Summary

  • We appreciate this is a challenging time for people as coronavirus continues to spread

  • But amid all the worrying news, there have been reasons to find hope

  • BBC News is sharing stories of how people are helping and looking out for each other

  • BBC Local Radio has launched a campaign called Make A Difference - broadcasting stories highlighting how communities are pulling together

  • Email england@bbc.co.uk to let us know how you've been making a difference

  • Updates on Monday 11 May

  1. 😊 Thank you and good evening 🌈published at 18:59 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Jennifer Meierhans
    BBC News

    Thank you for joining us in honouring our lockdown heroes.

    Every Monday it's an absolute pleasure to share your stories and photos of the people making a difference where you live.

    We hope you've enjoyed reading about them as much as we have writing about them. Until next week, stay safe and keep smiling.

  2. Messages of kindness make city people smilepublished at 18:56 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Jasmine Ketibuah-Foley
    Digital Journalist

    Image of a flagImage source, Nicky Takes Photos

    Small fabric flags bearing messages of kindness have been placed around Bristol to "make people smile".

    Julian Wood, 42, was forced out of work during the coronavirus outbreak and after going on benefits and using foodbanks, started the project as a way to cope.

    The teaching assistant began The Art Kindness project in 2018 but worked on it diligently during lockdown.

    Image of Julian WoodImage source, Nicky Takes Photos

    Mr Wood said: "One day I saw graffiti on a wall that said 'you look great' and have since been inspired to make people feel good about themselves in the same way."

    The project has now become a daily routine for him, making 50 flags and cycling around Bristol to place them in parks and streets.

    Image of kindness care packageImage source, Julian Wood
  3. How lockdown will change nowpublished at 18:50 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    A hairdresser cuts a client's hair in Puchheim, GermanyImage source, Getty Images

    With the government easing some restrictions, how will social and work life be different?

    What's the guidance for Covid in the UK now?

    Almost all of the UK's Covid rules have ended, two years after they were introduced.

    Read More
  4. Childrenswear brand launches charity sweatshirtpublished at 18:44 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Jennifer Meierhans
    BBC News

    Herefordshire-based clothing brand Milk Childrenswear has launched a rainbow print charity sweatshirt.

    The new design is for adults and children with 100% of the profits being split equally between NHS Charities Together and the NSPCC.

    Milk sweatshirtsImage source, Jo-Anne Warley

    Owner Jo-Anne Warley said: "So far over £1,200 has been raised for these charities and sweatshirts are still available to order to support the fantastic work they are doing to help and support us all during this difficult time."

  5. Headteacher a community lockdown heropublished at 18:32 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Jennifer Meierhans
    BBC News

    I received an email about Gary Spracklen, headteacher of the Prince of Wales School in Dorset.

    It said: "He has done absolutely outstanding work to support the local community, which has gone far beyond just providing care for the children of key-workers and fabulous online learning. He has been absolutely incredible."

    Gary Spracklen

    I went through Mr Spracklen's Twitter feed to find out what he has been up to. He's been putting on daily YouTube broadcasts, at least one while wearing a wig. He posted this drone shot of the school's football pitch, lovingly painted by the caretaker.

    Rainbow on football pitchImage source, Gary Spracklen

    He's been making parcels for children in lockdown.

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    And parents seem pretty pleased with him.

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    Well done Gary - you're one of our lockdown community heroes.

  6. Seven-year-old boy raises almost £3k for charitypublished at 18:17 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Osob Elmi
    BBC News

    Media caption,

    Boy, seven, embarks on fundraising challenge

    A seven-year-old boy has reached his fundraising target of £2,600.

    Ellis Rankin from Bath set out on a mission on 26 April to raise cash for Parkinson’s UK.

    He did a series of challenges including:

    - A series of bike rides totalling 26 miles

    - Making and distributing 26 'thank you NHS' rainbows to his local community

    - Virtual quizzes

    - 26 minutes of silence for those who have lost their lives to coronavirus

    - A 2.6k run around the garden

    Mum Melissa Rankin, who works at Parkinson's UK, said: "I explained to him we couldn't hold anything to raise money and he said, 'I'll do it'."

  7. Coronavirus: Evening updatepublished at 18:09 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Coronavirus update logo

    Five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this evening.

    Coronavirus: Evening update

    Five things you need to know about the coronavirus outbreak this evening.

    Read More
  8. Paul's stand-up set for NHS charitiespublished at 17:49 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Paul Snudden, chief executive of a laser imaging company in London, has channelled his inner comic to raise money for front-line workers.

    Paul StuddenImage source, Paul Studden

    He said: "After a long Zoom bar session with old friends I accepted the challenge of writing and performing a live stand-up routine.

    "I've never done anything like it before."

    His jokes seemed to go down well as 100 viewers donated £1,500 between them for NHS Charities Together.

  9. Eleven-year-old 'climbs Everest' for charitypublished at 17:30 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

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  10. Behind the scenes on the coronavirus front linepublished at 17:13 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    A team of intensive care staff at the Royal GwentImage source, Dr Nick Mason

    Front-line workers at the Royal Gwent Hospital in Newport have have filmed their experiences in the intensive care unit.

    They have documented what life was like during the first month of lockdown as they began to fight the rapidly spreading pandemic.

  11. Ovations for intensive care patients going homepublished at 17:00 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Greig Watson
    BBC News Online

    Two patients who had been seriously ill with coronavirus have been applauded as they left the Royal Derby Hospital.

    Janet Squires, 75, from Egginton in Derbyshire, was admitted on 25 March and spent 27 days in intensive care, most of those in an induced coma.

    Janet SquiresImage source, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

    She said: "It feels wonderful to be going home. I can't fault the staff at all, they've been wonderful and lovely."

    She said she was looking forward to bacon and eggs - and sunbathing.

    Ann West (below), 61, from Littleover, was admitted to hospital on 23 March and spent 28 days in intensive care.

    Ann WestImage source, University Hospitals of Derby and Burton NHS Foundation Trust

    The grandmother of eight said: "Everyone has been absolutely marvellous and without them I wouldn't be here, so all I can say is thank you from the bottom of my heart for sending me back home to my family."

    Staff said seeing patients recover was a huge morale boost to everyone at the hospital.

  12. More than 1,000 food parcels delivered in Wiltshirepublished at 16:50 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    An organisation set up to respond to those most in need during the coronavirus pandemic has delivered its 1,000th food parcel.

    Worker at Wiltshire Wellbeing HubImage source, Wiltshire Council

    The parcels of emergency three-day food supplies were delivered by the Wiltshire Wellbeing hub to vulnerable residents in the county who are shielding or self-isolating and do not qualify for a government food package.

    Council leader Philip Whitehead said: "We are delighted that our Wellbeing Hub has delivered over 1,000 food parcels to residents and we hope it has made this difficult time a little easier."

    "I'm very grateful to members of our staff who have moved from their existing jobs in the council to join the hub. They've brought commitment, skill, empathy and enthusiasm to their new roles which has helped provide the friendly voice and practical support that people need right now."

  13. 🌈 Otto says thank you with rainbows 🌈published at 16:37 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Jennifer Meierhans
    BBC News

    Five-year-old Otto spent hours making rainbows for neighbours in Holt Town, Norfolk, to put in their windows.

    He posted them to nearly 100 homes and received a flurry of thank you cards.

    Otto said: "It gives a butterfly feeling to know I've made people smile and said thank you to the doctors and nurses."

    OttoImage source, Victoria Harvey

    But little did he know that he would be admitted to hospital for emergency surgery to remove his appendix.

    Four hours after his operation he asked a nurse to wheel him out to clap for carers.

    OttoImage source, Victoria Harvey

    His mum Victoria Harvey said: "It brought it home to see the incredible doctors and nurses and Otto is now set on making more rainbows to say thank you and make people smile."

  14. How to wash your handspublished at 16:26 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Washing your hands is a key part of preventing the spread of coronavirus, the NHS says.

    Dr Adele McCormick, from the University of Westminster, demonstrates how to do it properly - it should take about 20 seconds.

  15. Thank you to bin crewspublished at 16:17 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

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  16. Brasserie sends meals to those in needpublished at 16:04 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Rob England
    BBC News

    Paul DurandImage source, The Little Shoe

    A cafe and bakery has used donations from customers to send out meals and essential food to those in need while its doors are closed to the public.

    The Little Shoe brasserie in Liverpool has produced more than 100 care packages for those struggling during the pandemic.

    Head chef Paul Durand said: "We wanted to pass on good home-cooked food to people either unable to get out, unable to cook for themselves or just needing some extra help to get their family fed.

    "We have so many great customers who we knew would want to answer the call to help others and keep us cooking."

    Mr Durand said the packages had been distributed through local charities and schools.

  17. Florence Nightingale image to be projected on hospitalspublished at 15:55 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Florence NightingaleImage source, Getty Images

    Giant images of Florence Nightingale will be projected on to two London hospitals this evening to thank all front-line health care workers on the bicentenary of The Lady With the Lamp's birth.

    The pictures have been organised by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust, external and the Florence Nightingale Museum, external to coincide with International Nurses' Day tomorrow.

    The 15m (50ft) by 10m (33ft) projections will be displayed on both Guy’s and St Thomas’ Hospitals between 20:00 and 23:00 BST, and at the same time tomorrow.

    Images will also be shown on Rome's L. Spallanzani hospital, which is home to the National Institute for the Infectious Diseases as well as being the first research centre in Europe to isolate the genomic sequence of Covid-19.

  18. How to make your own face maskpublished at 15:46 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    People in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland are now being advised to wear face coverings while at the shops or on public transport to help limit the spread of coronavirus.

    While medical face masks and respirators are prioritised for health and care workers, you might want to try making your own face covering.

    Read our guide on different types and step-by-step instructions on how to make them.

    Three types of homemade facemasks or face coverings
  19. Advice for people with health conditionspublished at 15:30 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    man coughingImage source, Getty Images

    Older people and those with pre-existing medical conditions are more vulnerable to the virus.

    Find out more about what experts have been advising here.

  20. Teacher's Spider-man alter ego to fight isolation bluespublished at 15:20 British Summer Time 11 May 2020

    Rob England
    BBC News

    A teacher has donned the guise of web-slinging superhero Spider-man to cheer up students who are stuck indoors during the lockdown.

    James Baker has been using his exercise time to wave at and pose with children in south Gloucestershire.

    He said: “The main message we share is that you don’t need a cape or to be able to fly in order to be a superhero - just be kind and help people.

    "This is within all of us.”

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