The Charity Show

Tim Beynon and Piers Townley

The show for charity insiders, by charity insiders. Hosts Tim Beynon and Piers Townley tackle the topics that matter for charity staff, fundraisers and supporters.

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S1 · E53
Yesterday · 48 min
AI-generated content in charities: Ethics, trust & transparency - with Emma Bracegirdle
AI-generated content is everywhere in charity comms right now, and most organisations are using it without really understanding how it works or how to be transparent about it. In episode 53 of The Charity Show, Tim and Piers are joined by Emma Bracegirdle, founder of The Saltways, to unpack new research into how UK charities are actually using AI generated content, and where it's going badly wrong. In this episode... Why over half of charities using AI generated content aren't labelling it, and don't understand why they should The crucial difference between using AI to enhance an image and using it to generate one entirely, and why the EU AI Act treats them the same How AI models can reproduce harmful stereotypes and "poverty porn" style imagery, and practical prompting techniques to challenge and undo this Why transparency, consent and updated image release forms are now essential parts of any charity's AI approach How authentic, unpolished, phone-shot storytelling is becoming charities' best defence against a trust deficit fuelled by AI scepticism Real examples of AI used well (and badly) in the charity sector, plus where the technology can genuinely save time on admin and research The conversation also covers The Saltways' first Charity Film Festival, held in Bethnal Green, London, celebrating films made by and for the charity sector on every budget. Links and resources: The Saltways: https://thesaltways.com/ The Saltways Charity Film Festival: https://thesaltways.com/charityfilmfestival/ This episode's Small Charity Spotlights: Hastings Furniture Service: https://hfs.org.uk/ HFS 100 Homes Project Crowdfunder: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/hastingsfurnitureservice Future First: https://www.futurefirst.org.uk/ Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Send a voice message to TheCharityShow Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk⁠⁠⁠
S1 · E52
September 14 · 44 min
The Journalist's Charity: The pressures on journalists, Dickens and Queen Camilla - with CEO James Brindle
James Brindle spent nearly 20 years as a journalist before taking the helm at one of the UK's oldest charities. In this episode, the CEO of the Journalists' Charity joins Tim and Piers to unpack an extraordinary history, one that starts with Charles Dickens in 1864 and now carries the patronage of Queen Camilla. From financial hardship to online abuse, James explains what modern journalism support really looks like. In this episode... The Journalists' Charity was founded in 1864 by Charles Dickens, who served as its first chairman, with a royal charter granted by Queen Victoria in 1890 James Brindle's journey from nearly two decades in broadcast journalism, including setting up television channels, to becoming a charity CEO The realities driving journalists to seek support, from freelance financial instability and redundancy to rising online abuse and mental health pressure How the charity's "Lockdown Without Journalism" campaign during COVID reconnected the public with the value of the profession and drove tens of thousands of pounds in donations The newly launched Queen Camilla Future of Journalism Awards, offering cash support, mentoring and recognition to journalists starting their careers Why pride and the word "charity" itself can be a barrier to journalists asking for help, and how the sector is working to change that Guest links The Journalists' Charity: https://journalistscharity.org.uk/ James Brindle on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamesbrindleceo/ Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Send a voice message to TheCharityShow Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk⁠⁠⁠
S1 · E51
August 10 · 55 min
Rebranding in-house: Julian House becomes Alongside - with Zoe Conn and Keira Park
Changing your charity's name is never just a logo refresh. On this episode of The Charity Show, Tim Beynon and Piers Townley are joined by Zoe Conn (Fundraising and Development Director) and Keira Park (Marketing and Comms Manager) from Alongside, formerly Julian House, to unpack how the Bath-based charity rebuilt its identity from the ground up after a legal dispute forced a name change. From stakeholder research to donor retention, this is a masterclass in how to lead a rebrand from inside a small charity team, without a big agency and without losing the trust you've spent decades building. In this episode: Why Alongside chose to treat a legally forced name change as a strategic opportunity, not just a compliance problem How the team ran stakeholder consultation with donors, staff and trustees at every stage of the naming and design process, checking back in repeatedly rather than asking once and moving on Why they decided to lead the rebrand in-house, using targeted external support from a specialist agency rather than a full-service consultancy The practical challenges of a charity rebrand rollout: budgeting, running down old stock, IT systems, and keeping "formerly Julian House" visible during the transition How the comms and fundraising teams managed donor anxiety around the change, including direct debit continuity and stewardship of long-standing supporters Advice for any charity considering a rebrand: do the brief work before you touch a single name, and be ready to article your due diligence to a nervous board Learn more about Alongside's work supporting people facing social exclusion across the South West of England, and follow their journey as the new brand continues to roll out. If you're leading, or thinking about leading, a charity rebrand of your own, we'd love to hear from you. Get in touch at thecharityshowpod@gmail.com. Know a small charity doing brilliant work that deserves a shout out on the show? Drop us a line at the same address, we'd love to feature them. If you enjoy the show, please follow, rate and review us wherever you get your podcasts. It really does help other charity people find us. Guest links: Alongside: alongsidecharity.org.uk/ DCHS: boost-dchs.org Alex, The Leukodystrophy Charity: alextlc.org/ Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Send a voice message to TheCharityShow Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk⁠⁠⁠
S1 · E50
July 20 · 49 min
Why charity comms professionals are burning out - with Adeela Warley, Chief Executive, Charity Comms
One in three charity comms professionals is currently burnt out, and an equal number are planning to leave the sector altogether. In their landmark 50th episode, Tim Beynon and Piers Townley are joined by returning guest Adeela Warley, Chief Executive of CharityComms, to unpack what her organisation's latest Salary and Organisational Culture Survey reveals about burnout across charity communications teams, and why the values-driven nature of our sector makes it so hard for people to say no. In this episode: Why 33% of charity comms professionals are experiencing burnout, and what's driving middle managers to feel the squeeze hardest How values-driven work in the charity sector can tip commitment into overwork and self-sacrifice, and the warning signs to watch for Why burnout isn't confined to senior leaders, and how junior and entry-level comms staff are equally at risk Practical first steps for CEOs and senior teams wanting to build a burnout-resistant organisational culture Advice for small charities working with limited resources and no dedicated HR function Sector news: the proposed under-16 social media ban and its implications for charity communicators, plus new Charity Commission findings on threats and intimidation faced by charity staff and trustees Guest links and resources: Adeela Warley LinkedIn CharityComms: charitycomms.org.uk CharityComms Salary and Organisational Culture Survey: charitycomms.org.uk/salary-and-organisational-culture-survey-2025 CharityComms Wellbeing Guide for communicators: charitycomms.org.uk/wellbeing-guide CharityComms "signal template" resource: charitycomms.org.uk/the-signal-framework Bank The Food (app connecting food donors to local food banks): bankthefood.com/ Slade Gardens Community Play Association, Stockwell and Lambeth: sladeadventure.co.uk/ Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Send a voice message to TheCharityShow Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk⁠⁠⁠
S1 · E49
June 29 · 55 min
Sally Williams: Life as Chair of a small charity and leading through change
Sally Williams returns to The Charity Show to talk governance, not philanthropy this time. As chair of trustees at Veterans With Dogs, she's spent two and a half years learning what it really takes to lead a small charity through a founder-to-CEO transition, all while holding down her day job as Head of Philanthropy at the Royal College of Physicians. Tim and Piers dig into the realities of trusteeship, the impact of assistance dogs on veterans living with PTSD and other trauma-related conditions, and why being small doesn't mean being unambitious. What's in this episode: Sally's 24 years in the British Army and how that experience shaped her move into charity governance The origin story of Veterans With Dogs, founded after one veteran noticed his own assistance dog helping an entire support group What it's really like governing a small charity through a leadership transition, including stepping into operational gaps without a CEO in place How the charity balances demonstrating impact for funders with protecting the privacy and dignity of veterans and their dogs The "magic formula" for building an effective board of trustees, and why lived experience matters as much as governance experience Third sector news: the London Marathon's move to a two-day event in 2027, and the Big Give's Summer Campaign for Small Charity Week Plus the usual small charity shoutouts, this week featuring Roundabout Drama Therapy and MK Cat Rescue. Useful links: Veterans With Dogs: veteranswithdogs.org.uk/ Roundabout Dramatherapy: roundaboutdramatherapy.org.uk/ MK Cat rescue: mk-cat-rescue.org/ Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Send a voice message to TheCharityShow Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk⁠⁠⁠
S1 · E45
June 8 · 51 min
How engagement first funding keeps Air Ambulance flying - with Keith Wilson
Air ambulances are among the most trusted charities in the UK, but most people have no idea how they're funded, what it costs to keep them flying, or the sheer scale of engagement needed to make it all happen. In this episode, Tim and Piers sit down with Keith Wilson, Director of Income and Engagement at Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance, to find out exactly that. Keith spent a decade at a children's hospice before joining HIOWAA, and in the years since, he's overseen a major transformation in how the charity thinks about fundraising — or rather, why it doesn't call it fundraising at all. He's also led one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in the charity's history: a brand new operational airbase near Southampton Airport, complete with a public visitor centre. It's a fascinating conversation about leadership, engagement, legacy income, volunteers, and the very human reality of funding a life-saving emergency service entirely through charitable support. In this episode How Keith stumbled into the charity sector via a ghost hunt at a Winchester theatre How air ambulances actually work and why every one is different Why HIOWAA doesn't use the word "fundraising" and what they do instead The sim van: a flight simulator in a transit van that opened unexpected doors The new airbase and visitor centre and how it creates year-round engagement What it costs to keep an air ambulance operational (the answer might surprise you) The role of regular giving, legacy income, and why one major gift can change everything Volunteers: why 80% of HIOWAA's community events are entirely volunteer-led The toughest leadership lesson Keith has learned Looking ahead: what the next five years hold for the charity, hopes and honest concerns Find out more Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance: hiowaa.org HIOWAA on Facebook: facebook.com/hiowaa HIOWAA on LinkedIn and Instagram: @HIOWAA Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Send a voice message to TheCharityShow Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk⁠⁠⁠
S1 · E44
May 11 · 1 hr
Demystifying match funding - with Alex Day, MD of Big Give
You've heard of match funding. But do you really know how to make it work for your charity? In this episode, we sit down with Alex Day, Managing Director of Big Give, the UK's largest digital match funding platform, to find out what separates the charities that smash their targets from those that don't, and why this tool is far more accessible than many smaller charities assume. From the origins of Big Give to a bold goal of raising £1 billion by 2030, this is a conversation packed with practical insight for fundraisers of every size. What you'll hear in this episode How match funding actually works and why it's simpler than you think What smaller charities need to have in place before applying to Big Give The most common mistake charities make with match funding campaigns What the charities that consistently smash their targets do differently How Big Give is evolving as the fundraising landscape shifts Useful links Big Give: https://donate.biggive.org/ Alex Day on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alex-day-63b97b62/ Big Give Christmas Challenge: https://biggive.org/blog/2026/02/09/reflecting-on-the-2025-christmas-challenge/ Love Oliver: https://loveoliver.org.uk Hartcliffe City Farm: https://hartcliffecityfarm.org.uk Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ Send a voice message to TheCharityShow Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk⁠⁠⁠
S1 · E46
April 20 · 51 min
Is the system broken? Rethinking how aid really reaches communities - with Prof Nicola Banks
We often talk about the power of giving. But what if the way we give is part of the problem? In this episode, we sit down with Professor Niki Banks, co-founder of One World Together, to explore a bold challenge to the traditional charity model, and why ensuring that more of your money helps the people and projects you want it to, may mean giving differently. From funding flows to frontline impact, this is a conversation that might just change how you think about donations. What you’ll hear in this episode The hidden complexity behind big charity funding models Why small, community-led organisations can outperform larger charities The case for unrestricted funding and why flexibility matters How One World Together claims to make donations up to 40x more impactful. Useful links: One World Together: https://oneworldtogether.org.uk/ Niki on LinkedIN: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nicola-banks-03249459/ From Me To You: https://www.frommetoyouletters.co.uk/ Ailsa's Aim: https://www.ailsasaim.co.uk/ Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠ Send a voice message to TheCharityShow Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk⁠⁠⁠
S1 · E45
March 23 · 57 min
Storytelling against the clock: Capturing veterans' stories before they're lost - with Martin Bisiker
In episode 45 of The Charity Show, Tim and Piers sit down with Martin Bisiker, founder of Legasee Educational Trust, for a fascinating conversation about one of the most quietly urgent missions in the heritage sector: capturing the testimonies of veterans before their stories are lost forever. Martin's path to founding Legasee is an unconventional one. A career in television - including filming Julia Bradbury from a microlight over Victoria Falls - gave him both a love of storytelling and a growing unease about what was disappearing. When the last surviving First World War veteran passed away, something clicked. Armed with a camera and a sense of urgency, he began interviewing Second World War veterans, and what started as a personal project became a registered charity in 2012. Legasee Educational Trust now holds an archive of over 700 filmed interviews, freely available to view online, spanning conflicts from the Second World War through to more recent campaigns. Together, Tim, Piers and Martin explore: How Legasee grew from a nagging feeling that something important was about to be lost, and the chance encounter with a former Age UK executive that helped turn a personal project into a charity Why Martin insists the archive is freely accessible to everyone - not just researchers and academics - and the thinking behind that decision from the very beginning The art of the veteran interview: why open questions matter, how you create the conditions for people to open up on camera, and the moments that stay with you long after the recording ends The new Aden Emergency Project - a forgotten conflict from 1963 to 1967, now the subject of a National Lottery Heritage Fund-backed project based in Blackpool, including a remarkable collaboration with a drama college to bring veteran testimony to the stage Legasee's growing podcast output, from the acclaimed five-part D-Day series to the Berlin Airlift, and how volunteer expertise has shaped the quality of every episode The Local Heroes programme - Martin's plan to teach young people how to build their own archives, and why that feels like the natural next step for Legasee's mission Useful links: Legasee Educational Trust – https://www.legasee.org.uk National Literacy Trust / National Year of Reading – https://www.literacytrust.org.uk Sheppey Pulse Network – https://www.sheppeypulsenetwork.co.uk/ HANAH – Help Against Bullying and Mental Health – https://www.hab-antibullying.com/ The Good Studio – Great content for good causes – https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠ Send a voice message to TheCharityShow Find every link you need: ⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk⁠⁠
S1 · E44
March 9 · 1 hr 1 min
Science, storytelling and the art of research comms – with Kotryna Temcinaite
In episode 44 of The Charity Show, Tim and Piers sit down with Kotryna Temcinaite, Head of Research Communications at Breast Cancer Now, for an illuminating conversation about one of the most specialised and often misunderstood roles in the charity sector. Kotryna's journey is a fascinating one: from biochemistry undergraduate to cancer biology PhD researcher, to discovering that what she really loved wasn't the lab work itself, but the stories that came out of it. A decade into her career in charity research communications, she leads a team of four science communicators at Breast Cancer Now, working across press and PR, fundraising, social media, patient engagement and more. Her conversation with Tim and Piers is honest, practical and packed with insight -whether you work in comms, fundraising, research or leadership. Together, Tim, Piers and Kotryna explore: Why science communication is about far more than just "translating" research into plain English and why that framing undersells the role How to tell a scientific story that audiences find genuinely interesting, without losing accuracy or oversimplifying, and the importance of putting research in context so it means something to people living with the condition How to build genuine relationships with researchers, manage their expectations around media coverage, and support them without dropping them in the deep end The challenge of evidencing the value of a comms team when so much of the work happens behind the scenes — and why misinformation and AI both pose growing risks for research-led charities How Breast Cancer Now and Prostate Cancer Research joined forces to fund research into metastatic cancer spreading to the bone, and what the sector can achieve when organisations work together rather than in competition Useful links: Breast Cancer Now – https://www.breastcancernow.org Ripple Suicide Prevention – https://www.ripple.org.uk Westminster Hall debate transcript (Hansard) – https://hansard.parliament.uk/Commons/2026-03-03/debates/A6B461D9-CECF-4376-880B-9365667EC9B7/SmallCharitySector Great Gift Aid Hunt 2026 – Swiftaid – https://www.swiftaid.co.uk Centre for Social Justice – https://www.centreforsocialjustice.org.uk Boys in Mind – https://www.boysinmind.org.uk Acuro – https://www.acuro.org.uk The Good Studio – Great content for good causes – https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk lisaconnell.com and influentialstars.org Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠ Send a voice message to TheCharityShow Find every link you need: ⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk⁠
S1 · E43
February 23 · 1 hr 9 min
10,000 Volunteers and Counting: The Cats Protection Story - With John May CVO OBE
In episode 43 of The Charity Show, Tim and Piers sit down with John May OBE CVO, Chief Executive of Cats Protection, for a wide-ranging and genuinely fascinating conversation about what it really takes to lead one of the UK's most recognisable charities at serious scale. Cats Protection is approaching its centenary, operates with around 1,000 staff and over 10,000 volunteers, and draws 50% of its income from legacies. John brings a career spanning the Scout movement, the Duke of Edinburgh's Award and Young Enterprise to his role - and that deep background in volunteer-driven organisations shapes everything about how he thinks about leadership, culture and change. Together, Tim, Piers and John explore: Why the balance of power between volunteers and staff has shifted over the past 40 years and where the "sweet spot" really lies How volunteering is changing, from micro-volunteering and bite-sized commitments to the challenge of aging branch committees Why Cats Protection is moving away from a one-size-fits-all volunteering model towards a more flexible, mixed ecosystem approach Whether you need to have been a volunteer yourself to lead a volunteer-powered organisation The advice John would give smaller charities about getting the most from their volunteers, including the value of a proper skills audit How Cats Protection has refreshed its brand and is using everything from a paper magazine to TikTok and its own podcast (The Cat's Got Your Tongue) to reach new audiences without alienating loyal supporters Why John doesn't believe there's a crisis of generosity, but does think charities need to be far more sophisticated about the donor lifecycle The surprising resilience of legacy income and the turnaround in Cats Protection's retail operation How the charity's Lifeline programme supports survivors of domestic abuse by fostering their pets His one piece of advice for charity leaders: trust your people, trust your intuition, and explore the tension when the two conflict Also in this episode, Tim and Piers discuss the return of the Big Help Out (5th–8th June 2026, this time in partnership with The Big Lunch), fresh data from Marie Curie showing 47% of UK adults plan to volunteer in 2026, and findings from the Enthuse Charity Pulse Report showing 77% of charities saw fundraising income grow or hold stable in 2025. And in the Small Charity Spotlight, huge shoutouts to Tom's Trust - the UK's leading charity providing psychological support to children with brain tumours and their families - and Northumbria Blood Bikes, whose unpaid volunteers deliver blood, urgent medical supplies and donated breast milk across the North East of England, often overnight and largely unseen. Useful links: Cats Protection – https://www.cats.org.uk The Cat's Got Your Tongue podcast – search on your usual podcast platform The Big Help Out – https://thebighelpout.org.uk Enthuse Charity Pulse Report – https://enthuse.com Tom's Trust – https://www.tomstrust.org.uk Northumbria Blood Bikes – search Northumbria Blood Bikes The Good Studio – Creative content for good causes – https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at thecharityshowpod@gmail.com Send a voice message to TheCharityShow Find every link you need: https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at www.thegoodstudio.co.uk
S1 · E42
February 9 · 57 min
The X exodus - is it time to quit? - with Madeleine Sugden
In episode 42 of The Charity Show, Tim and Piers tackle one of the biggest questions facing charity comms teams right now: what do you do about social media - and is it finally time to walk away from X? The main conversation is a two-part deep dive with Madeleine Sugden, digital impact consultant and author of the blog that coined the phrase “the Charity Exodus” – a renewed wave of charities leaving X following recent changes to the platform. Madeline unpacks what’s really driving this shift, from content moderation failures and safeguarding concerns, to the introduction of AI tools like Grok and the breaking of what many charities see as ethical red lines. She explains why some organisations are leaving loudly, others quietly, and why for many charities the decision isn’t as straightforward as it might look from the outside. Together, Tim, Piers and Madeline explore: Why the charity sector feels particularly exposed on platforms like X The reputational and ethical risks charities are weighing up Whether X is still the place for journalists, politicians and crisis comms What the data actually shows about engagement and reach The rise of BlueSky and why some charities are thriving there When mirror publishing works – and when it doesn’ How AI-generated content is changing the rules for charity com Why flexibility, values and clarity matter more than ever in social media strategy Useful links: Madeleine's blog: https://madlinblog.wordpress.com/ AP Cymru – Supporting neurodivergent children and families in Wales https://www.apcymru.org.uk The Muscle Help Foundation – Creating “Muscle Dreams” for young people with muscular dystrophy https://www.musclehelp.com The Good Studio – Creative content for good causes https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes.From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
S1 · E31
January 26 · 1 hr 5 min
Working with celebrities: What charities get wrong (and how to get it right) - with Rachel Braier
In episode 41 of The Charity Show, Tim Beynon and Piers Townley dive into one of the most intriguing (and intimidating) areas of charity communications: working with celebrities, influencers and content creators. Joining Tim for a deep-dive conversation is Rachel Braier, a PR and celebrity consultant who specialises in matching public figures with charities in ways that are authentic, strategic and genuinely effective. Rachel brings a refreshingly honest, human take on what really works – and what definitely doesn’t – when charities try to harness influence. The episode kicks off with Tim and Piers reflecting on the long slog of January, the realities of freelance life, and what’s been keeping them busy across the sector – from Brain Tumour Awareness Month planning and celebrity partnerships, to the growing power of the charity freelance community. From there, Rachel helps demystify the world of celebrity engagement. She explains why the definition of “celebrity” has fundamentally changed, why lived experience matters more than follower numbers, and how charities – especially small and medium-sized ones – can stop feeling “cap in hand” and start recognising the value they bring to the table. The conversation also tackles some of the trickier realities charities face, including: Why influencer and celebrity engagement isn’t just about reach anymore How charities should approach agents (and why timing and instinct matter) The rise – and serious underestimation – of micro-influencers How to think about stewardship, not just one-off asks Managing reputational risk, cancel culture and crisis moments Supporting staff wellbeing when working closely with celebrities with lived experience Alongside the main interview, Tim and Piers break down the latest charity sector news, including: A new £11.5 million government fund aimed at strengthening partnerships between charities and local authorities Fresh insights from the Mass Participation Pulse report on the future of charity fundraising events, rising costs and shifting motivations for fundraisers As always, the episode wraps up by shining a spotlight on small charities doing brilliant work with limited resources, including Canine Partners and the Children and Young People’s Cancer Association, reinforcing why smaller organisations deserve more visibility across the sector. Whether you work in comms, fundraising, campaigns or leadership, this episode offers practical insight, reassurance and a confidence boost for any charity wondering whether celebrity or influencer engagement is really “for them”. Useful links Canine Partners – https://www.caninepartners.org.uk Children and Young People’s Cancer Association – https://www.cclg.org.uk/ Mass Participation Pulse Report – https://massive.co.uk/news/the-mass-participation-pulse-2026/ The Good Studio – Creative content for good causes: https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes.From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
January 12 · 1 hr 6 min
Squiggly careers, leadership lessons and starting 2026 strong - with Sharon Bell
Happy New Year and welcome to the first show of 2026. In this episode, Tim and Piers kick off the year by reflecting on life in the sector, the realities of charity leadership and what smaller organisations can teach the rest of us about agility, innovation and resilience. They’re joined by Sharon Bell, who shares her “squiggly career” journey from chartered accountant to Chief Executivem of Services For Education, trustee and education leader. It’s an honest conversation about governance, perspective, lived experience and why getting involved at different levels of the sector really matters. As always, the episode also shines a light on two brilliant small charities doing big things in their communities. In this episode, we cover: Why the New Year Honours List matters for charities – not just celebrities What a “squiggly career” really looks like in the charity sector Moving between large and small charities – and what each can learn from the other Governance challenges and opportunities at different organisational sizes Why smaller charities are often forced to be the most innovative Encouraging charity professionals to get involved as trustees, governors and volunteers Useful links Services for Education – https://www.servicesforeducation.co.uk Baby Basics Northampton – https://baby-basics.org.uk/centre/northampton Friends and Places Together – https://www.friendsandplacestogether.org.uk New Year Honours List (UK Government) – https://www.gov.uk/honours NCVO – Trusteeship and Governance – https://www.ncvo.org.uk/help-and-guidance/governance The Good Studio – Great content for good causes: https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes.From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠⁠⁠
S1 · E39
Dec 8, 2025 · 1 hr 13 min
J.K. Rowling’s Lumos: The global fight to keep children out of institutions - with Howard Taylor
This week, Tim and Piers are joined by Howard Taylor, CEO of Lumos Foundation, the international charity founded by J.K. Rowling that is working to end the institutionalisation of children around the world. Howard shares the staggering reality that four out of five children in orphanages aren’t orphans, the systems that separate families, and Lumos’s mission to help children grow up safely, with love, in families — not institutions. Along the way, Howard reflects on Lumos’s 20-year journey, the challenges and breakthroughs of global child protection, and what needs to change if we’re serious about protecting the world’s most vulnerable children. Between the conversation, Tim and Piers dive into the week’s charity news — from Giving Tuesday scam warnings to a controversial PETA Christmas ad — and shine the Small Charity Spotlight on two inspiring organisations supporting families through cancer. In this episode 🌍 Why 80% of children in orphanages worldwide have at least one living parent — and what drives family separation. 👶 Lumos’s mission to end the institutional care of children and rebuild family- and community-based alternatives. 🏠 What deinstitutionalisation really looks like on the ground — and why it’s complex, long-term work. 💬 Howard’s reflections on leadership, working internationally, and staying mission-focused in difficult contexts. 📣 How storytelling, language and public perception influence global child-protection policy. ❤️ The role of hope, partnership and persistence when tackling huge systemic problems.Useful links Lumos Foundation – https://www.wearelumos.org Milly’s Smiles – Childhood Cancer Charity - Millys Smiles The Brain Tumour Charity – https://www.thebraintumourcharity.org PETA UK – https://www.peta.org.uk The Good Studio – https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠⁠⁠ Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes.From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠⁠
S1 · E38
Nov 24, 2025 · 1 hr 8 min
Charity shops - the real story: Changing landscapes and online opportunities - with Robin Osterley OBE
Charity shops are often talked about but rarely understood — so this week we’re joined by Robin Osterley OBE, outgoing Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association, to explore what’s really happening on the high street. Robin has led the CRA through retail turbulence, COVID, rising costs and huge shifts in public behaviour. Fresh from receiving his OBE, he shares a clear and honest picture of the charity retail landscape - what’s changing, what’s working, and where the real opportunities are. In this episode Why reports of mass charity shop closures are misleading The rise of bigger, better “superstores” and what’s driving the change Why profitability matters more than ever The cost challenge: wages, NI, inflation and volunteer shortages What really sells in charity shops (and what doesn’t) The impact of fast fashion on donations and waste How online platforms, reselling and AI are opening new opportunities The huge social value generated by charity retail Robin’s advice to charities considering expanding into retail Sector News A Donor Code of Conduct?The Chartered Institute of Fundraising calls for a code following new data showing fundraisers — particularly women — reporting unacceptable behaviour from donors. Key Takeaways Charity retail isn’t declining — it’s evolving Larger stores and better curation are improving profitability Online resale is supporting, not undermining, charity retail Fast fashion is the biggest operational challenge Charity shops remain powerful community hubs and sustainability champions For every £1 invested, over £7 of social value is created With the right model, retail can be a major strategic asset for charities Useful Links Charity Retail Association https://www.charityretail.org.uk Chartered Institute of Fundraising – https://www.ciof.org.uk The Charity Shop Gift Card https://www.thecharityshopgiftcard.co.uk British Heart Foundation – Online Shop https://www.bhf.org.uk/shop Emmaus UK – Social Enterprise & Superstores https://emmaus.org.uk Shelter – Charity Shops & Visual Merchandising Work https://england.shelter.org.uk/shop Oxfam Online Shop https://onlineshop.oxfam.org.uk Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠⁠ Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by ⁠⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes.From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠
Nov 17, 2025 · 12 min
BITES #18: Winter warmers: How UK charities are helping people through the winter months
Welcome back to The Charity Show Bites - your quick-fire roundup of uplifting stories, clever ideas and community-led initiatives from across the UK charity sector. With stormy weather rolling in and temperatures dropping, Tim and Piers explore the creative, practical and often heartwarming ways charities and local groups are helping people stay warm, connected and supported this winter. From befriending calls to warm hubs, mobile soup vans to volunteer lift schemes, this episode is full of the brilliant small ideas that make a big difference. In this episode, we cover: 🔔 Age UK London — winter check-ins, home visits, phone calls and warm-space signposting to keep older Londoners safe and connected. 🧤 National Grid Community Matters Fund — grants for warm hubs, food provision, emergency heating support and energy efficiency workshops. 🥣 The Salvation Army — its annual winter appeal, including mobile support: roving soup vans, pop-up warm spaces and outreach teams distributing hot meals and thermal clothing. 🎄 Age UK Notts: No One Should Have No One — festive lunches, befriending visits, doorstop check-ins and hundreds of new December volunteers. 🧥 Health, Hearts & Hope (Kent & Medway) — the Winter Kits Appeal, providing £70 rough-sleeping packs and relaunching their hot-water-bottle scheme. 🏠 Places for People – Winter Ready Programme — supporting 49 local warm hubs and food banks through insulation fixes, draft-proofing and heating upgrades. ☕ Royal Voluntary Service — new warm-welcome sessions across the North East and South Wales, offering drinks, activities, exercise and social connection. 🚗 Community Transport: Warm Wheels — volunteer-driven lifts to warm hubs, lunch clubs and medical appointments in rural areas where bus routes have declined. 👉 Whether it’s a warm meal, a warm place or simply warm company, this episode shines a light on the everyday heroes helping their neighbours through winter. Useful links: Age UK London – https://www.ageuk.org.uk/london National Grid Community Matters Fund – https://www.nationalgrid.co.uk The Salvation Army – https://www.salvationarmy.org.uk Age UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire – https://www.ageuk.org.uk/notts Health, Hearts & Hope – https://www.healthheartshope.org Places for People – https://www.placesforpeople.co.uk Royal Voluntary Service – https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk Community Transport Association (Warm Wheels links) – https://ctauk.org The Good Studio – https://www.thegoodstudio.co.uk Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show and The Charity Show Bites on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠⁠ Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠⁠
S1 · E37
Nov 10, 2025 · 1 hr 12 min
Rethinking inclusion: RNIB and Scope on embedding lived experience in charities - with Anna Tylor & Mark Hodgkinson
In this episode, Tim and Piers are joined by two of the sector’s leading voices on disability inclusion: Anna Tylor, Chair of the Board of Trustees at RNIB Mark Hodgkinson, Chief Executive of Scope, the disability equality charity. Together, they discuss the evolution of inclusion - from challenging stereotypes to transforming public attitudes - and how two of the UK’s biggest charities are leading the way in terms of embedding lived experience into all aspects of their work. In this episode, we explore: ♿ Why lived experience in leadership matters and how RNIB and Scope bring disabled voices into decision-making. 🧭 How boards can keep inclusion on the agenda without slipping into tick-box territory. 💬 Moving from compliance to culture - what true accessibility looks like day to day. 📈 The disability employment gap - why it’s still stubbornly wide and what needs to change. 🤝 Allyship and collaboration - how non-disabled and disabled colleagues can drive change together. 🧠 Tech and inclusion - opportunities, risks and why AI could be a game-changer for accessibility. 🛠 Simple steps every charity can take to become more inclusive. Tim and Piers look at the Poppy Appeal, now more than a century old, reflecting on its huge reach and the lasting support it provides for veterans and their families. They also discuss new CAF research showing two-thirds of charity leaders believe the sector’s health is “unwell,” with rising demand, burnout and financial strain topping the list. Finally, they touch on Mind’s latest report warning of a worsening youth mental-health crisis, with more young people struggling and long waits for help. This week’s Small Charity Spotlight features Footprints Baby Loss, a small, volunteer-led charity offering peer support and training for families and health professionals after baby loss, and Contact, the long-standing charity helping families with disabled children through advice, practical support and campaigning for better rights and services. Useful links RNIB – rnib.org.uk Scope – scope.org.uk Footprints Baby Loss Contact (for families with disabled children) – contact.org.uk Royal British Legion (Poppy Appeal) Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) – sector wellbeing / reports – cafonline.org Mind – youth mental health research – mind.org.uk The Good Studio – thegoodstudio.co.uk Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠ Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by ⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes.From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠
Nov 3, 2025 · 8 min
BITES #17: Bonfire Night: Sparks, spectacles and fundraising fireworks
Welcome back to The Charity Show Bites — your quick-fire fix of surprising stories, small charity heroes, and the creativity that keeps the sector glowing. With Bonfire Night lighting up skies across the UK, Tim and Piers turn their attention to the real fireworks - the fundraisers, volunteers and communities using the season to raise thousands for good causes. From lantern-lit remembrance events to neon carnivals and full-blown pyrotechnic competitions, this episode celebrates the warmth, generosity and community spirit that make November 5th one of the biggest fundraising nights of the year. Episode highlights In this episode, we explore: 🔥 Flint RNLI Fireworks at Flint Castle – an all-volunteer event raising thousands for the life-saving lifeboat station on the River Dee. 🎆 Huddersfield Round Table Bonfire – one of Yorkshire’s biggest community events, raising £30,000 for local charities including The Welcome Centre Food Bank and Yorkshire Air Ambulance. 🧣 Bradley Stoke Town Council Fireworks Night (South Gloucestershire) – every penny of ticket sales donated to Mamas Bristol and Great Western Air Ambulance Charity. 🕯️ Saint Luke’s Hospice “Light Up the Night” – a moving blend of remembrance and celebration, raising £10,000 for hospice care in Sheffield. 💡 Bridgewater Carnival – Europe’s largest illuminated charity carnival, generating £40,000 for Brainwave and St Margaret’s Hospice. 🎇 Leighton Buzzard Fireworks Committee – over 60 years of volunteer-run displays, raising £28,000 for the Scouts and local hospice services. 💥 Southport Fireworks Champions Show – a competitive pyrotechnic event supporting Queenscourt Hospice. 🚑 Community First Responders & Air Ambulance Services – how local Bonfire Night collections are literally saving lives. Useful links RNLI (Flint Lifeboat Station) – rnli.org The Welcome Centre Food Bank – thewelcomecentre.org Yorkshire Air Ambulance – yaa.org.uk Mamas Bristol – mamasbristol.org.uk Great Western Air Ambulance Charity – gwaac.com Saint Luke’s Hospice Sheffield – stlukeshospice.org.uk Bridgewater Carnival – bridgewatercarnival.org.uk Brainwave – brainwave.org.uk St Margaret’s Hospice – st-margarets-hospice.org.uk Queenscourt Hospice – queenscourt.org.uk The Good Studio – creative content for good causes: thegoodstudio.co.uk Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show and The Charity Show Bites on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠ Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by ⁠⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠
S1 · E36
Oct 27, 2025 · 1 hr 5 min
Rethinking food aid: Dignity, education and change - with Nathan Atkinson from Rethink Food
This week, Tim and Piers are joined by Nathan Atkinson, co-founder of Rethink Food, a social enterprise on a mission to end hunger through education, sustainability and dignity. From life as a headteacher in Leeds to leading one of the UK’s Top 100 Social Enterprises, Nathan’s story is both powerful and practical — showing how small actions can spark national change. In this episode, we explore: 🍞 How one conversation with a hungry pupil changed Nathan’s life — and inspired Rethink Food. 🥕 The National School Pantry Network, helping families access food with dignity, not dependency. 🌍 Teaching children to “eat to save the planet” through creative food education. 💪 Why empowerment, not stigma, must sit at the heart of food support. 🎬 The role of storytelling in changing perceptions — and how Rethink Food uses creativity to connect. 🧠 Why innovation often starts in the quiet moments — and how the sector can learn from that mindset. Between parts one and two of the interview, Tim and Piers unpack the week’s charity news, including: ⚠️ A major report predicting a shortfall of 3 million volunteers across UK charities — and what that could mean for the sector. 🎮 The rise of gaming for good, with YouTube star TommyInnit raising £450,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital through a live-streamed mystery game. And as always, we shine our Small Charity Spotlight on two brilliant organisations: 🛍️ World Food Aid Shop (Clacton-on-Sea) – funding food banks and disaster relief, with volunteer power at its heart. 🧸 MERU – designing and adapting assistive products and sensory toys for disabled children, giving independence and joy where it’s most needed. 👉 Whether you work in food insecurity, education or community programmes, this episode will leave you inspired by what’s possible when creativity meets compassion. Useful links Rethink Food – rethinkfood.org.uk National School Pantry Network – rethinkfood.org.uk/nspn Royal Voluntary Service report on volunteering – royalvoluntaryservice.org.uk Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity – gosh.org World Food Aid Shop – worldfoodaid.org MERU – meru.org.uk The Good Studio – Creative content for good causes: thegoodstudio.co.uk Get involved: Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠ Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show! 💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK. This episode is produced by ⁠The Good Studio⁠ – Creating great content for good causes.From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠

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