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Mike Baldwin,65, from Dunsville has been a part of a project which aims to cheer people up after a very difficult year.

The National Theatre has been in collaboration with Cast Theatre to create the Stories That Got Us Through podcast.

Mike, said: “We all shared our experiences that made us who we are today.

“I shared my story of learning to play football in Tanzania and we had a young couple speak about their future.

“Others delved into self destruction, confidence and friendship.”

Mike said that listening to others stories has helped him and he hopes that they will do the same for others.

“I have not been immune to the effects of this year,” he continued.

“I have been sleeping less and less and have felt out of kilter with the human spirit.

“Caused by not being able to see friends and family, play guitar or sing in my choir.”

Mike said that the podcast project has helped him to see the positive.

“It’s wonderful to see the beauty in diversity,” he continued.

“To see how this time has brought out courage and bravery in so many.

“All people have beauty inside of them no matter how insignificant they may appear.”

When the government restrictions lift Mike hopes to visit his daughter in Manchester who he has not been able to see for many months.

He will also be attending the wedding of his son - held in a garden.

“I hope and beg that people will not just return to ‘normal’ when all of this is over,” he said.

“But rather make a better situation where we focus on being human.

“I hope this year has opened people’s eyes and made them more aware of the challenges of others.

“And maybe get them to challenge the establishment over it - I don’t believe the world will survive if we continue the way we are.

“We need a new normal.”

The Stories That Got Us Through podcast is out now and can be listened to here.

Doncaster man says that we need to create a ‘new normal’ as we hit the milestone of one year of Covid-19