Tom McCooey: Journalist: Recent Episodes
Tom McCooey
Freelance multimedia journalist, author. MA Broadcast Journalism graduate with distinction from the University of Central Lancashire, NCTJ gold standard and holds NCE for Sports Reporters. Freelance writer and former staff journalist at JPI Media, and always looking to tell a story. Classic car obsessive. Dog person. Baker.
Dad Matters brings our pool of dads, organisations and professionals together to give you some company as you raise your troops.
Our pool of dads returns to discuss the best ways to keep a positive mindset when the habit of self-criticism creeps into your parenting.
Dad Matters brings our pool of dads, organisations and professionals together to give you some company as you raise your troops.
In our first episode we look at the challenges 2020 has brought, from waiting in car parks during appointments, dealing with lockdown and looking out for each-other.
All of us have been affected by the coronavirus lockdown in some way.
Singers in choirs have felt the strain of having the outlet for their passion restricted.
Some have found new ways to carry on, while others have had to remain silent. Some have even joined the singing for the first time.
Tom McCooey has found out, from a safe distance, what it has been like.
Staying at home has encouraged many to take up baking, but this has left the flour industry struggling to keep up with demand.
Bakers in Merseyside are trying to find ways to carry on through the shortage.
Those that have made it a business are coming up with new ways to attract customers during lockdown. Tom McCooey reports.
Dads-to-be are still missing pregnancy milestones, despite lockdown measures easing in other areas of life.
As well as missing highs such as scans and hearing their baby’s heartbeat, some are also having to be absent during times of worry.
But a charity in the North West is on hand to provide support for those waiting in hospital car parks while their partners attend appointments and scans.
Dad Matters is a charity working across Greater Manchester to support dads during their child’s early years. They have a mobile stall at Bolton Hospital to provide support.
Project manager Kieran Anders said: “We’ve always known that to reach Dads with those crucial messages about early relationships and mental health, we need to go to them. This innovative way of meeting Dads during such unfathomable challenges means more will get those messages, understand their role and be able to find support when they need it.”
National guidelines state mums-to-be should attend appointments on their own.
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation trust confirmed dads are unable to attend appointments, while Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said dads were only allowed to attend the 20-week scan.
A spokesperson said: “We know that partners often like to attend antenatal appointments, however our priority must be the safety of all mums-to-be and their babies.
“This is why expectant mums are currently asked to attend antenatal appointments alone, with the exception of the 20 week scan where partners are welcome to attend. Individual arrangements are also made for women with exceptional support needs.”
Natalie Patterson, Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Midwives’ team leader at Bolton NHS FT said:“We know this is a difficult time for everyone due to the COVID 19 restrictions. As a maternity service we have been very aware that dads are missing out on being present during appointments, scans and the early hours and days after birth. Whilst this is necessary to ensure safety of patients and staff we want to acknowledge how hard this is for families expecting a baby.”
John Strange lives in Stalybridge and is set to become a dad for the first time in four weeks.
He said: “If you look at the bigger picture, this is affecting hundreds of people in the area, not to mention thousands across the UK.
“That’s why you need to remember that it will get resolved and we did have the feeling that if there were any health concerns, they were there.”
Dads-to-be are still missing pregnancy milestones, despite lockdown measures easing in other areas of life.
As well as missing highs such as scans and hearing their baby’s heartbeat, some are also having to be absent during times of worry.
But a charity in the North West is on hand to provide support for those waiting in hospital car parks while their partners attend appointments and scans.
Dad Matters is a charity working across Greater Manchester to support dads during their child’s early years. They have a mobile stall at Bolton Hospital to provide support.
Project manager Kieran Anders said: “We’ve always known that to reach Dads with those crucial messages about early relationships and mental health, we need to go to them. This innovative way of meeting Dads during such unfathomable challenges means more will get those messages, understand their role and be able to find support when they need it.”
National guidelines state mums-to-be should attend appointments on their own.
Wrightington, Wigan and Leigh NHS Foundation trust confirmed dads are unable to attend appointments, while Lancashire Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said dads were only allowed to attend the 20-week scan.
A spokesperson said: “We know that partners often like to attend antenatal appointments, however our priority must be the safety of all mums-to-be and their babies.
“This is why expectant mums are currently asked to attend antenatal appointments alone, with the exception of the 20 week scan where partners are welcome to attend. Individual arrangements are also made for women with exceptional support needs.”
Natalie Patterson, Specialist Perinatal Mental Health Midwives’ team leader at Bolton NHS FT said:“We know this is a difficult time for everyone due to the COVID 19 restrictions. As a maternity service we have been very aware that dads are missing out on being present during appointments, scans and the early hours and days after birth. Whilst this is necessary to ensure safety of patients and staff we want to acknowledge how hard this is for families expecting a baby.”
John Strange lives in Stalybridge and is set to become a dad for the first time in four weeks.
He said: “If you look at the bigger picture, this is affecting hundreds of people in the area, not to mention thousands across the UK.
“That’s why you need to remember that it will get resolved and we did have the feeling that if there were any health concerns, they were there.”
Follow the journey of the 253rd West Lancashire Field Company, Royal Engineers from D-Day to VE Day.
The Lancashire lads supported the rest of the Army, bridging rivers, using explosives to destroy bridges or clearing routes through minefields - often under fire.
Hear from driver Lawrence Cliffe, speaking before his death in 2017. Stewart Brennan remembers his grandfather, William Gauckwin, who was a sapper, and Lorraine Gronkowska shares the story of her grandfather, Robert Hunter.
Tom, Will, Sadaf and Molly are back for a festive kitchen carry-on.
Sadaf makes cheesecake for a quick party dessert solution, Will travels back in time, Molly asks what you do with your leftovers while Tom guides guest Rob through a Christmas leftover pie recipe.
When time is short, we find out if it's still possible to make a mini masterpiece.
Sadaf bakes peanut butter cookies while Molly has a solution for a quick meal.
We ask what you've been getting up to in in the kitchen while Tom's bread is on the rise (we hope).