Supporting communities with Chris Marsh

Meet the Mancunian-10.11-Chris Marsh transcript

Intro

[00:00:00] Hello listeners, and welcome to season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast: social impact stories from Manchester. I'm your host, Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe, offering you a warm Mancunian welcome.

[00:00:14] I'm delighted to bring to you Season 10 where I celebrate social impact community heroes across Manchester. I hope, dear listener, you can learn from their life experiences, the challenges they've overcome, and their passion for their cause. My aim for the Meet the Mancunian podcast is to encourage you to live your life with purpose and impact, inspired by the stories my guests share every Tuesday throughout the season.

[00:00:41] You can listen to the podcast on Apple podcast, Spotify, or my website www.meetthemancunian.co.uk. Get ready for another season full of thought-provoking conversations and life changing stories.

Introducing Chris Marsh

[00:00:57] Welcome to the 11th episode of Season 10 of the Meet the Mancunian podcast: social impact stories from Manchester.

[00:01:05] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Passionate about supporting communities? We hear from Chris Marsh, Ambassador, Forever Manchester in this episode.

[00:01:12] In Chris's own words.

[00:01:13] Chris Marsh: I always talk openly and enthusiastically about the group. I've made a lot of friends through the group. When my initial conversation was about my children growing up in Manchester, and it's something that I often talk to them about. If you see people that need help that's your priority. You go and help them.

[00:01:28] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Thank you so much, Chris for joining me today.

[00:01:31] Chris Marsh: Thank you very much, Deepa, for having me. I'm looking forward to discussing my life and my contributions with you.

[00:01:36] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: It's great to have you.

Chris's Journey to Community Support

[00:01:38] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Tell us about what sparked your interest in supporting the community. Where did you start and was there a defining moment?

[00:01:45] Chris Marsh: There was a defining moment, actually. It was a sort of sliding doors moments, if you will. I'll try and cut a long story short for the benefit of the listeners. But it was around about 20 20. I got into running. I was always into football.

[00:01:58] I used to play a lot of football. When my daughter was born in 2010, exercise fell by the wayside a little bit, admittedly. And I got into running and I had a good group of friends, and we used to go running in Manchester of an evening time. Only about five kilometres which was about my limit at the time.

[00:02:15] And then one of my fellow runners one evening said, oh, I've got a friend, she can't do the Manchester 10 K this year. She's got a place, so would you like her spot in the Manchester 10 K? And without hesitation, I said yes.

[00:02:29] I thought if I sit and think about it, I'll probably talk myself out of it. May end up regretting it. So immediately I said yes. And so she said, great, she's called Michelle. Michelle will send you the race number. So I was very proud and I was looking forward to it. I was feeling very positive about it.

[00:02:45] So I started telling people, oh I'm, just going to run in and I'm going to do the Manchester 10 K. And the response I always got was, oh, who are you doing it for? Charity? And I said I'm not really, I'm not really involved in a charity. I don't really do things for charity. I've not really considered it.

[00:03:00] And the more and more people kept asking me, my response eventually was perhaps I should do it for charity really and perhaps raise some money and raise awareness. But I didn't really know where to start. So again, it was one of the other runners who suggested that I have a conversation with a bloke called Nick Massey, who's the CEO of a community foundation group called Forever Manchester. So I said yes and went to meet Nick and I explained that I've grown up in Greater Manchester.

[00:03:28] I was living in Stockport at the time. My children were going to grow up in Manchester. I love Manchester. I work in Manchester. I support Manchester football team. Everything I do is all about Manchester.

[00:03:39] And I've got this opportunity now with the run. I'd like to give back. I'd like to get involved and see what I can do. He told me about this Ambassadors program which again I can tell you a bit more about, but it's stemmed from there. 20.20.12 I signed up for the 10 K and then decided I should raise some money for charity and that's, that was the defining moment for me getting involved with Forever Manchester.

[00:04:00] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I love it that your friends gently nudged you both for the opportunity for the marathon and of course for supporting a charity. And I've done that in Mumbai, not in Manchester, running for Welfare of Stray Dogs, which is one of my animal charity partners that I'm really passionate about. That's really interesting. That's how you got connected with Forever Manchester.

Forever Manchester's Impact

[00:04:19] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Tell us more about how you got involved with Forever Manchester and what does it do? So you are an ambassador. What is your role there? What does Forever Manchester do for the Manchester community?

[00:04:30] Chris Marsh: They're a community foundation organisation. And what I mean by that is we raise funds, or we find funds and put them just back into Greater Manchester. Those funds don't leave Greater Manchester. So that's the great thing about it.

[00:04:41] And that can be anything for disability groups, food banks, the homeless, even things like gardening groups. And there was even a knitting group. I went to visit some elderly women who got together every Tuesday in Stockport to knit clothes for babies, and I think for some other groups. And they needed a place to sit. And so they needed a home, a little sort of office under bank in Stockport. And they needed wool. And they wanted to have a cup of tea while they were there. So they needed mugs and tea, bags of milk. And so all these small items soon added up.

[00:05:20] And again, through hearing about what Forever Manchester could do, I think they approached us and explained what they're all about. So we went in there. Put some funds in place to make sure they could budget and spend the money wisely. But also, we went in as ambassadors just to learn how the money was being spent. I think some of the ambassadors even learn how to knit at a time. I dodged that one.

[00:05:41] There's a group of ambassadors and what we do is, we get together every few weeks really. I'm sure a few of us see each other socially anyway through the sort of friendships that we've built up over the years and just tried to come up with ideas for raising money. What can we do to get involved? Who can we engage with in order for their involvement as well? And just really sort, drive the fundraising side of it to make sure that people in Greater Manchester benefit from it.

[00:06:05] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: That's really interesting. I will have heard of Forever Manchester in a few different contexts but haven't directly engaged. So it's very great to hear and I love the knitting society story because there's a charity and a community passion for everybody. And it's all ages and all interests. And that is the fascinating part about even the Meet the Mancunian and I'm sure your own personal journey with Forever Manchester.

[00:06:32] Chris Marsh: Think they might struggle if they need to raise funds themselves, asking people for money or even going to the local council, those funds might not quite be there. They might know the process for doing it.

[00:06:42] Again, it's really just trying to help those people out. But you're absolutely right, it's people from any ages. Junior football clubs all the way up to OAP and everything in between. So it's like I say, it's lovely to to be involved with.

[00:06:55] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Great.

Challenges and Achievements

[00:06:57] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Tell me a little bit about the obstacles you may have had to overcome on this journey working with Forever Manchester as an ambassador, or if you want to just take a broader Forever Manchester lens, that would work as well.

[00:07:09] Chris Marsh: The general one because I've carried on with the running and for me that's my accessible way of being involved with Forever Manchester. We do all things like quiz nights and which I wish I like get involved with, and they do the bungee jump, which I will absolutely not get involved with. But there's all sorts of things that they do.

[00:07:27] I suppose my challenge has always been asking people every time I do a 10 K and I might do 10 or 11 of those throughout the year, asking people to help me with fundraising. I think a few people might get a bit sick if, oh, is Chris asking for money for Forever Manchester again, I've already give, I've already given 10 pound, and I give him 20 pound last time and he's going to ask me again.

[00:07:47] I think they understand that I'm asking the same sorts of people. I'm trying to build my network and ask more people to contribute and donate to the charity. So I do talk openly with the guys there about that.

[00:07:58] But there's certainly other ways of raising the profile for Forever Manchester through, social media, through the network and talk about it.

[00:08:03] And even explaining to people that they can actually get involved with Forever Manchester. Come along to some of the events. It's not just asking. There are different ways where you can where you can get involved. And again, it is about helping people on your doorstep.

[00:08:17] I'm sure Manchester has been through its own challenges throughout the years, obviously the bomb that went off and the tragedy and the horrendous circumstances around it. Only a few years before that, we had a famous poet. He's famous now, Tony Walsh. Wrote a poem called ‘This is the place’. And that was actually commissioned for Forever Manchester quite a long time ago. And I remember just after the bomb, a couple of days after the bomb went off, we all congregated at Albert Square the mayor was there. And we saw people on stage talking about it, and then Tony appeared, and he gave his, ' This is the place' speech.

[00:08:51] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: You must read it at the end because that would be quite nice. Sometimes I ask guests to read a poem that's meaningful for you. And because this is quite an evocative one. I've thought it was amazing. And I haven't heard it, but I read it, and I think it would be quite nice to, because it's got a great connection to Forever Manchester.

[00:09:09] Chris Marsh: But in terms of challenges, I'm sure it's there's plenty. But on reflection, there's people worse often than you or I. I'm grateful. There's plenty of abundance in Manchester, however there's a lot of poverty and generations of unemployment.

[00:09:19] I worked in Moss Side for 10 years. And I was doing little bits of work within primary school. So I've seen, the levels of generational unemployment. And like I say, the poverty that's right there on your doorstep.

[00:09:33] So it's, there's that sort of constant reminder that there's a lot of good things going on in Manchester, but there's still a lot of people that need help. So if there's ways that you can get involved or do something, whether it is just a run or a small donation or getting involved, then it's there. And I think there's a lot of people that that are able to do it.

[00:09:51] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: We'll definitely talk about some opportunities they can get involved towards the end of the podcast as well. And thank you so much for sharing that. And I do understand if you're going back to the same people, then finding that a bit challenging. But like you said, you're trying to expand the network and show people other ways to get involved, which may not be financial and how they could contribute still.

[00:10:12] So when you think about the impact that Forever Manchester's made so far, what are the things that you'd like to call out? Maybe looking back a couple of years, because I know it's been there for some time.

[00:10:22] Chris Marsh: They've been going since 1989. We celebrate a birthday with a big birthday party every year. Big Birthday bash. And I'm only mentioning this because as part of the Birthday Bash they have an award ceremony. And at the recent one, I was awarded the Great Mancunian of the Year.

[00:10:38] So I was very proud. So totally it was Tony Walsh who were just referenced who handed the award with one of the BBC Radio presenters on stage as well. Events like that, we can raise a lot of money through donations and all sorts of activities that go on through the night.

[00:10:53] A lot of funds are raised on the night is what I'm trying to say. That's always something to look forward to. But because of the constant events that go on throughout the year. I mentioned, the run - the 10 K and Bungee Jump and the quiz night, there's a comedy evening as well. It was just hardcore Forever Funny.

[00:11:08] There's so many events that go on throughout the year. To engage with people of Manchester, raise a profile, and help them discover ways that they can help people as I say on the doorstep, help local people. That's what it's all about.

[00:11:21] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Congratulations on the award for the Great Mancunian. That does sound very nice.

[00:11:27] Chris Marsh: The knitting one is the obvious one. Honestly, there's so many. There's so many. I remember we did a backwards run once through Heaton Park. They don't do it anymore. You have to run backwards for five times. When you're doing fun things it's all well and good to, get involved and get caught up in the enjoyment and the excitement and everything.

[00:11:43] But when you realise it is that whatever's being raised or what the awareness is all about, helping those less fortunate. There’s plenty of things that go on at Christmas time. And again, with no disrespect to any other charity, some of the larger ones wouldn't see the benefit of smaller donations. However, Forever Manchester will still use those smaller donations, and those small donations can still make a difference.

[00:12:05] They also have a grant program. So some of the funds that are raised can go towards people that are, perhaps starting a small business or they need to do something with a local football team, whatever that looks. And again, Forever Manchester can make decisions and help put funds in place. So that's again another sort of worthwhile element of engaging with Forever Manchester. I'm just a very proud ambassador for Forever Manchester.

[00:12:28] I always talk openly and enthusiastically about the group. I've made a lot of friends through the group. and like I say when my initial conversation was about my children growing up in Manchester, and it's something that I often talk to them about. If you see people that need help, that's your priority. You go and help them.

[00:12:45] And hopefully when they grow up. They'll be involved in Forever Manchester or something similar. It's hopefully something that will be passed on if they decide to stay in Manchester, which I hope they do,

[00:12:55] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I think so. I think there is a real culture of pay it forward. And I've definitely experienced that as a very new Mancunian where there's a lot of support and collaboration. You're right, there is a lot of hardship as well, but that hardship has perhaps led to that community rising up to support itself.

[00:13:14] What are some things some people often misunderstand about the field you are in? So maybe it's the role of the ambassador that you want to demystify or anything else that you want to pick up and say that, oh, you know what? People don't quite get this, and I can myth bust in a few minutes.

[00:13:29] Chris Marsh: I suppose they do ask me what do you mean by an ambassador? It's not my full-time role. It's very much a volunteer role. I don't receive any payments or anything like that. I have to obviously make that clear. It's not a paid role or anything like that.

[00:13:41] I do still have a full-time role. I work for myself in freelance business development. And again, that's all about helping people. But now as an ambassador, I suppose I do have to clarify with people, it is about representing the brand, talking to the right people, talking to decision makers, talking to people who can influence and just raise the profile of the charity. That's all it is in, its in its simplistic form.

[00:14:02] In its purest form, it's very much just raising the profile. I think, banging the drum. Banging the drum for a worthy cause. That's what it's all about. But I don't mind it. I kind of like it if people ask me about it. It's not a negative thing. I see it as a positive opportunity to talk about Forever Manchester.

[00:14:16] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I think so. And I guess it's an opportunity to engage, isn't it? Absolutely. Thank you so much for clarifying that. And it's always nice to have something that, it may not be big, but something small that you'd like people to just understand a bit better.

[00:14:29] So what's your top tip for somebody looking to make an impact in their community? Maybe they're not in Greater Manchester, they're in one of the 70 countries, or maybe they are in Greater Manchester or another part of the UK.

Discovering Local Impact

[00:14:41] Chris Marsh: Oh, that's a good question. I guess discovering an organisation like Forever Manchester, that has a focus on helping people locally. Again, meaning no disrespect to the larger charities that spend millions and perhaps billions across the world. But when it's on your doorstep, for me, I feel like I'm making a difference then.

[00:15:01] So my advice would be just see what's going on in your local area. Whether it is just a within a small distance, whether it's through local council. Perhaps visit a local library or just something simple like Googling what's going on in your current area.

[00:15:16] There's a park that, that we walk the dog just around the corner and I often see the sign of. looking for volunteers to help clean up every Saturday morning. And I think, oh, perhaps I should do that. It's perhaps it's a matter of time and I will do it at some point.

[00:15:29] But I think the point is there's always people in your local area. There's always a need around you. So you don't have to look too far in order to help. And there's plenty of people that need help.

[00:15:40] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I like that very much about that local focus. And actually, my second guest was when I was walking my dog in Wythenshawe Park seeing Wythenshawe Waste Warriors, and I was like, oh, that's interesting. Let me talk to them. So absolutely there is people making a difference everywhere and just trying to find a connection to them.

[00:16:01] An opportunity for you to talk about anything coming up.

Upcoming Events and Initiatives

[00:16:03] Chris Marsh: There's the Manchester 10 K is coming up, that'll be in May. I'll be participating wearing a t-shirt Forever Manchester logo. In previous years, I've run with a caricature Captain Manchester.

[00:16:16] And previous year, they asked me to wear the costume for the 10 K which I agreed. Not sure I'd do it again because it's very hot. It's generally a hot day in May when they do the 10 k. And the character has a huge helmet on and a cape and long sleeves and knee pads and so running.

[00:16:32] Definitely looking forward to the Manchester 10 K in May. I do know there's another, Forever Funny, the comedy night at the Frog & Bucket. That'll be in October.

[00:16:40] But honestly, there's so many events that go on throughout the year, so I would certainly recommend if anyone is interested take a look at the website Forever manchester.com. And the list of the events will be there.

[00:16:48] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Thank you Chris. And I can imagine that, in the heat it wouldn't be fun. But I've done, they used to have, I think they used to call it the fun run in Mumbai Marathon. It was a 10,000-step option rather than the full Mumbai marathon. But it was very much people in costumes and bands and dogs walking and all kinds of fun things.

[00:17:11] Chris Marsh: It should be about fun. It should be an enjoyable event. I only do it for the enjoyment and to raise the profile for Forever Manchester as well.

[00:17:18] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Absolutely.

Signature Questions: Manchester's Unique Social Impact

[00:17:19] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: So I'll now move us to the signature questions I ask all my guests. And the first one is, what makes Manchester a unique place for social impact work?

[00:17:28] Chris Marsh: It would be difficult to say unique because I'm sure every city, every town across the country has experience of abundance, but also of poverty. And I use that word poverty because I think it is poverty.

[00:17:39] But for me, Manchester is just, it's where I grew up, it's where I live now, and it's where I'll always live. I can't imagine living anywhere else, to be honest. Is it unique? We often talk about the culture, the people.

[00:17:51] Again, you'll find that in a lot of cities across the country. But for me, it's just so apparent. And everything that Manchester has, including its rich history and all the cultures that you see every day, it's for me, I suppose that it feels unique.

[00:18:06] It's something I'm very proud of. I'm very proud to walk the streets of Manchester and feel like I'm part of Mancunian. So it's difficult one to answer, but it feels like it's on its own for me.

[00:18:16] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I love it because it feels like a very special place. I've lived in different parts of the world and Manchester's not the first place I've lived in the UK. But it does feel as a Mancunian you have this different experience and connection and I'm sure other places do too. This is about Meet the Mancunian. So we talk about Manchester.

[00:18:36] Chris Marsh: Absolutely.

[00:18:37] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: If you could have dinner with any historical figure in Manchester, who would it be with and why?

[00:18:43] Chris Marsh: So I always said George Best. He is an adopted Mancunian obviously came over from Belfast, when he was very young. Sir Matt Busby brought him over. But I think how he affected Manchester United, the part of the history of the success in the fifties and sixties and. And then living his life and everything that went through it. And I think, I've enjoyed his autobiography and reading stories about him and watching all the programmes about him. If I was to choose one, I'd say, George Best.

[00:19:12] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Very interesting. I have been to the football museum, but I'm not very much into football, so I don't know much about him, but I will look him up.

[00:19:18] Chris Marsh: Please do.

[00:19:19] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Sounds like he is made a big influence on the football scene, so that's really interesting.

[00:19:25] If you were to create a social impact superhero, what powers would they have and what cause would they fight for?

[00:19:32] Chris Marsh: I mentioned Forever Manchester has our own superhero called Captain Manchester. I think if we were to ask Captain Manchester what his superpowers would be just the ability to make people smile and to make them feel good themselves. And to feel like, they're part of a community. And part of a wider audience, a wider group of people that, that they can rely on and feel part of. I'd say that I'd say be Captain Manchester, making people smile.

[00:19:56] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: And what's his cause? Captain Manchester's cause.

[00:20:00] Chris Marsh: Just to make Manchester a better place.

[00:20:02] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Like that very much. It's great that there's an actual superhero and not a fictional example.

Life Lessons and Personal Insights

[00:20:09] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: What's the most important life lesson you've learned so far?

[00:20:12] Chris Marsh: Happiness is the most important thing and striving for happiness. And a sort of an eternal search for what happiness means. And that's not a sort of wishy-washy comment. It is understanding that you will have bad days and everybody does have a bad day.

[00:20:28] But the confidence and knowing that you'll have more good days than bad days. And then understanding what that good day looks like when you're driving home from work, or you go and speak to your partner when you get in or speaking to your family.

[00:20:43] I've had a good day. What does that good day look like? Why does it make you feel happy? What does that happen? What's the definition of that element of happiness? And trying to do that more consistently. Just understanding what it is and replicating that pattern and doing things that make you happy as often as possible.

[00:20:59] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I like that very much. So being very conscious to choose what makes you happy and like you said, finding your own secret sauce that you're going to try to have more good days than challenging days because obviously we've all have both.

[00:21:13] Chris Marsh: Yes.

[00:21:13] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Great life lessons. Important, and I think one that could help many people at this point in time.

[00:21:21] How can interested people reach out to you and learn more? Where can they find you and where can they find Forever Manchester?

[00:21:27] Chris Marsh: More importantly Forever Manchester. The website is Forever manchester.com. They're available on all social channels, Instagram.

[00:21:35] Best place for me, I suppose would be LinkedIn. I'm an avid user of LinkedIn. And I'm always monitoring LinkedIn. If you want to send me a message through LinkedIn, I'm always generally available there.

[00:21:45] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: We earlier we spoke about the Tony Walsh poem, which was actually commissioned by Forever Manchester. So tell us about that and maybe just read the poem for listeners. That'd be quite powerful.

[00:21:55] Chris Marsh: It was a famous poet called Tony, has been a long-time friend Nick at Forever Manchester and the rest of the team there. And they actually got together with a creative agency who commissioned a video for it as well. And it was just making reference to everything in Manchester.

[00:22:14] Now this isn't is the only poem that Tony's written. Tony's written quite a few, some absolutely incredible poems. But 'This is the place' I think is his flagship poem. I think it's become famous for if that's the most appropriate term under the tragedy after the following, the tragedy of of the bomb going off.

[00:22:30] I could read a short element of it, if you'll indulge.

[00:22:34] Oh I couldn't do it justice. Tony's voice makes this.

[00:22:38] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I wouldn't insist, but it's just quite impactful from a listener perspective. And it ends with saying “Always remember, never forget Forever Manchester.”

[00:22:46] Chris Marsh: I'll read a little bit of it. I'll, perhaps the first two or three verses, if that's all right. Deepa.

[00:22:52] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Of course.

[00:22:53] Chris Marsh: This is the place in the northwest of England.

[00:22:55] It's ace, it's the best. And the songs that we sing

[00:22:58] from the stands, from our bands set the whole planet shaking.

[00:23:02] Our inventions are legends! There's nowt we can't make, and

[00:23:05] So we make brilliant music. We make brilliant bands.

[00:23:08] We make goals that make souls leap from seats in the stands.

[00:23:12] And we make things from steel and we make things from cotton

[00:23:15] and we make people laugh, we take the mick summat rotten,

[00:23:18] And we make you at home and we make you feel welcome

[00:23:21] and we make summat happen, and we can't seem to help it.

[00:23:25] And if you're looking for history, then yes, we've a wealth.

[00:23:28] But the Manchester Way is to make it yourself

[00:23:30] And make us a record, a new number one,

[00:23:32] and make us a brew while you're up, love. Go on!

[00:23:35] And make us feel proud when you're winning the league

[00:23:37] and make us sing louder and make us believe it..

[00:23:40] Listen, It's the way that Tony expresses himself through his poems is wonderful. Proud to at least reference, some of his work in the podcast today.

[00:23:49] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: Thank you so much, Chris. I do appreciate it's hard to live up to somebody like that. But it is really, even from just hearing you say it, I wasn't reading it. I was listening to you, I was getting a bit of goosebumps. As I said, as a new Mancunian coming across that as okay, now I feel like I understand Manchester

[00:24:05] Obviously my guests, especially the early guests in the seasons were like just trying to introduce me to the music scene and the football scene and just helping me learn so much about this cities culture. Over this last three years, I feel like I've learned a little bit more,

[00:24:21] Chris Marsh: Good.

[00:24:21] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: But there's so much more to experience and learn more.

[00:24:26] Chris Marsh: There really is. And Tony makes great references in in his poem. If you or your listeners want to have a look, there's a brilliant video on YouTube that accompanies the poem. So definitely worth looking up.

Closing Thoughts 

[00:24:37] Deepa Thomas-Sutcliffe: I just wanted to say a big thank you, Chris. It's been great to hear so much about Forever Manchester, your role there as ambassador, your passion for running and how that brought you into this interesting journey. And thank you so much for your time.

[00:24:51] Chris Marsh: Thank you very much. I've really enjoyed it.

Outro

[00:24:53] Chris, I really enjoyed learning about supporting communities today.

[00:24:57] Dear listener, thank you so much for listening to the 11th episode of the Meet the Mancunian podcast, Season 10.

[00:25:04] I hope today's episode has inspired you to make positive change wherever you live. Tune in every Tuesday for a new episode or log on to meet the man kun.co.uk to listen to all the episodes and learn more about my podcasting story.

[00:25:22] Next week, on Tuesday 6 May 2025. I speak to Sophie Jones about tackling climate change.

[00:25:31] It's wonderful to hear from you, dear listener, you can share your story or send me a message on my website www.meetthemancunian.co.uk or on social media @MeetttheMancunian on Instagram, Facebook, and Blue Sky, and @MeettheMancunianPodcast on YouTube.

[00:25:50] Thank you to my wonderful community of listeners. Remember your voice, your story, and your actions matter. Share this episode with someone who needs to hear it, and let's inspire even more positive change.

[00:26:05] To a better kinder world, and until next time, let's continue making Manchester and beyond a place of greater impact, compassion, and action.