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

• Rethink Food – rethinkfood.org.uk

• National School Pantry Network – rethinkfood.org.uk/nspn

• Royal Voluntary Service report on volunteering – royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk

• Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity – gosh.org

• World Food Aid Shop – worldfoodaid.org

• MERU – meru.org.uk

• The Good Studio – Creative content for good causes: thegoodstudio.co.uk

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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 ⁠