Morning Live will be broadcasting live from an “urban nature paradise” in central Manchester as part of the BBC’s Wild About Nature week.
From 6th October to 12th October, coinciding with World Mental Health Day, the BBC will be exploring how audiences can reconnect with the natural world.
There will be special programming across the schedule, including the first outside broadcast for Morning Live in its 5 year history. On 7th October, Gethin Jones, Helen Skelton and team will be broadcasting from a yet-to-be-revealed location in central Manchester.
There they’ll be joined by Dr Xand, who’ll be exploring the science behind why nature benefits mental health and investigating the power of sunlight in combatting Seasonal Affective Disorder. The Traitors’ Jaz Singh will talk about his love of angling and Springwatch’s Jack Baddams will uncover the world of nocturnal creatures in urban areas.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing all areas of BBC content unite to celebrate our first ever Wild About Nature Week. From Morning Live to The Archers, there will be something for all our audiences to enjoy to across the week-long celebration, and we hope it encourages everyone to get stuck into the nature around them,” said BBC’s Chief Content Officer, Kate Phillips.
As well as Morning Live, The Archers will feature a special storyline where George Grundy is released from prison and finds nature has an important role in his rehabilitation and emotional recovery.
Wild About Nature: Radio 3 in Concert, will be live from the Barbican Centre in London, as Martin Handley introduces the BBC Symphony Orchestra and conductor Dalia Stasevska in a performance of Luther Adams’s Become Ocean, Ligeti’s Atmosphères and Thorvaldsdottir’s ARCHORA.
Radio 2’s Vernon Kay will be presenting a special edition of Vernon’s Vault, going back to 1970s Birmingham to find out about the profound impact of community allotments there.
The One Show will be showcasing nature films and, later in the week, Hamza Yassin will be on the sofa to discuss Hamza’s Hidden Wild Isles.
Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour is speaking to Vicky Balfour, a mental health campaigner and mother of a SEND child, as she shares her love of mountain biking and exploring nature to support parents of SEND children.
Over on BBC Children’s CBBC’s Saturday Mash-Up will air a special ‘wild’ edition of the show, featuring Survivor UK winner Matthew Haywood and Cam Whitnall (One Zoo Three).
CBBC will also debut a 28 minute documentary, My Life: Puffin Patrol, where two young Icelanders rescue lost pufflings, who get stranded after taking a wrong turn.
The week coincides with its 5th annual Climate Creatives Conference, the BBC’s environmental engagement event for the broadcast sector and wider creative industries.
