COVID Lives

In October last year, Klara left her corporate job and embarked on setting up her own business. Care Box Collection allows people to purchase luxury boxes with self-care products for themselves or as gifts for loved ones. In the episode, she tells the story of what inspired her to establish the business and how the lockdown gave her the time and space to be entrepreneurial.

Brandon O'Connor is a 19 year-old from Donaghmede with an extraordinary story. He founded Dublin Homeless Awareness - a group which provides food, medical supplies and first responder services to those sleeping rough on the city’s streets.Brandon shares his personal story which spurred him to set up the organisation and how he feels COVID-19 has impacted homelessness in Dublin.

Earlier this summer sisters Maeve and Blaithin embarked on an ambitious project in Cavan town. With the pandemic having made changes to their working schedules, they decided to set up a shop - The Eco Shack. But this isn’t any type of shop - it’s the first of its kind in Cavan.Maeve and Blaithin share their inspiration for launching their sustainable business and discuss what the past month has been like as first-time shopkeepers.

Arguably it was the lives of students and young people which faced the greatest disruption over the past year. Emer Neville is the President of the Irish Second Level Students' Union. She shares her experience of sitting the Leaving Cert during the pandemic, how she coped and her plans for the future.

The work of the arts sector has been significantly hindered by the restrictions imposed during the pandemic. Musicians, artists, actors and others in the creative industries have faced a cut to their income and fewer opportunities to hone their craft.Last summer David Reid founded the organisation Minding Creative Minds, looking out for those in the arts sector providing mentorship, mental health and career support. We discuss the kinds of challenges faced by creatives and how his organisation helps.

Stevo Timothy is an internet comedian from Galway, Ireland. He is best known for his 'Farmer Michael' character, who garnered a substantial audience throughout lockdown. Stevo shares his experience addressing difficult topics using humour. Alongside his comedy, Stevo is also an ambassador for the Irish Wheelchair Association. He has participated in a number of fundraising events for the charity recently. He speaks about his upcoming wheelchair boxing match against boxer Paddy Barnes.