Meet the Mancunian - Talking supporting the youth and Black and Asian community with Shar Sangster

Meet the Mancunian - 6.6-Shar Sangster transcript

Intro

Hello and a warm Mancunian welcome to all my incredible listeners out there. I'm Deepa Thomas Sutcliffe, your friendly host, and you've just tuned in to the sixth season of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, where I share remarkable social impact stories from the heart of Manchester every Tuesday throughout the season.

This podcast is a celebration of the unsung heroes, the change makers, and the passionate souls who are making a real difference in our vibrant city. From social enterprises to non-profits and community groups, I bring you the voices of worker bees and volunteers, all coming together for a common cause.

Through heartfelt conversations, my guests share their experiences, dreams, and unwavering commitment to making a difference. From the challenges they've overcome to the triumphs that fuel their passion, their stories will leave you moved, enlightened, and brimming with hope. Join me on this audio adventure as my guests and I explore the transformative power of collective action and the remarkable impact we can create when we unite for a common cause.

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So join me as I continue to share these inspiring tales of change and community support from the beating heart of Manchester. Together, we can spread a bit of good news, spark meaningful conversations, and inspire positive action. Thank you for being a part of the Meet the Mancunian community.

Welcome to the sixth episode of Season 6 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast: social impact stories from Manchester.

Passionate about supporting the community, we hear from Shar Sangster, CEO, MGT Youth, in this episode.

Ep 6.6

[00:03:00] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I'm delighted to introduce my guest, Shar Sangster, CEO, MGT Youth. Thanks so much for taking the time, Shar.

[00:03:08] Shar Sangster: Thank you for having me, Deepa. I feel honoured to be here.

[00:03:11] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I'm also really looking forward to hearing all about it. Tell me first about how you found your passion for supporting the youth. Where did that come from?

[00:03:20] Shar Sangster: I've always been good with younger people. I always felt so innocent. I think because I didn't get as much attention, I wanted it as a young person.

I think that's probably where it came from. It was never something that I thought, oh, I want to be a youth worker or anything like this. It was just a natural thing for me. And I always used to take out my friends' sons out because they had kids before me. And then when I had a son, I only had one, so I used to take all my friends' kids out. I was like a little youth club anyway before I even became a youth club.

[00:03:47] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: That was really good and thanks so much for sharing that. And it's really interesting that you had your own youth club because of your son's friends before you got involved with MGT Youth. So tell us about that.How did you get involved with MGT Youth and what does it do?

[00:04:04] Shar Sangster: Now with MGT Youth, that came about through the lockdown. I've had a natural passion, but I was working as a beautician before the lockdown and also a part time youth worker. I did become a part time youth worker, but I only did it for two years.

It was my friend that made me do it. He said, just come along and do it, it's only a few hours a week. So, I did it and I enjoyed it but I always thought about my beautician work. I'm going to open my own shop so that was my focus.

But in lockdown, you have that time to sit down. You always want time to stop and it never really happened, and it did then. And there was a lot of time to think, to see what was around. It started off because there's a lot of social media going on and I've a lot of interaction with social media with the young people.

Through the lockdown, I had an Instagram page and we were going to use it for the youth, but we never actually used it. It was just there. But through the lockdown, I had seen a lot of the young people posting music videos and singing. They were getting a bit bored after a while because lockdown went on a bit longer.

So I decided, I've got my son as well, my son was with me, he's age 15 at the time. And he was like, Mum, you know what we should do? Put them all in a talent show, online. So I said, oh that sounds like a good idea.

So I said to these young people, send your videos in, and then we could do an online talent show. And it basically went from being an online talent show. to then, you start talking to young people. And you have a personal interaction, and you find out there's other issues. So then we just started to do online discussions, online radios, funny videos with me and my son, just to keep the spirits high of the young people.

But it came so popular because it's online. The young people were sharing it. Those people from young people from all over UK, even different parts of America and Africa and stuff got in contact with us. And. then adults was getting in contact with us, so it just went from there.

[00:05:53] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: That is really interesting. Obviously, lockdown is over, but that would have been a very important service you provided at the time. Is there a difference about the services you provide now to the community? What are those community projects you're involved in?

[00:06:08] Shar Sangster: I did so much, I couldn't really say. you'd need to look online to see how much I've done. During the lockdown, we found there was poverty happening, plus a lot of losses and deaths, as we know, And that became, a loss, a lack of income for a lot of families.

I found a way to get in touch with food banks. And then as the lockdown was slowly released, we was able to go out a bit more. I got some of the young people that were local to me, we ended up going to the food banks and delivering food to the families in the areas,

And it went on to hearing other issues, like the NHS was doing an NHS event at one food bank event. With black and Asian community, we're not really getting in touch with the NHS as much as we should do. And obviously there's a lot of trust issues since the lockdown. So, we started doing projects with that.

It was like little issues from. The youth in the community, because we'd have discussions that would pop out. If we had a lot of knife crime at the time, because there's a few young deaths unfortunately, so we did a lot of knife crime awareness projects. There was a lot of young pregnancies. So, we highlighted that, started talking about sexual health awareness and stuff.

But we also did fun things like going out. We really started being totally free from lockdown, we've been able to do events. We've been fortunate enough to be able to link up with other youth organisations and other organisations within the community.

So we've been able to go out with them on their projects, hiking. I've even done a 15k skydive to raise money for cancer. That inspired a lot of young people to think. Because black people was like, we're not doing that. We'll never jump out of a... You don't see a lot of black people doing skydive. But now I've found that a lot of my colleagues are now jumping out of the plane and facing their fears.

With MGT, I'm really just trying to make people enjoy life and appreciate what we've got. A lot of anxiety and depression comes from just thinking about what you've not got. So I'm trying to show people, appreciate what we have got, and if we all come together we're stronger, we can help each other.

I'm really trying to touch awareness’s that are, important to us now. With online social media, there's a lot of young people now that feel like they have to meet up to what social media shows, which is basically, we all know is probably a lie. And it's it used to be just normal funny videos, but now you can't even just put a normal video. You hear them getting stressed, like the background's got to be this, the makeup's got to be. And it's a lot of peer pressure for the young people, so I'm working on a lot of projects with things like that.

We also get involved with the Manchester Carnival, which is a Jamaican culture that is celebrated all over the world. And then in all the carnivals, we have a parade. A lot of our young people, honestly, they don't do the dancing on stuff. They're more like, we have a youth stage where they can perform and sing and dance there. However, a lot of our young people will help in judging the parade or keeping the community safe and making sure they're all in the road. So, we just see things like that.

So we basically try and get involved in as much events and projects as possible and try and make sure that the community can get involved as well. We do a lot.

[00:09:06] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: This is really interesting because you cover a very varied range. You must tell me more about the carnival later. That sounds like something fun to check out.

So what are the challenges that you've faced on this journey? There must be quite a few challenges that you've had to overcome.

[00:09:22] Shar Sangster: I come from a community. I've literally never been the person that went to college and made the right decisions and went to university. I'm literally Shar, what are you doing now? Stop doing that!

I'm glad that I made my wrong decisions and chosen the wrong boyfriend, honestly. And I can't say chose the wrong boyfriend, but you're coming from the community, there's not a lot of guidance, honestly. My parents needed guiding, so they couldn't guide me. It was unfortunate. My grandparents couldn't guide my parents because not coming from UK, they all came from the Windrush.

And then having kids here, my grandparents probably couldn't understand what was going on or didn't see the dangers. It became the same thing. My parents couldn't really guide me. So I was going out with a little gangster boyfriend, getting myself in a lot of problems. They were selling drugs. And even though I went to work, I never really seen the dangers of being with a boyfriend like that until there was a lot of problems between him and another gang member and it became endangering for myself and endangering for them.

I went through all this sort of stuff, and I've literally decided to be a changed person. I think me coming into the youth organisation, what my challenges are the youth organisations, sometimes it's taken me a while for them to take me seriously, because I don't talk the way everybody talks, and I don't have the lingo from the university.

You learn a certain way of speaking from university, and I don't have that speech, so sometimes I felt oh Shar, she's so screech, she says it. But I'm actually the voice of the community. But because I was determined and I was committed, I've broke through and a lot of the organisations do respect me now and do take me seriously, and don't think that I'm just here to make a name for myself and see my passion now and they do see my heart.

So it's taken a long time, but then what's happened is now I've got into the organisation, the community that I was with feel like that I've got all these little ways of getting them through the net, and I can get you a job tomorrow in high place, and I can get you on BBC. No, it's not like that, do you know what I mean?

Now I'm getting the community to really have more faith in me rather than a bit of jealousy I feel being a Black woman, in the community. I heard an Asian lady, I wish I could remember her name, she was really inspiring to me because I could really relate. And she was saying that even in her own community, as a woman, it's hard to be powerful because even the women don't feel like they want a woman to be powerful. They're quite happy for a man to be powerful and make changes.

But as a woman, I don't think they were comfortable. And I still get it. I do find one or two, not many, we do have a lot of empowering women that together with queens and we empower each other. But there is still some where it's like, who does she think she is? Whereas if I was a man, I wouldn't have that.

So there's some of the challenges that I'm facing, but I'm determined to overcome them because I'm focused on change. I'm not focused on anybody's thoughts. I know what's needed in the community because I listen to what's out there, so I'm determined.

[00:12:09] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I love that. I totally agree with you about women supporting each other, but also being role models because this is what you're doing. Like you said, you're helping other people face their fears. Amazing that you've come from kissing the wrong frogs, as I say, to really being a role model.

And it's very inspiring and, keep that up. It's just amazing. There's lots to learn from you. And my own personal experience is that there's a lot of drama out there. So now my new philosophy is not my circus, not my monkeys. So, you want to have your drama? Do that. I'm going to go, focus on my purpose and my passion. And, you can do what you like. I don't need to get involved with that.

[00:12:51] Shar Sangster: No, you don't have to prove yourself to anyone. You just got to stay focused. I'm not going to lie. It is mentally draining, especially when you're dealing with So many different people and you're trying to make change, you're trying to help people, but you can only help people that are willing to make sacrifices and that's what I know.

So, I'm not really going to sit here and kill myself for anybody that's not really going to make the change. Because I have had to make the sacrifices to get where I am and I'm not going to, bend backwards for anybody else because, it's not how the world works.

I love what you said then about not my circus and stuff because it's taught us, I'm going to be honest, it's not easy. It was a lot of mental adrenaline. I'm going to be honest, I had a few arguments sometimes, like a few mental breakdowns. And it was hard, it isn't always easy to just be human and it affects.

[00:13:34] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: You have to constantly work on that, it's but I call it detoxing. So, you take out people, organisations and other things that are not supportive because ultimately there's a lot of people who can benefit from the good things you're doing. But you need to also take care of yourself and give yourself those breaks.

[00:13:54] Shar Sangster: That's what I had to come to know, because you know what happened, you have a break and I felt guilty for having a break, but now I don't. Literally, if you don't have that break, your brain doesn’t think straight. And I really worked myself over one time where I got myself really ill and just lay down.

But I was glad because it was God telling me to you need to relax and think. And I was so happy for the break because it made me remember what I was here about and just stay focused on that. And now, anything that comes up, it does bounce over waters back now because I feel sorry for that person. Because I think Oh, bless you, you obviously got your own issues for that and it's not my issue. I go by the matter, what anybody thinks of me is not my business and that's it.

[00:14:34] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Absolutely. Build your resilience, build your support system because that's really important as well, having a little circle of support, but I'm sure you're doing all of this.

Back to the questions and what's the impact that you've made? You've talked about so many causes. I don't know how you're going to share, but pick maybe one. I always allow my guests to tell us how they like, if they want to share one person's story that they've helped or a number or anything.

[00:15:00] Shar Sangster: I think I'll talk about this one because she spoke about herself. We had a young girl. I won't say her name because she's on my page anyway, so if you want to find out, she's there, she actually speaks quite openly.

When I met her, I didn't realise at the time, this young people have made me think so much about, made me change. This is why I say to people, they are young souls, they're not people that don't know anything and if you listen to them, it makes you remember what life's about as well. Because when we was younger and innocent, the way we made friends and hug each other, it was easy, but as we get older, it changed. Why did it have to change?

So I think working with young people has made me remember, made me realise what life's about, honestly. And I feel so sorry for them with this pressure. But this one girl, why it hit me, because they're so strong, they have this such a strong layer on them. And you never think, because of the way they act, that they're going through this, you just think they're okay.

Because they're just like, whatever man, whatever, I don't care. They've got this little attitude, but really if you ever break it down and forget about all that and get to have a proper conversation with them. There's sometimes there's something behind them and there was this young girl. And what happened was it was accidentally through the talent show. I started the talent show and then she was doing, I noticed that she popped up on my page doing a talent show but nobody was really watching her talent show. So, I contacted her and said hi, I like what you're trying to do but I've noticed that you don't get a lot of interaction. No, nobody watches me, they all watch yours. So like to join our podcast and join our talent show online?

Oh my gosh, she was over the moon. She came along and she did the videos. Like I said, the talent show actually became into a radio show. So when it became a radio show, we met each other. Coincidentally. I met her independently, but it just so happened that she was a friend, one of my son's friends from school. When we all found out and met each other in person, we hugged each other, and this was it. So she's been a presenter and everything. All of this time.

And then one day, we went to a project and we were talking about the changes of lockdown. But this girl, she went to the project, and she was speaking about her life, and I don't know, I think it was a self-love project that we were speaking about, and she was sat there. This is after working with her for nearly two years.

And she spoke and she says, I just want to say something and I just want to say... And she broke down and she says, Through the lockdown, I felt like I wasn't going to make it through the end of the lockdown. And she says, I was looking up lines on how to commit suicide quickly without no pain. And it must have been the same week that she thought, this is it, I'm doing it this week. But I messaged her, and I said to her, What are you doing with your talent show? And she said, I saved her life. I literally saved her life

[00:17:46] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Wow.

[00:17:47] Shar Sangster: I saved her life with that message. After that, she started speaking to me about a few things, and She did talk to me, but I'm going to be honest, I didn't think she felt suicidal at all, I just know she was a bit fed up with the lockdown, stuff happened, it wasn't great.

She said in the group that she didn't know what she was going to do after the lockdown because of all the changes that was happening. She just felt like that career choice was just out the window, so she just didn't know what to do herself. She just felt like she didn't want to be here. She's seen loads of people on social media doing so well. And she's just not doing that well. And through working with MGTY and me highlighting certain awareness’s like Social media, by the way, it's all really a load of rubbish.

There's a lot of people that are totally broke that are on social media but have a great video. And it's not true. I was highlighting so many things and even talking about my own stresses that I was going through. She felt more human and felt like what she was going through was okay. And now, she's now off to work in the police force, she's going to college, and she's doing whatever it is that she needs to do. She's doing the uni to become a police officer. And she said that she doesn’t think she would be here today if it wasn't for just working with me. And she says MGTY has given her a purpose. She says, I know it's corny, but we really are a family. She says it all the time.

So that was one of my real stories, Deepa. I have a few like that, but I think that one sticks out because she's been with me the longest.

[00:19:07] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I think it's amazing. And, it's that power of connection and purpose, exactly like she said. And it's a lovely story. Thank you so much for sharing that. And I hope she does very well as a police officer. I'm sure she has many years of community service in her. That would be wonderful.

One of my guests talked about again, mental health and feeling like they wanted to, at their lowest point, wanting to kill themselves. And they talked about, the importance of somebody asking, how are you feeling at least five times. Actually, we all have that image and that mask that we keep, try to be strong for everyone around us, but yes, it's important.

How can interested people reach out to you and learn more? Where do they find you on social media? Where do they find your website? And is there if there is a carnival, where can they find out about that?

[00:20:01] Shar Sangster: With MGTY, we call Manchester's Got Talent Youth because it's not like just young people singing and dancing. We do a lot. I've just mentioned to do a lot of stuff. It's about Manchester having talent. There's a lot of people that do amazing stuff, offers and things like that. And there's a lot of projects and events.

M G T Y don't really do a lot of events because there's so many. Most of our events are together with other organisations, because we like to show togetherness. Our website does need updating, because we're a very small organisation, so I need to get there. But it's www.mgty.co.uk.

But to really find the most updated information, go on my page on Facebook Shar Sangster or go on my Instagram page at MGT Youth. And from there, you'll see other pages. We've got a promotion page, business page, where we do something similar to you, where we highlight just the local Manchester businesses and organisations. Anyone that would like us to do a project with them, we've got a lot of networks and connections, please get in contact because we love working with other people.

[00:20:56] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Thank you for sharing that. And what advice would you have for people looking to do something similar in their community, whether it be across the UK or another part of the world?

[00:21:08] Shar Sangster: I really think it's very important to if you really want to do it, because it is hard work community, but make sure you don't try and do everything on your own. Try and network with organisations. Try and find out what's missing in the community. Find out what other people are doing as well. Because if somebody's already doing what you're doing, it's best to join up rather than having a separate one. I feel like we need to work and have more unity.

Find out what you want to do. If there's anyone else doing it, join up and try and work together because together we're stronger and you can add and make things better and improve. be open to listening, really listen, not just get your point across as well.

Just continue. Stay focused because it is draining. You want to give up but don't because if that's what we're all put on this earth for something. And if that's why you're put on earth, it's not going to be an easy road. It's going to be bumps and stumps, but keep going because we need it.

[00:21:58] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Thank you. That's really great advice. And definitely lots to consider there.

An opportunity now for you to talk about anything I haven't asked you about. Anything coming up in the autumn that you want to highlight?

[00:22:11] Shar Sangster: Basically what's coming up at the moment, you can't see, but I've got a few awards up here, because last year I won three awards, and I was pretty chuffed because it's like in the first two years of being here. We've got the CAHN organisation, which is CAHN or Caribbean African Health Network.

[00:22:27] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: They've been on our podcast.

[00:22:28] Shar Sangster: Yes, they are my besties. I absolutely love CAHN. They're so encouraging. They're one organisation that really unite other organisations. I love them so much and they have a big gala once a year that has the local MPs and a lot of councillors from Manchester town.

It's a big event and they do it at a beautiful spot and they give out awards. For example, last year my son got young person of the year which I'm very proud of. I've been a single parent family. My son, Zeriah Otutu, he is one of the young inspirations of Manchester, I'm proud to say.

He inspired a lot of young boys to not be involved in gang crime and try and get them to follow the passion that he has. Being only 19, he runs his own business as a barber and he's still in college studying. He's realised being a barber, you're like a counsellor, so now he's studying counselling at college as well.

Because it's true when you go to your hairdresser's, that's who you tell all your problems to, and he's on the same thing, so that's why he wants to do counselling now, but he does a lot of projects and events in the community. He's also a host and a dancer, so he really is pushing that along with some other young boys. There's a few young boys like them that are amazing.

I got commitment to volunteering because I've been out here litter picking, cleaning up, getting the council to clear areas. So we've got clearer paths for the young people. So I've been doing a lot of health and wellbeing in the environment for the community. I did win that. And then my organisation won the young people's organisation of the year because as a group, we really came together.

We really worked hard and it isn't just about me. It's about us young people empowering each other to do the best we can to really work together. And we've actually, even though we're a new organisation, we've inspired other organisations to work together more and do similar projects that we do, which is missed out.

What else is happening? We've got Black History Month at Manchester Cathedral. A couple of years ago I was awarded for being, an inspirational black woman for Black History Month. I was really proud of that. So Black History Month is coming around again and we will be having performers, spoken word, rappers and singers coming to Manchester Cathedral to celebrate Black History Month.

It's all positive and it's all about unity. It's all about bringing together. So no matter what colour you are, we want you to come along and celebrate at Manchester Cathedral. The details will also be on my webpage as well, on the pages I've mentioned.

[00:24:46] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: That sounds really interesting and I'll definitely try and check it out if I can.

Now come to the signature questions that I ask all my guests and the first question for you is to describe the Mancunian spirit in a word or a phrase.

[00:25:00] Shar Sangster: To describe us, we're very down to earth, happy go lucky people, and it is what it is with us mostly. We're very ignorant people, but I'm working on that, and I'm part of that ignorance. I'm learning now, but yes, we like that.

It's been, I have actually inspired, encouraged, it's so good to encourage other people like myself because you know before when I first started this, I never expected black people like yourself, Deepa. I still am so honoured to get calls from people like yourself, honestly, even BBC called me on to do, I feel so honoured because before I never thought that anyone like that yourselves would be interested in me.

And because I just talk like me, like I said, I've not been uni like that. I am going. That's another thing. I'm starting to go into education and I'm pushing my friends and people I know to come with me. I've got people that I get inspired from because they're older and doing the same thing, but it's good that I go into meetings and I really do talk about the way we speak. Anyone that's helping organisation, you need to know how we talk, because a lot of us haven't been to uni and stuff. And I think that language breakdown causes big problem in society.

I work with a lot of homeless people and feed the homeless and I've bought them presents at Christmas, hat and gloves and stuff. And I've spoken to them, a lot of them are homeless, not through drugs, because of the literature that came through the door, they didn't understand it and there's no one to support them. So it's really important that I think this language, that organisations and services start understanding, the literature that they're sending out in letters and also how to speak to community, just speak normal, because we don't understand all that. It's quite stressful.

[00:26:33] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I think this is something that the government's trying to encourage that plain English, right? Don't give us the fancy words. Give it to us simply and tell us exactly what you expect us to do.

[00:26:45] Shar Sangster: Think that sounds like a small thing, but honestly, if that government was to implement that, the amount of changes, and less people homeless, and more people in jobs, obviously there would be. That alone would change the communities.

[00:27:00] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Yes, I've spoken to a lot of homelessness charities and maybe I can link you up with some of them because one of them is very interesting. They actually encourage homeless people to become guides for Manchester. Invisible Cities., and we can talk at the end. I'm sure there's a lot of things that maybe we can collaborate, because I'm sure there's, I've now spoken to almost 70 (charities)

[00:27:22] Shar Sangster: Definitely, Honestly, it's important, you're part of that uniting people, which I love. So thank you so much, Deepa, because I looked at your page and thought, this is amazing.

[00:27:30] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Absolutely, and thank you as well, because it's always great to meet people who are passionate about that.

Can you share a Mancunian who inspires you, and why?

[00:27:39] Shar Sangster: If I can only mention one, it's going to be difficult to mention in the community because there's literally so many.

The person that inspired me, and I think I'm going to go with someone more recently because the reason why I mentioned this one, because I could say somebody but I think it's better for you to, someone that you can connect with. So I'm going to say, his name is Cecil G and he's from Moods Radio.

And he inspires me, because I met him recently and he reached out to me to do an interview on his radio station. But then he said to me, he would love for me to come on and I thought no way, I don't think I can do it. And then he sent me his link, to listen to him on radio and I think he's inspiring because I feel like it hits you. Go on the radio station, its interactive radio station, and it just changes your whole week because it plays a little bit of music, but it's also about real conversation. And you feel like you're just in, when you're listening to him, you feel like you're just in the living room with your friends and just having that conversation. A lot of other DJs are on there as well, and it's just normal everyday people. It's not people that are like superstars, it's just people you can relate to and speak to every day. And he does, it's all about mental health awareness, and he talks about things, I think are important, even relationships. Not many people have been taught, they're starting to now, things like that, and the young children and families, he talks about things like that, as well as anxiety and depression.

But he also hits notes that we do get depressed about and stuff. But it's just like a range of different normal people from the community that you can relate to, that is brought together on a radio station. Brings changes into the community. And he works in a lot of, like I've mentioned, in the carnival, he has a little suite in the carnival, very different. So even though you want to be part of the carnival, it was like a little relaxing area where you can still see the madness that's going on, but you don't have to be right in it. And he's just so amazing that he doesn't forget the people that, because there's some people that do suffer with anxiety, do suffer with depression, don't want to be out there.

I'm not really into the hype of the radio, but they're just chilled and he provides that. It makes you feel, equal. It's really good. I love what it does. You'd have to listen. I'd love you to.

[00:29:47] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Yes

[00:29:47] Shar Sangster: speak to him.

[00:29:47] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I definitely want to listen and maybe even speak to him because he might be a great guest. Thank you for that. And yes, there's some very lovely radio stations which are community focused and like you said, they bring people from the community who host because of their passion for connecting with. the community and making things better.

What's the most important life lesson you've learned so far?

[00:30:10] Shar Sangster: I think having a life lesson is having a lot more understanding. with everybody and knowing that I'm not the only one anymore. I think that's a life lesson. Really knowing that before you feel like you felt, especially honestly as a black woman, I feel like I'm supposed to be so strong and powerful. I'm not supposed to have any weaknesses, but now I feel it's okay to say, Oh, I'm lonely today. Oh, I'm fed up today. And someone will help talk to me and say, oh, this is it.

I can even listen to mood's radio and feel like that alone anymore. I know that there's always some, there's always someone out there, organisation out there, service out there that's there. I'm not on my own.

And that's a life lesson that nobody needs to feel on their own. And anyone that does need help and that feel like, oh, they're going to look down on me because then that's their problem, not yours. Do you know what I mean?

You just don't feel like that because we all should be out helping each other. Do you know? So that's one life lesson to anybody out there. Don't be stopping about reaching out for help. You really can reach. There's some amazing people out here and there's always someone that can help. So yes, that's an important life lesson I think for me.

[00:31:14] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I think so. I think because, again, somebody's recently said we are the most connected in the world, but we're also the most disconnected and isolated. And there's a lot of people who I think because of lockdown, they haven't gone back to interacting with the world yet. And I think it's a very powerful life lesson. Thank you for sharing that.

[00:31:35] Shar Sangster: Thank you.

[00:31:36] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

[00:31:40] Shar Sangster: If I could have one superpower, what would it be? I think I'd make everyone not need to want anything. Everything you need is there because really in the world, you do this. There's enough money, there's enough food, there's enough everything. There's enough, if somebody wants to do your hair, there's someone that can do your hair.

It shouldn't have to be everybody, I think that's one superpower, that no one needed to want anything. We can help each other. We didn't have to struggle so much. And that's it really. Even yesterday, I was watching a nurse go into work and I wanted to cry because I think, why is she walking? She's got to be chauffeur driven. She saves lives, so I wish I could change certain things like making sure people got what they needed and never suffered.

[00:32:17] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: That's a great superpower and the world would be so much better. So thank you for sharing that.

Is there a funny story you'd like to share with listeners to end?

[00:32:26] Shar Sangster: I think Manchester's just funny anyway. You just have to stand there one day and it'll be just funny. In general, I'm just a funny person. I walk into the room and I say what everybody thinks. What's Shar going to say today? You know what I mean? What's she going to do? Get herself in trouble today?

I think one of my funniest moments was when I was invited to GMP. and they were having a general conversation, it was with all the managers, these big sergeants of the constables of the police. And we sat there and everything. And we are talking about, he was talking about race and stuff like this, and he, at one point he said he can't change racism.

So I jumped up and I said, can I say something? I said, you actually can change racism. Because I really feel like I didn't know I was racist, but I feel like I probably was a little bit racist where I used to. Being young, I looked at white people as in a sense of, and it wasn't that I was racist, it's just for being black and learning about slavery and everything, I felt like the world owed me something.

 So anybody that wasn't black but of a culture, like black and Asian, you Cool. But anybody else, I was like, who are you talking to? Don't tell me what to do. Ain't slave days now. It was that attitude.

So I actually spoke to him about that and said, but learning about the world and knowing that actually white people go through the same thing as black people. We all have our own issues that go through it together. I said, you can change it. So even though that wasn't bad racism, it was still a form of racism because I still had that colour thing in my head.

So I said, but that's got rid of now. even though there's still no culture I don't put anyone down for whatever, we're just different. Because now, I said, I'm glad because some of you white officers are looking all right. We've got one there, blue eyes looking so fine and the whole group just went absolutely crazy, laughing, oh my god, and they're not lying.

That meeting went all over, and the amount of constables that said, I just want her to come. So I think that's one of my funniest moments, because honestly, every time I speak to one of the GMP now, it's you're that girl that fanciers, blonde,blue eyed police officer. Even the other day, they still mentioned it, and this was like, how many months ago, and I'm like, oh my god, I wish I never did that.

So I think that's one of the moment. But I think it's nice, I think it's nice to just go in the meeting and be yourself. All too often, I go into these meetings and people are like, who are they? And then I just come in and I'm just myself, literally. And I really appreciate that they accept me like that as well.

But also what happens is it does like a wave effect. People start to relax because I think when you're yourself, then we get the real issues out. yes, it's one of my funniest moments, but it's also a good point.

[00:34:47] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: It's a really great story and I think it speaks to you being your authentic self, yes? Exactly what we want. So thank you so much. This has been an amazing conversation. I've learned so much and I'm looking forward to checking out some of the things you've talked about like the Black History Month as well as the Carnival.

 Thank you so much, Shar. This has been a fascinating conversation.

[00:35:10] Shar Sangster: Thank you. I've enjoyed it, thanks.

Shar, I really enjoyed learning about supporting the youth today.

Dear listener, thank you so much for listening to the 6th episode of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, Season 6. Tune in every Tuesday for a new episode or log on to www.meetthemancunian.co.uk to listen to all the episodes and learn more about my podcasting story.

Next week on Tuesday, 17th October 2023, I speak to Anjali Sweeney about supporting mental health in the youth. Thank you for joining me on this enriching journey through the social impact stories of Manchester with the sixth season of the Meet the Mancunian podcast. I hope the stories you heard today have sparked a fire of inspiration within you. May they serve as a gentle reminder that no dream is too big and no passion too small.

Your feedback means the world to me. Visit www.meetthemancunian.co.uk to share your thoughts, suggestions and the causes that touched your heart. Your input helps me craft a podcast that truly touches hearts and makes a difference in our community.

Your feedback means the world to me. Visit www.meetthemancunian.co.uk to share your thoughts, suggestions, and the causes that touched your heart. Your input helps me craft a podcast that truly touches hearts and makes a difference in our community.

Stay connected with the podcast on social media. You can find us @MeettheMancunian on Instagram, on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter @MancunianPod. Sharing and leaving a comment would be a fantastic way to spread the word and build a vibrant community of change makers.

 Before I sign off, remember to introduce this podcast to your friends and family, so together we can amplify the impact and reach of these incredible stories. Once again, thank you so much for being a part of the Meet the Mancunian family.

Your support fuels my passion, and I can't wait to bring you more compelling stories that will touch your hearts and fuel your soul. Until we meet again in the next episode, let's keep creating waves of change together. Remember, the world needs the Mancunian spirit, so go out there and be the change you wish to see.

Take care. Stay inspired.