Welcome to Tarek's Community Podcast!
We're LIVE every Fridays and Saturdays 11AM
"Hey I'm Tarek Mrad! I am 23 years old and have Cerebral Palsy. I am heavily involved with the local community and enjoy volunteering and recently joined the Heston West Big Local board. My aim is to help inspire others like me to also get involved with volunteering and community work. My goals for this year is to find part-time employment, complete my Level 2 ICT Qualification and grow my community podcast show!" |
Tarek Mrad with Big Local board member Debbie Noad
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Episode 1: COVID-19 has impacted many communities across the world like nothing we’ve seen in a long time. What is the Big Local doing about it? Tarek Mrad is joined live with guests David Thurman and Taz Virdee on the Tarek's Community Podcast Show.
Show premiered on Saturday 4th April 2020. |
Episode 2: What's 'Word of the Wednesday'? How are we still engaging members of our community during this period of self-isolation? Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guest Rachel Doherty from Creative Spaces London (CSL) who'll explain all on the Tarek's Community Podcast Show.
Show to premiered on Saturday 11th April 2020. |
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Episode 3: Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guest Big Local board member and volunteer Layba Nisar, 16.
Show premiered on Saturday 18th April 2020. |
Episode 4: Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guest Rob Antill from Feltham in Bloom.
Show premiered on Saturday 25th April 2020. |
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Episode 5: Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guests Kelly Meadows from KD Yoga, Laura Feeney and Andrew Quartermain from ProCorda.
Show premiered on Saturday 2nd May 2020. |
Episode 6: Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guest and friend Feras Masraf talking about his recent work experience at GSK (GlaxoSmithKline).and mental health.
Show to premiere on Saturday 9th May 2020. |
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Episode 7: Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guest and long-time youth volunteer Serena Lola, 18, talking about her Big Local experience and how she's thriving during lockdown.
Show premiered on Saturday 16th May 2020. |
Episode 8: Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guest Sufiyan Abdul-Qayum, 18, talking about the MADE in HESTON WEST Film Club, his volunteering and community work experience.
Show premiered on Saturday 23rd May 2020. |
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Episode 9: Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guest and celebrity chef Manju Malhi. Manju will be talking about her work with the Big Local, new cookbook and sharing a few stories of how she's been supporting the community during this challenging time.
Show premiered on Saturday 6th June 2020. |
Episode 10: Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guest Kate Apley. In this episode Kate discusses her musical work with her local community and the challenges she faces. Kate also performs live Abba's 'Super Trouper' and 'Thank you for the Music.'
Show premiered on Saturday 13th June 2020. |
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Episode 11: Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guests and the original Big Local Youth Action Dream Team members Juhi Kumra and Megha Dahdrai discussing their volunteering journey and also their new online art and drama community project 'The Thought Scene' starting in a few weeks.
Show premiered on Saturday 20th June 2020. |
Episode 12: Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guest and Heston West Big Local Rep Matt Freidson discussing all things Big Local, including what's the rep's role and how many areas he is currently supporting and also community challenges.
Show premiered on Saturday 27th June 2020. |
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Episode 13: Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guests father and daughter combo Terry and Big Local board member Debbie Noad. Both have been heavily involved with the Heston West community for many years helping and supporting residents and Big Local activities.
Show premiered on Saturday 4th July 2020. Episode 15: In this special episode, Tarek Mrad talks about his recent experience getting involved with Local Trust's Big Local Connects event via Zoom. During the 3 day online event, Tarek met some amazing and interesting people involved with the Big Local across the UK and some abroad.
Show premiered on Saturday 18th July 2020. |
Episode 14: Tarek Mrad is joined live with special guests Shiu-Ming Man and Jack Lewis from Speak As 1 and Matthew Campbell from United Response. Speak As 1 is a politics discussion group for people with additional needs.
Show premiered on Saturday 11th July 2020. Episode 16: In this special video episode, Tarek Mrad interviews the legendary Blaise Singh. Blaise is the founder of Make A Difference Entertainment (MADE). Blaise tells us about his Big Local journey, how he decided to become a filmmaker and some of his favourite Big Local memories and projects.
Show premiered on Saturday 25th July 2020. |
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Episode 17: In this podcast video episode, Tarek Mrad interviews Gaunless Gateway Big Local's Chair Lee Brownson. He discusses things all Big Local and the work Gaunless Gateway have done for their local community in Bishop Aukland, County Durham, before and during COVID-19.
Show premiered on Saturday 1st August 2020. |
Episode 18: In this podcast video episode, Tarek Mrad interviews Paul Bannister, Director at ManHealth. ManHealth is a CIC who provide support to men through a range of methods including training and peer support.
Show premiered on Saturday 8th August 2020. |
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Episode 19: In this podcast video episode, Tarek Mrad interviews Matthew Potter, Chairman and Coaching Director at Bishop Auckland Table Tennis Club. They are a community organisation committed to being a Table Tennis club that supports the local area: offering a welcoming and friendly environment, making table tennis accessible to all ages and abilities whether as a player or volunteer.
Show premiered on Saturday 15th August 2020. |
Episode 20: In this episode, Tarek Mrad interviews Jane Crawford, Managing Director and Founder of Daisy Arts. Daisy Arts, based in Bishop Auckland, is a long established and highly regarded community arts organisation who believe participation in the arts transforms communities and individuals.
Show premiered on Saturday 22nd August 2020. |
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Episode 21: In this video podcast episode, Tarek Mrad interviews Joe Brooks from Atomic Rhubarb Theatre based in Weston-super-Mare. Joe talks about his exciting upcoming projects with Big Worle and the work he does with Atomic Rhubarb. We also learn a little bit about Joe and how he got involved with acting, filmmaking and theatre.
Show premiered on Saturday 29th August 2020. |
Episode 22: In this video podcast episode, Tarek Mrad interviews the energetic and enthusiastic Shuaib Ahmed Sharif. In this interview, Shuaib discusses his plans in setting up a new Big Local community activity aimed at young people in Heston and Cranford.
Show premiered on Saturday 5th September 2020. |
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Episode 23: In this special video podcast episode, host Tarek Mrad is joined by several members of Heston West Big Local team discussing how they managed lockdown, favourite Big Local memories and having a good big catch up!
Show premiered on Saturday 12th September 2020. |
Episode 24: In this video podcast episode, host Tarek Mrad is joined by Taj Ranger. Taj talks about his Big Local experience including getting involved with our clean up days, walking football, healthy cooking classes and volunteering.
Show premiered on Saturday 19th September 2020. |
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Episode 25: In this video podcast episode, host Tarek Mrad is joined by Apinder Sidhu. Apinder has been supporting and leading in our Big Local Creative Mums Club, Summer School and Creative Kids Club alongside CSL. Apinder also volunteered as a driver during our Covid-19 Pop-Up Foodbank project, delivering food parcels to our most vulnerable residents during the pandemic.
Show premiered on Saturday 26th September 2020. |
Episode 26: In this special podcast episode, host Tarek Mrad is joined by Alan Fraser, Chair of Heston West Big Local. Alan has been instrumental in leading, developing and steering Heston West since the beginning, alongside our partnership board. Alan is also the Deputy Head Teacher at Cranford Community College and a trustee for Hounslow Promise.
Show premiered on Saturday 3rd October 2020. |
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Episode 27: In this video podcast episode, host Tarek Mrad is joined by Muna Abdulahe. Muna is a brilliant role model and has been actively involved with volunteering in the community for a few years, helping organise and deliver activities and events alongside her children.
Show premiered on Saturday 9th October 2020. |
Episode 28: In this video podcast episode, host Tarek Mrad is joined by Talat Anwer. Talat has been involved and leading our Creative Mums Club alongside Creative Spaces London (CSL) and has been also working on a number of community initiatives to help bring mothers together in these challenging times.
Show premiered on Saturday 17th October 2020. |
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Episode 29: In this video podcast episode, host Tarek Mrad is joined by fellow Big Local board member Mamuna Akthar. Mamuna has been involved with Heston West for nearly 2 years, progressing from participant to board member. Mamuna talks about her volunteering journey, working through the pandemic at a local primary school and some of her favourite Big Local memories.
Show premiered on Saturday 24th October 2020. |
Episode 30: In this video podcast episode, host Tarek Mrad is joined by Sharnjeet Bhalla at Sunshine of Hounslow. Sharnjeet has been actively involved with the local community for over 30 years, supporting residents with health and wellbeing activities. Sharnjeet has been vital to our community success over the years, dedicating her energy and passion to helping the most vulnerable families and individuals in Hounslow.
Show premiered on Saturday 31st October 2020. |
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Episode 31: Host Tarek Mrad talks about his involvement with the Eden Project Communities Virtual Community Camp.
Show premiered on Saturday 7th November 2020. |
Episode 32: Host Tarek Mrad is joined by fellow Big Local board member and Hounslow MS Society lead David Thurman. David talks about how the lockdown has affected those struggling with MS and also about his organisation and support available in the local community.
Show premiered on Saturday 14th November 2020. |
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Episode 33: Host Tarek Mrad is joined by very special guest Tony Louki, The London Borough of Hounslow Mayor and Councillor for Osterley & Spring Grove. Tony talks about his role as Mayor and his community and charity work, including supporting Heston West Big Local. Tony selected Hounslow Seniors Trust and Our Barn Community as his main two charities to support as Mayor.
Show premiered on Saturday 21st November 2020. |
Episode 34: Host Tarek Mrad is joined by Aadil Awan and Fahim Modak. Aadil and Fahim talk all about mentoring. They discuss what they first thought of each other, their mentor and mentee relationship and the impact of mentoring. They also conclude on why other young people and volunteers should think about getting involved with Hounslow's Promise's mentoring scheme.
Show premiered on Saturday 28th November 2020. |
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Episode 35: In this special global episode host Tarek Mrad is joined by Dave Fortier, President at One World Strong. The One World Strong Foundation is a non-profit organisation dedicated to improve the lives of those impacted by terrorist attacks, hate crimes and traumatic events.
Show premiered on Saturday 5th December 2020. |
Episode 36: In this episode host Tarek Mrad gives us an update on the community podcast and his plans to develop a new format for the show in 2021.
Show premiered on Saturday 12th December 2020. |
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Episode 37: In this episode host Tarek Mrad is joined by Architect and Artist Maria Ortiz Lopez based in Valencia, Spain. Maria has participated in many exhibitions and collaborated with artist associations in community driven activities like: painting, drawing and street art performances. Maria aims to make people participate, enjoy, learn new skills and bringing the art to everybody.
Show premiered on Saturday 19th December 2020. |
Episode 38: In this Christmas episode host Tarek Mrad is joined by former Deputy Mayor of the London Borough of Hounslow and Thamesbank Credit Union Chair Mukesh Malhotra. Mukesh co-founded a project called “Rotary World’s Greatest Meal to Help End Polio”, which has helped to save over 16.5 million children from Polio.
Show premiered on Thursday 24th December 2020. |
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Episode 39: In our final episode of 2020 host Tarek Mrad is joined by Big Local youth volunteer Adewole Agboola, 16. Adewole aka Wole talks about his Big Local journey, including some of his favourite memories. Wole also discusses Black Lives Matter (BLM) and his involvement with the anti-racism campaign and his personal thoughts on the movement.
Show premiered on Saturday 26th December 2020. |
Big Local Live Host Tarek Mrad sends out his New Year message to the community.
Show premiered on Friday 8th January 2021. |
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Episode 40: In our first podcast of 2021, Host Tarek Mrad is joined by very special international guests Marianne Espinoza at Semper Fi & America’s Fund and Dave Fortier at One World Strong Foundation. Marianne has had over 17 years' experience working with service members in family programs as the Key Volunteer/FRO Trainer at Marine Corps Family Team Building, Family Readiness Coordinator at 1st MLG, and the Hawaii Consultant with Military OneSource before joining the team at the Semper Fi Fund in 2012.
Show premiered on Saturday 9th January 2021. |
Episode 41: Host Tarek Mrad is joined by Big Local board member and youth volunteer Sharanjit Kaur, 17. Sharanjit has been actively involved with the Big Local for nearly 4 years. Sharanjit has been integral part to the success of our Big Local and is a fantastic role model to the community. Outside the Big Local, Sharanjit has been volunteering at West Middlesex Hospital, helping patients during the Covid-19 pandemic. Sharanjit is an amazing person and has a bright future ahead of her. She dreams one day of becoming a doctor and leaving a positive legacy.
Show premiered on Saturday 16th January 2021. |
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Episode 42: In this special episode, Host Tarek Mrad is joined by world renowned dancer, choreographer and dance teacher Amina Khayyam. Amina has been acclaimed for her progressive work within Kathak's intricate and detailed theatrical movements of abhinaya. In this episode, Amina talks about her background, career, Kathak dance and her upcoming Embroidery project alongside Zero Culture and Heston West Big Local.
Show premiered on Saturday 23rd January 2021. |
Episode 43: In this special Sunday episode, Host Tarek Mrad is joined by Steven Kasamba, founder and director for Bantu Arts. Steven talks about the birth of Bantu Arts, some of his favourite memories with Bantu Arts including directing and leading our Big Local 'Together We Are Stars' production in 2019. He also talks about upcoming community projects, including another collaboration with Heston West Big Local.
Show premiered on Sunday 24th January 2021. |
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Episode 44: In this episode, Host Tarek Mrad is joined by Chloë and Chace at Holborn Community Association. They have been running their online Media Arts Club project during the pandemic, focusing on engaging young people living in their local community. In this episode, we learn more about the great work Holborn Community Association have done, including a poetry reading by Chace.
Show premiered on Saturday 30th January 2021. |
Episode 45: In this episode, Host Tarek Mrad is joined by one of youngest guests and long-time volunteer Rahima, 9. Rahima helped the Big Local raise over £6,000 for our Covid-19 Community Foodbank project, inspired by the late Sir Captain Tom Moore. Rahima is a shining star in our community and a role model for other children.
Show premiered on Saturday 6th February 2021. |
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Episode 46: In this episode, Host Tarek Mrad is joined by Nimesh Pattani, long-time Big Local volunteer and marathon runner. Nimesh is also a volunteer and ambassador for Mencap. In this episode Nimesh discusses his volunteering journey, being involved with the Big Local family and his charity work with Mencap. Nimesh also shares some fitness tips to keep you happy and healthy during the national lockdown.
Show premiered on Saturday 13th February 2021. |
Episode 47: In this special global episode, Host Tarek Mrad is joined by the lovely Haylea Rudge from Marseille, France. She has has worked with children and young people for over 10 years and has gained a unique perspective on working alongside those with disabilities. She also fundraised over £1000 in one day and is the founder of Haylea of Bear Hunt Books France.
Show premiered on Saturday 20th February 2021. |
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Episode 48: In this special episode, Host Tarek Mrad is joined by Rodgers Orero from Riana Development Network (RDN) based in Hounslow. RDN's mission is to create a world free from poverty where people have the ability to live life to their full potential. Rodgers believes that the key to addressing poverty and equality is by educating youth and giving them hope.
Show premiered on Saturday 27th February 2021. |
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Join us every Saturday morning for all the latest news, information and stories impacting our local community led by Tarek Mrad with special guests.
Would you like to be involved with the show? Are you determined to share your story? Connect with the community? Make a difference? If yes, we would love to hear from you! Please contact Taz Virdee on [email protected] with Community Podcast as the subject. |
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