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To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, broadcaster Together TV’s Together For Good Sunflower Challenge will give away an extra 300,000 sunflower seeds. This is on top of the 100,000 given away when the campaign launched to connect people to their communities.

• The campaign provides seeds, a grow chart and 12-week guided growing journey with TV gardener Danny Clarke, along with growing tips from gardening expert Philip Turvil, former programme director of Kew Gardens whether it be on a plot of land or just in a simple window box.
• Thousands of people across Yorkshire and the Midlands have already signed up for the Sunflower Challenge.
• Charities, companies, Mutual Aid groups and community groups from across the UK, including Worthing, Kent, North Staffordshire, Hoo Peninsula and more, are supporting the challenge by promoting and rallying locals to join the initiative.
• National charities like Jo Cox Foundation, Field Studies Council and more are also supporting the initiative.
• To join over 20k people who have already registered for free seeds, people can register here: www.togethertv.com/sunflowerchallenge

On the 8th May, the UK recognises VE (Victory in Europe) Day. It is the day that the allies, including Britain, formally accepted Germany’s surrender ending World War 2. A day to celebrate as the strain of a six year long war was coming to a close. The conflict did not yet end then, and there were still many fatalities as the war waged on in Japan until the end of August 1945. Today, we continue to celebrate VE Day with street parties and alike. Together TV will be dedicating its afternoon broadcasting to documentaries commemorating the people and stories from WW2. 

Incidence of MS is increasing and there is currently no cure. As we reel with the news of Covid, ‘Our Big MS Adventure’ is a positive story: Shot over 12 years it uniquely shows the long-term impact of MS on sufferers and their families. Some symptoms of MS resemble those of long-term Covid. It’s a contemporary story exploring cutting edge medical science and lifestyle choices that can help not just those with auto-immune conditions – but all of us with a brain….! We're sharing some additional reading for you to learn more about MS and/or seek help.

● Broadcaster Together TV to distribute 100,000 sunflower seeds as part of its Together for Good campaign to connect people to their community

● TV gardener Danny Clarke will inspire viewers into the gardening world

● Gardening expert Philip Turvil, former programme director of Kew Gardens shares his tips to 'get growing', whether it be on a plot of land or just in a simple window box

● To register for free seeds, viewers can register on this website page: www.togethertv.com/sunflowerchallenge

● Together TV premieres the documentary Our Big MS Adventure to mark the MS Awareness Week and support the importance of keeping active and tackle social isolation

Together TV has started showing Adrian Edmondson’s series The Dales. Where he trollops across the Dales over the course of a summer meeting the people who live off this stunning part of the UK. We get to meet many lovely people throughout the series, and you may end up wondering where are they now? We’ve done a bit of detective work and found some updates to share from the lovely people of the Dales.

Sir Lenny Henry has written an open letter, signed by some of the most high profile names in the UK, urging Black Britons to take the COVID-19 vaccine. The latest data from the ONS shows that less than half (49%) of Black or Black British adults reported that they were likely to have the vaccine – the lowest of any ethnic group.

The BFI Network Live and the Doc Society hosted a webinar with us to discuss Together TV’s Diverse Film Fund as well as diversifying the industry and a Q&A for applying for the fund. Together TV’s Diverse Film Fund is a unique opportunity for emerging filmmakers to create a short doc reflecting diverse communities. The 2021 theme is black British lives today and we are offering £10,000 to five filmmakers as well as mentoring and a TV broadcast. The deadline to submit applications for the Diverse Film Fund is midday 31st March 2021. Get your applications in ASAP; more information and the application form is on our website. 

The campaign that connects you to your neighbours, through the telly in your living room

The joy cooking and cuisine can bring is immeasurable. The world of food and drink is vast and there are so many inspirational figures in the industry. For Together TV, the Hairy Bikers, Anthony Bourdain and Nadiya Hussain are staples on our TV channel, but there are many people off screen that have made their marks.

• Broadcaster Together TV will open submissions for its Diverse Film Fund on 1st March

• The £50,000 fund will commission five emerging filmmakers who do not yet have a broadcast credit as Director or Producer. Applicants may be working in film or TV or are graduates from a film/TV degree

• Up to £10,000 in production costs will be allocated to each of five short documentaries (up to 10 minutes in durations), with filmmakers mentored and supported during the process

• The theme is “Black British Lives today” with the films set to Premiere during Black History Month in October

• ITV Commissioning Editor and Together TV Trustee Satmohan Panesar to chair the seven-strong judging panel  

• TV news anchor Charlene White on the judging panel alongside many others

• Naked’s Managing Director Fatima Salaria is joining the initiative with her colleagues Natalie Rose and Cal Turner being judges and mentors

• Partners supporting the fund are drawn from broadcasters, TV trade bodies and equality charities

• The initiative comes on the back of the Crowdfunding campaign run by Together TV’s Chair and Founder Caroline Diehl last summer, to promote and support more diverse content on Together TV