we meet Wendy Sillett, the owner of Chelmsford’s non-alcohol bar Abstinence.Abstinence opened up in the city in December 2018 and represents what has become Wendy’s ambition for the past couple of years, to open a non-alcohol venue to give people an alternative location to go out without the pressure of alcohol.At the heart of it is Wendy’s own long battle with alcohol, a relationship that became toxic and damaging.Not only did it affect her but it affected those around her from friends to family.However, the wake-up call Wendy needed was a run-in with the police and here we are today and she has been sober for four years.Now her sole focus is on running Abstinence but keeping a new bar open does have its difficulties.Mounting financial costs are proving a threat, Wendy has had to go back to working full time in order to keep money coming in.Earlier in the year she also asked for help via a Just Giving page to help keep Abstinence open.Without it the bar could have had to close its doors at the end of April.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each show we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.Music in this episode is from Broke For Free.For updates on the podcast follow the Facebook page or the Twitter page.You can find out more about Abstinence Bar here.If you have been affected by any of the issues raised in this podcast you can contact Open Road or Alcoholics Anonymous. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

How a mum's toxic battle with drink led to the opening of an alcohol-free bar

On episode two of the second series of Humans of Chelmsford we meet Katy Jackson, the lead singer of rock band Tigress.The Chelmsford-based band are approaching their fourth birthday later this year but have already gained significant traction for their music and have played all over the world.But earlier in 2019, on International Women’s Day, Katy shared an email the band had received from a radio station.The email in question was a response to Tigress saying that – while the song was good – the vocals didn’t match up to other female singers they were playing at the moment.For Katy that highlighted the inherent sexism in the music industry that has hindered other rock bands with female lead singers.That prompted a real debate with the band expressing how tired they were at their lead singer being judged on the basis of gender.As Katy says, it’s fine if they don’t like the song or the music - just don’t bring gender into it.But away from the love/hate relationship with the music industry it has still given Katy so much - it’s her life, job and career all rolled into one. She takes us through the highs and lows, how the band were handpicked by American band Green Day and just what music scene is like in the city of Chelmsford right now.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each show we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.Music in this episode is from Broke For Free.For updates on the podcast follow the Facebook page or the Twitter page. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The Chelmsford rock star held back by her gender

On the first episode of the second series of Humans of Chelmsford we hear the stories of three recovering addicts who have experienced the very lows of life.Ben, 31, from Chelmsford struggled with drug abuse for years and eventually ended up homeless in January of this year.Barry Winch, 50 and from Maldon, faced problems with alcoholism after a divorce while 54-year-old Peter, originally from Ireland, has long been fighting his own addiction battles.In the end, as they all hit rock bottom, their families had to put distance between them and their loved ones.But in the last four months something changed with the three all meeting each other and becoming firm friends.Following the turn of the year they are all now in recovery and are also living together, supporting one another when the going gets tough.In essence, they had all had enough of their circumstances. It was time to do something about it.What’s more, after getting back on the right path, the three of them have also decided to give back to the services that helped them.One of those vital organisations is Sanctus Cafe - the cafe that provides homeless people and those in need with free hot meals and advice, which has helped these three when they were desperate.At the end of March they embarked on a 26-mile sponsored walk to raise money for Sanctus Cafe and they ended up raising over £1,600.That cafe is also the location where I sat down with all three of them to hear their stories in this incredibly powerful podcast episode.Listen to Ben, Barry and Peter’s episode in the link aboveBrought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city. Each show we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives. Music in this episode is from Broke For Free. For updates on the podcast follow the Facebook page or the Twitter page. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The recovering addicts and friends who drove their families away

On this episode of Humans of Chelmsford we meet ecopreneur and Anglia Ruskin University student Sarah Clark.Prior to 2016 Sarah was living her life just like anyone would, working and going month to month paying bills.However - in a similar vein to how the recent documentary Blue Planet II was received - one day in 2016 Sarah sat down to watch Before the Flood, fronted by actor Leonardo DiCaprio.That documentary had a huge personal effect on Sarah as it charted the crisis of climate change and what was happening in the world.She then started the journey that has led her to becoming Sustainable Sarah as well as her decision to stand for a seat at Chelmsford City Council in the upcoming elections in May.But at the heart of the battle is her children - the most important thing in her life.Everything she does, whether it is spreading awareness or changing her own life, is all down to her children and giving them a future on this planet.Listen to Sarah’s story above. Humans of Chelmsford is available on iTunes, Spotify, Acast, Stitcher, Player FM and on our website.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each show we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.Music in this episode is from Broke For Free.For updates on the podcast follow the Facebook page or the Twitter page. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The ecopreneur fighting for her children's future

On this episode of Humans of Chelmsford we meet clown Mr Popol - otherwise known as Paul Carpenter. He is one half of the Popolinos, a comedy clown dup that have been going strong for 16 years along with Kriss Freear otherwise known as Kakehole. The pair serve as managers of Circus Wonderland but every night they transform into their clown characters to entertain and bring joy to their audiences. With circus celebrating its 250th year in the UK this year the perception of clowns as arguably shifted away from comedy to something more akin to horror. Thanks to films like It - as well as Halloween scary clown crazes - Coulrophobia does seem to be on the increase. But the Popolinos offer a service called Clownselling intended to help people overcome their fear as well as returning the public perception of clowns to its tradition - a figure of comedy. On this episode Mr Popol explains all of this and more, including what life is like as part of a travelling circus as well as what led him to run away with the circus in the first place.Listen to Paul’s story above. Humans of Chelmsford is available on iTunes, Spotify, Acast, Stitcher, Player FM and on our website.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each show we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.Music in this episode is from Broke For Free.For updates on the podcast follow the Facebook page or the Twitter page. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

Clowning around with Mr Popol

On this episode of Humans of Chelmsford we meet Sarah Payne and Chris Starbrook who are both currently homeless and sleeping rough in the city.For 24 hours I joined them and lived life as a fellow rough sleeper for 24 hours to gauge an insight into what life is actually like on the street.In doing so I found out all about the lives and backgrounds of Sarah and Chris who have both been without a home for a number of years now.Over my day spent with them I also learn very quickly just what life is like in a world without any order or any rules – it gets crazy.With the death of Rob O’Connor in February following a night of freezing cold temperatures, and Cool to be Kind Chelmsford’s estimation in July that there are 48 rough sleepers in the city centre alone, the city has been thrust into the homeless spotlight like never before.At the start of 2018, official government statistics showed that Essex as a whole had seen a staggering increase of 276 per cent in people sleeping out on the streets since records began in 2010.But behind the statistics, and the numbers, what is sleeping rough actually like?That’s why I took the step of living life out on the streets for 24 hours because it is often said you can only fully know by experiencing it.Chelmsford City Council’s responseCouncillor Paul Hutchinson, Cabinet Member for Housing, said, “Homelessness has been a rising problem nationally for some years now and, like all local housing authorities, Chelmsford has both a duty and a strong sense of responsibility to provide advice and to help people to avoid becoming homeless wherever possible.“Most of our homelessness work is not visible: for example, working with people whose landlords have given them notice to leave or who are ‘sofa surfing’, and our Housing team prevent around 300 people becoming homeless each year. However, we also work alongside other agencies to try to help the small number of people who are sleeping rough in the city.“Rough sleeping can only be ended if organisations like the Council, police, local charities and others work together and have the co-operation of the person involved.“In some cases, there are very complex needs which are stopping someone from taking up or keeping accommodation.“Unless the right support and services are in place and are engaged with, people are often unable or unwilling to take on or cope with the responsibilities which come with maintaining accommodation.“We have commissioned CHESS Homeless, a local charity, to run outreach services in the Chelmsford area. They use their vast experience with homelessness to go out onto the streets, respond to referrals from members of the public through Streetlink, and repeatedly offer each rough sleeper help to get off the street.“CHESS also offers an emergency night shelter, clothing and hygiene facilities, which help with people’s immediate needs, but for those willing to engage, they also provide consistent, patient help over a period of time.“This includes a change programme, counselling, one-to-one mentoring, support and treatment for any substance issues, and help getting and keeping a home. We also fund CHESS’ Winter Project, providing extra emergency accommodation in cold weather.“We share information with local charities, police and other organisations to develop an understanding of each person’s background and needs so we can help them as an individual – our experience tells us applying a blanket approach does not work as homelessness is complex and caused by many different factors for different people.“This can take time, but has helped many people. As an example, one person who was living on the street recently responded well to patient and repeated engagement from Council and CHESS staff.... For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

24 hours as a rough sleeper on the city's streets

On this episode of Humans of Chelmsford we are joined by teacher Alex Earl.Back in 2009 Alex was diagnosed with scoliosis – a condition where the spine twists and curves to the side.Three years later the decision was made for Alex to undergo major surgery to correct the issue as her curve was growing an inch each year.Had it been left alone it would have caused her big problems in the years to come.The Australian, who lives and works as a teacher in Chelmsford, was booked in for the surgery in 2013 and the result of the procedure has earned her the moniker “the girl with an iron spine” thanks to the screws and metal all the way down her back.Following a lengthy recovery period, with months of inactivity included, Alex subsequently landed in the world of fitness.In a quest to build up her strength she turned to a number of fitness Instagram accounts for inspiration and specific techniques.They also – perhaps more importantly – helped her to find the right level of balance between working out and living.Fast forward to the present day and the 23-year-old has an Instagram account of her own and a blog providing inspiration and sending messages to her own following.For everything regarding fitness, to moving to a new country, and dealing with major surgery, people know they can get advice from the girl with the iron spine.Humans of Chelmsford is available on iTunes, Spotify, Acast, Stitcher, Player FM and on our website.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a monthly podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each week we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.Music in this episode is from Broke For Free.Follow Alex on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/alexfitau/.  For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The girl with an iron spine

On this episode of Humans of Chelmsford we are joined by Dawn Wood, an Essex Police maritime skipper who is preparing for a mind-boggling challenge.In January 2019 the former Chelmsford Rugby Club player will row singlehandedly across the Atlantic Ocean.While much of her Atlantic adventure is based on challenging herself and trying to beat the world record – which currently stands at 49 days – there is another motive pushing Dawn forwards.As a passionate campaigner against plastic pollution in the ocean Dawn using her challenge to raise money and to give her a platform to change attitudes.Crossing the Atlantic Ocean – a journey of 3000 miles – on your own brings with it a number of challenges from unpredictable weather conditions to sharks swimming in the waters below.Not only do you have to be an accomplished rower you have to master engineering skills, navigations skills and you also have to battle your mind.However, should Dawn complete the challenge in early 2019 she will become just the sixth woman in the world to do it.To donate to the fundraising campaign go to: https://www.gofundme.com/rowauroraListen to Dawn’s story above. Humans of Chelmsford is available on iTunes, Spotify, Acast, Stitcher, Player FM and on our website.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a monthly podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each week we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.Music in this episode is from Broke For Free. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The police skipper planning to row the Atlantic Ocean singlehandedly

On this episode of Humans of Chelmsford we speak to Stephen Cottrell who has been the Bishop of Chelmsford since 2010.The role requires a significant amount of responsibility with hundreds of churches falling under his remit and tasks covering the entirety of the county and much of East London.But what makes the man from Leigh-on-Sea?Contrary to what many people might think Bishop Stephen has not come from a religious background and a multitude of experiences while growing up turned him towards his faith.Eventually he decided his path would be to become an ordained priest but he admits he never told anyone at the time.And now – while on paper he holds one of the most important roles in the church – he doesn’t see himself as being employed.If the church had a spectacular financial meltdown Bishop Stephen maintains he would still be the bishop – even if he had to get another job elsewhere.In today’s society there are many challenges facing the church, such as same-sex marriage, staying relevant to a younger generation and wave of developing ideas.But throughout it all the Bishop of Chelmsford is steadfast in his ambition to change the world.Listen to Bishop Stephen’s story above. Humans of Chelmsford is available on iTunes, Spotify, Acast, Stitcher, Player FM and on our website.Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a monthly podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city.Each week we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives. For information regarding your data privacy, visit acast.com/privacy

The bishop who wants to change the world

Brought to you by Essex Live, Humans of Chelmsford is a podcast about inspiring people with incredible tales from across the city. Each episode we uncover the stories you never knew existed about fellow Chelmsford residents and their lives.

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Humans of Chelmsford

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