Rob England
BBC News

We've seen some amazing examples of people making a difference across the country today.

From free roast dinners to fundraisers, from people making visors to those sewing together scrubs, and those carving NHS superhero plaques for hospitals.

Image source, Johnathon Whittaker

It's clear lockdown really isn't stopping some from pitching in where they can.

That's all from our positive news live page this week, but we'll be back tomorrow with all the latest coronavirus news from across England.

We'll also be back next Monday for another day filled with stories of those making a difference.

In the meantime, stay safe.

Police officers have shared a video of how they surprised Jack in Birmingham on his fifth birthday.

Image source, Leah Peters

The family of a one-year-old girl who is among the youngest in the country to survive coronavirus have thanked the "amazing" NHS staff who cared for her.

Leah Peters, from Coningsby, Lincolnshire, was born prematurely at 32 weeks and has a congenital heart defect and chronic lung disease.

Her parents, Agata and Michael, noticed she had a cough a few weeks ago and she was admitted to Pilgrim Hospital.

After being given oxygen she has now recovered and been allowed home.

The children of nurses who look after seriously ill young people have starred in a video to urge people to stay at home.

It features sons and daughters of staff on the Rudham Ward at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in King's Lynn, which cares for children aged 16 and under.

They explain how they are worried about their parents catching coronavirus and ask viewers to "stay at home for them".

Nurse Katie Savage organised it and said: "Our children are having to watch their mummies and daddies go to work on the front line every day and a child's voice can be really powerful, so I hope this encourages people to stay at home and protect the NHS."

Volunteers at Salford Cathedral are making and distributing more than 750 meals a week for families in need.

Their Soul Food initiative provides families with ingredients and tutorial videos for them to follow a new recipe at home., external

Image source, Salford Cathedral

Image source, Johnathon Whittaker

A wood carver has been donating his time to hand carve plaques to show appreciation for NHS staff.

Johnathon Whittaker, 45 and from Plymstock, Devon, is donating the sculptures - showing the NHS logo with the "S" represented by the Superman symbol - to 67 hospitals.

He said if his designs made staff feel "more appreciated at the end of a long shift, it's the least I can do".

Are you feeling brainy?

Maths teacher and ex-University Challenge semi-finalist Bobby Seagull has drafted in some of the quiz's former champions and runners-up to compete in a quiz to raise funds for the NHS tonight.

Rob England
BBC News

Image source, Getty Images

Councils across England have confirmed they have, or intend to, reopen some cemeteries after a government announcement over the weekend.

On Saturday, Local Government Secretary Robert Jenrick said parks and cemeteries must remain open during the lockdown and families can attend loved ones' funerals.

Commenting on social media, many authorities have confirmed the move, but have asked visitors to maintain social distancing and other measures to stop the spread of coronavirus.

Forest of Dean District Council said toilets would not be open, external at its cemeteries, while Nuneaton and Bedworth Council asked visitors not to approach staff, external.

Members of a Bradford bin lorry crew have made the day of a boy celebrating his ninth birthday.

Image source, Bradford City Council

Joshua, who wants to be a bin man when he grows up, was surprised by waste crews on Saturday.

A council spokesman said: "Following the deep clean of our vehicles, the crew volunteered to take the wagon to Joshua's house with lights flashing, so he could sit in the cab and see it close up.

"They also gave him a gift of a child’s size waste collector's uniform which he can wear while waiting to see the crew in future."

Adrian Mirza, waste collections manager, said: “Our crews have received so many positive notes, children’s pictures, lovely comments and gifts for continuing waste collections during these difficult times which have given us all such a boost.

"This is a small act which gives something back to a special little boy - it made all our days to see his face.”

Katy Lewis
BBC News Online

The Captain Tom Moore story continues...

He has now raised more than £27m for the NHS and is top of the iTunes chart after recording a charity version of You'll Never Walk Alone with Michael Ball.

The 99-year-old, from Marston Moretaine, in Bedfordshire, completed 100 laps of the 25-metre (80ft) loop in his garden well before the deadline of his 100th birthday on 30 April and raised millions for NHS Charities Together.

The Reverend Gill Webb from Marston, who has known him for many years, says villagers will come together to mark his birthday.

"The local children of Marston Moretaine I believe are going to make birthday cards and put [them] in their windows," she said.

"And after the big clap for the NHS on the Thursday of his birthday I think everyone will finish off by singing Happy Birthday in the village."

Rob England
BBC News

Image source, Specsavers Chesterfield

An appeal by an opticians has prompted several tablets to be donated to a care home in Derbyshire, allowing residents to stay in touch with relatives via video calls.

Allissa Charlesworth, optometrist director at Specsavers Chesterfield, launched the fundraiser after hearing concerns from a member of staff at Whittington Care Home, during an eye test.

"Although we might be self-isolating with loved ones at home, it was heartbreaking to hear that some members of our community would be facing the prospect of twelve weeks without the chance to see their families," she said.

Responding to the appeal, four devices were donated by members of the local community, and £350 raised to purchase a new one.

Alex Regan
BBC News

Image source, Nottingham University Hospitals NHS Trust

A nurse who left front-line healthcare 10 years ago has returned to work to help tackle the coronavirus.

Mother-of-three Jess Bush is the first nurse at Nottingham's Queen's Medical Centre to return to work after a national call-out for front-line staff.

She said she was "a bit concerned" about returning to the NHS, adding: "I spoke to a friend who works in the emergency department at another hospital and they reassured me that I’d be OK.

“My family have been really supportive and of course they are concerned about some of the risks involved but everyone is and we know what the situation is.”

Ms Bush, from Sutton Bonington, will be based in the emergency department and will see patients with life-threatening conditions, and people with suspected coronavirus.

An inventive brewery in the north-east of England has found a way to maintain social distancing while providing its locally produced beverages to customers, with a drive-through.

Mark Anderson, managing director of The Maxim Brewery at Rainton Bridge, near Houghton-le-Spring said the drive through is proving more popular as word gets around.

He added customers ordered and paid over the phone and collected their beverages from tables behind the brewery, to maintain social distancing.

A school in County Durham has created about 500 visors for healthcare workers in the area, a local trust has said.

South Tees Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust said they wanted to say a "massive thank you" to the staff and students at Sedgefield Community College.

The visors have been distributed to hospitals, GP surgeries, critical care units, community care departments and care homes.

Image source, Getty Images

Sir David Attenborough, Danny Dyer, Jodie Whittaker and Brian Cox are among celebrities involved in the virtual learning initiative.

Local Democracy Reporting Service

Chefs at a top London hotel are using their skills to create cuisine for the local community during the coronavirus lockdown.

Image source, Westminster City Council

The five-star Berkeley Hotel in Knightsbridge closed its doors to guests more than a month ago, but its team of chefs and kitchen staff are now making more than 1,500 meals a week which are delivered to Westminster residents.

An army of volunteers is delivering the food to people in sheltered accommodation or those on low incomes.

The hotel’s general manager, Knut Wylde, said staff were keen to turn their skills to help their neighbours, adding: “We are honoured to help support our local community at this very difficult time... We are all in this together.”

Rob England
BBC News

A welder in Somerset has created a silhouette of an NHS nurse in a tribute to healthcare workers on the front line of the pandemic.

"Nurse Amy" was created in the style of the "silent soldier" tributes which were put up across the country by the Royal British Legion in 2018 to commemorate the 100 year anniversary of the end of World War One.

Coronavirus misinformation is flooding the internet and experts are calling on the public to practise "information hygiene".

Here are seven ways you can help stop the spread of bad information.

Rob England
BBC News

West Bromwich Albion has provided rooms at its ground for maternity patients during the coronavirus pandemic, health officials have said.

Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust said it wanted to set up an "alternative space" for antenatal and postnatal appointments.

Image source, Sandwell and West Birmingham NHS Trust

Helen Hurst, director of midwifery, said: "Women are slightly anxious about coming to hospital in the current climate so we wanted to find a safe space away from the hospital.

"We are really grateful to the Baggies for providing this space for women during this worrying time.”

The club said it was "more than happy" to open its doors, and club chief executive Mark Jenkins added "we like to think you are never too young to join the Albion family.”

Quiet roads in Cornwall as a result of the Covid-19 lockdown have encouraged some normally shy residents to make an appearance.

Image source, The Riverside - Boscastle

A webcam installed at a bed and breakfast captured deer walking down the deserted street in Boscastle on Friday.

The Riverside posted on Facebook, external: "It is exceptional that during these times that they too are adhering to the government advice of social distancing and keeping at least two metres apart."