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  

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  

In the Season 9 opener of the 'Meet the Mancunian' podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe highlights award-winning activist Maria Romanenko's journey. Maria was nominated as Volunteer of the Year in the Spirit of Manchester Awards.   Fleeing Ukraine amid war, Maria finds solace and purpose in assisting fellow Ukrainian refugees in Manchester, providing free walking tours among other support initiatives. She addresses the challenges Ukrainian refugees face, the shortcomings of official support systems, and the emotional struggles refugees undergo.   Despite personal challenges, Maria invests thousands of volunteer hours, earning the Prime Minister's Points of Light Award. Her story encourages others to find creative, community-driven solutions and partnerships for social impact.   #volunteering #GM #manchester #community #Ukraine #refugees #SocialImpact #NonProfit   Did you know:  There are over 160,000 Ukraine refugees living in the UK. Many of them are not familiar with English and struggle to find jobs similar to their occupations in Ukraine, in spite of having qualifications and work experience. Key resource: United for Ukraine   Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:   (01:12) Introduction to Maria Romanenko (01:37) Maria's Journey from Kyiv to the UK (02:45) Settling in the UK and Media Attention (03:40) Finding Purpose in Helping Others (06:38) Challenges Faced by Ukrainian Refugees (09:59) Initiating Free Walking Tours (11:31) Expanding the Walking Tours (12:39) Recognition and Awards (14:43) Ongoing Efforts and Future Plans (25:43) Advice and Reflections   Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk

Celebrating Social Impact: Season 9 of Meet the Mancunian Podcast In Season 9 of the Meet the Mancunian Podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe collaborates with the Spirit of Manchester Awards to feature interviews with award winners and nominees from the city's voluntary and community sector.   Each episode, released weekly on Tuesdays, showcases Manchester's community champions dedicated to various causes. The season aims to inspire listeners to engage with the social impact sector and spread positivity. Listeners can tune in on major platforms such as Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or the podcast's website www.meetthemancunian.co.uk.   The podcast cover art is designed by Mahua Roy from Purple Art Studio.   Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript:   (00:00) Welcome to Season 9: Meet the Mancunian Podcast (00:31) Celebrating Community Champions (01:01) Upcoming Episodes and Listening Options (01:21) Join the Mancunian Community   #SocialImpact #SpiritofMcr24 #Community #Manchester #GM #podcast #NonProfit #volunteer

In the 16th and final episode of Season 8 of the Meet the Mancunian Podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe welcomes Matthew Carroll, Station Manager of Evolve Radio. Carroll shares his 25-year journey in community and hospital radio, discussing the personal and professional challenges he has faced, including struggles with mental health. He introduces his latest venture, Evolve Radio, aimed at bringing community radio to Stockport and providing training opportunities for aspiring broadcasters. The episode reflects on the importance of staying goal-focused, the impact of community radio, and plans for future programming. This episode also marks the celebration of the Meet the Mancunian podcast’s 100th guest. The podcast will return with Season 9 in October 2024 in partnership with the Spirit of Manchester Awards. #Community #Radio #MentalHealth #Manchester #GM #SocialImpact #NonProfit #Podcast Did you know:  ·      Community radio stations are low-power, not-for-profit radio stations that are operated and influenced by the communities they serve. They are different from commercial and public service radio stations. ·     They are usually run by volunteers and activists, rather than paid staff.  ·      They provide a platform for people to learn new skills and contribute their own. ·     They provide access to the airwaves for under-represented voices.   Key resource: Evolve Radio   Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript: (01:32) Introduction to Matthew Carroll and Evolve Radio (02:17) Matthew's Journey into Community Radio (02:40) Commitment to Community Radio (04:24) The Birth of Evolve Radio (06:25) Challenges in Community Radio (06:32) Overcoming Mental Health Struggles (10:29) Supporting New Talent in Radio (15:05) Advice for Aspiring Community Radio Enthusiasts (21:42) Signature Questions and Personal Reflections   Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk  

In the 15th episode of Season 8 of the Meet the Mancunian Podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe speaks with Tanny Rowland, Secretary of Wythenshawe Safety Patrol. Tanny shares her journey from experiencing homelessness at 17 to co-leading a non-profit organization dedicated to community safety and support in Wythenshawe. They discuss various initiatives like street patrols, a community café, a garden project, and safe places for vulnerable individuals. Tanny emphasises the importance of community involvement, overcoming challenges, and the power of positivity in making a difference. The episode concludes with heartwarming stories of lives transformed through their work and Tanny's gratitude for the support they receive. #Community #Safety #Allotment  #Homelessness #Manchester #GM #SocialImpact #NonProfit #Podcast Did you know:  ·     Community safety is all about the issues that make people feel safe or unsafe in their communities ·     This is often a shared responsibility between the community, the public sector (Council, Police), the private sector (local businesses), the faith sector, voluntary organisations ·     More than three-quarters of people (78%) feel safe in the area where they live, compared with 11% who do not  (Public polling on community safety in the UK in 2023) Key resource: The Real Wythenshawe Safety Patrol   Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript: (01:48) Introduction and Welcome (01:57) Tanny's Journey: From Homelessness to Helping Others (02:50) Joining Wythenshawe Safety Patrol (03:56) Community Patrol Activities and Impact (05:54) Challenges Faced by the Organisation (07:26) Success Stories and Positive Outcomes (09:06) The Power of Social Media and Community Support (10:57) Advice for Starting Community Movements (13:45) Signature Questions: Manchester and Personal Insights (19:22) Heartwarming Stories and Conclusion Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk  

In the 14th episode of Season 8 of the Meet the Mancunian Podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe interviews Hemant Patel, CEO of Anumana. They discuss Hemant's passion for community support, inspired by his mother and Indian cultural values, and his initiative, the Code Academy. Patel highlights the academy's mission to address challenges in the tech sector, such as lack of diversity, skills gap, and social mobility barriers. The academy offers a free 16-week Python programming course to Manchester schools delivered by University students, targeting students from disadvantaged backgrounds. Hemant also shares the struggles and successes of establishing this program simultaneously with his business, Anumana, and emphasises the importance of relatable role models in inspiring young talent. The episode concludes with insights into the program's impact and Hemant's advice for creating similar initiatives. In Hemant’s own words: “I think the biggest common myth is that you have to have a specific skill set and I guess the biggest common myth is that you have to come from a computer science background to be able to program, or you have had to have previous program experience to program. I think certainly there are a lot of programs out there where people are retraining from completely different vocations into programming.” #Youth #Coding #students #community #Manchester #GM #SocialImpact #NonProfit #Podcast Did you know:  ·     In 2024, the House of Commons Library reported that 18% of UK adults lack the digital skills needed for the workplace.  ·     The Government's 2022 Digital Strategy states that over 80% of UK job advertisements require digital skills, and the skills gap could cost the economy up to £120 billion a year by 2035. ·     Young people face several barriers to entering digital training and careers, including a lack of encouragement, limited awareness of options, and low teaching quality. Many also hold negative perceptions of the tech sector, seeing it as difficult, with long hours and high discrimination. Additionally, retraining is hindered by financial costs and a lack of junior-level roles   Key resource: Anumana Code Academy   Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript: (00:55) Introduction to Hemant Patel and Anumana (01:42) Finding Passion for Community Support (02:46) The Birth of Code Academy (06:33) Challenges in Building Code Academy (07:50) Scaling and Sustainability of Code Academy (09:20) Impact and Success Stories (12:31) Debunking Myths in Coding and IT (13:36) Advice for Starting Similar Movements (18:25) Personal Reflections and Life Lessons (19:49) Signature Questions and Closing Remarks Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk  

In the 13th episode of Season 8 of the Meet the Mancunian Podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe interviews Daniel Firea, a self-development YouTuber and photographer. Daniel shares his journey from a life filled with vices and bad mental health to one focused on positive self-development. He discusses the impact of stopping vices, adopting a healthy lifestyle, and finding faith. Daniel explains his motivation to help others through his YouTube channel, promoting a holistic approach to self-improvement. The episode emphasises the importance of continuous learning, honesty, and having a higher power to rely on. In Daniel’ own words: “I’m trying to promote working out, sport because when I was in that bad period, I stopped sport, I was eating bad, I was smoking, I was doing all these bad things that I'm saying. But after I managed to stop them, I start seeing an improvement in my mental health immediately just by stopping devices, starting sport again, working out. regularly dieting, so eating better, stopping the bad friendships.” #Selfdevelopment #Physicalhealth #community #Manchester #GM #SocialImpact #NonProfit #Podcast Did you know:  ·     Self-development is the capacity and action to grow one's self-awareness, abilities, talents, and skills in order to improve one's quality of life. This personal development may be done at any time and in any place, with or without the help of others. ·      It is the process of learning new things and building new skills that help people achieve their goals and manifest their dreams. ·     It is often a lifelong process. Key resources: Daniel’s YouTube channel Future Learn courses on self-development   Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript: (01:02) Introduction to Daniel Firea (01:43) Daniel's Journey to Self-Development (03:06) Finding Passion in Photography (04:43) Broad Focus on Self-Development (06:15) Promoting a Healthy Lifestyle (07:21) Overcoming Physical Challenges (08:40) Debunking Myths About Self-Development (11:12) The Long Game of YouTube Success (14:03) Signature Questions (18:58) Final Thoughts and Contact Information   Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk

In the twelfth episode of Season 8 of the Meet the Mancunian Podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe speaks with Jazzy J, an Artist and Executive Committee Member of the Indian Association of Manchester. Jazzy J shares his passion for community support, rooted in his upbringing in Mumbai, and discusses his role in the Indian Association of Manchester. He highlights the organisation's efforts to bring together people from various backgrounds, provide platforms for local talent, and support activities that celebrate South Asian culture. The episode covers the importance of patience, kindness, and a forward-thinking approach. The conversation underscores the significance of fostering inclusion and giving people opportunities to showcase their talents. The episode concludes with Jazzy J offering advice for those looking to start similar movements in their communities. In J’s own words: “I think I have made an impact by making people believe that if they have a talent that they can come forward and present it. Age does not matter. Form does not matter. Style does not matter. As far as you have it in you, you go ahead and you share it with the world and you enrich it in the way that you feel that is fit for you.’ #Community #SouthAsian #culture #Manchester #GM #SocialImpact #NonProfit #Podcast   Did you know:  ·     South Asian culture is a blend of many cultures in and around the Indian subcontinent. It has a rich history of kingdoms, empires, spiritual and artistic movements, and cultural, religious, economic, and political connections to other regions.  ·     South Asian culture has made a significant impact on Britain in various aspects, such as food, clothing, music, words, and the overall ambiance of our towns and cities.  ·      South Asia has a rich legacy of music and dance, including classical music traditions like Hindustani and Carnatic music in India, Ghazals in Pakistan, and Baul music in Bangladesh. Dance forms like Bharatanatyam, Kathak, and Bhangra are art forms that also express emotions and cultural narratives.   Key resources: This is Jazzy J. Indian Association of Manchester   Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript: (00:52) Introduction and Finding Passion (02:45) Involvement with the Indian Association of Manchester (03:52) Role and Objectives of the Indian Association (04:51) Supporting the Indian Community (07:46) Challenges Faced in the Journey (10:47) Impact and Encouragement (13:00) Advice for Starting a Community Movement (13:41) Additional Cultural Involvements (14:30) Signature Questions: Mancunian Spirit (20:12) Heartwarming Conclusion   Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk

In the 11th episode of Season 8 of the Meet the Mancunian Podcast, host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe interviews Claire Hines, owner of Shine and a passionate advocate for shared community spaces. Claire shares her journey from volunteering at her children's school to starting her own eco-friendly business Shine within Emporium M33, a community-centric retail hub in Sale.   The discussion covers the challenges and rewards of running a small business and the significance of local support. Claire emphasises the importance of tenacity, community collaboration, and supporting local enterprises. The episode wraps up with heartfelt anecdotes that illustrate the profound impact of community ties and mutual support.   In Claire’s own words: “It is tough for us to match some of the prices that you can find, on the high street, but I think we're constantly trying to improve that and trying to basically give the customers the best experience.   So whether that's that you maybe pay slightly more than you would one of the big supermarkets or whatever, but you might get lovely gift wrap, or you get a little handwritten note with your gift, or, just like a little something extra that you wouldn't expect. “   #Community #SharedSpace #Manchester #GM #SocialImpact #NonProfit #Podcast   Did you know:  ·      Shared spaces in communities can include urban design approaches, residential facilities or communal areas. ·     Co-location is an example of shared spaces where a number of organisations may share a space ·     Community Hubs are shared spaces that provide direct services to the geographic community in which they are located. ·     Coworking spaces provide work space and community to people who are often working on their own.   Key resources: Emporium M33 Shine   Time stamps of key moments in the podcast episode & transcript: (01:04) Introduction to Claire Hines and Shine (01:47) Discovering a Passion for Community (02:38) Life in the Cayman Islands and Moving to Sale (03:46) Starting a Small Business: The Journey to Shine (04:53) Emporium M33: A Community Hub for Entrepreneurs (08:13) Challenges of Running a Small Business (10:23) Impact and Success Stories (14:14) Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs (16:59) Signature Questions: Manchester and Beyond (23:54) Heartwarming Stories and Conclusion   Listen to the episode and read the transcript on www.meetthemancunian.co.uk