A Matter for Concern

Like a reverse Dragon's Den for local good causes, A Matter for Concern brought charity bosses into the television studio to pitch directly to viewers. Unlike Dragon's Den, however, the show wasn't appealing for money, but people. Presenters Austin Mitchell and Ann Syrett made direct appeals for volunteers in specific charitable roles across the region, then showed examples of existing volunteers at work to help their viewers visualise precisely what was needed. At the end of each edition Ann Syrett updated viewers on how many volunteers had responded so far to their previous appeals and sometimes included a photograph of new volunteers at work. The programme's restrained, unsensational and unsentimental tone made it easy viewing, despite the sometimes distressing subject matter.