HEY Charity, a new podcast dedicated to spotlighting local charity leaders and providing legal insights for the not-for-profit sector, is set to premiere on Monday, November 4.

Coinciding with the start of Trustees’ Week and created by HEY Smile Foundation in partnership with Rollits LLP, the podcast will delve into the voluntary and community sector, featuring interviews with visionary charity leaders who are making a significant impact in their communities. Supported by Ben Gray at Beverley FM, HEY Charity will explore the challenges faced by charities, celebrate their successes, and highlight how legal knowledge can empower them to achieve even more.

Listeners can expect engaging conversations that offer practical insights and inspiring stories tailored for charitable sector professionals, volunteers, and anyone passionate about charity work. The first episode features an interview with Smile’s chair Trish Dalby, discussing the vital role of trustees.

Sophie Bartup, community development manager at HEY Smile Foundation, said: “I am beyond thrilled that Smile is working in partnership with leading charity law firm, Rollits LLP and Beverley FM, who will produce the HEY Charity podcast. We are passionate about shining a light on the remarkable work happening in our region within the charity sector.

“HEY Charity is all about bringing to life the stories of individuals in our communities who are making a wonderful difference. I am excited to chat with many inspirational charity leaders and volunteers as we highlight both the triumphs and challenges of life within the sector.

“We hope to ignite thoughtful conversations that inspire action and create a platform for charities to share their voices with a diverse audience.” HEY Charity will be available on all major podcast platforms, including Spotify, Soundcloud, Mixcloud, YouTube Music, and Apple Podcasts.

Gerry Morrison, of Rollits, said: “We are excited to work with Smile to launch this new podcast, offering essential legal insights and guidance for the charity, not-for-profit and VCSE sector. It's a must-listen for all sector leaders, charity professionals and trustees and a valuable resource for those navigating the complexities of running a charitable organisation.”

Harriet Wheeldon, also of Rollits, said: “We really enjoyed recording the podcast with Smile and hope that listening to our podcast equips sector leaders and their trustees with the insights they need to make a difference.” For more information about HEY Charity and to subscribe, please visit heysmilefoundation.org

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A health trust has agreed a damages settlement worth up to £23.7m for a 20-year-old man who was born with a brain injury due to negligent treatment provided to his mother during pregnancy.

The settlement, which includes a lump sum award of £7.8m and annual payments for the rest of his life, will fund a purpose-built home for him and his family, who live in East Yorkshire. It will also pay for live-in carers and specialist facilities and equipment, including a hydro pool room.

It comes almost three years after a High Court Judge ruled that Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust was at fault for the lifelong injuries caused. The settlement was finally agreed between the man's legal representatives and the Trust last week and approved by a Judge on Tuesday.

The case had centred on the care provided to the boy’s mother back in 2004 when 37 weeks pregnant when she attended an antenatal clinic concerned about a continued lack of movement from her baby. It was alleged an obstetrician wrongly reassured her all was fine following a scan.

This meant she felt reassured and relaxed about continued reduced fetal movements, only returning to the hospital four days later when she felt no movement when having a warm bath. Her son was born at the City Hospital in Nottingham with Cerebral Palsy having suffered a brain injury due to chronic partial hypoxia.

He was left severely disabled and needing 24-hour care. Although the Trust agreed the boy wouldn't have suffered a neurological injury if he'd been born up to two days earlier, it denied the obstetrician carried out a scan at the antenatal clinic and the mother’s claim she'd raised concerns about reduced movement.

At the liability trial in 2021, the Judge said he was satisfied the obstetrician had undertaken the scan and he believed the mother's account was correct. Hudgell Solicitors first issued a claim for damages from Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust in 2016, with legal aid obtained to launch court proceedings.

The mother of the man, who can't be named for legal reasons, said: "Given what we have been through, I’d say to any other parent to get legal advice immediately if you have a child born with a brain injury and you’ve got suspicions things weren’t right.

"It’s a shame that people don’t admit mistakes when so much is at stake for a family. It impacts on the entire family every day, for the rest of their lives."

"This has been an exceptionally tough road for my client and his family, particularly given the long legal battle we had over many years, during which time the Trust simply refused to accept that it had been at fault at all,” said solicitor Chris Moore, joint national head of clinical negligence at Hudgell Solicitors.

He added: "That day in court almost three years ago when the judge ruled in our favour was hugely significant, and that has been matched by what has happened now, as we are delighted with this final settlement because it will ensure my client has all the care, equipment and support he requires for the rest of his life. That is a huge weight off the mind of his loved ones."

Manjeet Shehmar, Medical Director at Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust, said: "I am truly sorry for the harm caused to the baby who was delivered in our maternity services in 2004, and would like to offer our sincere apologies to the family. We fully accepted the court’s findings in 2021 and are pleased that a settlement has been reached. We hope this helps provide the support that is needed.

"We are committed to making improvements through our Maternity Improvement Programme, the foundations of which are based on vital feedback from women and families. We are listening to women and families and acting on their feedback to rebuild trust.

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"We know there is more to do, but through the hard work of our colleagues we can see progress taking place. In our most recent Care Quality Commission report, published in September 2023, we saw an improved rating for our maternity services. We have also seen positive feedback from women and families using our services now, which reflects the improvements being made.

"Alongside this, we continue to work closely with Donna Ockenden and her review of our maternity services, talking regularly and acting on the feedback that she provides. I am thankful to both Donna and the families involved in the review for sharing their experiences with us so we can do better."

The co-writer of BBC hit comedy The Vicar Of Dibley, Paul Mayhew-Archer, is bringing his show about living with Parkinson’s to Hull on Wednesday 6 November to raise funds for Parkinson’s UK and its local support group.

The Hull support group provides information, support and friendship in an informal and comfortable setting for local people living with the condition. Adapting to life with Parkinson’s can be hard for not only those who are diagnosed but their loved ones but getting the right information and support can make a real difference.

Parkinson’sis a progressive neurological condition with over 40 symptoms and there is currently no cure. Paul was diagnosed with the condition in 2011 but, despite its serious nature,, he was determined to see the lighter side and started writing jokes about it, with appearances at the Royal Albert Hall and The Comedy Store. In 2015 he made an award-winning documentary about it called Parkinson’s - The Funny Side, and he now co-hosts the hugely popular podcast Movers and Shakers with Jeremy Paxman and others about the realities of living with the condition.

Paul started performing his one-man show, Incurable Optimist, in 2018. He says his wife ‘lives in hope that a cure will be found so that he will finally shut up about it!’.

In this special performance, Paul will bring his original show with new material about what has happened since. Paul also hopes that by taking part in the show, it will raise awareness of the condition.

The show isn’t just about Parkinson’s, though. It’s about Paul’s life trying to make the nation laugh as a writer, producer and script editor of some of the nation’s favourite comedies. Above all, the show focuses on the ability of comedy and laughter to make people feel better, with Paul himself forgetting that he has Parkinson’s when he performs the show.

John Hinson, Volunteer at Parkinson’s UK’s Hull Support group, said:“I’m thrilled that Paul has agreed to perform in Hull. The evening will be an important fundraising event for us and is an amazing opportunity to raise awareness of Parkinson’s and the support our group offers to people living locally with the condition.”

Comedian, Josh Widdicombe, said: “Paul isn’t just one of the country’s funniest writers. It turns out he’s also a brilliant performer.”

Paul Mayhew-Archer’s comedy show, Incurable Optimist, will be at Hull Truck Theatre 50 Ferensway, Hull HU2 8LB at 7:30 pm on Wednesday 6 November and tickets are £19.50 per person (concessions available). All proceeds go directly to Parkinson’s UK and will continue to support activities in the Hull & East Yorkshire region: https://www.hulltruck.co.uk/whats-on/comedy/the-incurable-optimist/

The Hull support group meets on the third Monday of each month from 1:30pm to 3:30pm at Cottingham Civic Hall, Market Green, Cottingham HU16 5QG.

For more information about the event or support group, please contact Rose Crawley, Local Volunteer Officer at Parkinson's UK at rcrawley@parkinsons.org.uk.

Visit parkinsons.org.uk for more information about Parkinson’s UK and its support groups.