The Charity Show

Welcome to Episode 9 of The Charity Show! Hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley are back from their summer break, ready to bring you the latest news, inspiring stories, and insightful discussions from the Charity sector.

This week, we delve into a unique collaboration between Marmite and Elton John, featuring a limited edition design jar as part of a $1 million partnership. We also discuss the challenges of recruiting in the charity sector with Maya Bhose from The Well Placed, an organisation helping midlife marketing professionals transition from the commercial world to the charity sector through paid placements.

We celebrate the incredible fundraising efforts of a 10-year-old who cycled from Land's End to John O'Groats and back to raise £15,000 for Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital. Plus, we explore the ethical dilemmas charities face with social media platforms like X, and the surprising statistic that only 3% of charities are using AI in their operations.

Get in touch with the show:

Chapters

(00:00) Coming up in the show

(01:38) Welcome to Episode 9

(03:34) Cancer Research UK plank challenge

(04:49) Send us your voice messages

(07:48) Switching from corporate to charity

(10:49) News

(12:11) Recent research suggests wealthy people could give more to charity than they actually do

(13:15) Public trust in charities at highest level in ten years, says charity Commission

(16:08) Only 3% of charities are using AI in their regular operations, survey finds

(18:58) Maya Bhose and The Well Placed

(21:52) Maya's background

(23:47) The third sector skills gap in marketing

(27:39) Midlife marketers embracing the charity sector

(31:19) The older you get, the harder it is to find work

(33:06) Recruiting midlife workers

(37:17) Success stories

(43:25) Superstars of the week

(47:34) Coming up next time

Featured Charities:

Full episode transcript:

Welcome to this special highlights episode of The Charity Show! Hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley are taking a well-deserved break, but we've got a treat for you as we look back at some of the best moments from season one.

In this episode, we revisit some of the most inspiring stories and insightful discussions that have graced our show. From the incredible fundraising efforts of Alex Staniforth, founder of Mind Over Mountains, to Richard Jain's expert insights on rebranding for Brainkind, and Sarah White's journey of starting SuperShoes from her kitchen table, this episode is packed with highlights.

We also delve into the evolving landscape of AI in the Charity sector with Zoe Amar, and hear from Katie Docherty, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, about the current state of fundraising amidst the cost of living crisis. Plus, we get the inside scoop on the voluntary sector manifesto with Saskia Koynenburg from NCVO.

Join us as we celebrate the incredible guests and stories that have made season one unforgettable. And don't forget, we'll be back with season two on 16 September. Until then, enjoy your summer and stay inspired!

Get in touch with the show

- Send us a message: https://tr.ee/OvwtI-oDvJ

- Email us: [email protected]

- Send us a voice message: https://tr.ee/zMWg00GiKG

- Check out our episode poll on Spotify

- Leave us a comment or review

Chapters

(00:00) Welcome

(01:30) Looking back at Season 1

(02:58) Alex Staniforth: Mind over Mountains

(09:01) Richard Jane, Brainkind

(13:34) Sarah White, SuperShoes

(18:25) Zoe Amar, AI and charities

(22:46) Katie Docherty, CIOF

(27:22) Vicki Beevers, Strategic Leader of The Year

(31:09) Saskia Koynenburg, NCVO

(37:06) We'll be back!

Featured Charities:

- Mind Over Mountains: https://www.mindovermountains.org.uk/

- Brainkind: https://www.brainkind.org.uk/

- Super Shoes: https://www.supershoes.org.uk/

- The Chartered Institute of Fundraising: https://ciof.org.uk/

- NCVO: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/

Full episode transcript:

- Read here:

Welcome to Episode 7 of The Charity Show! Hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley are back with another fascinating episode filled with the latest news, inspiring stories, and insightful discussions from the charity sector.

This week, we dive into the Voluntary Sector Manifesto with Saskia Konynenberg from NCVO. Discover how this blueprint aims to forge a new relationship between the government and the charity sector, and what it means for charities of all sizes. Saskia shares the challenges, opportunities, and the vital role of volunteers in boosting the UK economy.

We also celebrate the incredible summer of sport, highlighting the essential role of volunteers at the Olympics and other major events. Tim and Piers discuss the London Fire Brigade's long-standing support of Wimbledon and the RNLI's Fish Fridays campaign. Plus, hear about Valleyfest, a growing festival in the West Country raising significant funds for charity.

Join us for these heartwarming stories and discover how you can get involved and make a difference in the charity sector.

Get in touch with the show:

Chapters

(00:00) Coming up in Episode 7

(01:43) Welcome

(06:54) Value of volunteers

(10:32) New website launched to help charities with banking services

(11:54) Channel Fours advert for the Paralympics

(13:28) Introducing Saskia Konynenburg

(14:44) The voluntary sector manifesto

(17:10) The manifesto's asks

(20:22) What's broken?

(24:04) The main parties and the manifesto

(25:44) How charities used the Manifesto

(30:56) Empowering charities to raise their voices through campaigning

(34:52) What will change over the next 5 years?

(36:29) What's your long term vision for volunteers?

(38:56) How can charities hold the Government to account?

(39:52) Superstars of the Week

(43:21) Valley Fest

(45:23) Coming soon

Featured charities and useful links:

Full episode transcript:

Welcome to Episode 6 of The Charity Show! Hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley are back with another riveting episode filled with the latest news, inspiring stories, and insightful discussions from the charity sector.

This week, we're looking at strategy, what makes a good strategic leader and why a clear strategy is important for charities of all sizes.

Our special guest this week is Strategic Leader of The year, Vicki Beevers, Chief Executive of The Sleep Charity. Vicki talks about her surprise and honour at scooping the award, the challenges of leading a charity, and some of the dangers facing charities that don't have a clear strategy. She shares her journey from teaching to founding The Sleep Charity and offers invaluable advice for aspiring charity leaders.

As ever, we highlight some incredible fundraising efforts, including a firefighter taking on an ultra-marathon on a treadmill while watching Fireman Sam, and several brave individuals taking on skydives for charity.

Join us for these heartwarming stories and discover how you can get involved and make a difference in the charity sector.

Get in touch with the show

- Send us a message: https://tr.ee/OvwtI-oDvJ

- Email us: [email protected]

- Send us a voice message: https://tr.ee/zMWg00GiKG

- Check out our episode poll on Spotify

- Leave us a comment or review

Chapters

(00:00) Hello and welcome

(01:36) Busy times and auction house shocker

(08:40) News headlines

(13:31) Introducing Vicki Beevers - The Sleep Charity

(14:51) Vicki's background

(16:28) Strategic leader of the year award

(21:04) Dangers of not having a clear strategy

(22:12) What is strategic drift?

(24:25) How do you get your staff and your teams to live by your strategy

(30:26) What qualities do you think are necessary to be a strategic leader in charity

(33:53) Strategy and change

(38:08) Inspiration

(39:16) Do you worry about whether you're doing a good job as charity leader?

(43:35) Superstars of the week

(47:49) Get involved in the show

Featured Charities:

- The Fire Fighters Charity: https://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/

- The Brain Tumour Charity: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/

- The Sleep Charity: https://thesleepcharity.org.uk/

- The Charity Digital Skills Report: https://charitydigitalskills.co.uk/

Vicki Beevers, Chief Executive, The Sleep Charity

Linked In: https://www.linkedin.com/in/vicki-beevers-43094325/

Full episode transcript:

- Read here: https://thecharityshowtranscripts.blogspot.com/2024/07/episode-6-full-transcript.html

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Send in a voice message: https://tr.ee/zMWg00GiKG

Welcome to Episode 5 of The Charity Show! Hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley return with another engaging episode filled with the latest news, inspiring stories, and thought-provoking discussions from the charity sector.

This week, we explore the evolving fundraising landscape with Katie Doherty, Chief Executive of the Chartered Institute of Fundraising. Katie offers insights into the current state of fundraising, the impact of the cost of living crisis, and how charities can adapt to new technologies and changing donor behaviours. Discover the importance of micro-donations, the rise of gaming as a fundraising tool, and the psychological factors driving charitable giving.

We also celebrate the incredible efforts of fundraisers across the UK. Tim highlights the story of Dan Ives and Lloyd Gregory, who set a world record for the longest table tennis rally to raise funds for Sands, a stillbirth and neonatal charity. Piers revisits the inspiring journey of Russell Cook, the "hardest geezer," who ran across Africa to raise over £1 million for The Running Charity and is now sharing his experiences in a new book.

In addition, we discuss the significant role of festivals in charity fundraising, with Glastonbury raising millions for causes like Oxfam and Water Aid. Plus, find out how you can get involved and give your charity a free shout-out on the show.

Get in touch with the show

Chapters

(00:00) Coming up in Episode 5

(01:36) Welcome

(04:51) Election week and its impact on charities

(09:44) Exploring AI tools

(12:46) Free airtime for UK charities

(15:40) Fundraising landscape with Katie Doherty

(22:26) Micro-donations

(28:36) Gaming as a fundraising tool

(30:45) Extreme fundraising

(32:06) Festival fundraising

(34:02) Tony Hudgel's inspiring story

(37:34) Research on common names in the charity sector

(41:49) Future of fundraising

(43:03) Superstars of the week

(47:45) Coming up on The Charity Show

Featured Charities:

Full episode transcript:

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Send in a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCharityShow

Welcome to Episode 4 of The Charity Show! Hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley return with another insightful episode packed with the latest news, inspiring stories, and intriguing discussions from the charity sector.

This week, we delve into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence in the third sector. Our special guest, Zoe Amar, a third sector digital champion, shares her insights on how AI is revolutionising charity work. From enhancing fundraising efforts to generating creative content, Zoe explains the immense potential and the ethical considerations of AI. She also highlights real-world examples, including a Scottish hospice using AI to preserve patient memories and a Canadian non-profit leveraging AI for innovative fundraising campaigns.

In addition to our deep dive into AI, we celebrate the unsung heroes of the charity world. Tim honours three remarkable fathers, Andy Airey, Mike Palmer, and Tim Owen, who have raised over £1.4 million for Papyrus, a young suicide prevention charity, in memory of their daughters. Piers highlights a massive paddle-out event organised by Healing Waves Charity and RNLI Jersey, aiming to break the world record and raise funds for two incredible causes.

Join us for these heartwarming stories and discover how AI could shape the future of the charity sector. Plus, find out how you can get involved and nominate your charity superstars!

Get in touch with the show

- Send us a message: https://tr.ee/OvwtI-oDvJ

- Email us: [email protected]

- Send us a voice message:

- Answer our episode question on Spotify

- Check out our episode poll on Spotify

Chapters

(00:00) Coming up in Episode 4

(01:36) Welcome

(04:51) Who's on the show this week?

(09:44) News

(12:46) AI and the third sector

(14:18) AI - what are we talking about here?

(15:40) Examples of where it's being used well

(22:26) Will AI lead to job cuts?

(28:36) AI and fundraising

(30:45) Take up of AI

(32:06) Concerns around data privacy and confidentiality

(34:02) How transparent do charities need to be about AI?

(35:53) Are there any specific AI tools that charities should consider using?

(37:34) What role should senior leaders take with AI?

(41:49) Is the future bright for AI in our sector?

(43:03) Superstars of the week

(47:45) Coming up on The Charity Show

Featured Charities:

- The Fire Fighters Charity: https://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/

- The Brain Tumour Charity: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/

- Papyrus: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/

- Healing Waves Charity: https://www.healingwaves.org/

- RNLI Jersey: https://rnli.org/find-my-nearest/lifeboat-stations/jersey-lifeboat-station

- Bristol Autism Support: https://www.bristolautismsupport.org/

- Marie Curie: https://www.mariecurie.org.uk/

More about Zoe

- Website: https://zoeamar.com/

- LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoeamar/⁠

Full episode transcript:

- Read here:

--- Send in a voice message:

In Ep.3 of The Charity Show, hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley explore the power of small charities and volunteers, as well as bringing you the latest inspiring stories and insights from the third sector.

Tim shares the exciting news that The Fire Fighters Charity has received Royal patronage from King Charles, continuing a legacy of Royal support. Meanwhile, Piers celebrates a milestone for The Brain Tumour Charity, which has raised £1 million through its partnership with retail giant Wickes.

Our special guest this week is Sarah White, Chief Executive of Supershoes, a creative and volunteer-driven charity that crafts custom-designed shoes for children undergoing cancer treatment. Sarah discusses the charity's journey from a simple act of kindness to a national organisation, the importance of volunteer artists, the mighty power of small charities and the impact of personalised gifts on children's wellbeing.

We also honour the incredible legacy of Rob Burrow, whose advocacy and fundraising for motor neurone disease (MND) has left an indelible mark, culminating in the groundbreaking of the Rob Burrow Centre for MND.

Additionally, Piers highlights the charitable arm of the Chelsea Flower Show, Project Giving Back, which provides UK charities with the opportunity to showcase their work through beautiful garden displays.

Finally, we celebrate our Superstars of the Week: Nihar Kandakar, a dedicated volunteer for The Wolfpack Project, and Shilpa Sheddev, who bravely skydived for Leukaemia UK.

Join us for these heartwarming stories and discover how you can get involved and make a difference in the charity sector.

Get in touch with the show

- Send us a message: https://tr.ee/OvwtI-oDvJ

- Email us: [email protected]

- Send us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCharityShow

- Answer our episode question on Spotify

- Check out our episode poll on Spotify

Chapters

(00:00) Introduction

(00:53) Welcome to the show

(04:01) Coming up

(08:33) This week's news: Rob Burrow and Chelsea Flower Show

(11:36) Project Giving Back

(15:20) Supershoes

(16:26) Welcome Sarah, CEO of Supershoes

(19:22) Early days of Supershoes

(20:51) Supershoes' volunteer model

(31:02) The power of being a small charity

(34:51) Working with partners

(39:33) The future of Supershoes

(42:05) Advice to others

(43:19) This week's Superstars

(46:36) Coming soon

Featured Charities:

- The Fire Fighters Charity: https://www.firefighterscharity.org.uk/

- The Brain Tumour Charity: https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org/

- Supershoes: https://www.supershoes.org.uk/

- Leukaemia UK: https://www.leukaemiauk.org.uk/

- The Wolfpack Project: https://www.thewolfpackproject.org.uk/

- Project Giving Back: https://www.givingback.org.uk/

- Leeds Hospitals Charity

https://www.leedshospitalscharity.org.uk/

- Motor Neurone Disease Association

https://www.mndassociation.org/

- Bowel Research UK

https://www.bowelresearchuk.org/

- Young Lives vs Cancer

https://www.younglivesvscancer.org.uk/

Full episode transcript:

- Read here:

In this enlightening episode of The Charity Show, join hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley as they delve into the transformative world of charity rebranding with guest Richard Jane, Director of External Affairs at Brainkind.

Richard shares the intricate journey the charity has taken from The Disabilities Trust to Brainkind, revealing the strategic decisions needed to rebrand, the importance of stakeholder engagement, and the balancing act between honouring legacy and embracing a new identity.

Find out how a rebrand can redefine an organisation's trajectory, the crucial role of staff and beneficiaries in the process, and why sometimes, the cost of not rebranding might outweigh the investment. Richard's insights are a treasure trove for any charity considering a rebrand, offering a candid look at the challenges and triumphs of such a significant transition.

Get in touch with the show

Episode Chapters:

(00:00) Introduction

(00:53) Welcome to episode two

(02:20) Mental Health Awareness Week

(03:46) Coming up

(07:09) If you were a brand...

(09:13) Jelly Babies and Help for Heroes

(11:36) Rebranding - Richard Jane, Brainkind

(14:52) Introducing Brainkind

(17:51) Why rebrand from The Disabilities Trust?

(19:51) Consulting with staff and beneficiaries

(25:49) Sticking points along the way

(28:05) Rollout

(30:16) Working with an agency

(33:12) Impact of the rebrand

(37:35) Advice for others

(38:57) Superstars of the week

(45:08) Coming soon

Featured Charities:

Full episode transcript:

Join us for the premiere episode of The Charity Show, where longstanding charity comms professionals Tim Beynon and Piers Townley dive deep into the heart of charity innovation and inspiration.

In this inaugural journey, we explore the audacious beginnings of new charities amidst global upheaval, with special guest Alex Staniforth, the co-founder of Mind Over Mountains. Alex shares his personal struggles with mental health and how his passion for the great outdoors inspired the creation of an organisation that blends nature's healing power with professional mental health support.

Discover the ingenious PR stunts that are making waves, like the Oddballs Foundation's cheeky shadow play on Westminster Bridge, and learn how Age UK is helping new staff understand the elderly's mobility challenges with a gerontologic test suit.

We also shine a spotlight on the unsung heroes of charity, from marathon runners in outlandish costumes to a 7-year-old boy's brave ascent of Mount Snowdon. Plus, we'll unpack the strategies charities are employing to navigate the challenging waters of the third sector.

Whether you're a charity veteran or a newcomer eager to make a difference, The Charity Show is your biweekly dose of inspiration, insight, and involvement. Follow us on your favorite podcast platform, and become part of the conversation by sharing your stories and questions.

Together, let's make every episode a step towards a better world.

Get in touch with the show

📋 Episode Chapters

(00:00) Welcome to the show

(01:16) Coming up in this episode

(02:04) A genius campaign, involving a bridge!

(04:27) Empathising with those you support through tech

(08:27) Alex Staniforth - Welcome to the show

(12:10) The inspiration behind Mind Over Mountains

(16:48) New charity admin

(19:11) How is the charity funded now?

(21:52) The difference made by a Chief Exec

(23:36) Taking a step back

(25:46) Looking to the future for Mind Over Mountains

(28:02) Raising half a million pounds

(31:50) Stars of the show - Amazing fundraisers and volunteers

(39:18) Get in touch with the show

Charities featured in this episode:

Full transcript

Hosts Tim and Piers explain what The Charity Show is all about and how you can be a part of it, whatever your role in the third sector.

Follow us on your usual podcast platform today, so you don't miss an episode.

Check out our website:

Send us a voice message: https://www.speakpipe.com/TheCharityShow