A Believer's Guide to...

Muslims Ali and Claire are expecting their first child. They are nervous about becoming parents, but just days after the birth, Ali's parents, sister and sister-in-law descend on them to practise their version of the Muslim tradition of 40 days. Relatives and loved ones help the new parents, and especially the new mum, with the transition to parenthood by looking after them so they can be free to care for the baby. For Claire this practice is going to be especially valuable as she lost her own mother when she was a teenager and doesn't have any maternal help from her side of the family.

Christians Grace and Jess are engaged to be married and are about to move into their first home together: a canal boat. Saying goodbye to family, friends and the church community they have been a part of for the last five years is a huge change, and they are relying on their faith to help them make the move. In the past, the pair have struggled with being gay and Christian, and they have not always found acceptance. Once settled on their new boat, they look to find a church and a community that will welcome them.

Ivor is celebrating his 83rd birthday in an unusual way. He is having a second bar mitzvah, which happens to coincide with his 13-year-old grandson Zak's first bar mitzvah. The preparations for this milestone event take Ivor on a trip down memory lane to the area where he grew up, the market where he worked for 40 years and the grave of his beloved wife. Now he's happily living with his new partner of 12 years, Rita, and the bar mitzvah is the perfect opportunity to take stock of his life and make the most of growing older.

Thirty-three-year-old Kiran is looking for a life partner. She has decided to lean on her Sikh faith and community to help her find 'the one'. Kiran's parents had an arranged marriage 47 years ago and are happy to put out feelers amongst friends and relatives. Kiran also visits a matrimonial service at her temple, meets two different types of Sikh matchmaker and goes to a Sikh speed-dating event. Will she find love?

Dipti lost her father a year ago to Covid-19. Although she has been trained to help others deal with grief, the death of her father has turned her life upside down. Her Hindu faith has been an essential support in helping her cope with her loss. Now, to celebrate her father's life, Dipti and her extended family host a Hindu festival called Maha Shivratri, where they can pray, mourn and honour her dad.