3:00AM Conversations with Lisa Morton

"Our job is to create as many opportunities as possible." Jo Walby is the CEO of Mustard Tree, the Manchester charity fighting poverty and homelessness. Every month, more than 11,000 people walk through its doors and the charity provides food, clothes and furniture for those who need it. It also offers training, work placements and a route into a home. Jo's personal story has shaped her work. She was born in Manchester, adopted as a baby and moved house five times before she turned 18. She grew up wanting to belong and for her, Manchester is the place that feels more like home. Jo built a high flying career in recruitment and IT, then motherhood and a serious mental crisis changed everything. After Jo recovered, she spotted a job advert at the Big Life Group asking for people with lived experience of mental illness. She applied, and was able to bring her whole self to work for the first time. The CEO role at Mustard Tree followed. Host Lisa Morton hears how Jo’s ideas around "industrial kindness" and dignity drive the charity. They discuss the asylum crisis and Andy Burnham's pledge to end rough sleeping, as well as what you can do to help tackle homelessness, even in the smallest of ways. You’ll hear why a simple "you all right?" to someone on the streets can be the first step in rebuilding their hope. This episode includes discussion of mental health and suicide. In the UK, call Samaritans free on 116 123. In the US or Canada, call or text the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline on 988. In Australia, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. You can find helplines in other countries at Find A Helpline.

‘Creating nurture for people who’ve never had it”

“ I'm interested in people's stories. I want to know where they've come from. I want to know what they're up to, what makes them tick.” Meet Gareth Shenton, the Manc who’ll always welcome you to his table and creates atmospheres you want to be a part of. Gareth is Operations Director at Shenton Group, which means he steers the ship across their buildings in Manchester City centre, including the former Freemasons Hall, now Manchester Hall, Shenton Group's 100-year-old Grade II-listed event space. This episode is a lesson in how to welcome people the Manc way and create events that live long in the memory. You'll hear Gareth and Lisa recount the We Built This City: Big Manc Chippy Tea event in February this year, which Gareth and the team at Manchester Hall made very special, serving 100 Mancs their favourite chippy order. So, when you're the life of the party, what are the values and beliefs that help you recharge and keep it real? And hear how Gareth came to join the cast of The Real Housewives of Cheshire for Series 20, coming to ITV very soon, and find out what's already causing drama

The best networks aren’t built by asking; they’re built by giving.

”She was a quiet rebel in class, a diamond sifter in a gravel pit." Caroline Aherne left Manchester with a comedic legacy that went on to redefine British TV. One of the many people she inspired is Dave Scott, the poet and author who you might know better as Argh Kid. Dave’s latest book ‘Rebel in Disguise', is a love letter to Caroline’s work as a writer, actress and comedian. Host Lisa Morton recorded this conversation at the We Built This City afternoon tea at Cloud 23 in The Manchester Deansgate Hotel, to celebrate the launch of Dave’s book. Dave has built a career out of finding the poetry in the lives of everyday Mancunians; from the phrases, the humour and the heart that makes this city region different. So it’s no surprise that Caroline and The Royle Family had a huge impact on him. As you'll hear him say, watching the show felt just like watching his own family; something many people who grew up in Greater Manchester will resonate with.