Weekend Woman’s Hour: Maureen Lipman, Women in security, Female birdsong

This episode of Woman's Hour explores a range of powerful themes, beginning with Dame Maureen Lipman, celebrating her 80th birthday by starring in the joyful musical 'Allegra', a role that challenges societal norms around aging and happiness. Lipman reflects on her personal joy, the pressures of public life, and the importance of embracing eccentricity. The programme then turns to a critical investigation into the rise of unregistered children's homes in England, where vulnerable children are being placed in unsafe, makeshift settings like caravans and Airbnbs due to a lack of proper care provision. Experts from Article 39 and Commonweal Housing expose the systemic failures, profiteering, and lack of accountability, calling for transparency and investment in specialist care. Simone Pennant, founder of the TV Collective, shares her journey of overcoming self-doubt and 'saboteur voice' to champion diversity in the screen industries, emphasizing manifestation, community, and the power of belief. The discussion shifts to gendered language in the security sector, with advocates pushing to replace 'bouncer' with 'guardian' to reflect the role's focus on de-escalation and safety, especially for women. Finally, the episode celebrates female birdsong, challenging the long-held assumption that only male birds sing, highlighting how this oversight has impacted conservation efforts and calling for greater appreciation of female avian contributions to the dawn chorus on International Dawn Chorus Day.