In the season 10 finale of Meet the Mancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe speaks with Sophie Jones, Community Engagement Lead at In Our Nature about taking climate action in communities across GreaterManchester. Sophie shares her lifelong passion for environmentalism, her journey from being a school recycling monitor to studying zoology and working with the Manchester Climate Change Agency. She discusses how 'In Our Nature supports diverse Manchester communities in taking climate action tailored to their needs.
Highlighting projects like textile upcycling and public transport use, Sophie highlights a holistic approach to overcoming barriers like cost of living and misinformation. She also underscores the power of collective community efforts in making a significant impact on climate change. The episode concludes with Sophie sharing some heartwarming success stories and her vision of empowering communities.
The Meet the Mancunian Podcast will take a break until October 2025, while the podcast host makes some time for work and personal travel, a creative project, and a milestone birthday. The Meet the Mancunian podcast will return with Season 11 in October 2025. In the meantime, listeners can listen to the over 120 inspiring guest episodes on the Meet the Mancunian podcast on www.meettthemancunian.co.uk or your favourite podcast channel.
#ClimateChange #ClimateAction #Sustainability #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· Climate Action is one of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
· Manchester is aiming to be zero carbon by 2038.
· In Our Nature is a city-wide programme in Manchester connecting the climate crisis to practical actions we can all take to make a difference.
Key resource:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode &transcript:
(01:21) Guest Introduction: Sophie Jones
(02:03) Sophie's Journey into Climate Action
(03:05) In Our Nature: Mission and Activities
(05:02) Community Engagement and Challenges
(09:51) Impact Stories and Successes
(14:26) Personal Insights and Advice
(17:50) Signature Questions
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
In the 11th episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunianpodcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe interviews Chris Marsh, an ambassador for Forever Manchester. Chris shares his journey of becoming involved with the charity through his passion for running and discusses the various community initiatives supported by Forever Manchester.
From supporting local disability groups to knitting collectives,Chris highlights how the organisation helps various causes within Greater Manchester. He also recounts his experience being named the Great Mancunian of the Year and discusses the challenges of continuous fundraising. The episode provides a comprehensive look at the impactful work of Forever Manchester and offers insights for those looking to make a difference in their own communities.
#community #CommunityGroups #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· There are over 17,000 community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises in Greater Manchester.
· Community volunteering involves individuals dedicating their time and energy to help others and improve their local community.
· Getting involved in local projects is a great way to be part of a community, building its strength and resilience and ensuring no one is left behind.
· Forever Manchester supports over 1,300 community projects in Greater Manchester every year.
Key resource:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:
(00:57) Introducing Chris Marsh
(01:38) Chris's Journey to Community Support
(04:19) Forever Manchester's Impact
(06:55) Challenges and Achievements
(14:41) Discovering Local Impact
(16:03) Upcoming Events and Initiatives
(17:19) Signature Questions: Manchester's Unique Social Impact
(20:09) Life Lessons and Personal Insights
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
In the 10th episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe interviews Zoe Marlow, Food Bank Manager at Dandelion Community Church. They discuss Zoe's personal journey from seeking help to becoming a community leader, the operations and challenges of running a food bank, and the importance of treating individuals with compassion and respect.
Zoe shares insights into food poverty, the stigma attached to seeking help, and community initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and fostering self-sustainability. The episode also highlights Zoe's inspiring trip to Africa and its impact on her community work.
#FoodPoverty #FuelPoverty #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· In 2022/23 there were 7.2 million people, or 11% of the UK population, in households experiencing food poverty, including 17% of children.
· Food banks are run by charities and are intended as a temporary provision to supply emergency food.
· In 2022/23, 2.3 million people in the UK lived in households which had used a food bank in the previous 12 months, a rate of 3%. This includes 6% of children, 3% of working-age adults, and around 1% of pensioners.
· In 2023/24 the Trussell Trust supplied 3.12 millionemergency food parcels, the highest number of parcels distributed by the network in a year.
Key resource:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode &transcript:
(01:02) Meet Zoe Marlow: Food Bank Manager
(01:49) Zoe's Personal Journey
(02:32) Dandelion Food Bank: How It Works
(05:03) Challenges and Obstacles
(07:27) Community Support and Services
(11:30) Dandelion Community Savers and Africa Trip
(16:38) Misunderstandings and Myths
(23:15) Community Voice and Development
(24:58) Signature Questions
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
In the ninth episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe speakswith Ghada Soliman, Founder, of Sustainable Threads. They discuss Ghada's journey from overcoming a serious health condition to her passion for volunteering and helping marginalised communities.
Ghada shares how Sustainable Threads reuses old fabrics to create new products, aiming tosupport vulnerable women and promote environmental sustainability. Despite funding challenges and language barriers, the initiative has made significant social and environmental impacts by providing a safe space for women to learn new skills and generate income. Ghada offers advice on turning simple ideas into impactful projects and emphasises the importance of resilience, networking, and kindness.
#Sustainability #SustainableClothing #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· Approximately 73% of waste clothing in the UK goes to landfill
· In the UK, approximately 350,000 tonnes of clothing waste are sent to landfills each year.
· The UK is the fourth largest producer of textile waste in Europe.
· The environmental impact of fashion waste includes landfill pollution, water pollution, and carbon emissions.
Key resource:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:
(00:55) Introducing Ghada Soliman
(01:34) The Journey to Volunteering
(03:52) Sustainable Threads Initiative
(08:26) Challenges and Impact
(20:36) The Power of Advertising and Visibility
(20:59) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
(22:22) Networking and Community Engagement
(24:58) Upcoming Opportunities for Sustainable Threads
(26:57) Reflections and Personal Insights
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
In the eighth episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe speaks with Niki Banks, co-founder of One World Together. Niki shares herjourney from her academic background in global development to launching a social enterprise aimed at providing flexible funding directly to communities.
She highlights the challenges faced by small charities and community groups in obtaining long-term funding and highlights the importance of trust and local empowerment in solving community issues. Niki also discusses the impact OneWorld Together has made in Manchester, Kenya, and Zambia, and the importance of collaboration and community bonds in driving social impact. The episode ends with Niki sharing upcoming events and her thoughts on Manchester's uniquespirit for social impact work.
#Community #Fundraising #Charities #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· Smaller charities face challenges of funding. Nearly 90% of UK funds reaching international charities go to the 77 largest charities.
· Smaller charities are often overlooked in favour of larger, well-established charities and face challenges of trust.
· Local, grassroots charities are often the ones best placed to support the most vulnerable in their communities.
Key resource:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode &transcript:
(00:56) Meet Niki Banks
(01:37) Niki's Journey into Charity Work
(02:55) Challenges in the Charity Sector
(04:13) One World Together's Mission
(07:00) Community Savers and Global Learning
(09:10) Impact and Achievements
(15:46) Volunteer Opportunities and Events
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
In the seventh episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe engages with Ryan Miemczyk, Chair of Trustees at Manchester Young Lives. Ryan shares his journey into social work, driven by his passionfor supporting youth and his love for sports. He discusses the charity's mission to empower young people through play and recreation, providing alternative education, and improving employability skills.
Ryan highlights the critical challenges faced by the organisation, particularly sustainable funding, and emphasises the importance of community involvement. He also shares insights on the broader social impact landscape, advocating forclear communication of purpose and beneficiary engagement. Tune in for an inspiring episode on making a tangible difference in the lives of young people.
#Youth #Sports #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· Over 75% of children under 12 aren’t getting enough active free play.
· Only one in four boys and one in five girls in England get the recommended 60 minutes of activity every day.
· Participation in sport and physical activity varies greatly among different demographic groups.
· Significant inequalities remain in activity levels, with Black (42%) and Asian (43%) children and young people, and those from the least affluent families (45%), still less likely to play sport or be physically active than the average across all ethnicities and affluence groups. Girls (45%) are also less likely to be active than boys (51%).
Key resource:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcastepisode & transcript:
(00:54) Episode 10.7: Meet Ryan Miemzyk
(01:47) Ryan's Journey into Youth Support
(02:56) Manchester Young Lives: History and Mission
(05:48) Challenges and Impact
(08:55) Misunderstandings and Buzzwords
(12:10) Advice for Making an Impact
(14:08) Ryan's Other Charitable Work
(16:39) Signature Questions
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
Join host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe in the sixth episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast as she interviews Lydia German, Senior Content and Campaigns Officer at Lancashire Wildlife Trust. Lydia discusses her journey into wildlife conservation, inspired by her grandfather and her passion for environmental politics.
She shares insights on the goals and challenges of Lancashire Wildlife Trust, including their aim to have 30% of land and sea recovering by 2030 and mobilising one in four people to takeaction for nature. Lydia also talks about the importance of reaching diverse communities and young people, as well as her impactful work in policy communication and community engagement.
(Host tip: This episode is a nice follow on from the previous episode featuring Simon Owen, Ambassador, Lancashire Wildlife Trust.)
#Conservation #Environment #Wildlife #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· Lancashire Wildlife Trust look after 1,288 hectares of nature reserves for rare and threatened species and habitats
· They deliver environmental education to around 20,000 children per year.
Key resource:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode &transcript:
(00:52) Introducing Lydia German
(01:50) Lydia's Journey into Wildlife Conservation
(03:29) Role and Goals of Lancashire Wildlife Trust
(05:19) Challenges in Environmental Politics
(06:59) Reaching Diverse Communities
(08:45) Impact and Achievement
(15:38) Signature Questions and Personal Insights
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
In the fifth episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe interviews Simon Owen,founder of Standby Productions and the first-ever ambassador for the Wildlife Trust of Lancashire, Greater Manchester, and North Merseyside.
Simon shares his passion for supporting the environment and his journey from birdwatching with his dad to making award-winning wildlife films. He discusses the importance of peatlands, the challenges of conservation funding, and his unique partnership with the Wildlife Trust. Simon also highlights community projects and the positive impact of connecting people with nature. Tune in for an inspiring discussion on turning passion into purpose and making a meaningful social impact.
#Conservation #Environment #Peatlands#community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· Peatlands are vital ecosystems that store carbon, provide clean water, and support biodiversity.
· They also help prevent flooding.
· They support rare plants, insects and wading birds,
Key resources:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode &transcript:
(00:55) Simon Owen on Environmental Support
(03:58) Partnership with Wildlife Trust
(07:37) Challenges and Community Impact
(18:42) Finding Your Passion and Making an Impact
(20:42) Unique Partnerships and Creative Funding
(22:02) Harnessing Business for Environmental Good
(22:53) Signature Questions: Manchester's Unique Social Impact
(28:53) Heartwarming Stories and Final Thoughts
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
In the fourth episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe speaks withMarianna Vaszilyliv, co-founder and project lead of United for Ukraine. Marianna shares her journey from being a teacher to passionately supporting Ukrainian refugees in the UK after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Marianna discusses the inception and evolution of United for Ukraine, which started as an informational platform and has grown to provide extensive employment servicesand support. She highlights key challenges such as language barriers and emotional distress faced by refugees and how her team is helping them overcome these obstacles. The episode also focuses on inspiring stories of refugees finding new purpose and employment in the UK and underscores the ongoing need for community support and involvement.
#Ukraine #refugees #employability #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit#podcast
Did you know:
· Around 217,000 Ukrainians were living in the UK as of 30 June 2024.
· As of 2024, 70% of adults who arrived under the two main Ukraine schemes were women. Around 27% of all arrivals were children under the age of 18.
Key resource:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode &transcript:
(00:44) Meet Marianna Vaszilyliv: Championing Ukrainian Refugees
(01:49) Marianna's Journey: From Teacher to Advocate
(03:13) United for Ukraine: Mission and Services
(06:22) Overcoming Challenges: Bias and Language Barriers
(09:01) Emotional Support and Success Stories
(10:21) Impact and Inspirational Stories
(13:38) Balancing Personal and Professional Life
(15:54) How to Support Ukrainian Refugees
(20:21) Signature Questions and Closing Thoughts
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
In the third episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe interviews Kieran Innes, CEO of Tootoot. Kieran shares his inspiring journey from growing up in a council estate to co-founding Tootoot, apioneering platform that provides children with a safe, anonymous way to report bullying and safeguarding issues.
He discusses the development of Tootoot from a university project to a tool used globally in over 500 schools, impacting over half a million children. Kieran shares the importance of giving children a voice, the challenges of gaining schooladoption, and tips for those looking to make a social impact in their communities.
#AntiBullying #Youth #children #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· About 24% of school pupils reported being frequently bullied and about 6% admitted to frequently bullying others
· Pupils with special educational needs or disabilities, or in receipt of free school meals, were significantly more likely to be bullied.
Key resource:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode &transcript:
(00:57) Introduction and Guest Welcome
(01:24) Kieran's Early Inspiration
(02:02) Journey to Tootoot
(03:08) Building the First MVP
(04:38) Challenges and Obstacles
(07:33) Impact and Success Stories
(09:34) Understanding the Market
(11:28) Future Developments
(13:26) Signature Questions
(18:04) Closing Remarks
Listen to the episode and read the transcript onwww.meetthemancunian.co.uk
In the second episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe speaks with Jolene Sheehan, a social entrepreneur, creative, and founder of Joy Ethic.Jolene shares her journey, from being a teacher in Manchester to founding her social enterprise dedicated to well-being and community connections.
She discusses the transformative power of understanding one's core values, overcoming personal and professional obstacles, and the importance of fostering mutual exchanges in community work. Jolene also highlights upcoming projects involving AI and being, and offers advice for those looking to make a social impact. Tune in for an inspiring conversation on living with purpose and authenticity.
#wellbeing #SocialEntrepreneurship #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know: Wellbeing is the state of feeling healthy and happy. Wellbeing includes physical health, mental health,emotional health, social health and purpose.
Key resource:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode &transcript:
(00:56) Meet Jolene Sheehan: Social Entrepreneur
(01:51) Jolene's Journey to Community Work
(04:32) Founding Joy Ethic
(07:55) Challenges and Obstacles
(10:34) Impact and Achievements
(12:44) Understanding Joy Ethic
(16:08) Future Projects and AI Exploration
(19:22) Signature Questions
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
In the first episode of Season 10 of the Meet theMancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe interviews Mike Wild, Chief Executive of Macc. Mike shares his journey from volunteer work in school to leading Macc, an organisation supporting thousands of voluntary, community, faith, and social enterprise groups in Manchester.
He discusses the challenges faced by the sector, such asfunding and workforce issues, and emphasises the importance of collaboration and self-care. Mike also highlights the impact of initiatives like the Migrant Destitution Fund and the Spirit of Manchester Awards in supporting and celebrating the local community.
#charity #VCSE #community #volunteering #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know: There are over 160,000volunteers living in Manchester?
Key resources:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode &transcript:
(01:06) Meet Mike Wild: Passion for the VCSE Sector
(01:45) Mike's Early Journey and First Job
(02:56) Joining Macc and Early Experiences
(07:40) Macc's Role and Impact in Manchester
(10:14) Challenges in the VCSE Sector
(14:50) Supporting the Community: Stories and Initiatives
(21:16) Advice for Aspiring Changemakers
(23:57) Upcoming Events and Initiatives
(25:28) Signature Questions and Closing Thoughts
Listen to the episode and read the transcript onwww.meetthemancunian.co.uk
Welcome to Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, hosted by Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe. This season celebrates social impact community heroes across Manchester and aims to inspire listeners through their life experiences, challenges, and passion for their causes.
The season is dedicated to the memory of Deepa's rescue dog, Sandy who died last month.
Join Deepa every Tuesday starting February 11, 2025, for thought-provoking conversations available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and the Meet the Mancunian website (www.meetthemancunian.co.uk).
The podcast cover art is designed by artist Mahua Roy from Purple Art Studio.
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:
(00:00) Welcome to Season 10
(00:29) Dedication to Sandy - the rescue dog
(00:54) Podcast Goals
(01:06) Where to Listen and Launch date
(01:51) Closing Remarks and Credits
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
#SocialImpact #Community #Manchester #GM #podcast #NonProfit #volunteer
A warm Mancunian welcome to all my listeners from your host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe. In the season finale of Season 9 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, I speak with Judy Vickers, Executive Officer of Lifeshare and Spirit of Manchester Award nominee.
Judy shares her journey from overcoming personal challenges, including domestic violence, to passionately working in the homelessness sector. She discusses her extensive work with Lifeshare, an organisation providing services to the homeless in Manchester, and the critical issues of food and data poverty. The episode highlights Lifeshare's broad range of services and the ongoing challenges amid economic and social shifts. Judy’s dedication to advocating for the voiceless and fostering community collaboration stands out as a beacon of hope.
#Homelessness #FoodPoverty #DataPoverty #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· Homelessness is a complex social phenomenon and represents one of the biggest challenges to modern society.
· Manchester has some of the highest levels of homelessness in the UK –Manchester ranks third-highest in the country for people experiencing homelessness per capita, with around 7,407 people (one in 74 people) experiencing homelessness.
· 3 Million people in the UK experience data poverty.
· Data poverty is when individuals or households cannot afford data or digital devices to meet their essential devices.
· Data poverty can have a negative impact on people's lives, affecting their ability to learn, work, connect with others, and access services like banking, benefits and healthcare.
Key resources
Lifeshare Limited Edition Christmas tees
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:
(01:30) Introduction to Judy Vickers and Her Passion
(01:39) Judy's Personal Journey and Inspiration
(03:26) Early Involvement with Lifeshare
(04:44) Lifeshare's Mission and Services
(07:27) Challenges Faced by Lifeshare
(10:15) The Issue of Data Poverty
(13:27) Impact and Achievements
(17:02) Advice for Starting Community Movements
(21:21) Signature Questions
(23:28) How to Get Involved with Lifeshare
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
A warm Mancunian welcome to all my listeners from your host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe. In the seventh episode of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, I interview Beth Powell, Managing Director of Creative City and a nominee for the Spirit of Manchester Award for Social Economy Champion. Beth details her motivations for supporting women and youth, her journey through personal mental health challenges, and the founding of Creative City.
The organisation uses arts for empowerment, offering long-term community and youth projects in challenging environments. Beth discusses the hurdles of funding and inclusivity, the importance of community, and the impact they have achieved. She emphasises trust in people, collaboration, and the significance of starting small. Beth also shares how to get involved with Creative City and her pride in being nominated for the Spirit of Manchester Awards.
#Women #Youth #CreativeCommunities #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· Creativity can be a powerful tool for empowerment, as it can help people express themselves, challenge societal norms, and inspire change.
· Creativity can be a way for people to tell their stories and advocate for gender equality.
· Creativity can help people challenge societal norms and promote empowerment.
· Creativity can help people inspire change and make the world a more inclusive and equitable place.
· Creativity can help people broaden their perspectives and overcome prejudices.
· Creativity can help people find solutions and discover new possibilities.
Key resource
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:
(02:21) Founding Creative City
(02:38) Empowerment Through Arts and Community
(04:50) Challenges in Social Work
(07:28) Impact and Community Building
(09:54) Spirit of Manchester Awards Nomination
(10:44) Advice for Aspiring Changemakers
(16:23) Personal Reflections and Life Lessons
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
A warm Mancunian welcome to all my listeners from your host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe. In the sixth episode of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, I interview Shelley Roberts, CEO of Home-Start Manchester, an award-winning volunteer involving organisation. Shelley discusses her lifelong passion for supporting children,the impactful work of Home-Start in providing peer support for families with young children, and the challenges and successes they've faced.
Shelley shares inspiring stories of how Home-Start volunteers have made a difference, emphasising the importance of normalising the challenges of parenthood and the critical role of early years support. The episode underscores the tremendous impact Home-Start has on families' lives and offers insights on building successful volunteer-led organisations.
#Families #EarlyYears #Children #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· The brain develops most rapidly before birth and during the first two years of life. Good health, good nutrition, and nurturing are especially important during this time.
· Eighty per cent of human brain’s structure takes shape between the ages of 0-3 and the 90 percent of the human brain’s structure takes shape until the age of 5.
· More than 200 million children under 5 years are not fulfilling their developmental potential.
· Early childhood offers a critical window of opportunity to shape the trajectory of a child’s holistic development and build a foundation for their future. For children to achieve their full potential, as is their human right, they need health care and nutrition, protection from harm and a sense of security, opportunities for early learning, and responsive caregiving with parents and caregivers who love them. All of this is needed to nourish developing brains and fuel growing bodies.
Key resource
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:
(01:09) Interview with Shelley Robert
(01:29) Shelley's Journey and Passion
(03:01) Home Start Manchester's Mission
(04:46) Challenges and Overcoming Them
(07:35) Impact Stories and Volunteer Contribution
(17:51) Advice for Starting Similar Movements
(24:35) Closing Remarks and Next Episode Preview
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
A warm Mancunian welcome to all my listeners from your host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe. In the fifth episode of Season 9 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, I speak to Tracey Torley, director of Cracking Good Food and a Spirit of Manchester award winner for community and business collaboration. Tracy discusses her journey into food advocacy, stemming from her West Indian heritage, and her impactful work with organisations aimed at alleviating food poverty and promoting sustainable cooking practices. Tracy also shares the operational challenges and successes of her initiatives, including kitchen kit redistribution and community cooking workshops.
#FoodPoverty #FuelPoverty #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· Food poverty is the inability of individuals and households to secure an adequate and nutritious diet. It can affect those living on low incomes, with limited access to transport and poor cooking skills.
· Fuel poverty is when a household needs to spend at least 10% of its income on maintaining a satisfactory heating regime.
· Around 13% of households in England are classed as fuel-poor.
· In 2022/23 there were 7.2 million people, or 11% of the UK population, in households experiencing food poverty, including 17% of children.
· In 2022/23, 2.3 million people lived in households which had used a food bank in the last 12 months.
· An estimated 620,000 people, including over 200,000 children, in Greater Manchester are living in poverty and struggling to put food on the table. This includes many households with people in work, families with children, as well as older and disabled people.
Key resource:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:
(01:15) Introduction to Tracey Torley and organisations
(01:39) Discovering a Passion for Food
(02:39) Cultural Influences and Food Stories
(04:36) Joining Cracking Good Food
(05:29) Roles and Responsibilities at Cracking Good Food
(07:43) Community Impact and Services
(13:53) Challenges and Overcoming Them
(17:32) Spirit of Manchester Award Nomination
(20:16) Advice for Starting Similar Movements
(26:06) Final Thoughts and Contact Information
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
A warm Mancunian welcome to all my listeners from your host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe. In the fourth episode of Season 9 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, I interview Jan Iceton, Board Chair of Smart Works Greater Manchester. Jan discusses Smart Works' mission to support unemployed women aged 16 to 66 in rebuilding confidence and securing employment.
Jan shares her journey in the sector, the pivotal role of Smart Works in empowering women, and the significant impact of their services. Featuring job search coaching, styling sessions, and follow-up appointments, Smart Works boasts a 63% success rate in helping women find jobs within a month.
#employability #careers #women #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· There are over 75,000 people unemployed in Greater Manchester which is 5.4% of the population. 41,500 of these are women.
· Women in Greater Manchester reported applying for an average of 30 jobs, and 40% were out of work for over a year. On average, women reported spending 23 hours a week applying for jobs, but only attended 3 interviews, rarely receiving any feedback on why their applications were unsuccessful.
· Since 2015, Smart Works Greater Manchester has delivered over 5,000 appointments supporting over 4,000 individual appointments, with 69% succeeding at job interviews.
Key resource:
Smart Works Greater Manchester
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:
(01:36) Jan's Professional Journey and Support for Women
(02:50) Getting Involved with Smart Works
(04:13) Smart Works' Mission and Services
(05:10) The Styling and Coaching Process
(08:05) Impact and Success Stories
(09:55) Challenges and Outreach Efforts
(11:26) Expansion and Future Goals
(16:24) Partnerships and Awards
(27:11) Final Thoughts and Contact Information
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
A warm Mancunian welcome to all my listeners from your host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe. In the third episode of Season 9 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, I interview Claire Biggs, Director of Sustainable Northmoor Urban Greening (SNUG) and Spirit of Manchester award nominee for Inspiring Campaign.
Claire discusses her involvement with Longsight Community Artspace and the impact of their projects on the local community. From offering free art workshops and exhibitions to transforming an unused bowling green into a fruitful orchard, Claire highlights the importance of funding, community engagement, and building relationships. The conversation also touches on Claire's personal motivations and the joy of seeing community-driven projects flourish.
#community #sustainability #UrbanGreening #environment #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast
Did you know:
· Urban greening involves making our towns and cities greener by adding more trees, hedges, parks, gardens, and ponds.
· Urban greening lessens the impacts of climate change by cooling our city, benefiting wildlife, reducing flood risk, and decreasing air and noise pollution.
· Around 26% of Greater Manchester’s urban areas are green spaces (parks, gardens, grass and woodland).
· Almost 20% of GM's urban tree canopy is over hard surfaces such as paths, carparks, and squares. These trees provide important climate change adaptation functions including shading, cooling, and capturing rainwater.
Key resources:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:
(01:10) Episode 9.3- Spotlight on Claire Biggs and SNUG
(01:28) Community Engagement and Challenges
(06:10) Impact and Achievements of Longsight Community Artspace
(07:06) Harvesting the Fruits of Labour
(08:07) Community Spirit and Recognition
(09:46) Advice for Community Projects
(10:54) Signature Questions and Closing Remarks
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
A warm Mancunian welcome to all my listeners. In the second episode of Season 9 of the Meet the Mancunian Podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe chats with Josh Deegan, a volunteer at Happy Somedays and Spirit of Manchester Award winner for Community Cohesion. Josh shares his inspiring journey of supporting the Wythenshawe community, discussing the inception and evolution of Happy Some Days from a lockdown initiative into a multifaceted community group offering free fitness sessions, sports, walks, and community events.
Happy Some Days addresses local challenges like high obesity rates, while fostering inclusivity and friendships. Josh highlights their inclusive approach, collaboration with local entities, and plans for a forthcoming festival. He also shares his personal journey of weight loss and fitness, the importance of self-care, and advice on networking to create awareness for similar initiatives across the world.
#community #sports #wellbeing #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit
Did you know:
· Sports and physical activity can have a positive impact on both mental and physical well-being.
· Physical activity can improve mood, reduce anxiety and depression, and increase self-esteem and confidence.
· Physical activity can reduce the risk of developing a number of medical conditions, including type 2 diabetes, cancer, dementia, strokes, and heart disease. It can also help to maintain a healthy body weight, improve strength, balance, and movement, and improve sleep quality.
· Physical activity can be done at any level of skill and can include sports, cycling, walking, wheeling, active recreation, and play.
Key resource:
Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:
(01:06) Episode 2: Meet Josh Deegan
(02:30) The Birth of Happy Somedays
(04:52) Expanding Beyond Football
(11:14) The Spirit of Manchester Award
(12:37) Advice for Starting Similar Movements
(14:27) Signature Questions
(15:44) Life Lessons and Personal Journey
(16:48) Connecting with Happy Somedays
(17:52) Final Thoughts and Community Impact
(19:19) Gratitude and Community
(19:58) Inspiring Positive Change
Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
