In the 11th episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunianpodcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe interviews Chris Marsh, an ambassador for Forever Manchester. Chris shares his journey of becoming involved with the charity through his passion for running and discusses the various community initiatives supported by Forever Manchester.

From supporting local disability groups to knitting collectives,Chris highlights how the organization helps various causes within Greater Manchester. He also recounts his experience being named the Great Mancunian of the Year and discusses the challenges of continuous fundraising. The episodeprovides a comprehensive look at the impactful work of Forever Manchester and offers insights for those looking to make a difference in their own communities.

#community #CommunityGroups #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast

Did you know:

· There are over 17,000 community groups, voluntary organisations and social enterprises in Greater Manchester.

· Community volunteering involves individuals dedicating their time and energy to help others and improve their localcommunity.

· Getting involved in local projects is a greatway to be part of a community, building its strength and resilience and ensuring no one is left behind.

· Forever Manchester supports over 1,300community projects in Greater Manchester every year.

Key resource:

Forever Manchester

Time stamps of key moments in the podcastepisode & transcript:

(00:57) Introducing Chris Marsh

(01:38) Chris's Journey to Community Support

(04:19) Forever Manchester's Impact

(06:55) Challenges and Achievements

(14:41) Discovering Local Impact

(16:03) Upcoming Events and Initiatives

(17:19) Signature Questions: Manchester's Unique Social Impact

(20:09) Life Lessons and Personal Insights

Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk

In the 10th episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe interviews Zoe Marlow, Food Bank Manager at Dandelion Community Church. They discuss Zoe's personal journey from seeking help to becoming a community leader, the operations and challenges of running a food bank, and the importance of treating individuals with compassion and respect.

Zoe shares insights into food poverty, the stigma attached to seeking help, and community initiatives aimed at reducing poverty and fostering self-sustainability. The episode also highlights Zoe's inspiring trip to Africa and its impact on her community work.

#FoodPoverty #FuelPoverty #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast

Did you know:

· In 2022/23 there were 7.2 million people, or 11% of the UK population, in households experiencing food poverty, including 17% of children.

· Food banks are run by charities and are intended as a temporary provision to supply emergency food.

· In 2022/23, 2.3 million people in the UK lived in households which had used a food bank in the previous 12 months, a rate of 3%. This includes 6% of children, 3% of working-age adults, and around 1% of pensioners.

· In 2023/24 the Trussell Trust supplied 3.12 millionemergency food parcels, the highest number of parcels distributed by the network in a year.

Key resource:

Dandelion Community Centre

Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode &transcript:

(01:02) Meet Zoe Marlow: Food Bank Manager

(01:49) Zoe's Personal Journey

(02:32) Dandelion Food Bank: How It Works

(05:03) Challenges and Obstacles

(07:27) Community Support and Services

(11:30) Dandelion Community Savers and Africa Trip

(16:38) Misunderstandings and Myths

(23:15) Community Voice and Development

(24:58) Signature Questions

Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk

In the ninth episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe speakswith Ghada Soliman, Founder, of Sustainable Threads. They discuss Ghada's journey from overcoming a serious health condition to her passion for volunteering and helping marginalised communities.

Ghada shares how Sustainable Threads reuses old fabrics to create new products, aiming tosupport vulnerable women and promote environmental sustainability. Despite funding challenges and language barriers, the initiative has made significant social and environmental impacts by providing a safe space for women to learn new skills and generate income. Ghada offers advice on turning simple ideas into impactful projects and emphasises the importance of resilience, networking, and kindness.

#Sustainability #SustainableClothing #community #GM #manchester #SocialImpact #NonProfit #podcast

Did you know:

· Approximately 73% of waste clothing in the UK goes to landfill

· In the UK, approximately 350,000 tonnes of clothing waste are sent to landfills each year.

· The UK is the fourth largest producer of textile waste in Europe.

· The environmental impact of fashion waste includes landfill pollution, water pollution, and carbon emissions.

Key resource:

Sustainable Threads

Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:

(00:55) Introducing Ghada Soliman

(01:34) The Journey to Volunteering

(03:52) Sustainable Threads Initiative

(08:26) Challenges and Impact

(20:36) The Power of Advertising and Visibility

(20:59) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

(22:22) Networking and Community Engagement

(24:58) Upcoming Opportunities for Sustainable Threads

(26:57) Reflections and Personal Insights

Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk