How do you inspire young people to take meaningful climate action in an era of digital misinformation?

In this At The Forefront interview, our CEO Mary Rose Gunn speaks with Laura Dempsey, Founder of GenEarth CIC. This social enterprise bridges curriculum gaps in the UK by partnering with leading environmental and conservation organisations. Together, they take expert-led climate education workshops directly to schools, inspiring students to create proactive solutions and lead with compassion.

GenEarth’s work goes far beyond standard climate education. They equip young people with the critical thinking and media literacy skills to navigate a complex, digital world.

Tune in for an inspiring conversation on how GenEarth earth are building up a generation of independent thinkers.

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Can music make joy and connection a reality for those living with dementia?

In our next At The Forefront, our CEO Mary Rose Gunn is joined by Kate Darby, Co-Founder and Director of Dementia Disco. This fun-loving charity use music and dance to bring together people of all ages living with dementia and their loved ones to move, groove and create memories.

Through regular discos, care home sessions, and online routines with professional physiotherapy techniques, Dementia Disco spread joy and encourage people to live life to the fullest.

Join us to hear how Kate and her team are using dance to demand government action and reinstate dementia as a political priority.

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In our latest At The Forefront, our CEO Mary Rose Gunn speaks with Cathy Wassell, founder of Autistic Girls Network, about why so many neurodivergent girls and non-binary young people are overlooked and misdiagnosed by a system that isn’t set up to identify their internal, hidden traits of autism.

They discuss how autistic students are crashing out of an education system that doesn’t understand their needs, and how Cathy is filling that gap. From teacher training to The Haven – an online school offering a neuro-affirming alternative to mainstream schools, Autistic Girls Network is reshaping how autistic girls access the support they deserve.

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How can a social enterprise rebuild lives inside and after prison?#

In this At The Forefront, our CEO Mary Rose Gunn spoke to Pauline Miller-Brown, founder of Restart Enterprise, an organisation dedicated to breaking the cycle of reoffending through practical support designed with people who’ve been through the system themselves.

Together, they unpack how prioritising “human-touch” solutions, as simple as a hot drink or a ride home on release day, and supporting family members and prison staff, fill the gaps often left by the criminal justice system.

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How can you make your organisation a truly inclusive workplace?

In this At The Forefront session, our CEO Mary Rose Gunn speaks to Alex Winstanley, co-founder of Happy Smiles Training, a social enterprise creating more inclusive organisations and communities through disability awareness training led by disabled people.

Three key takeaways:

1. The biggest barriers faced by disabled people aren’t always physical, they’re attitudes

2. Inclusion only works when people with lived experience lead the conversation

3. Tackling stigma must start young – inspiring Alex’s award-winning children’s book series on long-term health conditions

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What does it take to give young people a fighting chance when opportunity isn’t equal?

In this At The Forefront session, we speak to Martin Bisp, co-founder of Empire Fighting Chance, a charity that pairs boxing with mentoring, therapy and educational support to help young people build confidence and take control of their futures.

Our CEO, Mary Rose Gunn, explores how Martin has taken this model beyond one place by training boxing clubs across the UK, and globally, to deliver similar programmes, while keeping Empire Fighting Chance’s mission firmly rooted in Bristol and guided by the needs of local young people.

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In this episode, Mary Rose speaks to Matt Parfitt, a social entrepreneur and founder of Grace Enterprises – a network of social enterprises that provide pathways to employment for people who’ve faced homelessness, addiction, or experiences with the criminal justice system. Through employing, mentoring and coaching, Matt is showing how sustainable enterprises can rebuild lives.

Listen to find out:

• what makes his model of supportive employment so effective
• How he built three thriving social enterprises — and why he’s already dreaming up four more
• Why he believes social businesses have the power to rebuild communities across the UK.

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Why are so many young people in underserved communities growing up without the basic financial skills they need for everyday life?

In this At The Forefront session, we speak to Abdirahman Ahmed, Founder of Urban Rise, to find out how his organisation is tackling financial exclusion by giving young people the confidence and knowledge to take control of their money and their futures.

Our CEO, Mary Rose Gunn, dive into how Urban Rise’s programmes are building financial literacy and breaking cycles of debt. Together, they explore what being on top of your finances really looks like and why the young people who need these skills the most are often the least likely to have access to them.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.