Meet the Mancunian Podcast: social impact stories from Manchester

By Deepa Thomas-SutcliffeBusiness Non-Profit

Meet the Mancunian Podcast: social impact stories from Manchester episodes

February 25, 2025 Exploring Social Entrepreneurship and Wellbeing with Jolene Sheehan
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:
JoyEthic

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

31 min
February 18, 2025 Supporting charities with Mike Wild
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:
Macc
Macc You Tube channel

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
34 min
February 11, 2025 Meet the Mancunian Season 10 Trailer
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
3 min
December 10, 2024 Combating homelessness with Judy Vickers
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
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

28 min
December 03, 2024 Empowering Women and Youth through creativity with Beth Powell
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
Creative City

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
23 min
November 26, 2024 Supporting early years with Shelley Roberts
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
Home-Start Manchester

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
27 min
November 19, 2024 Tackling food poverty with Tracey Torley
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:
Cracking Good Food
Combating food insecurity

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
30 min
November 12, 2024 Supporting women's employability with Jan Iceton
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

31 min
November 05, 2024 Transforming Manchester's green spaces with Claire Biggs
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:
SNUG
Longsight Community Artspace

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

15 min
October 29, 2024 Fostering community wellbeing with Josh Deegan
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:
Happy Somedays

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

21 min

About Meet the Mancunian Podcast: social impact stories from Manchester

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Welcome to Season 12 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, hosted by Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe.

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Meet the Mancunian Podcast: social impact stories from Manchester

Meet the Mancunian Podcast: social impact stories from Manchester episodes

About Meet the Mancunian Podcast: social impact stories from Manchester