Can We Just Ask

Episode 17 is here - after the bank holiday weekend in the UK we are back and ready to share our favourite bits of good news.The population of the Hainan gibbon has tripled in the last 17 years.https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/rare-gibbon-population-triples/A new solution to the plastic problem is on the way, thanks to a biochemistry company in the Netherlands.https://www.sunnyskyz.com/good-news/3789/The-End-Of-Plastic-New-Plant-Based-Bottles-Degrade-In-1-YearDad How Do I? - a new Youtube sensation with almost 2 million followers since launch just a couple of weeks ago shares videos to help fatherless children (and adults) with some of the things dad might have taught you. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCNepEAWZH0TBu7dkxIbluDw/videosAnd finally, a park in the US has created human parking spots to help enforce social distancing in communal space.Please keep sending in your good news, we are on social media @canwejustask

Happy Friday - we have lots of good news today for episode 16!We are thrilled to have been nominated for the ‘Best Live Episode’ category in this year’s British Podcast Awards. Voting is now open for the ‘Listener’s Choice’ so head to https://www.britishpodcastawards.com/vote to vote (for us, or your favourite podcast!)Text for Humanity is the first texting switchboard offering the opportunity to put a smile on someone’s face.https://www.textforhumanity.com/Lost stock is tackling the humanitarian crisis resulting from cancelled clothing orders by leading brands due to Covid-19. Aiming to support 50,000 workers and their families by the end of the year, Lost Stock have set up a site where you can buy a box of lost stock clothing to support workers.https://loststock.co/A manufacturing company in Belgium have been using their fleet of cranes to help lift families up to visit their elderly relatives in high rise care homes. https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/coronavirus-crane-family-reunion-lockdown-belgium-a9513906.htmlIkea have released instructions for the 6 best blanket forts to bring a little childhood magic to lockdown.https://www.standard.co.uk/tech/ikea-forts-dens-designs-lockdown-entertainment-a4444781.htmlAn artist in Freshford (near bath) has come up with an idea to help children comet together and create a masterpiece despite social distancing. They have been painting rocks and carrying them on their daily exercise to a field in the middle of the village, arranging them to slowly create a rainbow.Please keep sending us your good news, we are on social media @canwejustask

It's Mental Health Awareness Week, and so we're back and sharing a little bit of kindness in today's show. We have loads more good news stories, including:German clubs have started hosting drive-thru ravesThe increase in the humpback whale population is having a positive effect on C02 levels in the environmentDamien Hirst is selling original pieces of art for NHS CharitiesTaika Waititi is doing dramatic readings of Roald Dahl's James and the Giant Peach with his celeb friends to raise funds for Partners in HealthWe hope you enjoy the show. Please keep sending in your positive stories, and get in touch with us @canwejustask

It's been a turbulent week, so we're happy to be back with loads more good news, including:Belgians are being encouraged to eat more fries after the shut down of exports of potatoes from the country.https://abcnews.go.com/International/belgians-urged-eat-fries-potato-products-covid-19/story?id=70598620After hundreds of years, the first wild stork chicks are expected to hatch in Britainhttps://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/apr/26/uk-first-wild-stork-chicks-hatch-centuries?fbclid=IwAR2spTF5ZyqjOjE3gYpbvCZEuEBlESRHqryAlbQu8oGVzcRvgPTHv5ecjpkDraw For have raised over £10,000 on their launch weekend with #DrawForNHSdrawfor.orgThe V&A Museum are collecting your signs showing support for the NHS, to be displayed in their Childhood Museum once lockdown is oover https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2020/may/12/victoria-and-albert-museum-rainbow-signs-lockdown-coronavirus-britain?utm_term=Autofeed&CMP=twt_gu&utm_medium&utm_source=Twitter#Echobox=1589264507Finisterre have released an amazing sustainable, organic collection of clothes in collaboration with the x Natural History museum - showcasing hand-drawn designs and raising awareness for sustainable fashion https://finisterre.com/collections/natural-history-museum-finisterre-mensIf you enjoy the show, please let us know @canwejustask

Episode 12 of What’s The Good News is a big one! Filled with some of the most uplifting news and initiatives we have come across so far this week. We won’t be here on Friday due to the Bank Holiday in the UK, so we hope this bumper episode keeps you going until next Tuesday :)Scientists in Kenya have discovered a microbe which they believe could help prevent the spread of malaria. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-52530828The Nightingale hospital built in London’s Excel Centre has been placed on standby due to the low number of beds in use.Jupiter, Venus and the Moon will be aligning next week to form a very positive message from the sky :)http://www.physics-astronomy.com/2020/04/set-your-alarm-jupiter-venus-and-moon.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+physics-astronomy%2FwNJb+%28Physics-Astronomy%29&m=1&fbclid=IwAR3eu14kZ1_MS_IY5A_mDuY8kJVCIfyR0T6NS09Kz4ma1seP4ZJDBUAbuxMDrawFor is a new social enterprise celebrating artists and raising money for important causes. This week, they launch their first campaign #DrawForNHS, raising funds for NHS Charities Together, through the sale of limited edition prints. Find out more https://www.Drawfor.org.RudeHealth have partnered with Chef’s in Schools to launch a new campaign #Flip2Feed to raise more money to help Chefs in Schools feed vulnerable children. You can get involved at www.crowdfunder.co.uk/flip2feedStacey Dooley is renting out her Strictly Come Dancing dressed to raise money for Rufuge Charit - you can find the information on her Instagram!Please do keep sending us in your good news and stories, you can find us on social media @canwejustask

Hello! We are back with Episode 11 of What’s The Good News? and today is filled with lots of positivity relating to wildlife and the environment.According to the Wildlife Trust Hedgehogs have been enjoying lockdown - in more ways than one.https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/amorous-hedgehogs-enjoy-coronavirus-lockdown-a4427281.htmlPakistan has been tackling both environmental and economic issues by lifting social distancing restrictions to allow a project to plant 10 billion trees to resume.https://www.reuters.com/article/us-health-coronavirus-pakistan-trees-fea/as-a-green-stimulus-pakistan-sets-virus-idled-to-work-planting-trees-idUSKCN22A369Scuba diving boats that have been grounded by the halt in tourism have been repurposed to support coral restoration on the Great Barrier Reef.https://passions.com.au/eco-tourism/It has been reported that there has been a reduction of 11,000 deaths caused by air pollution as a result of cleaner air in Europe.And finally, coal is currently not required for power in the UK, as we even look to turning off wind farms so as not to overload the grid while we use much less electricity during lock down.

We're back with even more good news to share in episode 10!Captain Tom Moore is celebrating his 100th birthday this week and has now raised over £29million for NHS charities. https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/tomswalkforthenhs In other fundraising news, Run for Heroes has now surpassed their £5million target. You can get involved instagram.com/run.for.heroesAn astroid four times the size of the largest building in the world is on its way towards the earth. The good news is it's only passing, and you can watch it as it does so here: https://www.virtualtelescope.eu/2020/03/06/potentially-hazardous-asteroid-52768-1998-or2-close-encounter-online-observations-28-apr-2020/Health officials in Odisha, India are hoping the 400 new ventilators ordered will help reduce the number of deaths by snake bites in the country, an issue that costs the country hundreds of lives every year. The National Theatre have launched a monthly quiz with hosts such as Ian McKellan, Helen Mirren and Lenny Henry on the line up. Find them on YouTube here: https://youtu.be/LJQ160k_VN4Rebecca Strickson has been working with Posters for the People, a project creating art for charity and decorating the city while they're at it! https://instagram.com/rebecca_strickson_illustration?igshid=bge5bdm1yvnaIf you have any good news to share, you can find us @canwejustask

We are back with some good news to round off your week.Brewdog are giving free beers at the end of lockdown. You can sign up here: https://brewdog.typeform.com/to/gjyOYqPeanut butter has become a hack in at-home dog grooming.The Tate Modern have released a video tour of their Aubrey Beardsley exhibition, to be enjoyed from the comfort of your own sofa https://www.tate.org.uk/whats-on/tate-britain/exhibition/aubrey-beardsleyPenguins Edward and Annie have been on a date at Shedd Aquarium in Chicago https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_w2eDhC1bD0Scientists of the Florida Aquarium have made a breakthrough in coral conservation, with the first reproduction of cactus coral in human care. https://www.goodnewsnetwork.org/historic-discovery-that-will-help-save-florida-reef-tract/Anthony O’Shaughnessy has been making dinner for his elderly neighbour. Find him on twitter www.twitteer.com/@anthonyshockFind us on social media @canwejustask to share your stories and positive news with us. And please rate, review and share the podcast with your friends.