With no job and nowhere to live, Mateasa Grant went to her local council for help. All she got was some leaflets and advice on how to get benefits. A year on, with a job and home of her own - Mateasa investigates why people like her seem to be at the bottom of the pile for support. Filming undercover, she reveals how local authorities do not consider someone like her "vulnerable" enough to be offered support. She hears the stories of other young, homeless people and finds out that some of the little support that is available seems to be under threat.
Richard Hill is one of three million young adults in the UK still living with their parents. He meets others who’ve gone to extreme lengths to find somewhere affordable to live - sharing with a friend in a grotty one bedroom flat, living in an empty office block and even on a boat. With so many people like Richard unable to buy their own home, he looks at what’s being done to make housing more affordable for young people in the UK.
Rick Kelsey and Union J’s Jaymi Hensley present results of a Newsbeat survey of 3,000 18-29 year olds exploring their view on society’s attitude on race, sexuality and sexism.
Rick Kelsey and Gemma Cairney present the results of a Newsbeat survey of 3,000 18-29 year olds exploring their view on society’s attitude towards race, sexuality and sexism.
Rick Kelsey and rapper Swiss present the results of a Newsbeat survey of 3,000 18-29 year olds exploring their view on society’s attitude towards race, sexuality and sexism.
Investigating the community of Drag Kings - women who dress up and perform as men. Drag Queens are a fixture of pubs, clubs and bars across the UK - in most towns and cities, at least one night a week you’ll find a bloke in a dress belting out camp anthems and telling risque jokes. But there’s a smaller community of Drag Kings across Britain – the women who dress up and perform as men. More club nights are being put on especially for Drag Kings and more girls are getting into it. Newsbeat meet three Drag Kings to find out why they do it, and address how being a Drag Kings relates to someone’s gender, identity and sexuality.
Declan Harvey investigates why Northern Ireland is the only part of the UK to not allow same-sex couples to marry. With the recent 'yes' vote in the Republic of Ireland in favour of gay marriage and many other countries across Europe changing their laws to allow it, why is Northern Ireland different? We meet young gay people who say they're embarrassed and frustrated at their country's lack of progress and hear the strongly held arguments against change from the governing Democratic Unionist Party.
From boyband splits and health issues to being dropped from your record label, Jimmy Blake finds out what happens after the band. Founding JLS member Oritse Williams and former Kooks drummer Paul Garred lift the lid on how their time with their bands came to an end and talk openly about the difficulties of going solo. Also, from the pages of NME to the classroom, the guitarist in a band tipped for big things on what happens when it doesn't work out.
Are we falling out of love with clubbing? In 2005 there were 3,144 clubs in the UK and this year it's down to 1,733. Jim Connolly finds out why almost half of UK nightclubs have closed in the past 10 years. We go from the abandoned street where all the clubs have gone, to the main stage at one of the biggest dance festivals, to the warehouse rave going back to where it all began. We speak to Rudimental, Steve Aoki, Lohan Presencer from Ministry of Sound and Radio 1's Danny Howard... and ask where have all the clubbers gone?
Bigorexia is often referred to as the opposite of anorexia. Those living with it believe they are not muscular enough, and many go to extreme lengths to bulk up further. But in their pursuit of the "perfect body" some have gone too far, with devastating results. Known officially as muscle dysmorphia, the condition is thought to affect thousands of people, mainly men, across the UK. BBC Newsbeat joins BBC Asian Network on a journey to meet some of the people who just can't stop pumping iron, the gym owner who says it's rife, the grieving mother who believes she lost her son to Bigorexia and the medical expert who warns that this condition is being ignored.
Dating apps are changing the way people in the UK look for sex and relationships. With hundreds now available, some of them aimed at specific groups of people, Newsbeat’s been looking at what effect they can have on their users. Most use dating apps as a part of their day to day lives - for some they’re an addiction, a lifestyle choice or a lifeline. Rick Kelsey takes a look at app dating in the UK in 2015 through the eyes of users.
Newsbeat follows new recruits to the British Army from the day they join up to the day they pass out. Through drill, physical training, exercises and inspections - we see what modern army training is all about. It's a tough fourteen weeks, and not everyone will make it.
Follow two transgender friends on a life-changing journey to reveal their new identities to their families in Jamaica. Steffan and Romario return to the country where they grew up - one of the most transphobic places in the world. Despite the potential risks to their safety and not knowing how their relatives will react, the friends are determined to be open about who they are. Their story highlights the challenges and struggle for acceptance faced by many transgender people from ethnic minorities in the UK.
Amid tension between Russia and the west, Royal Marines train their US counterparts in the Arctic for the first time. We follow their training in sub-zero conditions in this Newsbeat documentary.
Charles is 17 years old and has anorexia. As he continues to battle to meet his target weight, he bravely decides to open up to his classmates. For the very first time one ground-breaking unit in London lets the cameras in. Hospital admissions are going up but it's not just a female problem. Research suggests one in four people with an eating disorder is male, but experts say too few are getting the help they need because it's seen as a "girl’s condition".
A quick guide to help you decide on 23 June whether the UK should leave or remain part of the European Union. Newsbeat has a look at what the two campaigns are saying on four of the biggest issues of the referendum. How much power does the EU have over the UK? What impact does being part of the EU have on the economy? What's the impact of immigration? And is the UK safer or not being a part of the EU?
A generation has grown up with easy access to every type of online porn any time they want it. Men, women and a couple take a frank, detailed look at the impact this is having. How has porn changed what’s now seen as "normal" sex? What pressure has it put on men and women in terms of how to perform, expectations, consent and body image? Has it allowed people to explore their sexual identity in a way that wasn't possible before? And where does porn fit in to everyday relationships - how would you feel about your partner watching porn on a regular basis? Or is it something you've watched together?
As Barack Obama’s time in office nears its end, people who voted for him reflect on his legacy. From California to Chicago to DC, young black voters look back on his Presidency. Rico, a gay former army veteran, shares his experiences of being a soldier and how since coming home from the front line life for him and other members of the LGBT community has changed. In the Southside of Chicago, Emanuel lives just a few miles from Barack Obama’s old house. He talks about the gun violence he’s experienced on his street and how the pace of change in his community has been slow. Amesha works in education, she also worries that the pace of change is slow, as the number of people living in poverty in the US has remained largely the same. For her however, having a black President has given disenfranchised young people a role model to follow. At a house party at Georgetown University in Washington, students that have grown up under the Obama Presidency reveal their hopes and fears for the future.
Nesta McGregor investigates what's behind the Black Lives Matter protests across Britain, and asks why some black people in the UK still feel racism affects them every day. Nesta travels the country speaking to young black people and draws on his own personal experiences of growing up in the UK. He meets Benathi who helped organise some of the marches - she feels she has been discriminated against, in the past, at work because of her afro hair-style and Jen, a law graduate, who thinks that it takes a while to sink in that people may treat you different because you're black.She says: "You have a lot of kids who have this level of frustration who grow up thinking 'it's me, there's something wrong with me.' And as an individual, that on a mental, psychological level - it's kind of a recipe for disaster." Nesta also goes back to the council estate where he grew up and talks to a neighbour and friend about whether black people should be doing more to help themselves as well as well as highlighting inequalities.
As iconic club Fabric gets its licence back, with stricter drug controls, Newsbeat's Jim Connolly investigates whether the Swiss approach to drugs could work here. With a very different attitude to things like ecstasy, open testing has been happening there for over a decade and officials say it's meant fewer deaths than in the UK. Jim follows one clubber's ecstasy pill as it is tested in Bern and asks clubbers, scientists and venue owners if there is anything the UK can learn before presenting his findings to British police.
From Brexit to Trump, Ali to Bowie, 2016 has been a year of shocks and surprises. For some it's been twelve months of madness, raising fears of a worrying future - for others a time when an appealing fresh start seems to be around the corner. So where to get the banter and a review of the big events? We decided a Wolverhampton barbershop and a Birmingham salon would be good places. So here's 2016, cut and dry.
Is your postman unknowingly delivering drugs ordered online? Newsbeat finds that few checks take place in the UK's postal system, with users saying they are so sure their orders will arrive, they are trying out new drugs. Royal Mail says it does not knowingly carry any illegal items in its network. But can the UK learn from other countries like New Zealand where police work more closely with the postal service?
Jobs, guns and God. We hear the reasons some Donald Trump supporters voted for him to become the most powerful man in the world. Newsbeat reporters Jonathan Blake and Declan Harvey spoke to young Americans during a road trip across Texas, hearing from the supporters we didn't see much of during the campaign. From the son of an illegal immigrant who believes illegal immigrants are destroying America, to a young voter who believes her religious freedom is under attack from gay marriage; the people who voted for President-elect Trump do not fit any specific stereotype. The film also features a young graduate who cannot find a job, and a voter who struggles with Mr Trump's apparent lack of religious conviction and, even though he voted for him, fears he's not conservative enough.
Most viral memes are the ones which make us laugh, but what about when that humour is vicious, even criminal, when an innocent person is the image being used as the joke? The Joy of Memes explores the happy side and the dark side of this internet phenomenon. Memes are a new language, a creative process which anybody can become involved in. But they require the oxygen of social media to turn them from a gag that your friends giggle at to a viral hit. You might be surprised where they originate from too - and how long the word's been around!
Protein shakes and bars seem part of gym-life but are you wasting money using them to try to bulk up? Newsbeat explores the multi-billion pound protein supplement industry with the help of experts and users, including one who agrees to stop using them for six weeks to see if he can get results by eating protein-rich food instead. We also meet: a man who damaged his kidneys by taking too many protein supplements; the gym manager who says selling supplements makes up around 60% of their business and one of the country's largest distributors who says the protein supplement industry needs tighter regulation.
What is it like being told your mum is a lesbian? That happened to Jillian 20 years ago, but have the decades since made it easier for parents to come out to their children? Jillian speaks to her two mums, her brother and two of her step-sisters to discover how they coped with their mums coming out. She also meets a recently married gay couple to ask how their children coped with being told dad is gay.
Newsbeat take a look at the arguments for and against the legalisation of cannabis.
Does the world have Generation Z wrong? Exploring the misconceptions of 16-22 year olds and asking, how they see their future? Looking at wages, homes, debt and more. Generation Z are those aged 16-22. Often told they'll struggle to own a home, earn a decent wage, or recover from student debt. But how do they see their future? It counters misconceptions revealed in a major survey comparing Gen Z's view of themselves with that of older generations, with some eye opening results. "Z-ers" may be viewed as shallow digital natives, incapable of real world friendships, but they see themselves as hardworking, entrepreneurial and about to change the world for the better.
Moeen Ali and others reveal what it takes to be Asian, Muslim and playing for England. As the Ashes starts, the "beard that's feared" discusses being made a "poster boy" for Islam. Reporter Ankur Desai also visits Adil Rashid, Haseeb Hameed and Zafar Ansari to discuss their journeys to the top of the game. Back in November 2016, four British Muslims played in the starting England Cricket team to take on India in Rajkot...a first. Since then, those who run cricket have become increasingly concerned about how few South Asians are making the transition from grassroots to professional career. Ankur explores some of the reasons why.
What's it like being in a rock band, and dealing with the symptoms of Crohn's Disease? Follow Black Foxxes frontman Mark Holley as he pushes himself further than ever to continue doing what he loves. There are over 90,000 young people in the UK with Crohn's disease. This number has been growing by hundreds of patients every year over the last decade. With no known cause or cure, some sufferers feel like "guinea pigs" with various treatments and side-effects being inflicted on them until their symptoms are under control. The symptoms can include some of the most unpleasant and embarrassing – persistent diarrhoea, bleeding, and excruciating stomach pains. Mark's had the illness for eight years. We join him as the band play some of their biggest shows to date and record their second album. Along the way he meets a young sufferer who has just been diagnosed, to discuss the concerns of living with Crohn’s. We also hear from one of the leading Crohn's doctors in Europe, as we explore the challenges facing young people with the disease and find out if the UK is any closer to finding a solution.
Four young people reveal the dramatic highs and lows living with various mental health conditions including anxiety, depression, anorexia, OCD, and bipolar. Over several months they've given us an intimate glimpse into their lives, showing us moments of crisis alongside hopes of improvement and recovery. In this documentary we see 24-year-old Bex demonstrate why it takes such a long time just for her to leave the house, Mat comes to terms with the impact alcohol has on his anxiety and panic attacks, Gemma faces up to getting counselling for her depression, and Laura sets herself monthly goals to help battle anorexia - including taking the big step of having a massage. Can they cope, what does the future hold?
Investigating claims steroid use in gyms is on the rise. We hear from a user and a dealer as health experts say anabolic steroids are being used more than ever before. Doctors are warning about the long term dangers of using them. We see Gareth, who's 29 and has been using them for five years, undergoing a test to see if his health has been damaged. He says he likes how steroids make him feel and look. A steroid dealer also talks about how he knows he's breaking the law but sells them anyway. As well as how he's seen a big growth in demand from all ages, but especially young men, under pressure to have the 'perfect' body.
Meet the teenagers who chose dead bodies as a career - the world of young undertakers. Luke, Ellie and Ben reveal to Newsbeat what it's like working with the dead. In this documentary, meet 25-year-old Luke, who is one of the UK's youngest funeral home bosses. Meanwhile... 17-year-old Ellie prepares a woman who's passed away for a funeral, and Ben conducts his first ever night shift - collecting dead bodies. But how do teens and twentysomethings fit in, working in one of the world's oldest professions?
Inside the world of online vlogging couples - how do they stay in love amidst the pressure to make money while sharing everything? And what happens when it all goes wrong? As part of a former online couple himself, Newsbeat's Ben Hunte knows better than most how hard it can be. He sets four couples the task of keeping video diaries as they travel through their journey to online stardom. He also travels to Portugal to meet one YouTuber who hasn't posted since the day he broke up with his partner. Back in the UK, Ben enlists the help of Body Language Expert Judi James to find out what's really going on behind the smiles. He learns how much cash these couples can really make, with the help of influencer manager Maxim Savard. And has an awkward encounter with a vlogger who is still living with his ex. In a bid to find out whether their fate was settled before they even posted their first ever video, Ben finally catches up with his online ex Jack to discuss how it all went wrong.
The Newsbeat team looks into the issues affecting the younger generation. This special looks into the nightmare of losing your hair early.
With the rise of veganism, how hard is it for one meat lover to go meat-free for a month?
New laws will require users to prove their age with ID. But will they protect children, and will your privacy be protected? Nick Rotherham investigates. Many people don’t realise that a major change is imminent in the way pornography is consumed. There's confusion as to how the law will be enforced, and concerns that sensitive personal information may not be protected. Nick finds out how widely people will be affected, and visits porn shoots to speak to actors and producers, and meet those who have had their lives made, and ruined by porn.
M.E. sufferer Emma Donohoe investigates how young people cope with the debilitating illness, of which symptoms can include devastating fatigue, digestion issues and brain fog. It comes as current treatments for the condition are being reviewed, after years of controversy.
How is Formula E Racing helping us to make the shift towards electric cars? Idris Elba, Sienna Miller, Orlando Bloom and Sir Richard Branson have their say. Newsbeat Reporter Ellie Roper follows team DS Virgin Racing, as driver Alex Lynn takes his first year behind the wheel. Ten teams travel the world to compete on street tracks in some of the coolest cities. From Marrakesh to Montreal, it's all electric and it's all supposed to be environmentally friendly. Ellie finds out how the technological advances made on the race track, are directly being applied to the consumer vehicles we'll all soon be buying.
Meghan and Harry shone a light on interracial relationships - but, how accepted are they? Data in England and Wales suggests fewer than 7% of couples are mixed. We hear people's experiences - from unfamiliar eating habits, to meeting the family, to outright racism. This is the good, the bad, and the funny of interracial coupledom.
Trying to save rhinos and stop poachers - meet the British soldiers helping rangers in Malawi. All while criminal poaching gangs in Africa get better organised with wealthy foreign backers. Newsbeat's James Waterhouse joins the bush patrols as they look to stop a practice which has long threatened species including elephants and lions. It’s a challenge, Malawi is one of the poorest countries in the world, and has one of the biggest problems with HIV-Aids with a million children orphaned as a result. Set against this background some local people have historically turned to poaching themselves. For now, the rangers seem to be getting the upper hand, however with a strong deterrent comes an even stronger threat.
What's it like to go clubbing in Ibiza's iconic clubs if you’re in a wheelchair? Alex Taylor heads to Amnesia and Pacha to find out just how accessible they really are. Travelling to the White Isle Alex meets other revelers along the way and makes some surprising discoveries about some of Ibiza's most famous nightclubs.
1Xtra DJ Jamz Supernova meets six young entrepreneurs who want to do things their own way. They’re determined to turn their passions into successful businesses but have they got the hustle or is it just hot air? From running a food truck to designing clothes, Jamz follows the four businesses over several months to see if they have what it takes to make it big in the highly competitive world of business. They don’t want to be wage slaves and they don’t want to work for anyone else but can they do better by being their own boss? Increasing numbers of young people want to quit the traditional 9 to 5 and run their own businesses. These six entrepreneurs have the dream and the determination to make it happen but do they have the talent, the skills and the MONEY? Jamz introduces them to mentors who try to steer them on the right path to success. Grime photographer Keaton gets commissioned to shoot Rag'n'Bone Man but misses his flight! Zoe and Jess try and explain the food business to Gizzi Erskine who leaves a little confused… But even with all the advice – who will take it on and succeed and who will ultimately fail?
To say tensions are high between Russia and the UK at the moment would be an understatement. Russia has been accused of a lot - everything from poisoning spies to peddling fake news and trying to influence elections. But what do they think of Britain? To find out, Newsbeat reporter Will Chalk spent a week there. He meets real young Russians, from an arts collective formed around a shared love of Vladamir Putin, to a 26-year-old who makes his living by climbing high buildings without a safety harness. Are our countries enemies? And if so, how are we supposed to build bridges?
Fashion influencer Arooj Aftab's style is baggy fashion. She's thriving in an industry where looks are key - but she's hiding something under her clothes. The 22-year-old fashion blogger was nominated for a prestigious Cosmo award – she’s known for her menswear look – what her followers don’t know though is her baggy look isn't just about fashion. As she reveals on camera for the first time – it’s to hide her neurofibromatosis tumours. Around 26,000 people in the UK have the genetic condition – the tumours aren’t cancer – they’re benign – but you have to learn to live with them and what Arooj is about to find out is hers are on the smallest scale – others are a hundred times worse off than her – how do they cope?
On the brink of adulthood, exploring what it's like being seventeen around the world. From Lebanon to Uganda, Newsbeat meets teenagers, and look at their hopes and dreams but also the different challenges they face. At this special age many cultures share that "inbetweener" feeling - not quite an adult, but way past being a child. Newsbeat travel though five countries, tens of thousands of miles apart, experiencing poverty, the legacy of violence and controversial politics. But also see the things which unite all these 17-year-olds wherever they are - education, friends, family and finding fun.
Is society truly accepting of bisexuality? To find out, Newsbeat follows the campaign for a Bi Pride and meets people who say they've suffered because they're not just attracted to one gender. Research suggests if you're bisexual you're more likely to suffer from a mental health problem than any other group in society and you're more likely to be a victim of sexual violence or stalking. To find out more Newsbeat spent a year following a group of friends as they try to put on the UK’s first major Bi Pride.
Filming for this exclusive behind the scenes documentary began back in February - before it was revealed that the 2020 Eurovision song contest in Rotterdam was cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. BBC Radio 1 Newsbeat follows James Newman as he prepares to be unveiled as the UK’s Eurovision representative, filming him both in rehearsals and backstage at his first public performance of his Eurovision entry, accompanied by his brother, artist John Newman and their mum. Following the cancellation of Eurovision, James shares what this means for him and he speaks to some of this year’s other contestants in other countries about their experiences and future plans. The documentary features commentary from artists who have worked with James, including Olly Murs, Mollie King and Piers from Rudimental.
Newsbeat takes an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the build up to this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. The UK's entry James Newman is back for a second shot at Eurovision glory after the show was cancelled last year because of coronavirus. How do you prepare for one of the world's most popular live music event when a global pandemic is still happening? We’ll also find out how every single act competing this year has been getting ready, from Malta's Destiny to Iceland's Daði Freyr to Victoria from Bulgaria. They've all been trying to avoid catching Covid to achieve their goal of finally getting on that Eurovision stage.
