Tech4Good South West

Unlock the transformative potential of AI for social good through a powerful story of innovation, collaboration, and practical impact. 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.

Did you know 83,840 children are currently in care and 9,000 additional foster carers are needed in the UK. These are shocking statistics, and highlight the urgent need for innovation and support within the foster care system. 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.

Host Arielle Tye in conversation with Mary Stevens, Experiments Program Manager at Friends of the Earth, exploring the intersection of AI and environmental justice. 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 of the Tech4Good South West podcast, host Arielle Tye speaks with Matt Bakall, a digital youth work specialist working at Space Youth Services, about digital youth work. 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

Join us on the Tech for Good Southwest podcast as we delve into the inspiring journey of Luke Ashman, co-founder of Not Impossible. 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.

What happens when your smartphone becomes your biggest enemy in managing ADHD? In this powerful conversation, Annie sits down with Alastair Brayne, founder of Unbreakable (formerly MyCoPilot.ai), who turned his personal struggle with organisation, planning and digital addiction into a mission to help others. 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: 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

In this episode of the Tech4Good South West podcast, host Arielle Tye speaks with Weronika Stelma, co-founder and CEO of Weaving Change, a social enterprise focused on sustainable fashion. 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 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

In this episode, we talk with Neil Morris, co-founder of Kelpi, about his journey from tech entrepreneur to impact leader with a mission to reduce plastic waste through innovative, seaweed-based packaging solutions. Neil discusses the challenges of scaling impact sustainably, including the tough decisions Kelpi has made to avoid partnerships that could compromise their mission. He shares insights into the role of purpose-driven leadership in building a business focused on people, planet, and profit, and why resilience and principled choices are key to driving change. 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/

Promoting STEM education and environmental awareness among children through The Adventures of Scout. In this engaging conversation, co-founders Nick Parker and Matt Baron of The Adventures of Scout discuss their mission to inspire the next generation through children's literature focused on environmental awareness and STEM education. They share insights into their creative process, the impact of their books on children, and the importance of community engagement and partnerships. The discussion also highlights the role of technology in education and their vision for future growth and 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 https://www.the3engineers.com/

In this episode of the Tech4Good South West podcast, our host Alicia discuss the importance of technology in addressing societal challenges with Emily Franklin, Head of People at ⁠Kaluza⁠. They explore Kaluza's mission to make net zero accessible to everyone, the significance of company culture and values in tech for good organisations, and effective hiring practices that align with these values. The conversation also delves into diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, employee development, and the future direction of Kaluza as it expands globally. 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

Simon Allen, CEO of Age UK in Bath and North East Somerset, discusses his journey as a CEO of a charity and how AI can enable organisations in the social sector. Simon developed the charity Navigator using OpenAI and chat GPT to support charities in navigating regulation and governance. 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.

Bryan Charter is co-founder and CEO of Bristol based SuSy House. 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."

Alicia interviews Paul Forster, the Incubation Manager at SetSquared Bristol. They discuss the enterprise programs at SetSquared Bristol, investing in minorities in the tech industry, purpose-driven technology, and the importance of Tech for Good. 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."

Henry Jones, consultant for the Southwest Social Mobility Commission discusses social mobility, the South West, diversity in tech and some ideas on how to close the ever growing digital skills gap in the UK. 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.”

Jim Cranshaw, founder of Grants AI, which helps charities research and write grants way faster discusses his passion for social change and the challenges faced by the nonprofit sector. "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 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

Episode 6 of our Founding Sponsor Mini Series talking to the founding sponsors of the Tech4Good South West relaunch, to explore their interest in tech for good and their hopes and ambitions for the TechforGood South West network. 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.”

Episode 5 of our Founding Sponsor Mini Series talking to the founding sponsors of the Tech4Good South West relaunch, to explore their interest in tech for good and their hopes and ambitions for the TechforGood South West network. 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.”

Episode 4 of our Founding Sponsor mini series talking to the founding sponsors of the Tech4Good South West relaunch, to explore their interest in tech for good and their hopes and ambitions for the TechforGood South West network. 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."

The third of 6 episodes talking to the founding sponsors of the Tech4Good South West relaunch, to explore their interest in tech for good and their hopes and ambitions for the TechforGood South West network. 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. "

The second of 6 episodes talking to the founding sponsors of the Tech4Good South West relaunch, to explore their interest in tech for good and their hopes and ambitions for the TechforGood South West network. 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."