In this episode of Chats with Changemakers, host Kate Duffy interviews Ben Jones, founder of Dingy Butterflies CIC, a social enterprise focused on community engagement through the arts. Ben shares his journey from being an artist to establishing a platform that fosters collaboration with local organisations. He discusses the importance of understanding community needs, the challenges faced in social enterprise work, and the impact of collaborative projects aimed at addressing issues like food poverty. The conversation highlights the significance of partnerships and the ongoing struggle for funding in the social enterprise sector.

Key Takeaways:

• Collaboration is essential for effective community engagement.
• Dingy Butterflies aims to support local communities through art.
• Understanding community needs is crucial for social enterprises.
• Partnerships with local organisations enhance project impact.
• Art can be a powerful tool for community support.
• Funding challenges are a common issue for social enterprises.
• Engaging with young people is a priority for community projects.
• Representation of the North East in funding discussions is vital.
• Community work requires navigating different organisational agendas.
• Social enterprises must adapt to changing funding landscapes.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Passion and Community Engagement

03:03 The Story Behind Dindy Butterflies

06:34 Exploring Community Arts and Collaboration

11:32 Challenges and Opportunities in Community Work

15:42 Call to Action and Future Aspirations

18:39 The Power of True Collaboration

20:28 Challenges in Funding for Social Enterprises

20:36 Outro

Useful Links

Learn more about the Business with Purpose Accelerator

https://junctionpoint.co.uk/business-with-purpose-accelerator/

Learn more about Dingy Butterflies CIC

https://www.dingybutterflies.org/

Connect with Kate Duffy and Junction Point CIC

● Website: https://junctionpoint.co.uk/

● LinkedIn: / kateduffyuk

● Facebook: / junctionpointuk

● Instagram: / junctionpointcic

Connect with Ben Jones

● Website: https://www.dingybutterflies.org/

● LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bendjones/

● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DingyButt/?locale=en_GB

Come and join our free 'North East Changemakers Community' on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1YA7oQVvd3/