People Inspired By Purpose - Purposely Podcast

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. This weeks episode features Richard Bennett founder & CEO of Bhubesi Pride Foundation

Welcoming Thomas Hinz, founder and CEO of Circability Trust, to Purposely Podcast where he shares their mission and his founder journey. Thomas Hinz's journey to founding Circability Trust is fascinating, born in Rostock, East Germany, Thomas grew up in a town where the circus was a constant presence. A large touring circus and a smaller community circus tent were fixtures in the central park, sparking young Thomas's imagination and leaving a lasting impression. Despite this early fascination, Thomas's journey to the world of social circus was far from direct. After school, he pursued an apprenticeship as a fitter and turner, working in factories. However, he always felt a pull towards more creative pursuits and a desire to help others. This led him to work with people with disabilities, where he found a profound connection and a calling to make a difference. In the late 1980s, Thomas studied Rehabilitative Pedagogy in Berlin. Following the reunification of Germany, he saw an opportunity to address the severe lack of resources and support for people with disabilities in his hometown. Together with friends and colleagues, he founded a trust that offered a wide range of activities, from sports to music, art, and theatre. It was through this work that Thomas rediscovered circus as a powerful tool for social change. In 1995, Thomas set up 'Circus Fantasia'™ in Rostock, complete with its own circus tent. This project combined his passion for circus arts with his commitment to inclusivity and empowerment. The circus became a place where people of all abilities could come together, learn new skills, and showcase their talents to the community. Thomas's journey eventually led him to New Zealand, where he founded Circus Kumarani in Dargaville in 2003. Building on his experiences in Germany, he has spent the last two decades developing and promoting community circus throughout Aotearoa New Zealand. His efforts culminated in the establishment of Circability Trust, an organisation dedicated to using social circus as a tool for personal growth, social inclusion, and community building. Circability Trust's mission is encapsulated in its vision: "All ages, all abilities, all cultures - better together." The organisation delivers classes, workshops, and community events that use circus arts to develop personal confidence, physical and emotional literacy, and overall wellbeing. Circability's programmes are designed to be inclusive, welcoming participants of all ages, abilities, and cultural backgrounds. One of the trust's key focus areas is developing inclusion programmes for people with disabilities, creating pathways for creative career employment options. Their work has been recognised through Arts Access Aotearoa's Creative Spaces Excellence and Partnership Awards, highlighting the impact and quality of their initiatives. At the heart of Circability's approach is the emphasis on collaborative processes. They strive to create safe spaces where inclusive social circus arts practices can flourish in diverse communities. This methodology not only benefits the participants but also contributes to broader social change by challenging perceptions and breaking down barriers. Thomas Hinz's journey from a curious child in East Germany to the founder of a transformative social circus organisation in New Zealand is a testament to the power of following one's passion and commitment to social good. Through Circability Trust, he continues to spread the magic of circus, proving that when people of all abilities come together, extraordinary things can happen.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. This weeks episode features Stephanie Wheen founder & CEO of Gympanzees

Welcoming Kiran Kaur, co-founder of GirlDreamer, to Purposely Podcast where she shares her founder journey. Kiran is a visionary leader who is dedicated to supporting and uplifting millennial women of colour. She co-founded GirlDreamer, a platform that provides training, mentoring, and opportunities for this underrepresented group to achieve their personal and professional goals. In this episode, recorded at the first Anthropy conference at the Eden Project in 2022, Kiran talks about the challenges and successes of her entrepreneurial journey, the importance of creating inclusive and diverse spaces, and the impact of her work on the lives of thousands of women. GirlDreamer has been recognized as one of the “top 50 most creative, innovative and disruptive companies in England” by Creative England, and Kiran also serves as the chair of the board at Home Girls Unite, an organization that supports eldest daughters from immigrant families. Kiran is a passionate advocate for social change and a role model for the next generation of leaders. Listen to her inspiring story and learn how you can join her movement. Anthropy is a conference that brings together changemakers from different sectors and backgrounds to explore how we can create a more sustainable, inclusive, and regenerative world. Anthropy aims to inspire, connect, and empower people who are passionate about making a positive difference. The founder of Anthropy, John O’Brien, is a past guest of Purposely. The next conference will take place in March 2025 at the Eden Project, described by the founders as a living laboratory for environmental and social innovation. If you are interested in attending or learning more, please visit www.anthropy.org for details. About Anthropy

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. This weeks episode features Ben Horwitz Vice President at Charity Navigator & founder of Causeway.

Welcoming Dhivya O'Connor's, CEO of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women and host and founder of The Charity CEO Podcast Dhivya grew up in India but at the age of 18, Dhivya moved to the UK for her studies. Initially planning to return to India after completing her education, she found herself drawn to the opportunities that the UK offered. For a decade, Dhivya built a successful career in the private sector, holding various strategy, business development, and leadership roles at companies such as GE Capital, Lloyds Bank, and OctopusTravel (now part of Expedia Group). However, the call to make a more direct impact on society led Dhivya to transition into the charity sector. Over the past 24 years, she has held several senior leadership positions, including CEO roles at United World Schools, the Chartered Institute of Fundraising, and Children with Cancer UK. Her diverse experience, coupled with her innate drive to create equitable opportunities for women and girls, made her the perfect fit for her current role as CEO of the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women. Founded by Cherie Blair in 2008, the Foundation aims to empower women entrepreneurs in low-income countries through training, research, and ecosystem collaboration. Under Dhivya's leadership, the organisation continues to address the challenges faced by women entrepreneurs, particularly in accessing finance and education. The Foundation's work emphasises the importance of amplifying the voices of women entrepreneurs and creating opportunities for them to thrive. Dhivya's commitment to the charity sector extends beyond her day job. She serves as a Board Member of Book Aid International and is on the Steering Committee of Groundbreakers, a network promoting women leaders in the voluntary sector. She has also volunteered with NGOs in India, South Africa, and Cambodia, bringing her expertise and passion to various causes around the world. In August 2020, while on maternity leave with her second child, Dhivya launched "The Charity CEO Podcast." This chart-topping show, which now boasts over 20,000 listeners across 55 countries, aims to inspire, inform, and deliver practical insights on the challenges facing charity leaders today. Through candid and meaningful conversations, Dhivya delves deep into issues relevant to leaders across the sector and those who care about the important work of charities and non-profit organisations. Dhivya shares her diverse experiences in both the private and charity sectors, combined with her personal understanding of the challenges faced by women in developing countries. Dhivya’s is uniquely positions her to lead the Cherie Blair Foundation for Women now and in the future.

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. This weeks episode features Rahul Watson Govindan CEO of Philanthropy New Zealand.

Welcoming Richard Bennett, founder and CEO of Bhubesi Pride Foundation to Purposely where he shares his organisation's mission and his personal journey as a social entrepreneur.   Bhubesi Pride Foundation is a UK-registered charity and Malawi-based NGO that uses sport, particularly rugby, as a tool for development in rural African communities. Their goal is to equip young people with skills, knowledge, and experiences to overcome social, economic, and health challenges.   Richard recounts the foundation's remarkable journey since its inception in 2010. What began as an adventurous idea has blossomed into a focused charity, making a tangible impact on young people's lives in Malawi. Working closely with local partners, the foundation delivers sporting and personal development opportunities to disadvantaged young people. Central to their approach is a strong emphasis on respectful collaboration and sustainable development practices, ensuring their mission is carried out effectively and ethically.   Richard's connection to Africa runs deep - he was born and raised in Johannesburg until age 13. This background, along with some profound personal experiences, shaped his passion for the continent and his drive to make a positive difference there. Throughout the conversation, Richard delves into several key aspects of his work. He discusses the challenges of establishing and expanding an international charity and splitting his time between the UK and Malawi. The importance of the skilled and motivated team he has developed in both countries. The constant challenge of raising the funds required to deliver their programmes to the importance of working with the local community in the right way to deliver positive impact.   For those interested in sport for development, social entrepreneurship, or African-focused charities, this episode of Purposely offers valuable insights from a dedicated changemaker. Richard Bennett's story is one of resilience, purpose, and the profound impact that can come from following one's passion.

Welcoming Catherine Ind Head of the St. James's Place Charitable Foundation to Purposely where she shares their charitable mission as well as her personal journey. Catherine's career path took an unconventional route, starting as a ski resort representative in France before transitioning to charity fundraising, ultimately leading to her current role at the helm of one of the UK's largest corporate foundations.   A proud Northerner Catherine, originally from Burnley now resides in the Cotswolds living minutes from the St. James's Place Headquarters. After earning an honours degree in business from De Montfort University in London, Catherine started in PR and marketing before transitioning to charity fundraising. Her experience includes roles at Meningitis Trust and a three-year stint at children's grief charity Winston's Wish, where she also served as acting CEO for a year.   Since its establishment in 1992 by SJP founders Mike Wilson and Sir Mark Weinberg, the St. James's Place (SJP) Charitable Foundation has become one of the leading corporate foundations in the UK. Over three decades, it has donated more than £130 million to hundreds of worthy causes, supporting transformational change in lives across the UK and overseas.   Appointed as Head of the Foundation in 2018, Catherine brings both expertise and passion to her role. In her Purposely Podcast conversation, she offers valuable insights into the Foundation's unique model and its far-reaching impact.   The SJP Charitable Foundation concentrates its efforts on four core areas: supporting disadvantaged children and young people, hospices, cancer support charities, and mental health. What distinguishes it from other corporate foundations is its deep integration with the company culture. As Catherine explains, "Unlike other corporate foundations, it's not an endowment fund. It's very much an integrated part of the business." This integration is evident in the remarkable participation of SJP's community of over 10,000 partners and employees. An impressive 80% contribute through regular payroll giving, accounting for a third of the Foundation's annual income. This collective approach has enabled the Foundation to directly support 3.5 million people, with 66% reporting substantial or transformative change in their lives.   The Foundation's success stems from its ability to harness the collective power of the SJP community. From company-wide fundraising events to skills-based volunteering, it fosters a shared sense of purpose that extends beyond financial contributions. Catherine emphasises the importance of this approach: "By pooling those monies, we can really invest in some smaller charities who are phenomenal, those grassroots charities that we all know in wherever we live."   Under Catherine's leadership, the Foundation continues to evolve, adapting to changing needs while remaining true to its core mission. The team focuses on maximising impact through multi-year funding, supporting core costs, and maintaining open dialogues with grantees. Recent evaluations show that 79% of beneficiaries report substantive or transformative change, a testament to the effectiveness of their approach.   Case Study: The Foundation's Support of Onside Youth Zones   One shining example of the Foundation's impactful work is its support of Onside Youth Zones. Catherine shares her enthusiasm for this partnership:   "Onside are really transforming youth provision in communities and disadvantaged communities. Us partnering with them to really help them deliver their goal, which is to have a youth zone in all communities across the UK, we are seeing absolutely that transformation, changing lives for the better for the youngsters who use these facilities."   Jamie Masraff, CEO of Onside Youth Zones and a previous guest on Purposely (Episode #151: 'Stepping up to the role of CEO')

Welcome to Purposely SHORT, a weekly episode, featuring one of our friends or past guests and their expertise on a certain topic. This weeks episode features Denise Cosgrove CEO of Selwyn Foundation.