Meet the Mancunian Podcast: social impact stories from Manchester

The ninth episode of the Meet the Mancunian podcast features Mel Page, Co-founder, Drawing Board Productions Community Interest Company (https://www.drawingboardproductions.co.uk/). Mel and her business partner Amanda Fourie have launched hyperlocal newspapers and events to support the local communities they live and work in. The hyperlocal print newspapers include Heatons Post (www.heatonpost.co.uk [http://www.heatonpost.co.uk/]), Cheadle Post (www.cheadlepost.co.uk [http://www.cheadlepost.co.uk/]), and Didsbury Post (www.didsburypost.co.uk [http://www.didsburypost.co.uk/]). Mel expands on her love for the community and how she found her passion in serving the community through events to put the Heatons & Reddish on the map as well as the community newspaper(s) they produce. She invites listeners to reach out in case they would like to set up their own community newspaper.

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The eighth episode of the Meet the Mancunian podcast features Bryan Dunne, Founder, Northern Poets Society (https://twitter.com/PoetsNorthern). Bryan set up the Northern Poets Society during the lockdown, to provide an online creative community for poets in the North of the UK. Bryan has also started hosting live poetry readings at the historic landmark Clitheroe Castle (https://www.lancashire.gov.uk/leisure-and-culture/museums/clitheroe-castle-museum/) with the next one in April 2022. There will also be an art & poetry collaboration exhibition at Bolton Station's art gallery in July 2022. Both the events are open to the public, please contact Northern Poets Society for details. Bryan reads the inspiring poem 'Making a Difference' by celebrated Mancunian poet Lemn Sissay (https://www.lemnsissay.com/) in this episode.

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The seventh episode of Meet the Mancunian podcast features John Swallow, Senior Youth Worker, GroundWork (https://www.groundwork.org.uk/). Groundwork is a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK. John started off as a postman and then found his passion in youth work through volunteering. He talks about he works with groups of young people across Greater Manchester helping them to connect with nature and the environment. John's focus is on helping vulnerable youth develop resilience and life skills. Looking to change careers, this episode may be for you.

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The sixth episode features Mancunian Helen Calvert (https://www.clear-day.co.uk/), a life coach to female business owners and podcast host. Helen hosts a podcast The No Bullsh*t Guide to a Happier Life (https://tinyurl.com/MTMHelen). Helen shares how she aims to support female business owners through her work and how she helps them shed emotional baggage. Her podcast gives listeners a new perspective and leads to lightbulb moments. She also shares a very valuable life tip about being kind to ourselves. Looking to find happiness, you may enjoy this episode. --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/deepa-thomas-sutcliffe/message

The fifth episode features Mancunian Anthony Parker, a primary school teacher by day and a poet by night. Anthony Parker (https://thepoeticprince.home.blog/) uses his creative talent to raise funds for homelessness charities FareShare (https://fareshare.org.uk/) and Mustard Tree (https://mustardtree.org.uk/). Anthony was inspired by the work of footballer Marcus Rushford on homelessness and child food poverty. From writing poems on commission as thoughtful gifts as a way to fundraise, Anthony is now in the process of publishing his poetry in a book to help the two charities. Looking to use your talent for good, you may like this podcast episode.

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The fourth episode features Mancunian Kat Browning, founder, Tea & Jam. Tea & Jam (https://teajam.live/) is a community for hobbyist musicians. Kat hosts a concert series and a weekly Practise-along session called Work-In-Progress Wednesdays. She shares her love for music and why she thinks online practice-along sessions are particularly suited to people with hidden disabilities besides. If you are looking to find a musical tribe, this episode is for you.

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This week's episode features Mancunian Aaron Fletcher who is the Owner of Buzzing Sounds and Advisor to Step Up Manchester (https://www.stepupmcr.org/). Step Up Manchester is the place-based giving scheme for Manchester. Step Up aims to connect people within the local community to enable ideas to flourish. People may donate time, funding, resources, skills, space, or expertise to help others in the community. Aaron talks about his passion for audio, community, and how local business owners can use their skills for good. If you are looking for some inspiration on volunteering for a community organisation, this episode is for you.

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This week's Mancunian guest is Jean Wright is the Eco Lead for Wythenshawe Waste Warriors (https://wythenshawewastewarriors.co.uk/). Wythenshawe Waste Warriors are a group of volunteers focused on cleaning up the parks and green spaces in Wythenshawe. Jean shares her experiences with the link between litter pollution and climate change. She also shares her favourite places in Manchester. If you are concerned about litter and its impact on biodiversity, this episode is for you. Get inspired and perhaps consider a similar volunteer movement in your community.

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Diana Bowden is the founder of the employability charity - Let's Go Forward (https://letsgoforward.org.uk/). Let's Go Forward creates a supportive community for job seekers in Manchester. Diana shares how she started the charity and where she hopes to take it. She also shares her passion for Manchester. Do have a look at their website or social media handles if you are looking for your dream job.

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