#133 Pride in Medway: Why Everyday Heroes Matter with Simon, Simon, Simon and Rachel #PrideInMedway

We sit down with Simon Cook (MidKent College) and Simon Ryan (Willmott Dixon) to unpack what Pride in Medway is really about: recognising the everyday heroes who quietly make a difference across our communities. We talk sponsorship, community legacy, why nominations matter more than popularity, and how Medway’s best stories often go untold.Vote/nominate here: prideinmedway.co.uk#Medway #Community #AwardsTimestamps0:00 Welcome + like/share/subscribe0:14 Episode intro: Pride in Medway + “three Simons”2:01 What Pride in Medway is (and what it isn’t)3:05 Why MidKent College supports Pride in Medway5:45 Students, skills, and community involvement6:46 The college theatre, visibility, and “I never knew you did that”7:02 Sponsor messages8:20 Community assets: why venues like this matter11:02 Pride, perception, and focusing on the positives12:05 Simon Cook’s chef background + the “coffee stain” analogy13:12 Apprenticeships, routes into careers, and long-term work stories15:59 Different learning styles + school vs college pressures17:24 The 11+ filter, GCSE anxiety, and focusing on the person20:39 Pride in Medway winners: everyday acts, all walks of life22:30 Filming the awards: emotional stories and perspective25:01 Willmott Dixon intro: building + lasting community legacy26:36 Hiring locally + T-level students + project impact27:44 Leisure centre nostalgia and “verruca sock” memories29:12 Flume testing + GoPro promo idea30:11 Wellbeing, environment, and health beyond the NHS31:01 Community legacy examples (Dartford trail, hospital donation)33:24 More businesses stepping up + Medway’s post-dockyard identity38:42 This year’s sponsors list (read-out)39:32 Hidden local infrastructure + Medway pride-by-association42:18 Who should be nominated + what makes a standout candidate47:08 Authenticity, nominations, and young people breaking stereotypes48:36 Judging: why it’s so hard to pick a winner51:25 Raising awareness: not a popularity contest53:34 More storytelling: interview nominees and nominators56:01 How businesses can get involved (big or small)56:55 One word for Medway spirit: “energetic” / “positivity”58:21 Medway pride: Jubilee clips, history, and local identity59:35 Fun question cards segment begins1:00:17 Strangest thing: balcony lock-out in America1:01:47 Ghost question + warning label question1:06:17 Closing thanks + “Simons” chat1:10:41 Company shout-outs + how to vote/nominate1:11:30 Sponsor outro + Cherrywood + othersWelcome to Cherrywood Podcast, your source for inspiring conversations and compelling stories. Join us as we dive into the journeys of remarkable individuals from various fields, offering insights into personal growth, entrepreneurship, creativity, and more. Subscribe for positivity, authenticity, and engaging discussions. Learn how we blew up on YouTube:https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLkif0i1i5oaDN83UzwYQQBSH-4DEMhfJ0&si=zzna8zvRN2Jyqzv3https://youtu.be/p9GnbbykQoM?si=cBr4ZHuNwXumP_4RContact:📧 Email: [e-mail]📞 Phone: [phone]🌐 Website: www.cherrypro.co.uk📱 Facebook: www.facebook.com/cherrywoodproductions📸 Instagram: @cherrywoodproGuests Song Choices playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3YxsMkrJLbFQSjeRKfzcCQ?si=21a21d1ef9534479Disclaimer: Views expressed by guests on Cherrywood Podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the podcast hosts or producers.