This week, Tim and Piers are joined by Nathan Atkinson, co-founder of Rethink Food, a social enterprise on a mission to end hunger through education, sustainability and dignity.
From life as a headteacher in Leeds to leading one of the UK’s Top 100 Social Enterprises, Nathan’s story is both powerful and practical — showing how small actions can spark national change.
In this episode, we explore:
🍞 How one conversation with a hungry pupil changed Nathan’s life — and inspired Rethink Food.
🥕 The National School Pantry Network, helping families access food with dignity, not dependency.
🌍 Teaching children to “eat to save the planet” through creative food education.
💪 Why empowerment, not stigma, must sit at the heart of food support.
🎬 The role of storytelling in changing perceptions — and how Rethink Food uses creativity to connect.
🧠 Why innovation often starts in the quiet moments — and how the sector can learn from that mindset.
Between parts one and two of the interview, Tim and Piers unpack the week’s charity news, including:
⚠️ A major report predicting a shortfall of 3 million volunteers across UK charities — and what that could mean for the sector.
🎮 The rise of gaming for good, with YouTube star TommyInnit raising £450,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital through a live-streamed mystery game.
And as always, we shine our Small Charity Spotlight on two brilliant organisations:
🛍️ World Food Aid Shop (Clacton-on-Sea) – funding food banks and disaster relief, with volunteer power at its heart.
🧸 MERU – designing and adapting assistive products and sensory toys for disabled children, giving independence and joy where it’s most needed.
👉 Whether you work in food insecurity, education or community programmes, this episode will leave you inspired by what’s possible when creativity meets compassion.
Useful links
Royal Voluntary Service report on volunteering – royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk
The Good Studio – Creative content for good causes: thegoodstudio.co.uk
Get involved:
💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK.
This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes.From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at www.thegoodstudio.co.uk
Welcome to The Charity Show Bites - your quick-fire fix of surprising stories, sector insights and the occasional spooky surprise between our main episodes.
This week, Tim and Piers go full Halloween, rounding up the most creative, funny and downright frightful charity fundraisers from across the UK. From eerie forest trails to glow-in-the-dark runs, haunted quizzes to record-breaking pumpkin carving, these events prove that when it comes to fundraising, imagination is everything.
In this episode, we cover:
🎃 The London Halloween Walk – hundreds of costumed walkers and eerie pit stops.
💡 Hope House Dark Runs – glowing 5K events across North Wales and Shropshire.
👻 Leeds Scare Trails – actors, soundscapes and full horror after dark.
🧠 Warwick Quiz Night – spooky trivia and fancy dress.
🏗️ The Gelder Group Haunted Walk – a Lincolnshire construction company turning its forest into a fright fest.
🐾 Lancaster Animal Care’s Spooky Craft Day – recycled crafts, pumpkins and handmade decorations.
🪓 The Faversham Pumpkin Challenge – hundreds of volunteers carving 1,000 pumpkins.
Useful links
The London Halloween Walk (Action Challenge) – https://www.ultrachallenge.com
Hope House Children’s Hospices – hopehouse.org.uk
Leeds Mind – leedsmind.org.uk
BBC Children in Need – bbcchildreninneed.co.uk
St Barnabas Hospice – stbarnabashospice.co.uk
Lancaster Animal Care – animalcare-lancaster.co.uk
Macmillan Cancer Support – macmillan.org.uk
The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes: thegoodstudio.co.uk
Get involved:
💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK.
This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at www.thegoodstudio.co.uk
This week we’re tackling one of the trickiest topics in the sector - the legal side of running a charity. From fraud prevention and trustee payments to Charity Commission guidance and board responsibilities, we lift the lid on what it really takes to stay compliant and confident.
Our guest is Kirsty McEwen, Head of the Charity & Not-for-Profit team at Higgs LLP, a trustee many times over, and a lawyer with 25 years’ experience advising everyone from small start-ups to national organisations. Kirsty joins Tim and Piers to demystify charity law, share practical advice and highlight the most common legal pitfalls facing charities today.
Plus, we reflect on a tough week at the Brain Tumour Charity following the announcement of rugby legend Lewis Moody’s MND diagnosis.
We also dive in to LinkedIn algorithms, bots overtaking humans online, and a fascinating story about how VR technology is transforming cancer treatment for children.
In this episode
🧠 Fraud & governance – How small charities can protect themselves from cybercrime and internal fraud.
📜 Legal basics – What every trustee should know about constitutions, conflicts of interest and payments.
📈 New Charity Commission guidance – From fraud prevention to donations, accounting and compliance.
⚖️ When things go wrong – What to do if your charity makes a mistake — and when to tell the Commission.
🌍 Becoming a Trustee – Kirsty’s advice for anyone thinking of joining a board or setting up a charity.
❤️ Small charity spotlight – Featuring VASA and Kira’s Kingdom, two local charities making a big difference.
Useful links
Get involved:
💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK.
This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes.
From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.
👉 Find out more at www.thegoodstudio.co.uk
Welcome back to The Charity Show Bites, your quick-fire dose of surprising stories, sector insights and the odd fact you can impress your colleagues with over a cuppa.
This week, Tim and Piers celebrate World Animal Day, which marked its 100th anniversary on October 4th, 2025. From street fundraisers and surprise donations to pop-star scarecrows, this episode shines a light on the brilliant animal charities and community projects helping creatures great and small.
In this episode, we explore:
🐾 Scottish SPCA’s biggest ever World Animal Day fundraiser – 33 street collections across 15 council areas, powered by hundreds of volunteers.
🐴 Remus Horse Sanctuary – open day celebrations in Essex, complete with rescued horses, ponies and donkeys.
🐶 £100,000 surprise for Rescue Me Animal Sanctuary – presented by Paddy McGuinness at the Pets Foundation Ball in Liverpool.
🐕 Cost of living crisis – new data from the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes showing 97% of rescues face rising demand.
🐇 Naturewatch Foundation’s Pet Rescue Grants – microgrants changing lives for small rescue centres like the Bunny Jackpot Foundation and Hope Rescue.
🏆 Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity Awards 2025 – celebrating the sector’s unsung heroes, from Cotswold Dogs & Cats Home to British Divers Marine Life Rescue.
🌾 Minskip Scarecrow Weekend – North Yorkshire’s eccentric pop-star-themed fundraiser featuring Elvis, Bowie, Madonna… and a surprisingly realistic Meatloaf.
🌍 Save Animals, Save the Planet – this year’s global World Animal Day theme reminding us that protecting animals protects our shared environment too.
👉 Whether you’re a dog owner, a donkey fan or just love a good feel-good story, this episode is a cheerful snapshot of how the charity world continues to champion animal welfare, 100 years on from the first World Animal Day.Useful links
World Animal Day – worldanimalday.org.uk
Scottish SPCA – scottishspca.org
Remus Horse Sanctuary – remussanctuary.org
Rescue Me Animal Sanctuary – rescuemeanimalsanctuary.com
Association of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) – adch.org.uk
Naturewatch Foundation – naturewatch.org
Get in touchWe love hearing from listeners! You can:
💌 Email us at hello@thecharityshow.co.uk
🐦 Follow us on X (Twitter) – @CharityShowPod
💼 Connect on LinkedIn – The Charity Show
School holidays should mean fun, friends and freedom – but for too many families, the reality is stress, screens and tough choices. In this episode, Tim and Piers explore the idea of activity hunger with Anna Hoddinott from John Lyon’s Charity.
We’ve all heard about holiday hunger and food insecurity, but activity hunger is just as real: the lack of affordable, engaging opportunities for children when school is out. Anna shares powerful insights on:
Why missing out on fun and play impacts children’s confidence, learning and friendships.
How John Lyon’s Charity has supported thousands of families with its School Holiday Activity Fund.
What needs to change at a policy level to help parents juggle work, childcare and holiday costs.
The perfect storm of cost of living pressures, safety fears and social media pressures that make this challenge even harder today.
Plus, we look at some of the week’s big charity news stories – including a strong joint response from UK autism charities to Donald Trump’s latest bizarre health claims, and how several high-profile organisations handled the fallout from the Epstein files with swift, decisive crisis comms.
And don’t miss our Small Charity Spotlight:
The Moving On Project Portsmouth – rehoming free furniture and household items to families in need.
Boost at DCHS – giving rural young people the opportunities and support they often miss out on.
Useful Links
Learn more about the School Holiday Activity Fund – jlc.london/funding
Get involved:
💡 If you enjoyed this episode of The Charity Show, please follow, subscribe and leave a five-star review on your podcast app. It helps more people in the sector find our conversations with charity experts across the UK.
Welcome to The Charity Show Bites - your quick-fire dose of surprising stories, sector insights and the odd fact you can impress your colleagues with over a cuppa.
This week we’re going a little bit international. With President Trump’s UK visit making headlines last week, Tim and Piers take a whistle-stop tour of the incredible ways UK and US charities have teamed up, swapped ideas and raised millions. From silly challenges to world-changing philanthropy, it turns out some of the biggest charity moments of the last century have been transatlantic collaborations.
In this episode, we cover:
🤡 Comic Relief & Red Nose Day – from Richard Curtis and Lenny Henry in 1985 to Jimmy Fallon and NBC in the US, raising billions either side of the Atlantic.
❄️ The Ice Bucket Challenge – the viral 2014 phenomenon that raised over £115m for ALS in the US and £7m for MND research in the UK—directly funding breakthrough discoveries.
💉 Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation + Wellcome Trust – two of the richest foundations in the world pooling resources for vaccine research, malaria and epidemic preparedness.
🎶 Live Aid (1985) & Live 8 (2005) – London, Philadelphia, Queen, Bowie, Madonna, billions of viewers, and $150m for famine relief.
🌍 Elton John AIDS Foundation – deliberately transatlantic from the start, raising $565m across the UK and US.
🐦 RSPB & Audubon Society – both born out of campaigns against the feather trade in the 1800s, still working together today on bird conservation.
📺 Stand Up To Cancer – launched in the US in 2008 before becoming a UK TV fixture with Channel 4 and Cancer Research UK.
Get involved
💡 If you’re enjoying The Charity Show and our bitesize episodes, don’t forget to follow, subscribe and leave a five-star review. It helps more people in the sector find us.
🎧 Listen now and catch up on all episodes of The Charity Show HERE.
Or, send us a message, use our get in touch or leave us a voice message via our LinkTree page HERE
Welcome back to The Charity Show - the charity podcast that lifts the lid on life inside UK charities, with real stories, expert tips and the behind-the-scenes moments that make the sector tick.
This week, Tim and Piers are joined by Stephanie Slater MBE, founder and Chief Executive of School Food Matters, the charity that has been transforming children’s experiences of food in schools for almost two decades.
What began with one frustrated parent asking why school meals had to be so poor has grown into a national movement influencing policy at the highest levels. Along the way, Stephanie has earned an MBE and built a team changing how children learn about, eat and value food.
In this episode, we cover:
🍽️ The early days of campaigning as a parent and how it snowballed into a fully-fledged charity.
🥦 Why hands-on food education—growing veg, cooking meals, market stalls—remains central to School Food Matters’ mission.
🎓 Leadership lessons from 18 years of scaling a charity while staying mission-led.
📊 The recent policy win extending free school meals to more families—and why it’s only part of the bigger picture.
🥕 The charity’s 2030 strategy: “better food on every plate” and tackling systemic barriers in school catering.
💡 Stephanie’s advice for new founders, chief executives and parent campaigners who want to change the system.
In between parts one and two of the interview, Tim and Piers dig into the latest charity news:
CAF’s research revealing that three-quarters of UK businesses give nothing to charity - what this means for funding, and why corporate giving must change.
The Great North Run medal blunder - how 60,000 runners ended up with a souvenir featuring the wrong map.
And of course, the Small Charity Spotlight shines this week on:
👉 Whether you’re passionate about food policy, curious about how local campaigns scale into national movements, or looking for leadership wisdom from experienced charity experts, this conversation with Stephanie shows how persistence, optimism and storytelling can transform lives.
Useful links
School Food Matters – schoolfoodmatters.org
Stephanie Slater MBE on LinkedIn – linkedin.com/in/stephanie-slater
School Food Review – the coalition pushing for better policy on school food: schoolfoodreview.org.uk
CAF Corporate Giving Report 2025 – cafonline.org
Great North Run – official event page: greatrun.org/events/great-north-run
Women’s Aid North East Lincolnshire – womensaidnel.org
Sharewear Clothing Scheme – sharewearclothingscheme.org
The Good Studio – Tim’s new creative venture for charities: thegoodstudio.co.uk
The Good StudioThis show is now produced by The Good Studio - a new creative partner for charities. Founded by The Charity Show’s Tim Beynon, it helps charities tell their stories through powerful content, podcasts and campaigns - without the big agency price tag.Get involved and get in touch
💡 If you enjoyed this episode of The Charity Show, please follow, subscribe and leave a five-star review on your podcast app. It helps more people discover conversations with charity experts across the UK.
Welcome to The Charity Show Bites, the charity podcast bringing you quick-fire stories, insights and surprises from across the UK third sector.
This time, we’re tackling something every parent knows too well: the back-to-school season. September means new shoes, PE kits and endless stationery lists—but for many families, it also means mounting costs and added pressure. In this Charity Show bonus episode, Tim and Piers uncover the brilliant ways charities, volunteers and councils are stepping up to help.
Here’s what you’ll hear:
👕 Uniform swaps – from Huddersfield’s 40,000-item mega project to Tracy Morgan’s living-room initiative that now supports 1,500 families.
🏫 Community schemes – how local volunteers and councils are running free exchanges and pop-up shops.
💸 Tower Hamlets’ bold pilot – universal uniform payments to help thousands of families, without means testing.
🥣 Magic Breakfast – giving over 200,000 pupils a healthy start to the day.
📚 Books not screens – charities like The Children’s Book Project and Book Trust helping children build their own libraries.
💛 Mental health support – Young Minds’ toolkit easing back-to-school anxiety for pupils, parents and teachers.
We also reflect on the bigger picture: branded uniform costs, hidden family sacrifices, and how the sector keeps finding practical, grassroots solutions.
👉 Whether you’re a parent, a teacher, or working in the third sector, this episode shows the difference that charity experts and community champions can make during one of the toughest times of year.
Get involved
💡 If you’re enjoying The Charity Show and our bitesize episodes, don’t forget to follow, subscribe and leave a five-star review. It helps more people discover conversations with charity experts across the UK.
🎧 Listen now and explore more from The Charity Show on LinkTree at: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow.
Welcome back to The Charity Show, the charity podcast that lifts the lid on life inside UK charities. Real stories, expert tips and the behind-the-scenes moments that make the sector tick.
This week, we’re joined by Evie Dickinson, Head of Fundraising and Communications at the Prison Radio Association (PRA)—the groundbreaking charity behind the world’s first national radio station for people in prison.
For nearly twenty years, PRA has been running National Prison Radio, a station made by prisoners, for prisoners. Broadcasting 24/7 into cells across England and Wales, it’s not just entertainment—it’s a lifeline. From tackling isolation to inspiring rehabilitation, it’s changing lives and shifting perceptions.
In this episode, we explore:
🎙️ The origins of prison radio and how it began as a response to mental health crises inside.
📻 What makes radio such a powerful tool for connection compared with podcasts or TV.
🌍 How the hit podcast Life After Prison supports prison leavers—and has already reached over 10 million listeners.
✍️ The creativity sparked by shows like Free Flow, encouraging prisoners to write rap bars and poetry.
🚪 Inspiring success stories: from serving time to winning industry awards and working at the BBC.
⚖️ The ongoing challenge of public perception—and why charities must use storytelling to demonstrate real impact.
Alongside our interview with Evie, Tim and Piers also unpack the week’s charity news:
A refugee-sector charity accused of pushing politics into the classroom after a Valentine’s campaign.
Cancer Research UK’s polarising social media exchange with Jeremy Clarkson - and what it reveals about when charities should (and shouldn’t) chase humour online.
And of course, our Small Charity Spotlight shines on two brilliant organisations quietly making a huge difference:
Positive Path Foundation – supporting young people with autism and hidden disabilities through social opportunities and life skills.
Growing Hope – providing free therapy for children with additional needs in partnership with local churches.
👉 Whether you’re a charity professional, a communications lead, or simply curious about unheard voices, this episode shows the transformative power of radio and why giving people a platform can change lives.
Chapters:
00:00 – Back from holiday: inbox dread and coping with the heat
08:50 – Interview with Evie Dickinson (part one): origins of the Prison Radio Association
24:34 – Charity news: political campaigns in schools and social media misfires
32:14 – Interview with Evie Dickinson (part two): impact, funding and future goals
54:01 – Small charity spotlight: Positive Path Foundation & Growing Hope
57:31 – Wrap-up and what’s coming soon on The Charity Show
Get involved:
💡 If you enjoyed this episode of The Charity Show, please follow, subscribe and leave a five-star review on your podcast app. It helps more people in the sector find our conversations with charity experts across the UK.
What happens to all the tents, bags and buggies we leave behind at festivals, airports and train stations—and how do charities turn them into something good?
This week, Tim and Piers rummage through the weird and wonderful world of lost property. From Glastonbury tents upcycled into fashion to TfL’s forgotten baby buggies finding new homes, we explore how abandoned items aren’t always waste—they can become shelter, fundraising, or even a brand-new coat.
Expect stories of salvaged camping gear, airport mystery suitcase auctions, charity donations from the London Underground, and a stuffed dog called De Rover. Proof that even the things we lose can create wins for the people who need them most.
Useful Links:
⛺ Emmaus Hertfordshire – Supporting people experiencing homelessness🛟 Hearts for Refugees – Redirecting tents and supplies to displaced people👕 Ritri Clothing – Festival tents reborn as sustainable fashion🍲 Feeding Families – Community food support in the North East🚇 TfL Lost Property – Where your lost items end up👶 Little Village – Baby bank supporting families across London
Chapters:
(00:00) Intro – The charity world of lost property(00:30) Abandoned tents at festivals put to good use(01:20) Ritri Clothing: Upcycling tents into fashion(02:30) Reading Festival’s 71 tons of waste salvaged for food banks and shelters(03:40) Airport mystery auctions: treasure or trash?(05:30) TfL’s lost property – £2m for charity plus some odd finds(06:45) Baby buggies, books and toys donated to Little Village(07:20) Sunderland Metro auctions: guitars, pogo sticks and bunk bed ladders(08:30) Personal stories of things lost and found(09:20) Closing thoughts – why losing something might still do some good
Get Involved:
📍 Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform📧 Got a lost property story—or has your charity benefited from one? Email us at thecharityshowpod@gmail.com🔗 Find every link you need: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⭐ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!
#CharityPodcast #TheCharityShow #CharityShowBites #LostProperty #FestivalWaste #Upcycling #SustainableFashion #Emmaus #Ritri #TfL #LittleVillage #CharityInnovation #ThirdSectorVoices #SmallCharities
Can charities achieve more when they stop competing and start collaborating—even on the biggest goals of all, like curing Parkinson’s and dementia?
In this episode, Tim and Piers sit down with Helen Matthews (CEO, Cure Parkinson’s) and Dr Leah Mursaleen (Head of Clinical Research, Alzheimer’s Research UK) to explore a ground-breaking partnership between two of the UK’s leading medical research charities.
The pair reveal how the joint project is helping scientists and patients work together to design faster, fairer, more effective research - and why collaboration, not competition, is the only way forward when you’re tackling global health challenges.
💡 Plus: what good patient involvement actually looks like, why language matters, and how this partnership is challenging power dynamics in medical research.
Useful links:Cure Parkinson’s
The Children's Hyperinsulinism Charity
Chapters:
(00:28) Coming up
(02:03) Off on hols
(05:55) Introducing Helen and Leah
(07:05) Helen and Leah - Part 1
(26:37) Third sector news
(32:38) Helen and Leah - Part 2
(54:44) Small charity spotlight
(58:19) See you soon
Get involved:
📍 Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform
📧 Got a collaboration story to share—or want to spotlight a small charity? Email us at thecharityshowpod@gmail.com
🔗 Find every link you need: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
⭐ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!
What happens to struggling families when school meals stop over the summer - and how are UK charities filling the gap?
In this week’s Bites episode, Tim and Piers dive into the hidden pressures of the school holidays and spotlight the charities working hard to provide free food, clubs, trips and vital support for families.
From Feeding Families in Gateshead to Summer Spud Club in Jersey, plus new grants, youth jobs, and no-stigma food support—this episode’s packed with quick, practical examples of how the sector shows up when it counts.
So if you’re working on, funding, or just curious about holiday support programmes, this one’s for you.
Chapters: (00:47) Holiday hunger and the HAF programme(01:35) Scottish free meals scheme(02:39) Feeding Families – holiday hunger packs(03:08) Caring Cooks – hot meals and Summer Spud Club(03:46) Family Action’s summer trips(04:22) Theatres, museums, pop-ups: finding free fun(05:08) Summer skills and youth job programmes(06:10) Tesco’s donation bags and Stronger Starts(07:18) Household Support Fund and where to apply(08:39) Final thoughts – and tell us what you’re up to!Useful Links:
🍽️ Holiday Activities and Food Programme (England)🥔 Caring Cooks – Summer Spud Club (Jersey)📦 Feeding Families (Gateshead)🎉 Family Action Summer Fund🎭 Scottish Sun – 100+ Free Days Out Guide🛠️ London Youth – Summer Skills Grants💼 UK Youth – Summer Jobs Programme🛍️ Tesco Stronger Starts + FairShare Partnership💰 Household Support Fund Info
Get Involved
📍 Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform
📧 Got a summer campaign to shout about? Email us at thecharityshowpod@gmail.com
🔗 Find every link you need: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
⭐ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!
#CharityPodcast #TheCharityShow #SchoolHolidaySupport #SummerHunger #HAFProgramme #HolidayClubs #ThirdSector #UKCharities #SmallCharities #YouthSupport #SummerGrants #FeedingFamilies #CharityShowBites
What happens when a young person is forced out of education due to serious illness—and who’s helping them get back on track?
In this inspiring episode, we speak to Josh Pelled, founder and CEO of Bright Futures UK, the only UK charity dedicated to helping young people aged 5–24 re-engage with education after long-term illness.
Josh shares how his own experience of childhood cancer led to launching a national charity before he turned 25. He reflects on what he’s learned about starting and scaling a small charity, why lived experience should shape service design, and how Bright Futures is now pushing for policy change to close an invisible gap in education.
💡 Whether you're in youth work, health, education or fundraising, this episode offers a powerful reminder of what happens when resilience meets purpose.
Useful Links:
🌐 Bright Futures UK – Personalised support for young people out of education due to illness
🙋♀️ Volunteer with Bright Futures UK – Use your skills to make a direct impact
👥 Connect with Josh Pelled on LinkedIn
🧠 The Calm Corner – Affordable mental health support in Essex
🦋 Flutter – Comfort packs for kidney cancer patients
Chapters:
(00:00) Intro and small charity spotlight: Flutter
(02:00) Meet Josh: Cancer survivor and charity founder
(07:00) Returning to school after serious illness
(11:00) How Bright Futures UK began—from one hospital session to national charity
(16:00) Personalised support: tutoring, mentoring and befriending
(20:00) The impact of volunteers—and what they gain in return
(26:00) Charity news: A banned vegan ad and a missile in a donation bag
(33:00) Working with NHS trusts, schools and other partners
(37:00) The hidden scale of the problem—and why no one is tracking it
(40:00) Policy change and awareness raising: what’s next
(43:30) How to volunteer, refer or support
(45:00) Small Charity Spotlights: The Calm Corner and Flutter
(48:00) Wrap-up and what’s coming next
Get Involved:
📍 Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform
📧 Got a story to share - or want to nominate a small charity for our spotlight? Email us at thecharityshowpod@gmail.com
🔗 Find every link you need: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
⭐ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!
#CharityPodcast #TheCharityShow #BrightFuturesUK #SmallCharity #YouthSupport #CancerSurvivor #VolunteerPower #EducationInequality #ThirdSectorVoices #CharityLeadership #YoungFounders #LivedExperience #UKCharities #SocialImpact #CharitySpotlight
Welcome back to The Charity Show Bites! Your sun-soaked shot of charity sector fun, facts and fundraising flair.
This week, Tim and Piers break out the factor 50 and dive into the weirdest, wildest and most wonderful summer charity stunts. From flamingos on your lawn to solar-baked brownies and business suits in the sea, these are the ideas that made people laugh, donate and—most importantly—remember the cause.
In This Episode:
🍦 The world’s largest human ice cream cone – Breast Cancer Now go all-in on ponchos and cherry hats in Regent's Park.
🌊 Paddleboarding for mental health – 215 miles, moody swans, and serious fundraising for Mind in Haringey.
😼 Cat yoga with Cats Protection – Stretch, breathe, and avoid stepping on a snoozing feline during a sun salutation.
🌞 Solar-baked brownies in Devon – Macmillan supporters ditch the oven and harness the sun to raise thousands.
🏖️ Suits in the sea – Hastings businesspeople march into the Channel in full workwear for St Michael’s Hospice.
💜 Flamingo invasion – The RSPB's pink plastic prank raises over £100k for bird conservation.
🍋 The world's biggest lemonade stand – The Liny Foundation recruits hundreds of kids to raise £150,000 in one sunny day.
Follow & Subscribe:
📍 Listen to The Charity Show Bites on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform.
📧 Got a summer story to share? Email us at thecharityshowpod@gmail.com
🔗 All the links you need: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
⭐ If you enjoyed the episode, leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe so you never miss what’s next!
Chapters:
(00:09) Welcome to our summer special
(01:05) Giant ice cream cones and the power of pink
(02:10) Paddleboarding the Thames with Mind in Haringey
(03:40) Cat yoga: adorable or distracting?
(04:50) Solar ovens, ice cream vans and heatwave baking
(06:00) Suits in the Sea: raising eyebrows and funds in Hastings
(07:00) Flamingo flocking and front garden fundraising
(08:10) Kids + squash = lemonade fundraising gold
(09:10) Final thoughts: your weirdest summer campaign stories
#CharityPodcast #SummerFundraising #WeirdCampaigns #CharityIdeas #TheCharityShow #CharityBites
What happens when you take a breast cancer awareness charity known for glitter, cheekiness and giant boob costumes - and ask them to make a legacy film?
In this heartfelt and surprising episode of The Charity Show, Tim and Piers are joined by Zsuzi Kiss from Coppafeel! and Emma Bracegirdle from The Saltways, the creative agency behind Coppafeel!’s bold new legacy campaign.
Together, they explore how to approach legacy giving with compassion, creativity and authenticity—and share the powerful story behind the short film Sue’s Story, which led to a 300% increase in pledges.
In This Episode:
🎬 How Coppafeel! created a legacy campaign that’s joyful, powerful - and definitely not boring.
👵 Why ethical storytelling matters - and how to support real people sharing their personal stories.
💡 Practical advice for charities looking to reframe their legacy messaging for modern audiences.
📈 The impact of Sue’s Story - and how co-creation, trust, and impact-led messaging made all the difference.
📰 Plus: Third sector news on soft opt-in marketing rules, and whether a 4-day week is the future for charities.
Whether your charity is just starting to think about legacy fundraising or looking for new ways to reach different audiences, this episode is full of ideas and inspiration to help you do it differently.
Useful Links:
Chapters:
(02:02) Welcome to Episode 29
(09:38) Introducing Zsuzi and Emma
(10:33) Zsuzi and Emma interview - Part 1
(17:25) Making legacy content for a younger brand—without losing older donors
(36:14) Third sector news
(44:37) Zsuzi and Emma interview - Part 2
(01:01:24) Small charity spotlight
Get Involved
📍 Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform.
📧 Got a legacy story to share—or want to spotlight a small charity? Email us at thecharityshowpod@gmail.com
🔗 Find every link you need: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
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#CharityPodcast #LegacyGiving #EthicalStorytelling #Coppafeel #TheSaltways #CharityFilm #ThirdSector #TheCharityShow #FundraisingInnovation
What happens when a yoghurt brand becomes a major force for good? In this episode of The Charity Show, hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley speak to Vicky Bryant, Head of Culture at Muller UK, to explore how a household name has transformed its community engagement from small donations to redistributing over 4 million meals through their partnership with food charity FairShare.
Hear how Muller embeds social impact into its companyculture - and what charities of all sizes can learn about collaboration, employee engagement, and creating truly transformational partnerships.
In This Episode:
🥣 How a yoghurt brand turned its local donations into a nationwide impact with FairShare
🏭 The operational side of charity partnerships—from food logistics to employee volunteering
💡 Why flexibility and communication are key to long-term charity–corporate success
📈 From CSR to ROI—how community work builds brand loyalty and boosts internal culture
🧠 Advice for small charities looking to connect with major brands (yes, even Muller!)
This is a fresh perspective from the other side of thecharity–corporate coin, and a must-listen for anyone involved in partnerships, fundraising, or brand alignment.
Chapters:
(00:00) Welcome to Episode 28
(09:01) From fruit corners to food redistribution: Viki Bryant interview part 1(24:47) Third sector news
(30:29) Viki Bryant interview part 2
(48:57) Small Charity Spotlight: Muirhead Outreach Project & Their Future Today
Useful Links:
FairShare – Fighting hunger and food waste in the UK
Muirhead Outreach Project – Supporting families in Scotland to stay together
Their Future Today – Reuniting children with families in Sri Lanka
TCS London Marathon – Learn how your charity can take part
Macmillan Cancer Support – Health and advocacy services
British Heart Foundation – Leading research and support for heart health
Get Involved:
📍 Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or your favourite platform
📧 Want to share your story or nominate a small charity for a spotlight? Email: thecharityshowpod@gmail.com
🔗Find everything at: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
⭐ Enjoying the show? Please leave us a five-star review and hit follow or subscribe so you never miss an episode!
#CharityPodcast #CorporatePartnerships #FoodWaste #FairShare #CSR #ThirdSector #TheCharityShow #SmallCharities #EmployeeVolunteering#Sustainability #CharityFundraising
Welcome back to The Charity Show Bites! Your espressoshot of charity stories and sector surprises.
This week, Tim and Piers turn the spotlight on those who usually avoid it: celebrities who support charities quietly, generously and without fuss. From surprise hospital visits to million-pound donations, these are the untold stories of famous faces making a real impact behind the scenes.
In This Episode:
🌟 George Michael – Secret donations, shelter volunteering, and a Deal or No Deal moment that changed a life.
💇♀️ The Princess of Wales – Donates her hair anonymously to the Little Princess Trust.
🎶 Ed Sheeran & Kylie Minogue – Low-key benefit gigs and charity shop guitar donations that raised thousands.
👤 Stephen Fry & Benedict Cumberbatch – From uncredited audiobooks to wardrobe giveaways for good.
💼 ICAP Charity Day & Steve Morgan Foundation – The financiers and foundations funding change, often under the radar.
🤔 Russell Howard & Dominic West – Unexpected supermarket acts and sausage donations.
💪 Tom Hardy & Adele – Surprise visits, secret acts of kindness, and a cake drop with a fridge photo twist.
Have you heard of a celebrity quietly backing a cause? Letus know!
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📍 Listen to The Charity Show Bites on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform.
📧 Got a story or secret act of kindness to share? Email us atthecharityshowpod@gmail.com
🔗 All the links you need: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
⭐ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe so you never miss what’s next!
Chapters:
(00:09) Welcome & intro to celebrity support behind thescenes
(01:10) George Michael, Kate Middleton & quiet gestures
(03:40) Ed Sheeran, Kylie & the secret pub gigs
(06:00) Stephen Fry, Benedict Cumberbatch & audiobooks for good
(08:10) Steve Morgan, ICAP & the financial world of giving
(10:00) Russell Howard, sausages & supermarket kindness
(11:25) Tom Hardy, Adele & unexpected visits that matter
(13:00) Final thoughts & unsung heroes
#CharityPodcast #QuietGiving #CelebritySupport#TheCharityShow #CharityBites
AI is already transforming the third sector—but are charities ready?
In this episode of The Charity Show, Tim and Piers are joined by two of the sector’s leading digital thinkers: Zoe Amar and Dan Sutch, co-founders of the new Charity AI Task Force. Together, they explore how artificial intelligence is being used across the sector, the risks it poses, and how organisations can embrace it ethically and strategically.
In This Episode:
🤖 AI adoption in charities – With 76% of the sector now using AI, what does implementation really look like in practice?
🔒 Ethics, data safety & bias – Why a policy is essential and what charities must consider before hitting “generate.”
💬 The power of collaboration – Why no organisation should face this challenge alone, and how the Task Force is working to support the whole sector.
🌍 AI for good – Real examples of charities using AI to improve services, amplify voices, and drive social change.
🚀 Preparing for what’s next – What AI will mean for the sector in five years, and how to future-proof your organisation now.
Whether you're excited or uncertain about AI, this episode is your guide to navigating it with confidence and care.
Useful links:
Chapters
(00:00) Welcome to the show
(08:06) Zoe, Dan and the Charity AI Taskforce
(30:42) News
(38:20) Interview Part 2
(01:02:08) Small charity spotlight
Follow & Subscribe
📍 Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform.
📧 Got a story to share? Email us at thecharityshowpod@gmail.com
🔗 For all links: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
⭐ Enjoyed this episode? Leave a five-star review and subscribe to stay updated!
#CharityPodcast #AIinCharity #DigitalEthics #CharityTech #SocialImpact #TheCharityShow
Welcome back to The Charity Show Bites! Your charity sector espresso shot, brewed just in time for Volunteers’ Week. This episode is packed with real-life stories of volunteers making a difference in ways big and small—from book giveaways to vegetable boxes, and one very mischievous rescue cat.
Tim and Piers share uplifting, funny, and sometimes chaotic tales from across the UK—proving just how much volunteers bring to their communities and charities every day.
In This Episode:
📚 Doncaster's Literacy Champions – Volunteers handing out 8,000+ books and spreading a love of reading through the Doncaster Stories campaign.
🌿 Sutton Community Farm – A thriving volunteer-led urban farm where locals grow, pack and deliver veg boxes with a side of community spirit.
🏎️ Scarborough's Dial A Ride – Volunteer Jonathan Keir has spent 11 years driving minibuses for older and disabled people, helping them stay connected and independent.
🧅 The Great Cat Escape – A Norfolk volunteer mission goes hilariously wrong when Buttons the cat stages a mid-transit breakout, sparking a tuna-fuelled rescue.
Follow & Subscribe
📍 Listen to The Charity Show Bites on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform.
📧 Got a volunteering story to share? Email us at thecharityshowpod@gmail.com or send us a voice message!
🔗 Find all the links you need: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
⭐ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe so you never miss what’s next!
Chapters:
(00:09) Welcome to our Volunteers' Week special
(01:00) Birgit's story and the Atwal family fundraiser
(04:40) Doncaster Literacy Champions spread the joy of reading
(06:55) Sutton Community Farm’s volunteers grow more than veg
(09:15) Jonathan and the Dial A Ride legacy
(11:05) Buttons the cat and the wildest volunteer shift ever
(13:00) Final thoughts: why volunteers matter more than ever
#CharityPodcast #VolunteersWeek #VolunteerStories #CommunityHeroes #TheCharityShow
Volunteers are the heartbeat of the third sector—but how do we inspire and retain them in an age of changing expectations, busy lives, and digital distractions?
In this special pre-Volunteers' Week episode of The Charity Show, hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley sit down with two of the sector’s most passionate volunteer advocates: Flik Williams from WCVA and Alice O'Boyle from Volunteer Now.
Together, they explore how volunteering is evolving—from flexible, micro-opportunities to family-friendly roles—and why charities need to reimagine how they engage, celebrate and support their volunteers.
In This Episode:
✨ What makes a meaningful volunteer experience in 2025? From awards to personal thank-yous and impact storytelling.
⏳ Why micro-volunteering matters—and how it could help charities reach new audiences and build lifelong supporters.
👥 The rise of family and intergenerational volunteering—and how it promotes inclusion, empathy and community cohesion.
🚨 The often overlooked role of volunteer managers—and why they deserve better support, training and recognition.
🚀 Practical advice for small charities on starting or scaling volunteer programmes, even with limited resources.
If your organisation relies on volunteers, this is an essential listen to help you navigate today’s challenges and prepare for the future of volunteering.
Useful Links
Chapters:
(00:00) Welcome to Episode 26(02:17) The last couple of weeks(09:19) Introducing Flik and Alice(34:31) Third Sector News(43:54) Flik and Alice - Part 2(1:08:58) Small charity spotlight(1:13:30) Coming up next time
Get Involved:
📍 Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform.
📧 Share your charity’s story or nominate a small charity for a future spotlight: thecharityshowpod@gmail.com
🔗 For all links and episodes: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow
⭐ If you enjoyed this episode, leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe so you never miss an update!
#CharityPodcast #VolunteersWeek #MicroVolunteering #FamilyVolunteering #VolunteerManagers #ThirdSector #TheCharityShow
