Chats with Changemakers with Kate Duffy from Junction Point CIC – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode of Chats with Changemakers, host Kate Duffy speaks with Samantha Castro, founder of the Newcastle Film Club, a social enterprise dedicated to community filmmaking, creative collaboration, and grassroots film production in North East England.

Samantha shares her journey from a lifelong film enthusiast to a community leader, highlighting how her passion for film evolved into a platform for inclusive filmmaking and creative skill-building. The discussion covers the club’s mission to make filmmaking accessible, the challenges of running a community-driven social enterprise, and the importance of local support networks in fostering sustainable creative communities. Samantha also offers insights into membership benefits, workshops, networking opportunities, and how collaboration with local organizations enhances growth and impact.

Key Takeaways

Samantha Castro’s journey began with a love for DVD bonus features and film culture.

High school experiences helped her realise that filmmaking could be a career.

Newcastle Film Club provides a supportive community for filmmakers of all levels.

Workshops, networking events, and access to filmmaking resources are core offerings.

The club works to break down barriers to creative participation and encourage inclusivity.

Membership benefits include access to resources, mentorship, and discounted film opportunities.

Transitioning to a company limited by guarantee improved sustainability and governance.

Key lessons include the importance of focus, follow-through, and project completion.

Collaboration with local organisations and creative partners strengthens community engagement.

Community support is vital for nurturing grassroots filmmaking initiatives.

Chapters

00:00 The Origins of a Film Passion

03:38 Building the Newcastle Film Club

06:23 The Business Model Explained

08:58 Target Audience and Community Engagement

11:51 Lessons Learned on the Journey

16:43 Future Aspirations for the Film Club

23:48 Chats with Changemakers 2026 Outro

Useful Links

Learn More Newcastle Film Club

www.newcastlefilmclub.co.uk

Connect with Newcastle Film Club on Social Media

Instagram

https://www.instagram.com/filminnewcastle/?hl=en

Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/NewcastleFilmClub/

Connect with Samantha Castro on Linkedin

https://uk.linkedin.com/in/samanthacastro1

Connect with Kate Duffy and Junction Point CIC

● Website: https://junctionpoint.co.uk/

● LinkedIn:   / kateduffyuk  

● Facebook:   / junctionpointuk   

● Instagram:   / junctionpointcic   

Come and join our free 'North East Changemakers Community' on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1YA7oQVvd3/

This episode of Chats with Changemakers is generously sponsored by the Social Enterprise Academy, who champion leadership and learning for people driving social change. Be sure to check out the links in the show notes for accredited and non-accredited opportunities in your area.

A huge thank you to the Social Enterprise Academy for supporting this series and for their ongoing commitment to helping people grow the skills and confidence to create meaningful impact. 

Find Out More About Social Enterprise Academy

https://socialenterprise.academy/

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In this episode of Chats with Changemakers, host Kate Duffy speaks with Vicky Morgan, founder of Repurposeful CIC, a Northumberland-based social enterprise focused on creative reuse, sustainability, and community-led impact.

Vicky shares her journey into social entrepreneurship, exploring how a personal search for purpose led to the creation of Repurposeful CIC — a social enterprise tackling waste reduction through a community scrap store, inclusive volunteering, and sustainable growth practices.

The conversation dives into the realities of building a social enterprise from the ground up, including navigating imposter syndrome, developing a growth mindset, and learning how to grow sustainably without burning out. Vicky explains the importance of community engagement, how inclusive volunteering can support people facing barriers to participation, and why flexibility is essential when building values-driven organisations.

Key Takeaways

Repurposeful CIC is a Northumberland-based social enterprise focused on reuse and sustainability.

Vicky Morgan’s journey began with a personal search for purpose and impact.

Starting before everything is figured out is often necessary in social entrepreneurship.

Sustainable growth should be intentional, values-led, and community-focused.

Inclusive volunteering creates opportunities for people with barriers to participation.

Community engagement is essential to building long-term social impact.

The “GPS approach” supports flexibility and resilience in strategy planning.

Imposter syndrome is a common challenge for social enterprise founders.

Creative reuse plays a key role in reducing waste and promoting sustainability.

Building a social enterprise is a continuous learning journey.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Vicky's Journey

03:30 The Birth of Repurposeful CIC

06:17 Understanding the Triple Impact Model

08:54 Challenges and Milestones in Establishing a Scrap Store

11:53 Community Engagement and Volunteer Involvement

14:35 Lessons Learned and Advice for New Entrepreneurs

17:16 How to Support Repurposeful CIC

18:58 Embracing the Journey of Growth

21:29 Permaculture Principles in Organisational Development

23:14 The GPS Approach to Strategy and Resilience

23:16 Outro

Useful Links

Learn More About Repurposeful CIC

https://www.repurposeful.org.uk/

Connect with North East Support Directory on Facebook 

https://www.facebook.com/p/Repurposeful-CIC-100075999095850/

Connect with Kate Duffy and Junction Point CIC

● Website: https://junctionpoint.co.uk/

● LinkedIn:   / kateduffyuk  

● Facebook:   / junctionpointuk   

● Instagram:   / junctionpointcic   

Come and join our free 'North East Changemakers Community' on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1YA7oQVvd3/

Good morning everyone!

I am very excited to share this week's podcast with you guys, where I chatted with Tove Crossland from Ocean Zen C.I.C.

Based in Whitley Bay, Tove and co-founder Nicola work across the North East supporting people to be the best version of themselves through a range of holistic therapies, community projects, events, retreats, and group work.

Their talks include wellbeing at work support and holistic training, plus they even have a retail shop with unique clothing and crystals!

Tove's journey and advice for you lovely changemakers is genuinely unmissable, so grab a coffee and enjoy the episode!

Connect with Tove and with Ocean Zen CIC:

Facebook: Ocean Zen C.I.C

Instagram: oceanzenuk

Website: www.ocean-zen.co.uk

Welcome back to a new episode of your favourite podcast!

I really loved talking to Paul Kirkpatrick from Off The Grid Adventures CIC. Paul and his team work with a range of groups and individuals of all ages to help people become active and healthy.

The organisation aims to bring people together through adventure and learning to improve physical and emotional wellbeing, and to increase volunteering and training opportunities.

Enjoy the episode and don't hesitate to reach out and connect with Paul!

Website - www.offthegrid-adventures.co.uk

Linkedin - linkedin.com/in/paul-kirkpatrick-13613575

Instagram @off.gtid.adventures.cic

Welcome back everyone to Chats with Changemakers!

I had an amazing chat with the wonderful Wendy Amexo from TechJumpstart Hub CIC. Wendy and her Social Enterprise help everyday people—especially women and those feeling left behind—get confident with technology, build new skills, and open doors to better jobs and brighter futures. They aim to break down tech so it finally makes sense and feels possible for everyone.

I hope you enjoy the episode as much as I enjoyed the chat, and don't forget to connect with Wendy through all her links below.

Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089126651825

LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/techjumpstart-hub-cic/?

Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/techjumpstarthub/

Website :https://techjumpstarthub.co.uk/

Be Courageous with Technology registration : https://techjumpstarthub.co.uk/bct-application-form/

Welcome to a brand new episode of our podcast for people making the world a better place, Chats with Changemakers!

I was truly inspired by this week's chat with Shane Knox, a Royal Navy veteran and passionate mental health advocate, who founded Not A Statistic Northeast CIC to provide vital peer-led support for those struggling with mental health challenges.

Driven by lived experience, Shane and his team offer free, accessible support groups that foster connection and understanding, helping to bridge the gap in services. Through community-driven initiatives, Not A Statistic is reducing isolation, preventing suicide, and building stronger, more supportive networks across the Northeast.

So enjoy the episode, I'm sure you will feel as inspired as I was listening to Shane share his purpose-led journey.

Don't forget to connect with Shane!

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/shane-knox-lech/

Not A Statistic Website: https://www.not-a-statistic-ne.org/

Linktree: https://linktr.ee/not_a_statistic_northeast_cic

Booking in with Shane: https://outlook.office.com/owa/calendar/NotAStatisticNortheastCIC1@not-a-statistic-ne.org/bookings/

Welcome back to Chats with Changemakers!This week I had the pleasure of speaking with the incredible Kelly Henderson from Addressing Domestic Abuse CIC about her important work and inspirational advice for those on a purpose-led journey.Addressing Domestic Abuse CIC offer bespoke support to organisations around domestic abuse. They offer Training, Evaluation, Research and Policy Development. A lot of their work is with social housing providers and associated supply chains helping them identify and respond to domestic abuse, and they work collaboratively with a wide range of subject matter experts so that our clients can be confident that their individual set of needs will be met.Enjoy the episode and don't forget to check out their website! https://addressingdomesticabuse.com/

Join our digital community through the membership section of our website to be informed of our latest podcasts and to connect with Changemakers across the North East: www.junctionpoint.co.uk

Welcome to Chats with Changemakers, the North East podcast for people who want to make a difference in the world.

Every 2 weeks we interview inspirational individuals from the North East's vibrant social enterprise sector, as part of our digital 'Changemakers Community'.

If you would like to connect with Dan and other like-minded changemakers, join our free community in the Membership section of our website www.junctionpoint.co.uk.

This one is a must-watch, so grab a cup of tea and enjoy!

In this episode of Chats with Changemakers, host Kate Duffy sits down with Ben Mushen, designer-turned-social entrepreneur and founder of the North East Support Directory, an AI-powered, self-service signposting tool that makes finding opportunities relevant to your organisation a breeze. 

 Ben opens up about his mission to make business opportunities more accessible through technology and AI, and how his personal frustrations sparked the creation of a platform that helps others thrive.

From bootstrapping a tech solution to navigating the world of social enterprise, Ben shares the highs, the hurdles, and the real-world impact his work aims to create. 

The conversation dives into the importance of visibility in funding, the power of collaboration, and the role innovation plays in community growth. He also highlights how everyone can support the movement by spreading the word and contributing to a more connected business ecosystem.

Key Takeaways

• Ben transitioned from design work into social entrepreneurship.

• The North East Support Directory is built to democratize access to business opportunities.

• AI helps match users with relevant grants and funding streams.

• The platform grew from Ben’s own challenges in accessing support.

• Both free and premium options make the tool accessible to startups and founders.

• Raising awareness is vital to help businesses benefit from available grants.

• Community engagement fuels the platform’s success and evolution.

• Building tech requires constant iteration and adaptability.

• The directory aims to measure the social and economic impact of funding.

• Ben hopes to expand the platform beyond the North East in the future.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Ben Mushen and His Journey

02:45 The Role of AI in Democratizing Business Opportunities

05:38 Building the North East Support Directory

08:28 Products and Services Offered

11:07 Lessons Learned and Future Aspirations

13:53 Call to Action and Community Engagement

Useful Links

Learn More About North East Support Directory

https://www.nesd.co.uk/

Connect with North East Support Directory on Linkedinhttps://www.linkedin.com/company/north-east-support-directory/

Connect with Ben Mushen on Linkedin

https://www.linkedin.com/in/ben-mushen/

Connect with Kate Duffy and Junction Point CIC

● Website: https://junctionpoint.co.uk/

● LinkedIn:   / kateduffyuk  

● Facebook:   / junctionpointuk   

● Instagram:   / junctionpointcic   

Connect with Corrina Mulholland & Gateshead Community Organisation

● Website: https://www.gatesheadcommunity.org/

● LinkedIn:  https://uk.linkedin.com/in/corrina-mulholland-bb039228

● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gatesheadcommunityorganisation/

Come and join our free 'North East Changemakers Community' on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1YA7oQVvd3/

In this episode of Chats with Changemakers, host Kate Duffy interviews Corrina, entrepreneur and founder of the Gateshead Community Organisation, a community interest company focused on social impact. Corrina shares her journey of discovering her entrepreneurial spirit after being diagnosed with ADHD and how her passion for helping others led her to establish a platform for community support. She discusses the challenges faced in starting and running a social enterprise, the importance of having a supportive team, and the lessons learned from past experiences. The conversation highlights the value of collaboration, trust, and structured agreements in creating meaningful social change.

Key Takeaways:

Corrina discovered her entrepreneurial spirit after being diagnosed with ADHD.

Her passion lies in doing what she loves while helping others.

The journey of starting Gateshead Community Organisation was serendipitous.

Community interest companies can be powerful models for social change.

Trusting instincts is important, but having a solid team is crucial.

Past experiences shaped Corrina’s approach to her current business.

Clear agreements help strengthen social enterprises.

Helping others to improve their circumstances is a central principle.

Networking and collaboration are key to success in social enterprises.

Corrina embraces being a “troublemaker” to challenge norms and drive change.

Chapters:

00:00 Introduction and Personal Journey

 01:59 Finding Purpose and Passion

 06:50 The Birth of Gateshead Community Organisation

 13:58 The Community Interest Company Model

 16:00 Lessons Learned and Challenges Faced

 20:53 Reflections on Past Experiences

 22:21 How to Support Gateshead Community Organisation

 22:50 Outro

Useful Links

Learn more about Gateshead Community Organisation

https://www.gatesheadcommunity.org/

Watch ‘Our Stories 2024 - Gateshead Community Organisation’ (With Craig)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZKXmiKF8ZU

Connect with Kate Duffy and Junction Point CIC

● Website: https://junctionpoint.co.uk/

● LinkedIn:   / kateduffyuk  

● Facebook:   / junctionpointuk   

● Instagram:   / junctionpointcic   

Connect with Corrina Mulholland & Gateshead Community Organisation

● Website: https://www.gatesheadcommunity.org/

● LinkedIn:  https://uk.linkedin.com/in/corrina-mulholland-bb039228

● Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gatesheadcommunityorganisation/

Come and join our free 'North East Changemakers Community' on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/share/g/1YA7oQVvd3/