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Original films
BBC: Surviving Lockdown
During the first three weeks of lockdown, 16 women and children died at the hands of men - the highest in 11 years. And the Domestic Abuse Helpline took more than 40,000 calls during the first three months.
On 24 March we were all given one message - stay at home. But what if home is the most dangerous place you can be?
This film discovers the reality of domestic abuse when you are confined to your home. We speak to survivors and those who fled their abuser during lockdown and find out what the long-term impact will be from those who have experienced it.
Presented and Produced by: Bryony Hopkins
On 24 March we were all given one message - stay at home. But what if home is the most dangerous place you can be?
This film discovers the reality of domestic abuse when you are confined to your home. We speak to survivors and those who fled their abuser during lockdown and find out what the long-term impact will be from those who have experienced it.
Presented and Produced by: Bryony Hopkins
BBC: But You Don't Look Sick
New research has revealed that over 500,000 people across the UK now have inflammatory bowel disease, which is a significant increase on previous studies.
It’s a chronic autoimmune condition which can require lifelong treatment. It’s also invisible.
Bryony Hopkins has lived with Crohn’s Disease since she was a child. In this film she meets others living with IBD, including Anthony Andrews who is being admitted into hospital for a life-changing operation and reality TV star Louise Thompson. Bryony meets scientists exploring the connect between the brain and the gut, and how this vital connection could lead to some ground-breaking treatment.
For more information, or if you’ve been impacted by this film, please visit BBC Action Line.
Presented and produced by: Bryony Hopkins
It’s a chronic autoimmune condition which can require lifelong treatment. It’s also invisible.
Bryony Hopkins has lived with Crohn’s Disease since she was a child. In this film she meets others living with IBD, including Anthony Andrews who is being admitted into hospital for a life-changing operation and reality TV star Louise Thompson. Bryony meets scientists exploring the connect between the brain and the gut, and how this vital connection could lead to some ground-breaking treatment.
For more information, or if you’ve been impacted by this film, please visit BBC Action Line.
Presented and produced by: Bryony Hopkins
BBC: Borderline Personality Disorder
ntense and overwhelming emotions, 'so agonising, it feels like being electrocuted'. This is how Rosie describes life with borderline personality disorder.
BPD is extremely complex to diagnose and is recognised as one of the most stigmatised mental health diagnoses' out there.
Whilst NICE state that 'people with BPD use mental health services at higher rates than people from other mental health diagnostic groups', accessing a long-term treatment plan for BPD can be a lengthy wait.
That's why Rosie turned to social media. This is her story.
Senior Producer: Bryony Hopkins
BPD is extremely complex to diagnose and is recognised as one of the most stigmatised mental health diagnoses' out there.
Whilst NICE state that 'people with BPD use mental health services at higher rates than people from other mental health diagnostic groups', accessing a long-term treatment plan for BPD can be a lengthy wait.
That's why Rosie turned to social media. This is her story.
Senior Producer: Bryony Hopkins
BBC: Who's van am I driving?
Business has boomed for parcel courier DPD during lockdown.
However, a group of 76 former drivers are taking the company to court to fight for employment rights.
Ruth Lane, whose husband Don Lane died in 2018 and Alistair Mcleary, whose contract was terminated in 2018, share their stories.
DPD strongly refute many of their claims and now offer a new type of contract with more rights, but say most drivers choose the self-employed franchise contracts.
Produced by: Bryony Hopkins
However, a group of 76 former drivers are taking the company to court to fight for employment rights.
Ruth Lane, whose husband Don Lane died in 2018 and Alistair Mcleary, whose contract was terminated in 2018, share their stories.
DPD strongly refute many of their claims and now offer a new type of contract with more rights, but say most drivers choose the self-employed franchise contracts.
Produced by: Bryony Hopkins
BBC: Is this the end of clubbing?
Through lockdown the internet was filled with DJs, musicians and partygoers live streaming or making their own content to keep the club vibe alive. But offline, there are real concerns about the the effect Covid-19 has had on clubs, their owners and DJs in the UK. Lockdown meant the entire nation stopped going out but what is the long term future for the club industry?
DJ and broadcaster Jamz Supernova speaks to fellow DJ’s Sherelle and Plastician and other DJs about what it feels like to go from packed touring schedules to empty diaries and what it might mean for their careers.
Jamz explores the unity found in clubbing and how virtual parties are ever more important to communities like the LGBT and speaks to Harry Gay who started his own virtual queer party from his house in the hope of creating a safe space online.
Tola in London and Lakota in Bristol have been making use of their spaces through lockdown to try and survive; Jamz visits those clubs and takes a look at the creative and charitable ways they’ve been operating, from selling merchandise to creating picnic spaces in accordance with government guidelines. But will they survive post lockdown?
In the first throes of the relaxation of lockdown measures, Jams finally gets to go to her first night out. But will clubbing nights ever be the same again?
Assistant Development Producer: Bryony Hopkins
DJ and broadcaster Jamz Supernova speaks to fellow DJ’s Sherelle and Plastician and other DJs about what it feels like to go from packed touring schedules to empty diaries and what it might mean for their careers.
Jamz explores the unity found in clubbing and how virtual parties are ever more important to communities like the LGBT and speaks to Harry Gay who started his own virtual queer party from his house in the hope of creating a safe space online.
Tola in London and Lakota in Bristol have been making use of their spaces through lockdown to try and survive; Jamz visits those clubs and takes a look at the creative and charitable ways they’ve been operating, from selling merchandise to creating picnic spaces in accordance with government guidelines. But will they survive post lockdown?
In the first throes of the relaxation of lockdown measures, Jams finally gets to go to her first night out. But will clubbing nights ever be the same again?
Assistant Development Producer: Bryony Hopkins
BBC: The Student Mental Health Crisis
Much like the rest of the UK, universities across the country were forced into lockdown in March of this year. But on returning this autumn, millions of students have been met with a university experience they never could have anticipated.
A BBC investigation has found that during the first lockdown over March through to May there were at least 10 suspected student suicides at UK universities, according to a freedom of information requests submitted to 137 institutions. This BBC investigation also analysed local news reports, spoke to family members and friends and found that since March there has been at least 17 additional suspected student suicides.12 of which took place since students returned to universities on September 2. In 2018 universities were told they had to address the mental health crisis on campus, but over two years later, nearly half - 47% of the 96 universities that responded told BBC News they still hold no data or records on student suicides. With questions continuing to be raised about what can and should be done to better support students mental health and wellbeing at this time, BBC journalist Hannah Price travels across the UK to speak to families and friends of students who have taken their lives during the pandemic. Hannah starts her journey at the University of Bristol, where she studied for five years. Reflecting on her own experience, she recollects on hearing about a fellow student who had taken their own life, the catalyst for her own investigation into student suicides at university and the prevention measures in place.
Produced and directed by: Bryony Hopkins
A BBC investigation has found that during the first lockdown over March through to May there were at least 10 suspected student suicides at UK universities, according to a freedom of information requests submitted to 137 institutions. This BBC investigation also analysed local news reports, spoke to family members and friends and found that since March there has been at least 17 additional suspected student suicides.12 of which took place since students returned to universities on September 2. In 2018 universities were told they had to address the mental health crisis on campus, but over two years later, nearly half - 47% of the 96 universities that responded told BBC News they still hold no data or records on student suicides. With questions continuing to be raised about what can and should be done to better support students mental health and wellbeing at this time, BBC journalist Hannah Price travels across the UK to speak to families and friends of students who have taken their lives during the pandemic. Hannah starts her journey at the University of Bristol, where she studied for five years. Reflecting on her own experience, she recollects on hearing about a fellow student who had taken their own life, the catalyst for her own investigation into student suicides at university and the prevention measures in place.
Produced and directed by: Bryony Hopkins
Written works
Writer, Producer, Speaker
I'm a London based producer and writer currently working at the BBC, writing articles, producing original digital films and curating social content.
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