Catherine Carr brings together two people whose homes have been flooded. After years of battling, one decided to leave, while the other decided to stay. They share their stories and exchange gifts. Their presents unlock each of their decisions, and tell something deeper about what they’ve been through.

Lynne Jones and Selena Whitehead have a stressful experience in common. Both their homes – on opposite sides of the country – have flooded multiple times. They lost countless possessions, most heart-breaking for both were photographs of their children when they were small and presents given by relatives.

They both talk about the emotion of seeing the sanctuary of your home turned into a dank, dusty, dirty shell and they speak of how hard it is to turn that shell back into a place of comfort and belonging again.

The idea of home is complex and emotional but, ultimately, is the building that you call home worth the risk of living next to a river that floods?

Presented by Catherine Carr
Produced by Charlotte Pritchard

A Loftus Media production for BBC Radio 4 Show less