My Voice is Hoarse from Pain – An Interview with Yuliia Holovatiuk-Ungureanu.

In this deeply poignant episode, I chat to Ukrainian artist Yuliia Holovatiuk-Ungureanu.

Yuliia reflects on her personal journey through war, displacement, and artistic expression.

Speaking on the last day of her exhibition My Voice is Hoarse from Pain, which was presented at the University of Staffordshire 18th February to 3rd March 2025, Yuliia shares how she turned tragedy into powerful artwork.

"Where suffering speaks, silence is not an option."

Yuliia reflects on:

• Fleeing Ukraine: The morning of the invasion, the frantic escape with her children, and the uncertainty of leaving everything behind.
• The power of art: How she transformed from a lawyer into an artist, using art as a way to document and share Ukraine’s suffering.
• Artworks and installations:
  • The Escape – A collection of personal belongings carried while fleeing.
  • Lost Dreams – Paper planes symbolising Ukrainian children lost in the war.
  • I Have to Leave My Childhood Here – A melted children's chair, recovered from the ruins of a bombed home in Irpin.
• Returning to Ukraine: Her decision to collect artefacts from destroyed homes to bear witness through art.
• A message to world leaders: The need for real security guarantees for Ukraine and global peace.

🎧 Listen now to hear Yuliia’s powerful story of resilience, memory, and art.

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Jerome Whittingham

Visual and audio narratives that empower, inform and inspire | Documentary & Editorial Photographer | Audio Journalist & Podcaster | Writer | People are my focus

https://linktr.ee/jeromewnews

In this podcast episode, we meet Derek Hulme, a passionate gardener and community champion on a mission to transform a Stoke-on-Trent suburb with flowers.

A self-funded community-driven initiative, with recycled planters to compost sourced from unexpected places (yes, police drug busts!), this community-focused project spearheaded by the plot holders at Buxton Street allotments is all about bringing colour, pride, and a sense of togetherness to the neighbourhood of Sneyd Green.

We explore Derek’s decades-long love of gardening, his world record breaking giant leeks and runner beans, and how the centenary of Stoke-on-Trent has inspired him to push forward with his idea.

Hear how local businesses, schools, and community groups are joining forces with Derek and his fellow allotment holders to create a greener, more beautiful Sneyd Green - one flower at a time.

Listen in to hear:
- How Derek’s obsession with growing has blossomed into this community movement
- The creative ways they’re sourcing materials for the project
- The impact of gardening on local pride and people’s mental well-being
- Stories from Derek’s world record-breaking vegetable-growing pursuits

Keep in touch with what's happening during Stoke-on-Trent's Centenary year: https://sot100.org.uk/
#SOT100

Jerome is Stoke-on-Trent City Council's 'Photographer in Residence' for the city's centenary year.

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Jerome Whittingham

Visual and audio narratives that empower, inform and inspire | Documentary & Editorial Photographer | Audio Journalist & Podcaster | Writer | People are my focus

https://linktr.ee/jeromewnews

In this episode, I chat with Lisa Blower, award-winning author and lecturer in Creative Writing at Keele University, about her exciting project for Stoke-on-Trent's centenary year: 100 Books in 100 Years.

Lisa takes us behind the scenes of this ambitious Arts Council England funded initiative to uncover and celebrate a century of literary works by authors born in The Potteries.

Discover how a chance observation sparked the idea, the cultural partners rallying around the project, and the treasure trove of forgotten books, poetry, and pamphlets already being uncovered.

Lisa also shares her hopes for this project, including inspiring future writers through workshops, micro residencies, and creative legacy projects like The Places That Make Us.

Links:

Lisa’s website: lisablower.co.uk

Email: 100potteriesbooks@gmail.com

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This year, Jerome has been appointed 'Photographer in Residence' with Stoke-on-Trent City Council's centenary team. Jerome will be documenting Stoke-on-Trent's 100th year as a city.

Find out more: https://sot100.org.uk/

Say hello. Give feedback. Send Jerome a text

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Jerome Whittingham

Visual and audio narratives that empower, inform and inspire | Documentary & Editorial Photographer | Audio Journalist & Podcaster | Writer | People are my focus

https://linktr.ee/jeromewnews

Say hello. Give feedback. Send Jerome a text

Support the show

Jerome Whittingham

Visual and audio narratives that empower, inform and inspire | Documentary & Editorial Photographer | Audio Journalist & Podcaster | Writer | People are my focus

https://linktr.ee/jeromewnews

Say hello. Give feedback. Send Jerome a text

Support the show

Jerome Whittingham

Visual and audio narratives that empower, inform and inspire | Documentary & Editorial Photographer | Audio Journalist & Podcaster | Writer | People are my focus

https://linktr.ee/jeromewnews

In this podcast I take up an invitation to visit a small charity in Fegg Hayes, in North Staffordshire.

The Restoration Shack aims to be ‘a creative space where individuals can thrive and feel valued’.

It was set up by Linda Williams.

“It’s all about heart for me. The essence of it is this, everything we try to do is about quality. We will give of the very best. We use the very best products we can possibly afford. We’ve renovated this place to be the best it can possibly be. Because, when you offer something of quality to people, you respect them, it gives an element of value, they know they are valued enough to go the extra mile.” Linda Williams.

“It’s all about people. The vision is about changed lives,” said Linda.

Find out more about The Restoration Shack, including how you can get involved, by visiting the charity’s Facebook page:

Facebook: The Restoration Shack

The Restoration Shack, 115 Fegg Hayes Road, Fegg Hayes, Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, ST6 6QR.

Email: linda@restorationshack.co.uk

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Jerome Whittingham

Visual and audio narratives that empower, inform and inspire | Documentary & Editorial Photographer | Audio Journalist & Podcaster | Writer | People are my focus

https://linktr.ee/jeromewnews

“I’ve learned how resilient you can be, and how simple life could be. Life is very complex, there’s lots of things you’ve got to do, and people worry about lots of different things. But, if you trim it down, it’s just a matter of getting on with people,” said Chris Parr.

Chris is Director of the Stoke 2000 project, “an art, culture, education and recycling project” in Stoke-on-Trent.

On the 29th March he set off on an epic 2,000 bike ride across Britain, fundraising for MIND, and “helping more people to get creative and make other products from recycled pallet wood. Most importantly, showing that activity and creativity can help with feelings of mental health, isolation and loneliness.”

Chris spoke to North Staffs News editor Jerome on day 28 of his 50 day challenge, a planned rest day in Whitley Bay.

He talks about the challenges he’s experienced so far, the people he’s met, and the places he’s visited.

Find out more about Chris’ Man in Notion challenge, and support him if you can!

Chris’ webpage about the challenge can be viewed here:

https://thestoke2000.co.uk/projects/britain-cycle-tour-recycling-pallets

His fundraising page for MIND Charity can be found here:

https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/man-in-notion

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SUBSCRIBE to North Staffs News here: https://northstaffsnews.substack.com

Say hello. Give feedback. Send Jerome a text

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Jerome Whittingham

Visual and audio narratives that empower, inform and inspire | Documentary & Editorial Photographer | Audio Journalist & Podcaster | Writer | People are my focus

https://linktr.ee/jeromewnews

WARNING: ADULT CONTENT. The interview contains swearing, and descriptions of abuse and violence.

Jerome chats with Stoke-on-Trent indie author Jo Haywood about KNAVE, her second book.

Jo tells Jerome about her long-standing passion for writing fiction, hints at her fascination with all things paranormal, and she plugs Stoke Indoor Market - where she used to be employed as manager.

Jo has a book signing event at the indoor market on Saturday 1st April, 10am to 12pm.

Find out more about Jo, and order books, on her website:

https://johaywoodauthor.co.uk/welcome

Read more on the North Staffs News website, here: https://northstaffs.news/podcast-knave-with-stoke-on-trent-indie-author-jo-haywood

Say hello. Give feedback. Send Jerome a text

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Jerome Whittingham

Visual and audio narratives that empower, inform and inspire | Documentary & Editorial Photographer | Audio Journalist & Podcaster | Writer | People are my focus

https://linktr.ee/jeromewnews