Make An Impact Podcast

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Robert Campbell shares the journey of Aspire Media, a creative social enterprise based in Northern Ireland that specialises in photography, videography, and social media services to fund their community TV channel.

• Launched in November 2022 after three years of development following a local charity project
• Created as a response to negative media portrayals of the local Ballysally estate
• Self-sustains through selling services rather than relying on grants
• Robert maintains a full-time job alongside running the social enterprise
• Named operations director while his business partner Andy serves as creative director
• Received "highly commended young person of the year" at the 2023 NI Social Enterprise Awards
• Reinvests personal income back into the company rather than taking a wage
• Achieved significant success with client social media campaigns, including a TikTok video generating 100k+ views
• Accredited as an Open College Network Northern Ireland centre to provide training
• Planning to expand training offerings to include social media and digital marketing courses
• Future focus includes developing consultancy services alongside their training academy

You can find out more about Aspire Media NI at aspiremedia.studio and Aspire Media TV at aspiremedia.tv. 

If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave a review and share it with others who want to create positive change. Connect with Heidi on LinkedIn and learn more about her work at makeanimpactcic.co.uk.

Support the show

Hi, I'm Heidi Fisher, the host of the Make an Impact Podcast.  I'm an impact measurement expert, passionate about helping you make a bigger impact in the world by maximising the impact your services have.

 I can help you to measure, manage and communicate the impact you have better to funders, investors, commissioners and other stakeholders, and to systemise your data collection and analysis so that it frees up time and doesn't become an additional burden.  

I love helping you to measure social and economic impacts, including Social Return on Investment or value for money assessments, as part of understanding the change you make to peoples' lives.

 You can get in touch via LinkedIn or the website makeanimpactcic.co.uk if you'd like to find out more about working with me.

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Catherine Manning joins us for a paradigm-shifting conversation about how we define, measure, and create value in our world. As Head of Impact Practice at Impact Reporting and Programme Director of Measure Up, Catherine brings a wealth of expertise in translating abstract impact concepts into practical frameworks that organisations can actually implement.

The episode challenges our society's overreliance on financial metrics as the primary decision-making tool. Catherine eloquently argues that while financial accounting isn't inherently flawed, it fails to capture the full spectrum of value – our relationships, health, connection to nature, and overall wellbeing. "The judgment of how well you're doing comes down to the financial assessment," she notes, "and it misses out so much of what the purpose and value actually are."

We explore how social value measurement is evolving beyond mere compliance with procurement requirements. Catherine shares her vision where organisations move from "ticking boxes" to embedding social value in their DNA – transforming it from a short bus journey to a meaningful ongoing commitment. This shift requires both structural changes in how we account for value and cultural changes in how we perceive success.

The conversation illuminates the ground breaking work of Measure Up, which demystifies social value measurement by providing accessible, transparent tools for practitioners. Their innovative approach offers graded measurement levels (bronze, silver, gold) that acknowledge different organizational capacities while encouraging progress. "Part of the point of publishing this is to take the mystique away," Catherine explains, "It's your value, not the expert's."

Whether you're a seasoned impact professional or just beginning to explore how your work creates change, this episode offers both philosophical insights and practical approaches to measuring what truly matters. By reimagining our systems of value, we open possibilities for a more equitable, sustainable future where economic activities serve human and environmental wellbeing rather than the reverse.

Subscribe now to continue exploring how we can collectively make an impact that transcends financial bottom lines and creates meaningful, lasting change in our communities.

Support the show

Hi, I'm Heidi Fisher, the host of the Make an Impact Podcast.  I'm an impact measurement expert, passionate about helping you make a bigger impact in the world by maximising the impact your services have.

 I can help you to measure, manage and communicate the impact you have better to funders, investors, commissioners and other stakeholders, and to systemise your data collection and analysis so that it frees up time and doesn't become an additional burden.  

I love helping you to measure social and economic impacts, including Social Return on Investment or value for money assessments, as part of understanding the change you make to peoples' lives.

 You can get in touch via LinkedIn or the website makeanimpactcic.co.uk if you'd like to find out more about working with me.

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Discover how Beacon Family Services is transforming children's mental health care in the latest episode of the Make an Impact podcast. Join me as I speak with Charlotte, the founder of this remarkable organisation dedicated to providing therapeutic family support in the West Midlands. With around 70% of children not receiving adequate mental health services, Charlotte shares her journey of establishing an innovative approach to therapy that centres on play, connection, and community.

In this episode, we delve into the crucial work being done to support families through play therapy while also highlighting the urgent need for accessible resources, especially during and after the pandemic. Charlotte explains how her organisation employs both traditional methods and digital tools, including the highly praised Lumin&us app, which serves as a vital resource for families to aid early mental health concerns.

The conversation emphasises the significance of measuring the impact of therapeutic work on families and discusses innovative ways to gather meaningful feedback. We explore how parents can feel empowered by engaging actively in their children's emotional development through play, fostering a sense of safety and trust within families.

Charlotte shares the importance of community partnerships and how collaborative efforts can address mental health crises more effectively. Charlotte's dedication to improving mental health care in children and families resonates throughout our discussion, igniting hope and a call to action for better support systems in our communities.

Tune in for a deep dive into these pressing issues, and be inspired to join the movement for better mental health services for our children and families. 

Don’t forget to check out the Lumin&us app for a valuable tool in navigating parenting challenges.  You can access the app via https://luminusfamilywellbeing.com/

And the discount codes mentioned in this episode for Lumin&us are: Families F42WKS and Professionals P42WKS.

To find out more about Beacon Family Services go to: https://www.beaconservices.org.uk/

Welcome to Make Impact Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories, strategies, and solutions that drive real change. I'm Heidi Fisher and I work with organisations on a mission to tackle poverty, reduce health inequalities, and create lasting social impact. In each episode, I bring you inspiring conversations with change makers, social entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who are making a difference. 

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Make an Impact podcast. I hope you found today's conversation as inspiring and thought provoking as I did. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who want to create positive change. You can connect with me on LinkedIn and learn more about my work at Makeanimpactcic.co.uk.

Until next time, let's keep making an impact in the world.

Support the show

Hi, I'm Heidi Fisher, the host of the Make an Impact Podcast.  I'm an impact measurement expert, passionate about helping you make a bigger impact in the world by maximising the impact your services have.

 I can help you to measure, manage and communicate the impact you have better to funders, investors, commissioners and other stakeholders, and to systemise your data collection and analysis so that it frees up time and doesn't become an additional burden.  

I love helping you to measure social and economic impacts, including Social Return on Investment or value for money assessments, as part of understanding the change you make to peoples' lives.

 You can get in touch via LinkedIn or the website makeanimpactcic.co.uk if you'd like to find out more about working with me.

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Gabriela Matouskova from Hope for the Community shares her inspiring journey from the initial challenges of the pandemic to embracing technology for transformative community care. Through innovative partnerships and focus on measurement of impact, Hope for the Community has supported over 30,000 individuals, navigating the delicate balance of emotional and social support alongside practical solutions.

• Gabriela's unexpected journey into social enterprise 
• The role of technology in overcoming pandemic challenges 
• Growth of digital services supporting long-term conditions 
• Importance of collaborative partnerships in community outreach 
• Emphasis on measuring impact and user experience 
• Future plans focused on technology integration and sustainability 
• Call to action for organisations seeking to innovate responsibly

Welcome to Make Impact Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories, strategies, and solutions that drive real change. I'm Heidi Fisher and I work with organisations on a mission to tackle poverty, reduce health inequalities, and create lasting social impact. In each episode, I bring you inspiring conversations with change makers, social entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who are making a difference. 

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Make an Impact podcast. I hope you found today's conversation as inspiring and thought provoking as I did. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who want to create positive change. You can connect with me on LinkedIn and learn more about my work at Makeanimpactcic.co.uk.

Until next time, let's keep making an impact in the world.

Support the show

Hi, I'm Heidi Fisher, the host of the Make an Impact Podcast.  I'm an impact measurement expert, passionate about helping you make a bigger impact in the world by maximising the impact your services have.

 I can help you to measure, manage and communicate the impact you have better to funders, investors, commissioners and other stakeholders, and to systemise your data collection and analysis so that it frees up time and doesn't become an additional burden.  

I love helping you to measure social and economic impacts, including Social Return on Investment or value for money assessments, as part of understanding the change you make to peoples' lives.

 You can get in touch via LinkedIn or the website makeanimpactcic.co.uk if you'd like to find out more about working with me.

Send us Fan Mail

Can social data revolutionise healthcare? Join us as we uncover the incredible journey of Miranda Mapleton, CEO of White Swan, a charity that's leveraging anonymised social data and AI to transform patient care. Discover how a personal story involving the a friend's sister's rare condition ignited a movement to improve health outcomes through innovative technology. Miranda walks us through her transition from a marketing executive to leading a team of 130 passionate volunteers, all driven by the mission to make healthcare more effective and accessible.

We'll explore the ground-breaking work White Swan is doing in collaboration with universities, charities, and commercial organisations, and how their bespoke projects and reports are making a real impact. Learn about the rapid advancements in AI, specifically Large Language Models, and how they're enhancing data processes to benefit patient care. Miranda also shares White Swan's future ambitions to democratise their data for academic research and expand partnerships, emphasising the critical role of client feedback and returning clients. Tune in to be inspired by how data and technology are paving the way for a healthier future.

Welcome to Make Impact Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories, strategies, and solutions that drive real change. I'm Heidi Fisher and I work with organisations on a mission to tackle poverty, reduce health inequalities, and create lasting social impact. In each episode, I bring you inspiring conversations with change makers, social entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who are making a difference. 

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Make an Impact podcast. I hope you found today's conversation as inspiring and thought provoking as I did. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who want to create positive change. You can connect with me on LinkedIn and learn more about my work at Makeanimpactcic.co.uk.

Until next time, let's keep making an impact in the world.

Support the show

Hi, I'm Heidi Fisher, the host of the Make an Impact Podcast.  I'm an impact measurement expert, passionate about helping you make a bigger impact in the world by maximising the impact your services have.

 I can help you to measure, manage and communicate the impact you have better to funders, investors, commissioners and other stakeholders, and to systemise your data collection and analysis so that it frees up time and doesn't become an additional burden.  

I love helping you to measure social and economic impacts, including Social Return on Investment or value for money assessments, as part of understanding the change you make to peoples' lives.

 You can get in touch via LinkedIn or the website makeanimpactcic.co.uk if you'd like to find out more about working with me.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Heidi Fisher is joined by Johnathan Parsons, Managing Director and Consultant Clinical Scientist at Chime Social Enterprise.

Chime is an NHS Audiology Service that utilised the Government Right to Request scheme to spin out as a not-for-profit Social Enterprise, having spun out 12 years ago under the "right to request" legislation.  Owned by its staff, the organisation has a direct contract with the ICB for audiology services in the region.

Heidi and Johnathan discuss the challenges, benefits, and ongoing success of Chime Audiology's transition to a social enterprise within the NHS. 

Their conversation also covers: 

• Recognition of potential efficiencies beyond NHS supply chain protocols.
• The importance of flexibility, adaptation, and embracing change.
• Chime's impact report and its effectiveness in demonstrating the value of their services.

What next?

• Visit Chime's website: www.chimehealth.co.uk
• Need help with your Impact Measurement and Management? More about Heidi's work at  www.makeanimpactcic.co.uk

Welcome to Make Impact Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories, strategies, and solutions that drive real change. I'm Heidi Fisher and I work with organisations on a mission to tackle poverty, reduce health inequalities, and create lasting social impact. In each episode, I bring you inspiring conversations with change makers, social entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who are making a difference. 

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Make an Impact podcast. I hope you found today's conversation as inspiring and thought provoking as I did. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who want to create positive change. You can connect with me on LinkedIn and learn more about my work at Makeanimpactcic.co.uk.

Until next time, let's keep making an impact in the world.

Support the show

Hi, I'm Heidi Fisher, the host of the Make an Impact Podcast.  I'm an impact measurement expert, passionate about helping you make a bigger impact in the world by maximising the impact your services have.

 I can help you to measure, manage and communicate the impact you have better to funders, investors, commissioners and other stakeholders, and to systemise your data collection and analysis so that it frees up time and doesn't become an additional burden.  

I love helping you to measure social and economic impacts, including Social Return on Investment or value for money assessments, as part of understanding the change you make to peoples' lives.

 You can get in touch via LinkedIn or the website makeanimpactcic.co.uk if you'd like to find out more about working with me.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, Heidi Fisher sits down with Rhonda Lovell, founder of Wellington Counselling, to explore Rhonda's journey from her early career in gender studies to becoming a therapist and establishing a community-focused counselling centre.

Highlights from the discussion include:

• Organic growth of Wellington Counselling
• Community support and collaboration
• Pandemic Challenges and the surge in demand for counselling services
• Online platforms for service delivery and adapting to the changing landscape of therapeutic support
• Balancing grant dependency and traded income
• Establishing a High Street Community Well-being Centre
  
  

Tune in to hear Rhonda's powerful message on the enduring challenges of expressing emotions in society, the urgency to dismantle the stigma surrounding mental health and how to embrace genuine self-kindness as an essential practice.

What next?

• Visit The  Wellington Counselling website: www.wellington-counselling.co.uk
• Need help with your Impact Measurement and Management? More about Heidi's work at  www.makeanimpactcic.co.uk

Welcome to Make Impact Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories, strategies, and solutions that drive real change. I'm Heidi Fisher and I work with organisations on a mission to tackle poverty, reduce health inequalities, and create lasting social impact. In each episode, I bring you inspiring conversations with change makers, social entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who are making a difference. 

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Make an Impact podcast. I hope you found today's conversation as inspiring and thought provoking as I did. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who want to create positive change. You can connect with me on LinkedIn and learn more about my work at Makeanimpactcic.co.uk.

Until next time, let's keep making an impact in the world.

Support the show

Hi, I'm Heidi Fisher, the host of the Make an Impact Podcast.  I'm an impact measurement expert, passionate about helping you make a bigger impact in the world by maximising the impact your services have.

 I can help you to measure, manage and communicate the impact you have better to funders, investors, commissioners and other stakeholders, and to systemise your data collection and analysis so that it frees up time and doesn't become an additional burden.  

I love helping you to measure social and economic impacts, including Social Return on Investment or value for money assessments, as part of understanding the change you make to peoples' lives.

 You can get in touch via LinkedIn or the website makeanimpactcic.co.uk if you'd like to find out more about working with me.

Send us Fan Mail

The Parenting Apart Programme is an early intervention that prevents long-term negative impacts on children’s emotional health and well-being when their parents separate or divorce.

In this episode, Managing Director Claire Field and Parenting Apart Consultant Kam Kaur share their insights into their innovative approach with Heidi. From organisational development to logistics and challenges to positive outcomes, this conversation highlights the importance of bringing parents together to foster respectful post-separation relationships. 

• Dive into the emotional aspects of co-parenting, embracing individuality, and the challenges of collaborating with statutory agencies. 
• Learn about the role of mediation, practitioner training, and the funding challenges faced by this vital service. 
• The Parenting Apart Programme's critical role in prioritising children's well-being and advocating for a collaborative, supportive approach. 

Tune in for a powerful conversation on transforming mindsets and creating and reporting on positive impacts for families.

What next?

• Visit The Parenting Apart Programme website: https://www.parentingapartprogramme.co.uk/ 
• Find Kam and Claire on LinkedIn
• Need help with your Impact Measurement and Management? More about Heidi's work at  https://www.makeanimpactcic.co.uk

Welcome to Make Impact Podcast, where we dive deep into the stories, strategies, and solutions that drive real change. I'm Heidi Fisher and I work with organisations on a mission to tackle poverty, reduce health inequalities, and create lasting social impact. In each episode, I bring you inspiring conversations with change makers, social entrepreneurs, and thought leaders who are making a difference. 

Thank you for joining us on this episode of the Make an Impact podcast. I hope you found today's conversation as inspiring and thought provoking as I did. If you enjoyed the episode, please subscribe, leave a review, and share it with others who want to create positive change. You can connect with me on LinkedIn and learn more about my work at Makeanimpactcic.co.uk.

Until next time, let's keep making an impact in the world.

Support the show

Hi, I'm Heidi Fisher, the host of the Make an Impact Podcast.  I'm an impact measurement expert, passionate about helping you make a bigger impact in the world by maximising the impact your services have.

 I can help you to measure, manage and communicate the impact you have better to funders, investors, commissioners and other stakeholders, and to systemise your data collection and analysis so that it frees up time and doesn't become an additional burden.  

I love helping you to measure social and economic impacts, including Social Return on Investment or value for money assessments, as part of understanding the change you make to peoples' lives.

 You can get in touch via LinkedIn or the website makeanimpactcic.co.uk if you'd like to find out more about working with me.

Send us Fan Mail

What's the sign of an organisation that wants to realise the best for patients?

It's something Dr. Linda Harris, a GP and the founding CEO of Spectrum Community Health CIC sees in droves everyday.

And if you want to magnify your impact, whether in health and wellbeing, in working with vulnerable communities or across the gamut of social enterprises' outcomes, this episode is a must-listen.

Linda is candid about her biggest learnings since Spectrum launched over 12 years ago. Why is growth good? How do you balance impact and scaling up? What should a maturing organisation let go of – and what must it embrace?

She tells Heidi about the 'golden threads' Spectrum pulls together to provide quality healthcare for people in vulnerable circumstances and the three areas this CQC-regulated provider focuses on, and why.

There's more. How do you attract and retain high quality team members? Why is communicating impact internally so important? And how is Spectrum addressing health inequalities?

Heidi and Linda also cover the balance between leadership and luck, natural curveballs that lead to a compete paradigm shift, and the role and use of AI in impact and healthcare.

What next?

• Visit the Spectrum Community Health CIC website: https://spectrum-cic.org.uk/
• Find Linda on LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/dr-linda-harris-82379938
• Need help with your Impact Measurement and Management? More about Heidi's work at  https://www.makeanimpactcic.co.uk

Support the show

Hi, I'm Heidi Fisher, the host of the Make an Impact Podcast.  I'm an impact measurement expert, passionate about helping you make a bigger impact in the world by maximising the impact your services have.

 I can help you to measure, manage and communicate the impact you have better to funders, investors, commissioners and other stakeholders, and to systemise your data collection and analysis so that it frees up time and doesn't become an additional burden.  

I love helping you to measure social and economic impacts, including Social Return on Investment or value for money assessments, as part of understanding the change you make to peoples' lives.

 You can get in touch via LinkedIn or the website makeanimpactcic.co.uk if you'd like to find out more about working with me.

Send us Fan Mail

Catch22 supports over 160,000 people every year. A social business, it has over 1,700 staff and volunteers and delivers services addressing child exploitation, children's social care, criminal justice, education, employment and training, and health and wellbeing.

Naomi Hulston had worked in the organisation for 21 years before taking on her 15th role as its chief executive.  She describes her passion for levering organisational strategy to achieve and boost outcomes and how 'building resilience' is at the heart of its work.

Being a philosopher at heart and 'quite nosy' is an asset to her work, says Naomi. She also tells Heidi about Catch22's approach to collecting qualitative and quantitative data and managing and measuring its impact.

Plus: the art of storytelling in communicating impact; is criminal justice in need of complete reform?; how the corporate sector can invest more in social and community activity; Naomi's biggest bugbears; and how social mobility is at the heart of Catch22's work.

What next?

• More about Catch22: https://www.catch-22.org.uk/
• Listen to the Catch22 podcast
• Find Naomi on LinkedIn:  https://uk.linkedin.com/in/naomi-hulston-78026b32
• Need help with your Impact Measurement and Management? More about Heidi's work at  https://www.makeanimpactcic.co.uk

Support the show

Hi, I'm Heidi Fisher, the host of the Make an Impact Podcast.  I'm an impact measurement expert, passionate about helping you make a bigger impact in the world by maximising the impact your services have.

 I can help you to measure, manage and communicate the impact you have better to funders, investors, commissioners and other stakeholders, and to systemise your data collection and analysis so that it frees up time and doesn't become an additional burden.  

I love helping you to measure social and economic impacts, including Social Return on Investment or value for money assessments, as part of understanding the change you make to peoples' lives.

 You can get in touch via LinkedIn or the website makeanimpactcic.co.uk if you'd like to find out more about working with me.