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cover art for Pragna Patel, iconic Founder of Southall Black Sisters tells her story of tireless campaigning for justice

Monday, February 1, 2021

Pragna Patel, iconic Founder of Southall Black Sisters tells her story of tireless campaigning for justice

Season 1, Ep. 5

Pragna Patel is the founder and director of Southall Black Sisters, one of the UK's leading women's organisations campaigning for the rights of black and minority ethnic women. In 1982, Pragna resurrected a local initiative, turning it into an established advocacy charity, a national helpline and a powerful campaigning organisation. "Our aims are to highlight and challenge all forms gender-related violence against women, empower them to gain more control over their lives; live without fear of violence and assert their human rights to justice, equality and freedom."

Pragna tells us about what it takes to establish and grow an organisation - to create the infrastructure, find the right board, maintain values, keep the right balance between services and campaigning. She talks candidly about how to cope with setbacks, find resilience and celebrate achievements - including the passing of vital laws to support migrant women in the UK. We also hear about the powerful Law Centre Movement that inspired her initial work, and the fears she has for equality and social justice today.

"Our vision, our political vision, is one where we see that there is interconnectedness of struggles, that we don't struggle on our own, even as women, that we are connected to the struggles that are taking place on a much more global scale around violence against women." Pragna Patel, in her Social Founder Stories podcast. And her advice to other social founders: "Do not be afraid. Go with your gut feelings and your instincts, that I think is key. And then everything else - you find skills, you find the people, you find the funding -somehow. But my main thing is, if there is that fire in your belly, act on it, do not be afraid." Listen to Pragna and indeed you will come away with fire in your belly.

Please donate to Southall Black Sisters here if you can. Donations small or large will make a life-changing and life-saving difference to countless abused and marginalised women and children who are desperate for protection and support, particularly at this time of Covid-19.

Follow Southall Black Sisters and Pragna:

Twitter: @SBSisters

Instagram: @SouthallBlackSisters

Facebook: @Southall.Black.Sisters

Listen to Pragna's founder story on the Social Founder Stories podcast, Episode 5 - on all podcast platforms or via the links above. Enjoy, and send us your feedback.

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Thursday, April 22, 2021

Eden Project Founder, Sir Tim Smit's story: Part 1, Childhood to Eden

Season 1, Ep. 9

For anyone who loves magic, transformation, risk and fun - and also wants to learn so much about how to make BIG things happen - Sir Tim Smit's story is for you.In Episodes 8 & 9, you'll hear about Sir Tim's curiosity and sense of adventure, from a young child through to his ongoing international ventures. His in-depth interview is a wonderful mix of stories, experience and wise advice on how to imagine, set up and manage a large, complex and high impact social enterprise. You'll learn so much from Tim.Sir Tim moved serendipitously from archeologist to rock musician to restoring the now mythical Lost Gardens of Helligan, and from there dreamed, and then made real, and huge, the iconic Eden Project, those massive biomes in a derelict clay pit in Cornwall, that now house the only rainforest 'in captivity', surrounded by glorious gardens, a concert space and magical family events. As importantly the Eden Project - a compelling visitor attraction for all ages - has transformed Cornwall's economy. Now Sir Tim is managing new Edens across the UK and globally.Be inspired!Follow the Eden Project:Twitter: @edenprojectInstagram: @edenprojectcornwallFacebook: @theedenprojectFind out more about the Eden Project's story and activities, and book tickets to visit!Tim was also the vision and force behind the restoration ofThe Lost Gardens of Helligan.Listen to Tim's founder story on the Social Founder Stories podcast, Episodes 8 & 9 - on all podcast platforms

Thursday, April 22, 2021

Eden Project Founder, Sir Tim Smit's story: Part 2 - innovation, learnings & replication

Season 1, Ep. 8

For anyone who loves magic, transformation, risk and fun - and also wants to learn so much about how to make BIG things happen - Sir Tim Smit's story is for you.In Episodes 8 & 9, you'll hear about Sir Tim's curiosity and sense of adventure, from a young child through to his ongoing international ventures. His in-depth interview is a wonderful mix of stories, experience and wise advice on how to imagine, set up and manage a large, complex and high impact social enterprise. You'll learn so much from Tim.Sir Tim moved serendipitously from archeologist to rock musician to restoring the now mythical Lost Gardens of Helligan, and from there dreamed, and then made real, and huge, the iconic Eden Project, those massive biomes in a derelict clay pit in Cornwall, that now house the only rainforest 'in captivity', surrounded by glorious gardens, a concert space and magical family events. As importantly the Eden Project - a compelling visitor attraction for all ages - has transformed Cornwall's economy. Now Sir Tim is managing new Edens across the UK and globally.Be inspired!Follow the Eden Project:Twitter: @edenprojectInstagram: @edenprojectcornwallFacebook: @theedenprojectFind out more about the Eden Project's story and activities, and book tickets to visit!Tim was also the vision and force behind the restoration ofThe Lost Gardens of Helligan.Listen to Tim's founder story on the Social Founder Stories podcast, Episodes 8 & 9 - on all podcast platforms

Tuesday, March 23, 2021

Citizens UK founder Neil Jameson CBE tells his story

Season 1, Ep. 7

Neil Jameson CBE is Founder of Citizens UK, the charity that inspired and successfully campaigned for the UK Living Wage. Setting up Citizens UK as his vehicle, Neil launched and grew the Community Organising movement across the UK, bringing together people of all ages and backgrounds, from faith groups, schools, trade unions and community groups, to participate in massive grassroots assemblies, rallies and citizens’ actions.In this podcast you’ll hear how Neil took advantage of a Churchill Fellowship to learn from the US model of Community Organising, including training with a young Obama; how Neil brought these ideas to the UK, how he set up and then massively scaled Citizens UK from an idea, to city-based actions in Bristol, and then to a highly influential UK-wide movement, brand, organisation and legacy.Alongside a fascinating 30 year perspective of social action in the US and UK, Neil gives us great advice and insights during this podcast, across all the founder stages, from start-up to scale-up, engagement and impact, funding, campaigning, networking and team-building, through to stepping down as CEO, and an exciting possible new venture too. Be inspired!Follow Neil Jameson:Twitter: @NeilJamesonUKInstagram: @NeilJamesonUKFacebook: @Neil.Jameson.LondonFollow Citizens UK:Twitter: @CitizensUKInstagram: @citizens.ukFacebook: @CitizensUKAnd if you can please donate to Citizens UK here.Neil highlighted the special impact of two organisations on his founder journey:The Barrow Cadbury TrustThe Winston Churchill Memorial Trust's Churchill Fellowships.Listen to Neil Jameson's founder story on the Social Founder Stories podcast, Episode 7 - on all podcast platforms via the links above or here. Enjoy, and please do send us your feedback. Sign up to the Social Founder Network newsletter here.