Tea with the Changemakers

Fatherhood is a brilliant yet daunting concept in any man's life. While you're worrying whether you've sterilised enough bottles or how many nappies to take out friendship is the least of your worries. But as we age and become fathers it can become an increasingly lonely and isolated time, you've got your family unit but outside of that, there may not be an awful lot.Well, this is what happened to this week's podcast guest, Dan Flanagan, who founded Dad La Soul, a support group just for fathers! Whether you're a single dad, married, gay, or trans Dad La Soul is there for any dad at any stage of their journey into Dadulthood.On the podcast this week Andy and Dan talk about the history of Dad La Soul and why and how Dan set it up, how fathers often neglect their mental health and candidly talk about what it's like when things aren't going exactly how you thought they would.All this and more on this week's Tea with the Changemakers.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on the podcast we're opening the box marked too difficult once again - we're talking about miscarriage, discussing it openly and tackling the stigma surrounding it.Jennie Agg, an award-winning freelance health journalist, who has been featured in newspapers and magazines including The Times and the Daily Telegraph joins us on this episode to talk about her lived experience of miscarriage.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

If you could have a superpower, what would it be? Invisibility, or maybe the ability to fly? Well, in this week's episode, we're speaking to a real-life superhero called Sebbie Hall, whose superpower is perhaps the greatest of all - his superpower is kindness.Sebbie first discovered his superpower during the pandemic, whilst we were all in lockdown. He had told his mum that there was a boy in his school who was at risk of social isolation, as he hadn't got an iPad or laptop to talk to his classmates on or to do schoolwork with while confined to the house. Sebbie wanted to help his classmate, and was even prepared to give him his own iPad! Instead, they came up with the idea of raising money for charity, to help Sebbie's classmate as well as the wider community.Inspired by Captain Tom Moore's 100 laps of his garden ahead of his 100th birthday, Sebbie decided that he wanted to complete 100 acts of kindness in 10 days to raise £1,000. Sebbie's acts of kindness hugely benefitted the local community during the pandemic and spread happiness! Whether by popping notes through neighbours' doors or posting letters for people because they didn't want to leave their homes, Sebbie's simple but selfless acts brightened up hundreds of people's days!But Sebbie didn't stop there... he wanted to make more people smile up and down the country, and eventually the smiles spread around the globe! Sebbie was awarded a World Compassion Award along with $10,000. This cash award enabled the family to set up The Sebbie Hall Kindness Foundation in 2022. The foundation has the aim of helping other young people who are disadvantaged due to disability.Combatting loneliness, spreading kindness, making people feel happy inside and making a difference, The Sebbie Hall Kindness Foundation is a huge player in fighting the social exclusion of people with learning difficulties and enables them to lead fulfilled lives, always keeping kindness at the forefront. Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

Upskirting, as defined by the UK government, is a highly intrusive practice which typically involves someone taking a picture under another person's clothing without their knowledge, with the intention of viewing their genitals or buttocks (with or without underwear). Shockingly, it wasn't a specific criminal offence until 2019 – but had been in Scotland for over 10 years. On the podcast this week, we talk to the woman responsible for introducing the 2019 Voyeurism Act, Gina Martin.Gina, charged by what happened at British Summertime, aimed to change the law around voyeurism, starting and spearheading a social media movement that grew rapidly. Gina's campaign eventually resulted in a petition that amassed over 110,000 signatures, and after an 18-month battle to illegalise upskirting, she finally won The Voyeurism (Offences) Act, commonly known as the Upskirting Bill. The Voyeurism (Offences) Act was introduced on 21 June 2018 and came into force on 12 April 2019.You can read more about it on the UK Government website and find exactly what is covered by the law  We would also encourage you to check out our Know Violence campaign for Cambridgeshire constabulary about acts that might not be illegal but are still unacceptable.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

‘Extinction' – probably a word you associate with long-gone dinosaurs. How about ‘rebellion'? Thousands giving all for the cause on historical battlefields? Well, on this week's Tea with the Changemakers, we welcome you to the rebellion, as we speak with Clare Farrell, who proudly co-founded the movement, Extinction Rebellion (XR). (You can choose not to join the rebellion, of course... that just means there's more chance of us all ending up in the same state as stegosaurus and company – your call!)Now, you may know something of Extinction Rebellion already, having garnered a reputation for blocking roads and holding up ambulances; however, in this episode, we dispel a few myths (especially the ambulance one) that have often been fuelled by tabloid tattle and then parroted by more mainstream media outlets.Extinction Rebellion describes itself as an international movement that uses non-violent civil disobedience in an attempt to halt mass extinction and minimise the risk of social collapse. On the surface, claims of societal chaos and ecological devastation may sound a little drastic and dramatic; however, with the tipping point of global warming approaching in 2030, the cost of living crisis, and the richest 1% of society getting ever richer while the vast majority are getting ever poorer, it could well be argued that society is already collapsing… This week, we hope that you'll put any pre/mis-conceptions you may have about Extinction Rebellion aside, and appreciate them as a genuine catalyst for change. Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

Did you know there are now more food banks in the UK than there are branches of McDonald's?Shocking we know, but foodbanks are now vital and sadly accepted part of society; and for the survival of an ever-increasing number of people up and down the UK who are struggling through the cost-of-living crisis.On this episode of Tea with the Changemakers we're talking to an anti-povertycampaigner and food writer Jack Monroe who's had more than their (un)fair share of controversy and trolling over the years.Jack Monroe at their core is a mother who found themselves in a tight situation with the cost of living, finding it difficult to feed their son. Jack started writing a blog about cheap and easy recipes back in 2010 (yes, the cost-of-living crisis was still a thing back in 2010…). Little did they know that their blog would resonate with a huge number of people and eventually led them to become a published author and a hugely influential figure in society.There are few figures like Jack Monroe in society, who have the sheer grit and determination to speak out on poverty and ignite genuine social change, and on this week's episode of Tea with the Changemakers we think you'll see a different more tender and relaxed version of Jack.Throughout their career they've been subject to scrutiny and their authenticity has been bought into question. There is no denying that Jack's often-brash approach has rubbed some people up the wrong way – but isn't that the point? Jack is authentic and saying it as it is, and has made it their mission to keep the conversation going around poverty and strives to genuinely help those who are struggling.  Check out our blog on this episode, McPoverty and a side of lies.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

Globally, 500 billion plastic bottles are used every year – that's 66 bottles for every person on the planet! This week, we're chatting to ape2o's Anthony Newman, the man on a mission to tackle that alarming statistic. Anthony identified that a lot of people clearly have a thirst for water on the go, and favour the taste of bottled water, but there is an indisputable crisis with our consumption. In the UK alone, seven million plastic water bottles are thrown away every day; 80% end up burned, in landfill, or in our oceans and some microplastics end up being ingested by us.The B Corp-certified anti-plastic bottle water company operates an array of water dispensers in and around London, that provide commuters and travellers with on-demand chilled still or sparkling triple-filtered UV-treated purified water, for the affordable price of £0.25 per half litre!ape2o has already saved hundreds of thousands of plastic bottles from polluting our oceans, and impressively 10% of what you do spend with ape2o goes towards marine and freshwater conservation and clean-ups. The first recipient of ape2o's 10% promise was the Zoological Society of London, and the money donated helped ZSL develop their marine and freshwater conservation!Check out ape2o's website where you can find out where ape2o's dispensers are located and get your hands on a variety of merch, including the 100% plastic-free SILVERBACK bottle mentioned in this episode. Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This episode contains conversations about and references to suicide.This week on the podcast, we're talking to Mike, Andy & Tim, the 3 Dads Walking. Coined ‘the club that no one wants to be part of', the 3 dads all lost their daughters to suicide and have staged two country-spanning walks to support the charity, PAPYRUS (Prevention of Young Suicide), and to raise awareness of the fact that suicide is the biggest killer of under-35s in the UK.Mike, Andy & Tim connected with each other in circumstances that no parent wants to find themselves in - losing a child. Beth (Mike's daughter), Sophie (Andy's daughter) and Emily (Tim's daughter) took their own lives, and the 3 dads have channelled their immeasurable loss and grief into helping others.By raising awareness, the dads have been able to ensure that conversation around admittedly difficult topics stays open and relevant in society. Most importantly, their efforts have helped to signpost where young people who are struggling can access support without feeling stigmatised. PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK is a confidential support and advice service for:Children and young people under the age of 35 who are experiencing thoughts of suicide.Anyone concerned that a young person could be thinking about suicide.HOPELINEUK advisers want to work with you to understand why these thoughts of suicide might be present. They also want to provide you with a safe space to talk through anything happening in your life that could be impacting on your or anyone else's ability to stay safe.Call: 0800 068 41 41Text: 07860 039 967Email: pat@papyrus-uk.orgOpening hours:9am to midnight every day of the year.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

Neurodiversity and equality should be present in every business, and there's one man who's built his entire business around those principles.This week, Simon Akers joins us on Tea with the Changemakers for a chat about his marketing agency, Archmon, and how he works with clients to grow their businesses the right way and promote inclusion at every step. After working in ‘agency-land' down in London and peeking behind the veil, Simon chose to go it alone to tackle the inequalities and lack of diversity of which agencies often fell afoul. Simon's business model sees him working with authentic and genuine clients, while he is also dedicating 10% of his week to social causes, including increasing neurodiversity in the workplace and promoting social mobility. On this week's episode, we talk brands and their authenticity, neurodiversity, how having a diverse workforce can make companies more vibrant, and how companies need to promote and support social mobility. Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

Mark King, the man responsible for the rollout of over 20,000 defibrillators to over 18,000 state-funded schools, joins us on the show this week.Mark founded The Oliver King Foundation after his son, Ollie, sadly and unexpectedly died from a cardiac arrest while competing in a swimming race in a PE lesson at school. Ollie had Sudden Arrhythmic Death Syndrome (SADS), which is a hidden heart condition that kills 12 young people every week.Mark started the charity to improve the amount of and access to life-saving defibrillators up and down the country. It's believed that if the school had a defibrillator and were trained on how to use it, then Ollie's life may have been saved.After years of campaigning, Mark delivered the first of 20,000 defibrillators to Oliver's school, King David High, on Friday 20th January, as part of a government-backed rollout to ensure that almost 18,000 state-funded schools up and down the country have access to at least one potentially lifesaving defibrillator.In this episode, Mark tells us about his and Ollie's story, the work that the foundation does, how the government are finally rolling out defibrillators to schools up and down the country, and all about his next venture, as he begins setting up test centres to identify young people with SADS and cardiac disorders - with long-time supporter, former footballer Jamie Carragher.Find out how you can donate, fundraise, and support The Oliver King Foundation on their website here: https://theoliverkingfoundation.co.uk/Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

A new social media platform that's committed to being socially responsible... What?! This is definitely not the Metaverse! This week on Tea with the Changemakers, we introduce you to a new way of doing social media. In this episode, Andy chats to Sue Fennessy, the founder of WeAre8, about how the B Corp certified brand is going to shake up socials, by putting 50% of advertising revenue from videos users choose to watch into their 8Wallets - cash it out, pay it forward to charity, or even put it towards your EE phone bill.  Andy and Sue chat all things social media - the good, the bad and the legless (sorry Metaverse!), the upsides and downsides of super-apps, wealth redistribution, and how social media networks need to empower their users.Check out this blog post on our website to read in more detail about how WeAre8 are empowering users to create powerful and meaningful social change in just 8 minutes each day! Just a quick warning: This episode contains a fair few instances of strong language throughout- it can't always be helped, as we're a passionate bunch here at Tea with the Changemakers, but hopefully you'll still choose to grab yourself a brew and enjoy this episode! Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

“Life's not fair” - ever had anyone tell you that? Isn't it time that life was ‘fair'?  This week on the podcast, Andy's chatting with Sarah Atkinson, CEO of The Social Mobility Foundation, and Hannah Ayane, a graduate from their Aspiring Professional Programme. A recent study carried out by The SMF found that professionals from working-class backgrounds earn on average £6,718 less than someone from a more advantageous background in the same job. Furthermore, The SMF found that even at leadership level in businesses, working-class chief executives earn on average £16,749 less than their peers.  The Social Mobility Foundation are the people tackling those statics and working to rid society of systemic barriers holding back working-class professionals. They exist to provide opportunities for 16-17-year-olds who may be unable to get career support from their schools or families.  The SMF work with young people from all across the UK, in their years prior to and during university, and their Aspiring Professionals Programme offers tailored support across 11 career sectors including, accountancy, architecture, banking & finance, biology & chemistry, business, digital, engineering & physics, law, media & communications, medicine, and politics. https://www.socialmobility.org.uk/Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on the podcast Kelly's chatting with Catherine Benfield, a mother and qualified teacher who's living with OCD. Catherine, who was diagnosed with OCD after giving birth to her son, started a blog on her experience of living with OCD; how she dealt with it was to personify and externalise it in the form of cheeky character, Olivia! Catherine bought her OCD to life in the form of Olivia, an incredibly stubborn hare/ alien. "Olivia takes the things that go through my mind, the types of things that go through EVERYBODY'S mind, and turns them into something they really don't need to be. She takes anything from thoughts to images, to urges (for ease of writing in future I'll refer to these under the umbrella term of ‘thoughts') and runs with them. In fact, Olivia worries so much, that when she senses a thought she doesn't like the look of, she investigates it straight away, and if she's not sure about the findings of this investigation, she repeats it… and repeats it… and repeats it - she is nothing if not thorough!" Catherine Benfield.www.tamingolivia.comCup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on the podcast Andy's chatting with Stephen Buckley, head of information at Mind; the charity who are actively fighting for mental health by providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Stephen, one of Mind's spokespeople, manages their Infoline and is Mind's in-house expert on all things mental health. In this week's episode, Stephen speaks to Andy about how important it is to look after your mental health, seek out help when things get too much, how COVID has affected the collective mental state of the country, and how the cost of living crisis could see a spike in mental health problems, disproportionately among those who are already struggling.Mind provides a wide range of services that aim to support people on their journey to better mental health, and after recently re-branding are definitely not passive in their approach, they're now more boldly "fighting for mental health".Visit their website to find out how you can support Mind in various ways, including donating and fundraising.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

On the show this week, we're joined by bio-bean's Managing Director, George May, and he'll be chatting to Andy about how bio-bean are utilising spent coffee grounds from the 98 million cups of coffee that the UK consumes every day.bio-bean work with some of the largest companies in the UK, including Costa, Greggs, and McDonald's, to transform spent coffee grounds into something of value and contribute to a circular economy. This best-for-the-world B Corp was founded over 8 years ago by Arthur Kay, a student at the time when he noticed a film of oil collecting on his americano. Arthur was struck by the amount of spent coffee wasted every day, and with the knowledge that the grounds contain oil, a valuable fuel, vowed to do something more environmentally friendly with them.bio-bean is all about creating change and difference for our world by innovating coffee waste. Through their Coffee Logs, stocked by many UK supermarkets, as well as coffee pellets and Inficaf-based products, bio-bean can divert millions of tonnes of spent coffee grounds from ever ending up in landfill.Visit bio-bean's website to find out more!Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week's episode contains conversations about eating disorders and suicide.  Zoe Burnett has first-hand experience in conquering atypical anorexia, and depression and is a suicide survivor. Now as a published author, TEDx speaker and charity worker (at First Steps Eating Disorder Service) she uses her lived experience to educate others, and rebel against unhealthy social norms. On this week's show, Zoe shares her story with Kelly and speaks candidly about what it's like to live with an eating disorder and how it affects your mental health, set point theory and how she's “recovering loudly so others don't suffer in silence.” Zoe continues to speak out because of the societal shift in attitude that's needed regarding diet and weight. In this episode Zoe shares some shocking and alarming statistics with us. ·      Over 80% of 10-year-olds are now scared of being fat.·      90% of teenage girls avoided an activity because of the way they looked.·      87% of teenage boys avoided an activity because of the way they looked. The statistics speak for themselves, and Zoe speaks out to ensure that we continue to have conversations about eating disorders in the hope that they will change attitudes, educate, and most importantly reach people who are struggling and may need help.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

“Where flowers bloom, so does hope”— Lady Bird JohnsonThis week on Tea with the Changemakers we're chatting with Jess Visser, founder of Strength & Stem, the charity that utilises floristry to empower women who have survived modern slavery.Shockingly they're an estimated 136,000 victims of human trafficking in the UK today, and even more alarmingly 81% of trafficked victims in London are women. Jess wanted to do something to tackle this statistic. For two years Jess volunteered as a mentor and wanted to support disadvantaged women on their journey to employment. While volunteering Jess was able to witness the disadvantages women face first-hand. Jess' passion was and still is to help support women and help them to access skills training and employment. Jess is the Founding Trustee of Strength & Stem and has now expanded into South Africa through sister charity, Strength & Stem South Africa.If you're a corporate that regularly orders flowers or you want to give the personal gift of socially responsible flowers to a loved one, then be sure to check out Strength & Stem's website.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on the podcast we're joined from Uganda by ex-Balenciaga designer Bobby Kolade, who has set up his fashion house BUZIGAHILL in Kampala, to challenge the Global North's consumption of fast fashion.Bobby set Buzigahill up as a response to the Global North discarding clothes, often in poor condition, and exporting them to Africa. He was infuriated by the fact that people in the Global North believe that people in Africa (in countries such as Uganda) want sweat-stained and soiled clothes. Bobby identified that whilst fast fashion in the Global North exists then Uganda will forever be swamped by second-hand clothes, often of poor quality.Bobby simply determined that enough was enough, and decided to send the second-hand clothes saturating Uganda's textile industry back to where they came from, by upcycling and repurposing them. Buzigahill's first collection ‘Return to Sender' does exactly that, selling clothes back to the Global North at an increased price, and is the catalyst that's reigniting Uganda's textile industry.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week Kelly Evans, your usual host, joins Megan our Marketing Executive for a chat about how Social Change became a B-Corp.Social Change, founded by Kelly Evans, became a B-Corp in March 2022 and was awarded a B Corp score of 109. Most businesses score between 40 and 100, with 80 points required to become certified. Social Change is a behavioural insights and marketing company, and they exist to help people understand human behaviour and design campaigns and programmes that will positively impact or change people and communities.For anyone who hasn't heard of B Corp before, it represents a new kind and way of doing business. Instead of focusing on just making money, a B-Corp certified business is conscious of its impact on people and the planet. There are already over 4000 Certified B Corporations in more than 70 countries across the globe, with over 900 of them located in the UK. Together they are building a network of businesses that are committed to building an inclusive and sustainable economy that benefits all.So this week on this special episode of Tea with the Changemakers hear all about Social Change's journey to becoming a B-Corp.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

Arguably one of the most influential changemakers in the UK joins us on the show this week, founder of The Silver Line Helpline and Childline; Dame Esther Rantzen.On this week's episode, we're talking about loneliness and how it's a growing issue within our society, the invaluable work The Silver Line Helpline does, how a cat from over the road has adopted Esther, and how important it is to have fun and continue to well into your old age.Last week on the show we were joined by Alasdair Stewart, Director of National Operations, and as part of his role, he manages The Silver Line Helpline which is a free, confidential telephone service just for older people and provides friendship, conversation and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. We were interested in finding out more about The Silver Line Helpline, and how it continues to provide an invaluable service to tackle and prevent loneliness among our elderly population. The trouble with loneliness is that it's often unspoken about because of the stigma attached to it, however, it is chronic within the elderly. A review carried out by The National Institute for Health and Care Research found that "one in four adults over 60 reports feeling lonely" and "for those aged more than 75, the figure is almost one in three (31%)"So who better to tell us more about The Silver Line Helpline, and how it's tackling loneliness than the founder herself, Dame Esther Rantzen.Call free on 0800 4 70 80 90Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

“Knock on the door, pick up the phone”This week on Tea with the Changemakers we're chatting to Alasdair Stewart, director of National Services at Age UK and manager of The Silver Line Helpline.On today's episode, Alasdair and Kelly discuss the cost-of-living crisis and how it's affecting the elderly generation, the issues with our current government, how cases of Coronavirus and flu are going to be on the rise this winter, and the invaluable services of Age UK and The Silver Line Helpline are and continue to support the elderly.Alasdair's role at Age UK is critical in ensuring that the services on offer reach the people who need them most. This includes the Age UK Advice Line, the Telephone Friendship Service, Silver Connects, and The Silver Line Helpline- founded by Dame Esther Rantzen.If you or someone you know needs help or is struggling with loneliness, then don't hesitate to get in touch with Age UK or The Silver Helpline.Age UK Advice Line: 0800 678 1602Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year.The Silver Line Helpline: 0800 4 70 80 90The Silver Line Helpline is a free, confidential telephone service just for older people. We provide friendship, conversation, and support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on the podcast we're chatting to Tracey Secker, enterprise manager at The Haven Wolverhampton, the independent charity which supports women and dependent children who are affected by domestic abuse and homelessness.In this week's episode Tracey explains how the conversations abuse and how it's recorded have changed, The Purple Pledge- an initiative Tracey's spearheading to promote domestic violence support in all workplaces, how The Haven, through their social enterprises, empowers women, and how COVID and working from home has changed the support that's needed.The Haven Wolverhampton provides a range of services; from their 24-hour helpline to their emergency refuge accommodation; they are supporting women from the minute they flee, to when they are ready to resettle. As part of the plethora of support The Haven provides, Tracey has set up several social enterprises, to employ women already benefitting from The Haven's services. This includes a cleaning company that maintains the emergency refuge accommodation.Furthermore, Tracey has been leading a new initiative called The Purple Pledge, which was launched last year, and is growing fast! The pledge was launched to encourage employers and businesses to develop and maintain a robust policy on domestic abuse and have at least one domestic abuse workplace champion- as you would a first aider, nearly 1 in 10 people who are subjected to domestic abuse report that the abuse continues at work, this includes phone calls, texts and emails.Without a shadow of a doubt, the work that The Haven Wolverhampton are doing is saving lives and is giving women and children affected by domestic abuse a safe place to flee to, be supported, and be taken seriously. Please, head over to their website and donate if you can.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week Andy's chatting with accomplished actress Maggie Norris who founded The Big House, a theatre company that focuses on supporting care leavers and young people within society.In this episode, you'll hear all about how The Big House deliver impact, empowers young care leavers, inspires the next generation, how Maggie went about setting it up, and how irritating funding applications can be!Maggie, who previously has trodden the cobbles at Corrie (one of the UK's most loved soaps), set The Big House up 10 years ago after an experience producing a play in scrubs- the category B prison. Whilst there she had identified that the majority of young people she was working with shouldn't have been there; and at some point, in their lives, they had been failed by the care/justice system.The Big House recognises the vulnerability of young care leavers, as well as their untapped talent, hopes and dreams. Through theatre, The Big House can inspire and facilitate personal growth and nurture a trusting relationship with its members and tackle behavioural and emotional issues.So, without further ado- let the show begin!Ensure you check out The Big House and give them a follow on their socials!The Big House WebsiteInstagramTwitterCup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

“Health and well-being should not be hard work” - Dr Jill Tolfrey, The Fire Fighters Charity  This week on Tea with the Changemakers, Kelly's chatting with Dr Jill Tolfrey, Chief Executive of The Fire Fighters Charity- the organisation that offers specialist lifelong support for active and retired firefighters.  In this week's episode, Jill highlights the importance of looking after our firefighters' mental and physical health, the plethora of services the organisation offers, how the current cost of living crisis is affecting firefighters, and how you can support the cause- by holidaying with the charity!   Fire Fighters and rescue service personnel go through an awful lot in their working lives, both mentally and physically, and The Fire Fighters Charity has been supporting them for over 75 years.    Initially formed in the second world war as The London Benevolent Fund, The Fire Fighters Charity provides a plethora of services spanning mental and physical health, social wellbeing, nursing, retirement, and whole family support.     This wrap-around service approach ensures that the organisation is well equipped to support firefighters at any stage of their lives. As Dr Jill Tolfrey stated in this week's episode “once a firefighter always a firefighter!”    Jill joined the charity in 2010 as Director of Operations to lead the development of the charity's services and was appointed CEO in 2014. She has bought her experience in physiotherapy, trauma management, intensive care, rehabilitation, and acute/chronic cardiorespiratory care to the charity and increased the amount of support they can provide. Furthermore, Jill has overseen the £1.8 million redevelopment of Harcombe House, the residential centre in Devon- that you can holiday at, all whilst supporting a worthwhile cause!  As mentioned in this week's episode be sure to check out The Fire Fighters Charity's book, The Wolf Was Not Sleeping!  Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on Tea with the Changemakers Kelly's chatting with the Chief Executive of The Choir with No Name, Kate Wareham. The Choir with No Name was founded on the premise that singing makes you feel good and invites those who are homeless, displaced, or marginalised in society to sing, build connections and confidence. The charity has been running for eight years and has choir groups up and down the country where people can turn up for a singsong, a cup of tea, and a hot meal. Their rehearsal spaces are a safe space for people who are going through a tough time and aim to make life feel easier, leaving those who attend feeling that they can tackle life's challenges! Kate went from being part of The Choir's fan club, all the way to CEO; it's fair to say singing is ingrained within her. She officially joined the choir in April 2022 and has been able to enrich it with her expertise in music psychology and provide choir members with increased support for their mental health. As mentioned in this episode, The Choir with No Name recorded a cover of The Greatest Showman's This is Me. All of the money raised through their global distribution will fund our work supporting our choirs, reaching more than 1000 people affected by homelessness and marginalisation every year.⁠ So, go have a listen! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cOxHNealksACup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

“Customers do talk to each other when things go wrong on the train network, but when everything's running smoothly people tend to stay in their own shell and journey.”This week Kelly's chatting with Lisa Hewitt, Partnership Marketing Manager at TransPennine Express and Robin Hewings, programme director at Campaign to End Loneliness (CIC) about their partnership, and how their chatty bench initiative is helping to combat isolation and loneliness.Lisa discovered the Campaign to End Loneliness while on a walk during the pandemic. She came across one of their bus stop advertisements, which was encouraging people to put down their phones and connect with people around them. Lisa took this one step further and connected with Robin with the idea of working together. This idea materialised in the form of ‘chatty benches', which are placed at TransPennine Express managed stations throughout the North, supporting existing connections and fostering new ones as people travel!So next time, before you jump on board look out for a chatty bench, you never know who you might meet, and how much it could brighten their day! Find out more here!Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on the show Kelly's chatting with Kate Lee, CEO of Alzheimer's Society.Dementia is not a normal part of ageing; it's not getting old- it's getting ill. We all forget things from time to time, but dementia causes damage to nerve cells in the brain, and forgetfulness is often one of the most recognisable symptoms. It is estimated that 900,000 people in the UK have been diagnosed with the disease, however, it's not known how many people are out there suffering.Alzheimer's Society ensures that people can still live well with dementia and provide support from the minute of diagnosis; whether that be face to face or over the phone.Kate heads up this amazing charity which in the last 12 months has ensured that 92,000 people have been able to access direct support, 1,500 people have been able to access the Dementia Connect Support Line, and 54,000 people living with dementia have been able to contact volunteers working on Companion Calls- the helpline tackling loneliness.All invaluable resources to make life better for people with dementia.One of Alzheimer's Society's main fundraising activities are their Memory Walks, and at Social Change we're holding our own! Make sure you pop down to Boultham Park on September 25th at 2pm and walk for a loved one!Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

Imagine carrying your most treasured belongings in a bin bag - uncomfortable, isn't it? Sadly, that is the reality for thousands of young people in the UK's care system when moving from place to place. While on a foster carers' refresher course, Dave Linton watched a video clip featuring quotes from a youngster in care, and it wouldn't be an understatement to say that one video changed his life - leading him to change thousands of others. “When we move, the local authorities don't give us suitcases,” a young girl explained. “Our belongings are moved in bin bags, and we lose our dignity.” For Dave, this was unacceptable and just plain wrong. The ‘black bin bag moment' prompted Dave to found Madlug, the locked-asset bag-for-bag business, with the sole purpose of giving a helping hand to young people in care. Madlug sells rucksacks, hold-alls and travel bags to the public, and for every bag sold, a pack away travel bag is gifted to a child in the care system. We invite you to visit madlug.com where, through your purchase, you can ensure a youngster in need is given a much-needed gift - not just a bag, but a reminder that they deserve as much of an opportunity to succeed as any of us. Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on Tea with the Changemakers Kelly's chatting with Jade Statt, co-founder of StreetVet, the registered veterinary practice delivering care for homeless canine companions.Homelessness is a growing problem in the UK. Many homeless people have animals, especially dogs, and have a deep-rooted connection. The health and well-being of their animal is often a major priority, however, life on the streets makes it tough to access fundamental veterinary care. That was until StreetVet.StreetVet is a registered practice with the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, making veterinary care accessible to people living on the streets in 16 locations across the UK. StreetVet seeks out people and their dogs who live rough and deliver the care and support required to ensure their collective well-being.Visit StreetVet where you can donate and support your local StreetVet by purchasing items on their Amazon wish lists, which directly help homeless people and their animals.Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on Tea with the Changemakers Kelly's chatting with TEDxBrayfordPool curator, Andy Farenden. This year at Social Change UK we're sponsors of TEDxBrayfordPool, and will be facilitating a TEDx Aventure! We'll be running workshops to explore the effects of fast fashion on the planet, and misogyny.Make sure you grab a ticket, and we'll see you on Sunday 4th of September at The Engine Shed https://www.tedxbrayfordpool.com/our-2022-series! Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

80% of kids don't eat enough veg and 50% of parents say they have given up trying to get their kids to eat 5-a-day, but there's one man who's on a mission to change that- VegPower's Chief Executive Dan Parker! Kelly's joined by Dan this week to discuss how to get more kids eating veg, and ensure that fruit and vegetables are staples in kids' diets. Dan is a marketeer with over 25 years of experience and utilises his experience in the advertising world to work on one brief, how to get kids to eat more veg! His biggest campaign to date is the hugely successful #EatThemToDefeatThem, which saw VegPower partner with ITV to create a series of ads. The campaign reached 46 million people and  76% of kids who had seen the ad said that it did make eating veg more fun! Dan also chats to Kelly about his new campaign Simply Veg, launching this September, which is aimed at parents. Simply Veg will bring together leading scientific and culinary experts and big children's entertainers who by working together will make it as easy as possible for parents & carers to serve more sustainable, healthy, and affordable food that their families will love. Hear all this and more on this week's Tea with the Changemakers! Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on the podcast we're talking to Emily Kerr, Oxford City Councillor and car sharing advocate. Like so many people during 2021's Covid-enforced lockdown, Emily had some unexpected time on her hands, and whilst gazing out of her window at home one day, she noted the congestion on the road outside – not any slow-moving traffic though, this congestion was parked cars, not going anywhere at all! Did you know that most cars in the UK are unused 96.5% of the time, according to the RAC? The sight of all these cars got Emily got thinking - was there anything she could do to reduce the number of cars on the street? After all, owning a car costs £300-400 per month on average including depreciation. Emily identified the fact that most cars in her street were stationary most of the time, and that when the vast majority did get used, they were far from paying for themselves. So, why not share cars amongst your neighbours or nearby streets? With the help of Hiyacar, a car sharing network, Emily set up a closed loop that encapsulated 6 streets in her local area; when people needed the use of a car, all they had to do logon and borrow one! Emily has now been free of the burdens of car ownership for over 6 months, reducing her family's carbon footprint whilst increasing the amount of cash in her bank account! If you're ready to forget about car ownership and want to setup your own closed sharing loop, or you're just intrigued by this whole car sharing concept, then visit Emily's website ShareOurCars, or follow @shareourcars on Twitter. Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week, welcome to Tea with the Change-bakers! Kelly's chatting with Alice Williams, CEO, and founder of Luminary Bakery!At Luminary Bakery you'll find everything you'd expect to see in a regular bakery, delicious cakes, and bakes, however, Luminary is no ordinary bakery. They are a social enterprise passionate about providing opportunities to socially and economically disadvantaged women. They support women by developing their personal and professional skills, improving their employability and confidence, and equipping them to face the working world.Alice founded Luminary in 2013 after she had met several severely disadvantaged homeless women while volunteering locally in East London. It seemed that nobody could recognize their potential, but Alice could! Through Luminary she was and is still is able to change the trajectory of women's lives!After the massive success of Luminary's first bakery, 2019 was the year Luminary acquired a second location in Camden, opened by one of their long-time supporters, Meghan Markle!Be sure to check out Luminary's website, where you can learn more about how the social enterprise is fostering hidden talent, and check out their beautiful bakes on offer.https://luminarybakery.com/Find Luminary Bakery here:47 CHALK FARM ROAD, CHALK FARM, LONDON, NW1 8AJ71-73 ALLEN ROAD, STOKE NEWINGTON, LONDON, N16 8RYCup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

Did you hit the high-street at the weekend and pick up something new to wear on your summer holiday? How many times are you going to wear your hot new look? A 2019 survey found most outfits are only worn an average of seven times before they're thrown away – this week's guest on Tea with the Changemakers, Eshita Kabra-Davies, is trying to get that average beyond thirty! Eshita is the founder and CEO of By Rotation, the world's first social fashion rental marketplace! Users, or rotators, can rent and lend designer pieces directly from each other on this sharing network, fostering a much more sustainable way of consuming fashion.  When Eshita was preparing for her honeymoon, a big part of that was curating what she would wear! Whilst on her travels around India, Eshita was hugely moved by the amount of textile waste she witnessed and came to the realisation that nearly all the new clothes that she'd bought herself for the trip would get nowhere near the wear that they should – she felt that something needed to be done, and that something was By Rotation! Here at Social Change UK, we're all about disruption and challenging the status quo. We believe that By Rotation, with its circular approach to fashion consumption, could really shake up the textile industry and dramatically change the way we think about clothing! We think you'll agree that, after listening to this week's episode, Eshita Kabra-Davies not only has a huge passion for fashion, but for changing the world for the better as well! Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on the podcast, Kelly's chatting with David Challen, a domestic abuse campaigner and keynote speaker who successfully campaigned to free his mother from prison after she killed his father - it was a landmark appeal and recognised the years of coercive control she had suffered. When David's mother, Sally, was arrested in 2010, coercive control was not recognised by the criminal justice system; it only became an offence in 2015, and its criminalisation provided the spark for David and his brother to seek out the truth about what had happened to their family. David and his brother campaigned for two years and eventually were successful in their bid to free their mother from prison; her murder conviction was quashed and Sally was released on grounds of diminished responsibility. Should you wish to find out more about David's story, then we would recommend visiting his website, www.davidchallen.com. However, as Sally's case and David's lived-experience around it are already well documented, that is not the focus of this week's podcast - instead, Kelly will be talking to David about his campaign work since the events of his mother's successful appeal, and the path that he has taken to shine a light on domestic abuse, coercive control, violence against women and, most importantly, how we can combat them all. Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on the podcast, Kelly's speaking with Kate Valentine, founder and CEO of the national non-profit, Singing Mamas. Bringing together 120 community leaders, the song sharing network was founded to tackle the alarming statistic that suicide is the leading cause of death for women, both during pregnancy and in the year after giving birth.  It is scientifically proven that singing together acts as a natural anti-depressant and is proven to improve health and wellbeing, and through their online and in-person classes Singing Mamas can support mothers and their little ones. Singing Mamas is so effective and successful in supporting maternal mental wellbeing that it is now available on prescription! The Singing Mamas approach utilises the NHS's 5 steps to well-being, which means that participating mothers will feel more connected to each other and their baby all while stimulating cognitive function.If you are struggling or know someone who would benefit from Singing Mamas then make sure to visit Kate's website, where you'll find a whole host of resources! Talking Points04:09 - "There is an appetite for this" - Kate06:07 - The importance of local leaders.12:04 - "Suicide is the leading cause of death for women during pregnancy, and one year after birth." Kelly16:58 - "Everybody can sing" Kate20:14 - Singing Mamas is available on prescription!25:09 - One of Kate's favourite success stories.Visit Singing Mamas below.https://www.singingmamaschoir.com/Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week, Kelly's chatting with Seb Barker, Beam's Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer. Beam is a website that uses technology to make it easy for members of the public to make donations and help homeless people for the long term. By sharing their stories and goals, Beam humanises homeless people, tackling the discrimination they often face within society.Seb decided to dedicate his life to helping the homeless after he felt he was becoming desensitised to the issue, and that simply buying The Big Issue wasn't enough. In 2010 Seb moved to London, and one evening found himself walking by Waterloo station where he was met by an entire encampment of people in sleeping bags. He felt so moved by this that he immediately signed up to be a homeless outreach worker. After a career helping the homeless, working with Thames Reach and Turning Point, in 2017, alongside Alex Stephany, Seb co-founded Beam.The way that Beam works is first by identifying who to help, this is usually through referrals from charities and the government, then each person that Beam takes on receives a caseworker who creates a public fundraising page for them, which allows members of the public to donate and support them. So, whether it's work clothes or help with the rent, Beam are the platform that remove all the typical barriers that homeless people face. With a large group of dedicated followers and supporters Beam are able to continually help more and more people, and hit their campaign targets every month.Society tends to forget that behind every statistic on homelessness, there's a person - Beam are the organisation working to change people's perceptions.02:15 – Seb's backstory04:19 – What is Beam?11:22 – Hear Seb's favourite success story!14:04 – How can we end homelessness for good?17:53 – Policy makers, this is what you can do!Check out Beam, and how you can get involved!https://beam.org/ Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on the show, Kelly's chatting with Anna Earl, founder and CEO of Nutrivival. Anna focuses on the dietary wellbeing of shift workers, particularly how diet is incredibly important for both your short and long-term health.Anna was part of the police force for 10 years and worked her way up to the ‘murder squad', so has vital first-hand experience of the fast-paced and often unhealthy lifestyle of shift workers. However, it wasn't until Anna started her studies into nutritional therapy that she realised this, beginning to connect the dots between diet, lifestyle and the working environment!Through Nutrivival and her research, Anna identified that shift workers, especially those who work in the emergency services, rarely get regular or scheduled breaks, and that when they do get chance for a bite to eat, they're often fuelling their bodies with the wrong kinds of food. Anna also identified the fact that shift workers who work at night, unless they bring pre-prepared food, have a limited choice of where they can buy food and often have to resort to fast food.Anna recognises the importance of looking after our shift and key workers, even more so after Covid. Through Nutrivival, Anna strives to equip shift workers and their employers with the knowledge that eating a healthier diet will massively benefit them in the long run, and improve their quality of life.Episode talking points...01:00 - From Police officer to nutritionist!02:00 - As part of Social Change UK's research into violence against women, Kelly spent a night shift with the Cambridgeshire police.03:00 - “It's just a lifestyle of fast food and junk food” - Anna.05:49 – Helpful and healthy advice for shift workers…07:37- Kelly and Anna discuss “the temptation” of fast food and junk food, and how to encourage healthier eating habits.13:41 – Anna's upcoming projects…Check out Nutrivival's website nutrivival.co.ukAnna's socialsInstagram - @nutrivivalFacebook – Nutrivival LtdVisit the Social Change UK to find the latest on Tea with the Changemakers.https://social-change.co.uk/tea-with-the-changemakersCup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week, Kelly's chatting to Lily Tse, founder and CEO of Think Dirty, the app that makes it easy to identify and learn about potentially toxic ingredients in cosmetic and personal care products. After her mum developed breast cancer, Lily embarked on a personal journey to break the myths peddled by the beauty industry, identifying ingredients that have a detrimental impact on consumers' health. Lily identified that a plethora of beauty products contain a toxic hormone- disrupting chemical, which has been recognised as a possible cause of breast cancer. Although many products available today are marketed as organic, often sold to consumers with claims of being natural and healthier for you, Lily found that there is little to no transparency in how the products are labelled. Toxic and possibly harmful chemicals aren't highlighted in an accessible way that consumers can understand, which means it's incredibly difficult to know whether the products you are using are dangerous or not – well, that was before Think Dirty.Lily's revolutionary mobile app Think Dirty, coined the Shazam of the cosmetic industry, allows consumers to scan the barcodes of products before they have even bought them, to get a break down of what's in them, and rates the products on the Dirty Metre. Think Dirty also has an extensive data base of products which users can browse through, so when shopping they know which products are better for their health, and safer to use.Think Dirty really is bringing about a consumer revolution for safer products, and is a catalyst for change in the cosmetic industry.Episode talking points...02:13- The Shazam of the cosmetic industry!03:24 – Lily tells us how she came up the idea of Think Dirty...07:46 – The reaction of the cosmetic industry...09:09 – Think Dirty is facilitating change within the beauty industry!10:40 – The Dirty Metre Rating...13:20 – Think Dirty is inspiring people and businesses, including Fran Beer CEO and founder of The Beeswax Wrap Co!17:06 – The irony is...19:52 – You're a woman in tech!Check out the Think Dirty website to find out more about the app.https://thinkdirtyapp.com/Find the latest Tea with the Changemakers content below.https://social-change.co.uk/tea-with-the-changemakers    Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week on the show Andy's chatting to Daniel Tomlinson-Gray who co-founded LGBTed, the movement that strives for the better representation of LGBTQ+ within the education system Daniel is a media teacher, and in 2017 he decided to produce a video for an assembly during LGBT history month. During the video, Daniel simply looked into the camera and stated that "as a gay man, I know how important it is to have positive role models." He didn't intend this to be a monumental moment, but it made huge waves in school and in the media, and resulted in the BBC reporting on the assembly. Daniel's movement, LGBTed, has over 6,000 followers on Twitter that all strive for the better representation of LGBTQ+ people within the education system- standing shoulder to shoulder with him. Daniel sums up his own and LGBTed's goal with this slogan, “let's be the role models we needed at school”. Social Change UK are proud supporters of Pride Month. Episode talking points...01:33 - Section 28. 03:22 - “Let's be the role models we needed at school” - Daniel04:47 - The assembly... 08:57 - “The fact that it is a big deal is worrying in itself” - Daniel11:28 - “Sir your assembly has literally just changed my life”. Daniel 19:41 - What can headteachers do to make schools more inclusive? 24:31- “We are still at the stage where we need to be making noises” - DanielCheck out LGBTed's Twitter where you can get involved in the conversation and support the movement. https://twitter.com/LGBTedUK Take a look at Daniel's book, Big Gay Adventures in Education. https://www.amazon.co.uk/Big-Gay-Adventures-Education-Supporting/dp/036789422X As always, the Social Change UK website is where you can find out the latest on Tea with the Changemakers. social-change.co.uk/tea-with-the-changemakers A little note on cancel culture... Here at Social Change UK, we are not always the biggest fans of cancel culture. If someone has made a mistake in the past, is sorry for it, and they are now doing amazing things - we believe that they still deserve a platform to deliver their message and be celebrated for the great work they're currently doing.   Loretta J Ross, American scholar and activist, perfectly summed up the way feel in their 2021 TEDx talk- “Don't call people out -- call them in.” https://www.ted.com/talks/loretta_j_ross_don_t_call_people_out_call_them_in/transcript?language=en We know that we've all got different views, but this is ours- and we hope that you'll respect that. Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This week Kelly's chatting to HIV rights advocate and campaigner, Mercy Shibemba. Mercy strives to raise the profile of young people living with HIV, as she herself was born with it, and is one of 3000 people under the age 24 in the UK living with HIV. For the majority of her life Mercy has been campaigning to tackle the stigma and break the discriminatory myths surrounding HIV. Her efforts were recognised in May 2017 when she was awarded the Diana Legacy award, which was presented to her by Prince William and Harry.  Since then, Mercy has gone on to give a TED talk, contribute to and deliver The HIV Commission to The House of Lords, and is currently working in partnership with BBC Radio 1 Xtra and Children in Need to empower black children and young people through the We Move Fund! “It's better to know your status and know the facts, and because of that you should be able to be proud that you can still live a full and happy life” Mercy Shibemba. 05:28 - We're board with the portrayal of HIV. 11:11 - Mercy's experience of being outed as HIV school. 13:39 - What can schools do to better support young people living with HIV? 17:33 - How can we be supportive when asking questions about HIV? 23:17 – The media, and their portrayal of HIV. 25:58 – It's a sin.29:33 - The HIV Commission. Check out Mercy's Twitter, where you can support her! https://twitter.com/mercyshibemba Take a look at the We Move Fund! https://www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/grants/the-work-we-do/our-focussed-funding/we-move/ Visit the Social Change UK website to keep up with the latest episodes. https://social-change.co.uk/tea-with-the-changemakersCup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

52 Lives is a charity with the mission to help an individual or family for every week of the year. Since its inception in 2013, 52 Lives has helped over 12,000 people, hugely surpassing their target! Jaime Thurston, the founder and CEO of 52 Lives, is on the podcast this week chatting with Kelly. 52 Lives was originally a Facebook page before it was a charity, set up by Jaime to help those in need after seeing a call for help on the social network - a lady was in desperate need of a rug, after she was forced out of her home as a result of an awful domestic situation; her new rented accommodation had no carpet, so her children were in danger of cutting their feet on the bare wooden floor. 52 Lives snowballed into something more than a Facebook page after Jaime's husband nominated her for a spot on ITV's long-running show ‘Surprise Surprise!' in 2016. After Jaime's appearance, she was inundated with requests from people wanting to donate and help out, which resulted in her turning her Facebook page into a registered charity so that she could accept the many donations! Jaime has forged some amazing connections and partnerships, which mean that 100% of what is donated and raised by supporters goes directly to the people who need it. “Our aim is to change somebody's' life every week, every year, and inspire people to be kind” - Jaime's mission statement. 02:27 - Surprise Surprise! 05:44 - Find out what made Jaime want to start 52 Lives. 08:47 - Hear some of Jaime's favourite stories about people she has helped.  11:52 - We're living through a cost-of-living crisis - ‘are there any requests that are recurring?' - Kelly 15:12 - Kindness; it's a science and it's good for your heart. 19:02 - The School of Kindness. 23:45 - 52 Lives Partnerships 28:42 - What's next for 52 Lives? Check out 52 Lives website, and how you can get involved! https://www.52-lives.org/ Visit the Social Change UK website to find out more about Tea with the Changemakers. https://social-change.co.uk/tea-with-the-changemakers Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

The Beeswax Wrap Co. make an innovative yet tried-and-true product-that eliminates the need for cling film and unnecessary plastics in the kitchen, and the firm's founder and CEO, Fran Beer, is on the show this week chatting with Kelly. Fran founded the company after she fell out of love with the advertising world; after training to become an acupuncturist and studying the harm that plastics do to our bodies, Fran went looking for an alternative to cling film. Starting off by making the wraps in her kitchen as a hobby, family and friends subsequently took interest in them, so Fran set up a stall at a local market in 2017 and completely sold out, highlighting the huge gap in the market she'd identified. Five years on, the company's home is now in a 1,200 square foot workshop employing 10 staff, and the brand has partnerships with Cath Kidston, Prue Leith, The National Trust, Emma Bridgewater, and Liberty London. Fran speaking on beeswax wraps, “They can be used for up to 6 years, they're a really nice sustainable alternative to a single use plastic that many of us rely on every day of our lives.”02:07 - Beeswax wraps can make your food last longer “Cling film seals everything in, the mould and the bacteria builds quite quickly because the food sweats.” - Fran 02:54 - Why should you switch to a beeswax wrap? 04:10 - Fran tells Kelly how partnerships have boosted her business. 07:57 - How did Fran go about setting up The Beeswax Wrap Co. and make it what it is today?18:55 - Fran and Kelly discuss the pride and benefit of being a B-corp. 23:37 - “What's the next shift we need to see on plastic?” - Kelly 38:42 - Fran gives us permission to “be a bit of pain the bum” and ask questions about the source and sustainability of products. 39:47 - Find out how Fran takes her tea. Check out The Beeswax Warp Co. and buy direct from their website. www.beeswaxwraps.co.uk/shop/ Find out more about B-Corp.www.bcorporation.net/en-us/ Visit the Social Change UK website to find out more about Tea with the Changemakers. https://social-change.co.uk/tea-with-the-changemakers Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

This episode contains sensitive content and discussions about suicide. Charlie Bethel CEO of the UK Men's Shed Association, the organisation that champions and supports the development of safe spaces for men to connect, is on the show this week chatting to Andy. Charlie joined the association in 2018 having worked in the third sector for over 20 years. His role focuses on delivering the organisation's goal of ‘Healthy and Happy Men'. To define what a men's shed actually is can be quite difficult as they serve a multitude of purposes - they obviously provide a space for DIY, but also help to combat loneliness, champion good mental health, and forge connection within communities. Charlie sums up the work that the UK Men's Shed Association does perfectly - “adding years to life, and life to years” 02:40 - Charlie illustrates why the UK Men's Shed Association works, by way of a broken lawnmower in a box room. 03:20 - “It's through this distraction of making, shoulder to shoulder, that people have the conversations and talk about something that's worrying them” - Charlie  05:30 - “...those that can do, and those that can't talk about it - but with the sheds, are you encouraging both?” - Andy 09:50 - Charlie shares a story involving a ‘shedder' he met a few years ago, about how the sheds can lower men's facades and create safe spaces in which men can be honest.17:20 - “Is this a generational thing?” - Andy21:40 - “There are over 750 open men's sheds in the country, and another 200 in development.” - Charlie 26:50 - Charlie speaks on The Charter for Wellbeing in Craft and DIY, and the conversation that inspired it. 30:10 - “What would help create more of these great community hubs?” - Andy 36:25 - Find out how Charlie takes his tea... Check out the UK Men's Shed Association, and where you can find your nearest shed. menssheds.org.uk Visit the Social Change UK website to find out more about Tea with the Changemakers. social-change.co.uk/tea-with-the-changemakers Cup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

Joshua Coombes – Founder, #DoSomethingForNothingJoining Kelly for a chat this week is Joshua Coombes, founder of the #DoSomethingForNothing movement, which started when Joshua gave a haircut to a homeless man; offering his time, skill, and experience to someone who needed help, simply out of kindness and for want of nothing in return.    Joshua has been giving free haircuts to the homeless since 2015, documenting their stories and transformations on Instagram, striking a chord with over 150,000 followers. Joshua joins us from Beirut in Lebanon, where he's currently on a trip with his girlfriend who runs the Worldwide Tribe - together, they're documenting stories of people who have been displaced.Joshua's work has resonated with thousands of people around the globe, and the #DoSomethingForNothing movement continues to see people utilise their skills, connect with others, and dedicate their time to those who need them most. “None of us are above life happening” - Joshua Coombes  03:53 - "the isolation from rest of society is huge” - Joshua 07:38 - Joshua tells David's story, a story that stuck with him throughout all of his work.  12:15 - “Where there is war, innocent people will always suffer” - Joshua's response to the war in Ukraine. 13:54 - Joshua speaks about the trip he's currently on with his girlfriend who runs Worldwide Tribe. theworldwidetribe.com 19:25 - Joshua talks about his book, ‘Do Something for Nothing' -  All of the proceeds are reinvested in not-for-profit art to continue to support people. 22:38 - Joshua celebrates another contributor to the #DoSomethingForNothing movement, a man in America who started mowing people's lawns. 25:35 - “Kindness doesn't have to cost” - Kelly  Check out Joshua's website, Do Something for Nothing. www.dosomethingfornothing.org Buy his book on Amazon - 100% of the author's proceeds will be put back into future not-for-profit arts projects that highlight the lives of isolated people. www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1911632167 Make sure to give Joshua a follow on Instagram to keep up with his latest projects. www.instagram.com/joshuacoombes Visit the Social Change UK website to find out more about Tea with the Changemakers. https://social-change.co.uk/tea-with-the-changemakersCup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

Michelle Kennedy, Founder and CEO of Peanut, the app that helps women navigate fertility, pregnancy, motherhood, and the menopause, is on the show this week chatting to Kelly. Michelle founded Peanut in 2017, and last year the app was named one of Apple's Best of 2021, a huge achievement for the Peanut team! Michelle was integral to the founding of Bumble, the female- centred dating app, and upon Peanut's release it was branded as the “Tinder for mummies”! However, it's now so much more, and in this episode, Michelle will tell you why. What hasn't changed are the foundations of the app; “it's a safe space for conversations on any topic”, aiming to “reduce feelings of isolation and empower women to connect”. “There is a place for a social network which is based on principles of care, kindness and support; we're proof of that.” Michelle Kennedy.  03:31 - The story behind Peanut. 09:16 - “We're a community and communities have standards, and our standards are based around care and kindness.” - Michelle. 12:29 - “The Peanut community are the most amazing women” - Michelle. 13:40 - What is the most talked about issue on Peanut? 15:10 - “How many people are on Peanut?” - Kelly 16:40 - Peanut is one of Apple's Best Apps of 2021! 18:00 - Michelle speaks about Peanut Menopause. 26:57 - Michelle speaks to Kelly about her new venture, Peanut StarHer, and her need to invest in other businesses founded by women. 30:50 - How is it being a woman in tech?  Check out and download Peanut.https://www.peanut-app.io/Visit the Social Change UK website to find out more.https://social-change.co.uk/tea-with-the-changemakersCup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!

Welcome to your very first sip of Tea with the Changemakers. This trailer features Kelly Evans and Andy Senyszyn, hosts of Tea with the Changemakers.  Kelly and Andy discuss what it is we aim to achieve through this podcast, who you'll be hearing from in future instalments, why you should ensure that Tea with the Changemakers is a regular feature of your week, and how they take their tea. Be the change, subscribe, and find a new episode in your library every Tuesday.  Find more information on Tea with the Changemakers and Social Change UK below.  Website- https://social-change.co.uk/tea-with-the-changemakersLinkedIn- https://www.linkedin.com/company/social-changeInstagram- https://www.instagram.com/socialchange_ukFacebook- https://www.facebook.com/socialchangeukTwitter- https://twitter.com/socialchangeukCup only half full? Follow Tea with the Changemakers on TikTok, for behind-the-scenes content and clips from our episodes!