Hobbies and mental health


 I'm just coming up to my 3rd Christmas working voluntarily at The Voice 2, part of The Voice FM based in Barnstaple.

I developed an interest in radio, mainly after going into Radio Devon with John Govier on a couple of Saturday mornings.

Although, I have always loved listening to the radio, we had 'Timbo' from local station Radio Mercury come into Reigate Priory School when I was there, he was a proper local celebrity and we all tuned in to his show.

I always have the radio on at home in the background of my day, and in the van, I like the chatter and music.

I met Hopps, in April 2021, we were both at a Charity car wash for The Veterans Charity, and after a few years of doing charity events together, I bumped into him when he was looking at records in a vintage shop in Bideford. The Voice 2 had just been launched, only a few days in, and I said to Hopps that if he wanted anymore presenters for it, it would be right up my street! 60's 70's and 80's music!

Well, the rest as they say is history, I went down to The Voice and over a period of weeks Hopps trained me up. It wasn't easy because I'm technically inept and crap at maths, and those are the key skills needed for for the radio trickery, the talking bit I have never had an issue with!

As the weeks and months have passed, there was a bit of banter creeping in between myself and Ali and Darryl who have the show after me on a Saturday. Eventually I approached Ali about maybe collaborating, and eventually managed to convince management to give us a go for our own show, on a Sunday evening.

I have thoroughly enjoyed working on the 'Debs and Ali' show, because we get to play the music that we love. I love the music on The Voice 2, but to actually pick your show's music is a joy! We are a few months down the line now and even did our first 'special' with a movie theme. It was great.

Then we got to thinking, why not do a Halloween special, the three of us, me, Ali and Darryl too, who I didn't actually meet until the day of the show.

It was brilliant, great fun, lots of laughs and this is why I have entitled this blog - Hobbies and mental health, because I do feel great, putting out shows that not only make me feel good, but hopefully others can enjoy it too. 

I leave my regular show on a Saturday morning, smiling, from all the singing and dancing I've been doing in the studio, and the same on the Deb's and Ali show.

I've made new friends, gained new skills and knowledge, making me a more rounded individual, and so, more content with the direction of my life.

When I do my wellness presentations I make sure to tell people of the importance of hobbies, particularly if you can obtain some sort of social aspect to them. Your mental health will improve.

Thanks to Hopps for his early patience, to Ali and Darryl for thier continued banter, and to Tim Ley, this guy needs a mention  because he is always there when something goes technically wrong, whether it's my fault or not! He is a legend, and I've never even met him! And even more importantly, thanks to Ryan my wonderful husband and my Mum for supporting all my hobbies and activities, and always believing in me.

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