In this episode, Freddie shares how Patch is revitalising neighbourhoods by creating physical homes for purpose-driven communities — and why the humble high street might just be the most powerful tool we have for inclusive, regional growth.

You'll hear about:

• How Patch taps into local history and culture to create spaces that feel genuinely rooted in place
• The way great design and unexpected programming — from salsa classes to tech summits — build the cross-sector connections that drive real change
• Why impact is measured in relationships and stories, not just numbers
• Freddie's vision for scaling Patch into rural areas and reimagining pubs as community anchors across the UK

Whether you're a founder, a social entrepreneur, or someone who cares about the future of your community — this one's for you.

Visit Patch at https://www.patch.work/

Follow Freddie Fforde at https://www.linkedin.com/in/freddiefforde/

Ed was co-founder of Tech for Good Bristol which was subsequently merged to become and Tech for Good South West.

Follow Ed's Medium page for regular work notes and further discussion of the topics raised during our conversation.

In this episode John shares with us the inspiration for launching Digilocal in particular to tackle the diversity in tech agenda to provide access to learning spaces for those most excluded from access to technology. John explains how the Digilocal coding clubs run, the role of volunteer mentors and the impact for young people. https://digilocal.org.uk/

Discover how this innovative platform is revolutionising work experience for young people by connecting them with meaningful placements. From the challenges of building a purpose-driven business to the impact of micro-placements, Luke shares insights on creating opportunities and fostering social mobility.

Tune in to explore the power of technology in driving positive change and learn how Not Impossible is making a difference in the Southwest and beyond.

For more information, visit their website at teamnotimpossible.com.

They discuss the evolution of youth work in the digital age, the importance of meeting young people where they are, and the challenges and opportunities presented by technology.

Matt shares insights on defining digital youth work, the need for training future youth workers, and the concept of 'Tech for Good' as an approach to using technology to positively impact young people's lives.

spaceyouthservices.org

This episode is in conversation with Ben Heasman, Product Director and Trustee Director at Torchbox.

“We're just really excited about the prospect of bringing positive change to the world through technology, through wider representation in the industry, through focus on accessibility and sustainability of the products we build. Tech for good for us is really tied in closely with doing business better."

This episode is in conversation with Nathan Baranowski, Managing Director of Digital Wonderlab and our first silver sponsor of Tech4Good South West.

"The opportunity for Tech4Good South West is to bring and bridge community, be that charity or actual communities together with business and enterprise to help to deliver real impact."

"The lovely thing about tech for good and particularly Tech4Good South West is it's perfectly a place to do pretty much anything, but it's only going to do those things if we come together."

Arielle talks about her tech for good work in Wales, her move to Bristol, and a passion to enhance youth work using digital.

Alicia shares her passion for recruitment, B-corps, tech for good, diversity and inclusion, and of course Bristol.

Power to Change are funders of a Powering Up programme, a 12-month funding programme to support community businesses in England that need capacity strengthening.

In this episode we are joined by Sona Mahtani, Community Connector for Power to Change, and one of their programme grantees, St Werburghs City Farm. Nestled in the heart of Bristol, St Werburghs City Farm is an integral part of the local community, strengthening connections between land, animals and people for more than 40 years.

St Werburghs City Farm offer a number of therapeutic services, adult engagement support and group skills building opportunities.

We hear from Alex Bowsher, the Volunteer Manager as he reflects on the process to introduce a volunteer management system for the organisation - from managing data, to engaging leadership and volunteers through the implementation process.

This episode is in conversation with Joanna Randall, Founding Director of Purplefish and a bronze sponsor of Tech4Good South West.

"I'm really excited about with Tech for Good Southwest is that we can come together from all aspects and all areas of life."

"Whilst growth, profit -making, investment, that's all good because it does benefit economies and society as a whole, I don't think we can be naive to think that we are benefiting everybody. With all of this incredible amount of skills, talent, knowledge, research, all of this amazing work that's going on in the region, we must make sure that we're thinking about what benefits we can bring to everybody."

This episode is in conversation with Josh Simpkins , co-founder of Future Talent Group and a bronze sponsor of Tech4Good South West.

"I think for us as recruiters, there's an opportunity, you know, one of our strengths probably is our network and the people that we work with, the businesses we work with. It feels like now is an amazing time that we can get those people involved in it."

"There's a really big opportunity to just level up industry standards in what businesses expect from their partners and what overall market standards look like in terms of taking a proactive approach to support in wider nonprofit and charity activities. "

This episode is in conversation with Emma Millington, co-founder of Modular Digital.

"I see Tech for Good as bringing us all together so we can be a choir for change in the South West, be here to be strong and at the same time hopefully bring joy, improvement, impact to the people around who we influence."

“Tech for Good South West is about something for everyone so that everyone can get behind it and extract whatever element of what Tech for Good means for them and really embrace it and employ it. But also about moving forwards and taking action.”

“we need shared voices and then we can have shared action and be stronger in what we're doing.”

Paul shares his passion for amplifying marginalised voices and creating tangible change. He also highlights the need for government investment in Bristol's tech ecosystem. The conversation concludes with information on how to get involved with SetSquared Bristol.

"Everybody deserves the opportunity, but we need to understand what those barriers are to optioning that opportunity for everyone."

"Tech for good is a really good way of ring fencing things that are driven by purpose."

Simon highlights the complexity of regulation and governance in the charity sector and the need for accessible information and best practices. He explains how AI, specifically chat GPT, can be used as a learning tool and to generate insights and project plans. Simon also discusses the challenges and opportunities of using AI in the nonprofit sector and the importance of prompt engineering.

"There are so many voluntary sector organisations, nonprofits, who could really benefit from that kind of technology."

“I personally believe that all tech can be used for good and should be used for good. And I say that probably tentatively because I also know that we've got a lot of people in our society who are digitally excluded. The whole movement in Tech4Good SouthWest is about balancing that out. So how can we make best use of the technology?

Takeaways

• AI has the potential to level the playing field for smaller nonprofit organisations and empower them to have a greater impact.

• Chat GPT can serve as a learning tool and generate insights and project plans for nonprofits.

• The challenges of using AI in the nonprofit sector include data protection and GDPR compliance.

Sound Bites

"Our mission is to amplify the positive impact of technology."

"Kaluza is about making sure that net zero is within everyone's reach.

"Culture is woven into everything that we do."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tech4Good South West

01:28 Understanding Kaluza and Its Mission

05:43 The Role of Company Culture in Tech for Good

10:17 Defining and Instilling Core Values

13:00 Hiring for Culture and Values

15:12 Effective Hiring Practices at Kaluza

18:48 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

24:23 Employee Development and Wellbeing

30:33 Future Directions for Kaluza

31:59 Advice for Heads of People in Tech for Impact

“Technology is at the forefront of everything."

The Adventures of Scout is a children's book series that aims to inspire the next generation of problem solvers to protect the planet, promoting STEM education and environmental awareness among children.

takeaways

• Tech4Good South West aims to amplify technology's positive impact.
• The Adventures of Scout is designed to inspire young problem solvers.
• The creative process involved extensive brainstorming and collaboration.
• Scout's books have reached over a quarter of a million children.
• Partnerships with organizations enhance the reach and impact of Scout.
• Technology plays a crucial role in modern education and outreach.
• Environmental awareness is a key theme in Scout's stories.
• Collaboration is essential for driving real change in communities.
• Future plans include expanding Scout's brand and educational resources.
• Community engagement is vital for promoting literacy and environmental stewardship.

https://www.the3engineers.com/

Join us as we explore how Kelpi is working to create a plastic-free future and the essential role of leadership in shaping a sustainable tech for good movement.

https://www.kelpi.net/

In this chat with Arielle, Mary delves into the potential of AI to drive positive change while addressing its environmental risks. Mary shares insights from her work on creating a balanced narrative between AI's utopian and dystopian possibilities, emphasising the importance of values-led technology use.

Discover practical steps organisations can take to harness AI responsibly and the role of advocacy in shaping a sustainable tech future.

For more resources from this episode, visit our podcast page.

In this episode host Annie Legge speaks with Rasheda Fry, founder of Fosterli, a platform aimed at improving the fostering process through technology. They discuss the alarming statistics surrounding foster care in the UK, the challenges faced by foster carers, and how Fosterli seeks to streamline the assessment process to make it more efficient and human-centered.

Rasheda shares her personal journey as a social worker and a parent, the startup challenges she faced, and the importance of community support and innovation in the fostering sector.

The conversation also touches on the role of AI in social care and the vision for a more effective fostering system.

For more resources from this episode, visit our ⁠podcast page⁠.

In this episode, Annie Legge is joined by tech volunteers Bronwyn Kunhardt from Polecat and Dave Preedy from Microsoft to explore how a community-driven AI Living Lab is helping charities move from curiosity to confident action.

Through small, real-world experiments, they’re showing how AI can boost efficiency, strengthen community engagement, and support - not replace - human connection.

You’ll hear how a “learning by doing” approach, grounded in human-centred design, is turning AI from an overwhelming buzzword into a practical tool that saves time, reduces pressure, and amplifies mission-driven work.

If you work in the charity, community, or tech sectors and want to explore AI without big budgets or complex systems this conversation offers a grounded, accessible starting point. All you need is curiosity, collaboration, and a willingness to experiment.

Emma discusses her focus on learning, relationships and building skills in charities as they build their digital products.

The WaveSix health app tracks all aspects of your lifestyle, health and wellbeing to provide insights on what’s having a positive or negative impact on your health and happiness. The app has recently launched for both Apple and Android.

Julia shares her inspiration for WaveSix, and her own lived experience of managing the impact of long term illness and how she has taken her insights forward to filling a gap in the market for health trackers.

As a female founder, Julia shares her business journey - how she has funded the business, the networks, and communities that have really supported her along the way and importantly how to prioritise your time and manage business growth sustainably.

In this episode Bryan discusses the mission - to make homes more energy-efficient and sustainable. Susy is a mobile app that helps homeowners assess the energy efficiency of their properties, connect with contractors, and access financing options for upgrades. The app uses data science and smart technology to provide personalised recommendations and estimate potential savings.

"Innovation is all about making things faster, easier, cheaper."

"Proper digital passports for homes would be a game-changer."

"Finding engaged angels is a good place to start for funding."

''We're the first generation to feel the effect of climate change and the last to do anything about it.'' Will talks about climate, carbon offsetting and the immediate changes we ALL need to make. Also his journey from Lawyer to Tech Founder and his secret weapon...

Annie has a deep passion for purpose-led and social impact work, and uses any opportunity to bring like minded people together to explore positive impact on the world. None less than through the Tech4Good South West network, a virtual community in Bath, Bristol and the South-West driving momentum for technology for good.

This episode is in conversation with Natalie Luckham, founder of Naturally Social, and Wiltshire Digital Drive.

"People and planet can work alongside profit. It doesn't have to be one or the other or sector by sector."

“I think tech for good is a huge. It's been gaining so much momentum recently, but you know, we are living in a digital era ultimately, and tech can offer so many answers to so many of the world's problems that we really need to look closer at how we're taking responsibility for that.”

Based in Bath, Rocketmakers is a team of software developers that build innovative software, apps and websites for startups, scale-ups and large organisations who are working to have a positive impact in the world. Richard shares the Rocketmakers journey to tech for good, becoming B-Corp certified and hopes for the South-West as a centre for tech for good.

Alastair shares the raw reality of building a startup while neurodivergent, from developing "a really dumb little app" in his bedroom to creating an AI-powered platform that provides compassionate support for people with ADHD. We dive deep into the neuroscience behind why smartphones can make ADHD symptoms worse, the challenges of securing funding as a neurodiverse founder, and the personal cost of pursuing a mission-driven business.

This episode explores the darker side of our relationship with technology, the power of AI to heal rather than harm, and what it truly means to build "Tech for Good" - even when it feels like an act of revenge against the systems that failed you.

Key Topics:

• Digital addiction and ADHD
• Building inclusive technology for neurodiversity
• The startup journey and mental health
• AI as a tool for compassionate support
• Community building in the tech space

A perfect listen for entrepreneurs, anyone interested in mental health tech, or those curious about the intersection of neurodiversity and innovation.

Connect with Alastair:

Find Alastair on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/albrayne

Unbreakable website: icanbeunbreakable.com (formerly MyCoPilot.ai: mycopilot.ai)

All links and the full episode at our website ⁠tech4goodsouthwest.org/podcast⁠

They discuss the launch of their app, Swerve, which aims to help users digitise their wardrobes and make sustainable fashion choices. Weronica shares her journey from a chemistry background to creating a tech startup, the challenges of funding, and the ethical considerations of using AI in fashion. The conversation highlights the importance of using technology for social good and the future of digital fashion.

Takeaways

• Weaving Change focuses on making sustainable fashion accessible.
• The Swerve app allows users to digitize their wardrobes.
• Only 10% of clothes in wardrobes are regularly worn.
• Funding is crucial for startups in the social enterprise space.
• Aura is an outfit recommendation algorithm based on personal style.
• Ethical considerations in AI development are essential.
• Digital fashion is the future of the industry.
• Understanding the impact of technology on the environment is vital.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Tech for Good South West

01:45 Sustainable Fashion and Weaving Change

05:05 The Journey of Weaving Change

09:00 Funding and Business Model

11:20 Developing the Aura Algorithm

15:41 Ethical Considerations in AI and Fashion

21:29 Future Plans for Weaving Change

24:24 Defining Tech for Good

Read Henry’s report Tech Frontier, Shaping the Future of the Southwest Peninsula

"Work experience is one of the big things I’m looking at, specifically year 10 work experience. My report lays out eight things that we really need to do to improve the pipeline of young talent, especially those with disadvantaged backgrounds going into tech, and number one is more year 10 work experience programs within tech! When I speak about work experience programs, I don't mean just your local tech employer ringing on someone because, albeit that's good, I'm not saying that should stop. More tech employers I think should do that. But that is much more accessible to people that just have connections there, what about the others?''

"Awareness and interest in tech, as well as the availability of non-technical roles, play a crucial role in addressing the digital skills gap and driving social mobility in the tech industry.”

"It's not just AI, but there's a number of technological revolutions that we're kind of really in the middle of or at the start of. And I think that's going to transform a lot about society. And I do think the sector's underprepared for that in a major way.’’ Jim Cranshaw

Takeaways

• Nonprofits face challenges such as limited funding, stress, and burnout.
• Technology can help nonprofits automate tasks and improve efficiency.
• Grants AI aims to simplify the grants application process and reduce costs for charities.
• The grants system should be more accessible, transparent, and accountable.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction and Background

03:16 Passion for Social Change

06:23 Challenges in the Nonprofit Sector

07:12 Tech and Nonprofit Collaboration

12:31 Introduction to Grants AI

26:28 Tech for Good and the Nonprofit Sector

31:26 Desired Change in the Grants System

34:32 Closing Remarks