Latest news with #Samaritans
Sydney Morning Herald
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Sydney Morning Herald
This five-star British series is shocking and confronting – and it's the best comedy in years
Such Brave Girls ★ ★ ★★★ One of the most gasp-inducing black comedies in years, Such Brave Girls returns for a second season, and while it might not seem possible, things are bleaker for sisters Josie (Kat Sadler) and Billie (Lizzie Davidson) and their mum, Deb (Louise Brealey). The creepy Seb (Freddie Meredith) is living with them and paying the bills after Josie was cajoled into marrying him despite her identifying as gay ('You just think you're gay – for now', Deb tells her). Created and written by Sadler, who stars as Josie – Lizzie Davidson is her real-life sister – Such Brave Girls is inspired by Sadler's experience with mental illness. But if you haven't seen the first season (and you should: it won two BAFTAs, one for best scripted comedy and one for emerging talent: fiction for Sadler), this is no gentle portrayal of poor ill health. Sadler doesn't sugarcoat anything, and believes melancholy – and worse – is as fair play as anything else for analysis through humour. The first season featured multiple taboo subjects, from one-liners about suicide to Josie's excitement at discussing her trauma, gags about abortion and an unforgettable scene involving both sisters and a pregnancy test. There's also family dysfunction: Deb, Billie and Josie spend much of their time trying to keep their heads above water, financially and emotionally, and live in a hefty amount of denial. The girls' father went out for teabags a decade earlier and never came back, although Billie still holds out hope he may return – even after learning that he skipped his mother's funeral for fear of running into them. Last season ended with Deb's lies stacking up as fast as her money was dissipating while she waited for Dev, the man of her dreams (largely because of the fact he was employed and owned a 'massive house') to start paying for things and propose. Mostly just the paying thing. Some of those lies are starting to come undone, much like Josie does at least once an episode. For most of this season, Josie is struggling – and who can blame her, having been bullied into marrying the repugnant Seb, so incompetent he's fired for making a dodgy prank call to his boss from his mobile phone. Briefly, Josie is happy (albeit through a completely delusional relationship she thinks she's having), and Billie is taken aback at seeing her smile. 'It's like your mouth's doing the right thing but your eyes are trying to call the Samaritans,' she says.
The Age
19 hours ago
- Entertainment
- The Age
This five-star British series is shocking and confronting – and it's the best comedy in years
Such Brave Girls ★ ★ ★★★ One of the most gasp-inducing black comedies in years, Such Brave Girls returns for a second season, and while it might not seem possible, things are bleaker for sisters Josie (Kat Sadler) and Billie (Lizzie Davidson) and their mum, Deb (Louise Brealey). The creepy Seb (Freddie Meredith) is living with them and paying the bills after Josie was cajoled into marrying him despite her identifying as gay ('You just think you're gay – for now', Deb tells her). Created and written by Sadler, who stars as Josie – Lizzie Davidson is her real-life sister – Such Brave Girls is inspired by Sadler's experience with mental illness. But if you haven't seen the first season (and you should: it won two BAFTAs, one for best scripted comedy and one for emerging talent: fiction for Sadler), this is no gentle portrayal of poor ill health. Sadler doesn't sugarcoat anything, and believes melancholy – and worse – is as fair play as anything else for analysis through humour. The first season featured multiple taboo subjects, from one-liners about suicide to Josie's excitement at discussing her trauma, gags about abortion and an unforgettable scene involving both sisters and a pregnancy test. There's also family dysfunction: Deb, Billie and Josie spend much of their time trying to keep their heads above water, financially and emotionally, and live in a hefty amount of denial. The girls' father went out for teabags a decade earlier and never came back, although Billie still holds out hope he may return – even after learning that he skipped his mother's funeral for fear of running into them. Last season ended with Deb's lies stacking up as fast as her money was dissipating while she waited for Dev, the man of her dreams (largely because of the fact he was employed and owned a 'massive house') to start paying for things and propose. Mostly just the paying thing. Some of those lies are starting to come undone, much like Josie does at least once an episode. For most of this season, Josie is struggling – and who can blame her, having been bullied into marrying the repugnant Seb, so incompetent he's fired for making a dodgy prank call to his boss from his mobile phone. Briefly, Josie is happy (albeit through a completely delusional relationship she thinks she's having), and Billie is taken aback at seeing her smile. 'It's like your mouth's doing the right thing but your eyes are trying to call the Samaritans,' she says.
Daily Record
a day ago
- General
- Daily Record
Airdrie freight train driver wins Woman of the Year honour at everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards
Heather Waugh, a rapid deployment train driver at Freightliner, devotes more than 1000 personal hours a year to promote and champion the sector in schools, events and on panels, and volunteer and fundraise for charity. An Airdrie woman who is Scotland's only female freight train driver is on track for a bright future after scooping a top honour at the everywoman in Transport & Logistics Awards. Heather Waugh was crowned Woman of the Year at a prestigious ceremony in London which was attended by industry leaders. Heather is a rapid deployment train driver at Freightliner and her "extraordinary dedication" to the industry sees her devote more than 1000 personal hours a year to promote and champion the sector in schools, events and on panels, and volunteer and fundraise for charity. All of this is on top of working long, challenging hours in a job with no access to communications, meaning every activity is organised in her own time. A spokesperson for the awards added: "Instead of complaining about issues, Heather is committed to changing the system. "She campaigned to improve conditions for women working in the freight industry by getting female toilets installed. "After witnessing how drivers can struggle with their mental health, she campaigned to get them better support. "Heather remains a staunch advocate for mental health awareness and is a volunteer with Samaritans, supporting them with case studies and featuring in a video promoting their suicide prevention training courses to encourage others in the sector to sign up. "Heather is on the steering group for Rail Wellbeing Live and has been appointed a trustee of Women in Rail. "When it comes to fundraising, Heather unites the sector to support good causes through the Railway Family Fundraiser, an initiative she launched. "It has raised over £100,000 in just over three years through a variety of inclusive events involving over 60 rail companies. "By rallying the industry, significant sums have been donated to Ukrainian Railways, a school in Cambodia, Andy's Man Club, White Ribbon and Railway Mission." Maxine Benson, co-founder at everywoman, said: "This year's cohort of inspiring finalists and winners demonstrates the huge variety of ways in which women are driving innovation and growth in this pivotal sector. "From spearheading sustainability initiatives and automation projects to launching groundbreaking enterprises, these women are not just participating in the industry's evolution, they're leading it. "Their inspiring stories demonstrate the wealth of opportunities available to the next generation of female talent. "Our winners are authentic role models whose achievements will inspire newcomers in the transport and logistics industry. "Their stories highlight an extraordinary depth of talent, from apprentices to CEOs and every role in between. "This sector offers limitless pathways for growth and innovation, and we know that every one of the finalists will continue to empower other women to pursue their ambitions with unwavering confidence and determination."
The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Leading rebel Rachael Maskell chokes up sharing devastating impact of welfare cuts on disabled constituent
Showing now | News 02:15 Holly Bishop If you are experiencing feelings of distress and isolation, or are struggling to cope, The Samaritans offer support; you can speak to someone for free over the phone, in confidence, on 116 123 (UK and ROI), email jo@ or visit the Samaritans website to find details of your nearest branch. Rachael Maskell became emotional whilst describing the impact of welfare cuts on her constituent on Tuesday (1 July). The Labour MP for York Central, who put forward a second amendment rejecting the Universal Credit and Personal Independent Payment Bill, said her disabled constituent told her that 'it would be better if he wasn't here'. The bill would see changes made to personal independence payment (Pip) and the health-related element of universal credit.
CTV News
a day ago
- Automotive
- CTV News
Driver rescued from fiery highway crash in Wisconsin
Watch A group of Good Samaritans rushed to the scene of a fiery highway crash to rescue a driver in Wisconsin.
