Meet the Mancunian Podcast

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Meet the Mancunian Podcast

The Meet the Mancunian podcast: social impact stories from Manchester Podcast cover art designed by artist Mahua Roy (https://www.instagram.com/mahua_r/).

The Meet the Mancunian podcast introduces listeners to inspirational Mancunians who are making a difference in the local community. Whether they run a charity or a social enterprise, volunteer, or coach others, host a community, or go it alone; all my guests have fascinating stories to tell. Presented by Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe, newbie Mancunian (https://www.instagram.com/meetthemancunian/). Tune in every Tuesday for your weekly dose of inspiration.

16/06/2026

🎙️ Season 12 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast has come to an end 💙
Over 12 episodes, we’ve heard powerful stories of people making a difference across Manchester and beyond.

If you missed any episodes, you can catch up here:
Nicky Wake, founder of the Widowed Collective supporting widowed people across the UK
Seb Linares, Development Manager, Farm Urban talking about sustainable urban farming
Norton Robinson, director of Fungall, who tackles food insecurity through mushroom farming
Alun Morris, creator of the Red Lane Growing Project planting community gardens
Charlie Baker, founder of Your Home Better sharing how existing homes can become greener, warmer and healthier through retrofit.
Chrissy Carr, co-founder of Mums in Recovery, supporting mums in addiction
Sean Chaplin, co-founder of Rehab Fitness supporting prison leavers in recovery.
Isobel Lepist, a neurodiversity coach and ADHD advocate coaching neurodiverse adults.
Kerry Tottingham, co-director of A Brilliant Thing supporting healthier and more sustainable work cultures in charities.
Marie-Anne Eckersall, Fundraising and Communications Co-ordinator at Transport for Sick Children, providing volunteer-led transport for children’s medical appointments.
Luke-Matthew Iveson, a community sewing teacher, encouraging community sewing.
Mike Whittaker, a BMX volunteer and racer supporting the BMX racing community.

You can also explore all previous 11 seasons here: www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
The podcast is now taking a summer break and will return in October 2026 🌿

12/06/2026

🏁💙 Need some inspiration today?

Check out this powerful quote from Mike Whittaker, BMX volunteer, racer and community champion from Bruntwood Park BMX Club in Cheadle on the :
🔊 "Life is short. We don’t always get to redo things. The opportunities that present themselves today may not be the opportunities that present themselves tomorrow." – Mike Whittaker

After leaving the police service and searching for a sense of belonging, Mike found purpose through BMX racing, volunteering and supporting others in his local community.

🎧 Listen to the audiogram to hear more of Mike's story.
📌 Catch the full episode & transcript here: https://www.meetthemancunian.co.uk/s12e12

09/06/2026

🚴🏁 New Episode Alert – Season 12 Finale! 🏁🚴

This week on the Meet the Mancunian podcast, I chat with Mike Whittaker, a BMX volunteer, racer and community champion from Bruntwood Park BMX Club in Cheadle.

Mike shares his inspiring journey from leaving the police service and searching for community, to finding purpose through BMX volunteering, racing and mentoring others. 💙

Despite suffering a serious back injury after breaking his T12 vertebrae, Mike returned to racing, built an encouraging community for adult riders, launched Resilient Team Racing to promote positivity and mental health, and uses his photography to raise funds for Coffee4Craig. 📸❤️

He's now preparing to represent Great Britain at the 2026 BMX World Championships in Brisbane. 🇬🇧🏆🚴

Did you know?
🚴 BMX stands for Bicycle Moto-X.
🏅 BMX has been an Olympic sport since 2008.
🚴‍♂️ There are over 5,000 active BMX racers across the UK.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or https://www.meetthemancunian.co.uk/s12e12

Who inspires you through sport and community? Let us know in the comments.

05/06/2026

💫 Check out this inspiring quote from Luke-Matthew Iveson, community sewing teacher and winner of The Great British Sewing Bee, on the !

🔊 “Stay authentic in the confidence that I have. Keep that little flame alive so that other people can see it, and it then has an impact of them as well.” – Luke-Matthew Iveson

🧵 Luke-Matthew shares how sewing can build confidence, encourage creativity, and create welcoming communities for everyone.

🎧 Listen to the audiogram to hear more!
📌 Full episode & transcript here: www.meetthemancunian.co.uk
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02/06/2026

🧵 Have you ever thought about how sewing can bring people together? 🪡

In the latest episode of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, I chat with Luke-Matthew Iveson, community sewing teacher and winner of BBC's The Great British Sewing Bee Season 10.
From learning to sew with their grandma to becoming the first non-binary winner of the show, Luke shares how sewing can build confidence, encourage creativity and create welcoming communities for everyone. ✨👗

We also discuss:
✂️ Breaking down barriers to sewing
🧵 Tackling loneliness through creative hobbies
🏳️‍🌈 The importance of LGBTQ+ representation
🤝 Creating inclusive spaces where people can thrive

Did you know?
🪡 About 4% of the UK population identify as le***an, gay, bisexual, trans or binary.
🧵 Sewing, quilting and textile arts hold deep roots in the q***r community.

🎧 Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or https://www.meetthemancunian.co.uk/s12e11
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29/05/2026

This episode is a heartfelt reminder of community in action 💙🚑

Marie-Anne Eckersall from Transport for Sick Children shares the life-changing work of supporting families who need hospital transport for critically ill children.

🔊 “Look into what’s going on around you. Look into your community. If you need support with life, reach out. If you feel you can give support, reach out and see who you can help.”
Such a simple but powerful message about connection, care and looking out for one another 🌍💛

🎧 Listen to the audiogram
📌 Full episode & transcript: www.meetthemancunian.co.uk

26/05/2026

NEW PODCAST EPISODE — 12.10 Transporting Sick Children with Marie-Anne Eckersall

Host Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe speaks with Marie-Anne Eckersall from Transport for Sick Children about the incredible work supporting families with hospital transport for critically ill children. 💙🚑

This moving conversation explores:
✨ Volunteer drivers making a real difference
✨ The realities families face during treatment journeys
✨ Challenges and motivation
✨ Future plans for the charity
✨ How people can support the cause
💡 Did you know?

Across the UK, 8–10% of children have a long-term health condition.

🎧 Tune in now and discover how community support can transform difficult moments for families. https://www.meetthemancunian.co.uk/s12e10

22/05/2026

💚 12.9 Designing a Healing-Centred Work World with Kerry Tottingham

Check out this inspiring quote from Kerry Tottingham, Co-Director of A Brilliant Thing, on the :
🔊 “A genuine trust in people. I do really believe that change is possible. I really believe in possibility.” – Kerry Tottingham

Kerry talks about creating healing-centred workplaces for charities and purpose-led organisations, and the importance of trust, wellbeing and possibility in the world of work 🌱

🎧 Listen to the audiogram to hear more!
📌 Full episode & transcript: https://www.meetthemancunian.co.uk/s12e9

Brilliant Thing

18/05/2026

🎧✨ New podcast episode!
This week, I’m joined by Kerry Tottingham, co-director of A Brilliant Thing, to talk about designing healing-centred workplaces for charities and purpose-led organisations 💚

We discuss:
🌱 Trauma-informed practice
💡 Systems thinking
🤝 Sustainable work cultures
🔥 Burnout in the voluntary sector
🌍 Creating ripple effects for social change

Some powerful stats:
📊 66% of voluntary sector organisations are worried about burnout and mental strain
📊 940,000 charity workers have experienced stress or overwhelm in the last year

⏱️ Episode highlights:
(00:56) Meet Kerry Tottingham
(03:16) Founding A Brilliant Thing
(06:35) Healing centred services
(10:34) Defining success and ripples
(18:53) Challenges, hope and design it in
(24:34) Future Plans

🎙️ Listen now on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or
https://www.meetthemancunian.co.uk/s12e9

Brilliant Thing

15/05/2026

🎙️ On the latest podcast, Isobel Lepist shares her inspiring journey as a neurodiversity coach and ADHD advocate. 💙

Founder of At The Millpond, Isobel talks about helping adults with ADHD and neurodiversity thrive both at work and in everyday life. 🌱

🔊 “You have to be brave and do things anyway. If you don’t give it a go, you’ll never forgive yourself. You’ll never know what might occur.” – Isobel Lepist

This is a thoughtful and encouraging conversation about confidence, courage and creating supportive spaces for neurodivergent people. ✨

🎧 Listen to the audiogram below!
📌 Full episode & transcript: https://www.meetthemancunian.co.uk/s12e8

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Wythenshawe
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Website

http://www.meetthemancunian.co.uk/

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