Sheffield's Hidden Gems Podcast

by Excel City Apartments and Guided Walks (brand of ExcelProperty Partners Ltd)

Season 2

Podcasthon Special 2026 -Sheffield’s charities aren’t just about services, they are about creating confidence, connection and community.

Sheffield’s charities aren’t just about services, they are about creating confidence, connection and community. From SACMHA’s groundbreaking mental health work to The Suit Works’ confidence-boosting outfits, these non profits are changing lives one person at a time, one household at a time and strengthening communities. Their secret? Authenticity, community trust, and a little creative thinking -this is especially evident during tough times such as the COVID pandemic of the early 2020s. David Bussue’s team at SACHMA (https://sacmha.org.uk/about-sacmha/) is expanding advocacy in mental health. Faye Mellor's team at The Suit Works (https://www.thesuitworks.co.uk/) is reshaping confidence among job seekers with their visual presentation. The combined work of the two CEOs and their respect organisations prove that real impact comes from staying true to your communities and service users. What’s one community initiative you think makes a difference? Let us know below!

S2 · E51

Mar 21, 2026

35:05

Season 1

Episode 04 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast featuring Madame Zucchini, Vegetable Artist and Entertainer

In this episode, our guest is Vegetable Entertainer Madame Zucchini (aka Natalie Hunt). In her unique cabaret, Natalie works with vegetable puppets to keep her audience informed and entertained as she weaves her story around the lives of her vegetables.  With her creative mind and practical insights, Madame Zucchini has entertained  interpretation to music for clients. Listen to Natalie as she talks about some of her experiences as Madame Zucchini. From vegetable entertainer travelling light with rucksack and trolley in her local area or on the train to London all the way through to a vehicle loaded with a gabezzzo and tonnes of vegetable props. Listen to this episode of the podcast featuring this unique business gem in Sheffield, Natalie Hunt as Madame Zucchini. Episode 04: released on Tuesday, 23 March 2021.

S1 · E4

Mar 23, 2021

39:12

Sheffield's Hidden Gems Podcast -Anniversary Special with 2 CEOs: David Bussue of SACMHA and Faye Mellors of The Suit Works (Episode 50)

This episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast is super special for many reasons! Not only is it the first time we have had guests from two different organisations on the same episode of the podcast, but it is the first time we have recorded on an 'outdoor stage' and in front of a live audience. Recording in front of a live audience was done at Leah's Yard in Sheffield as a 'fringe' event as part of the Crossed Wires Festival weekend, held for the second year in Sheffield. The 'icing on the cake', more by circumstances/ serendipity, than strategic pre-planning, this recording is also the 50th episode created of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast. Therefore, it is an honour and genuine pleasure to welcome as our guests, two Chief Executive Officers (CEOs): David Bussue of SACMHA Faye Mellors of The Suit Works Two Sheffield-based charities that are doing remarkable work in support of local residents across Sheffield. Listen to the podcast and learn more about the two charities, their CEOs and get a glimpse of the fun we had during recording this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast before a live audience. Listen to David Bussue and Faye Mellors in Episode 50 of our podcast as they talk about: The origin stories of their respective charities and how they have grown to respond to the needs of their service users and their families. How their respective organisations have risen above the challenges faced and to strengthen partnership working with other organisations and individuals. Exciting plans for the next 6 to 12 months, including celebrating a special anniversary (in years, not podcast episodes). Listen now to Episode 50 of the Sheffield Hidden Gems podcast to hear directly from CEOs of two incredible charities born and grown in Sheffield, South Yorkshire! Alternatively, you can cut and paste this ⁠link⁠ into your browser: https://bit.ly/44UpOE7 #crossedwires #hiddengemspodcast #sheffieldissuper #crossedwiresfringe #leahsyard DON'T MISS OUT! ps. FREE subscription: remember to invite your friends and business contacts to subscribe and listen to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Excel City Apartments⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

E50

Jul 21, 2025

42:46

Sheffield's Hidden Gems Podcast -Hannah Duraid, Founder & CEO, Escape Room Games (Episode 48)

We are delighted to bring you another episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast. In this episode of the podcast, our guest is Hannah Duraid who chats with our Managing Director and host of Sheffield's Hidden Gems about the journey from idea to welcoming the first customers to a new experience of a fun, high-energy Escape Room business in the Heart of Sheffield. Listen to this episode to hear Hannah talk about: How travelling to Asia inspired the birth of a new Escape Room experience upon her return to the UK. Learning by doing how to build a team quickly to respond to a rapidly growing customer base. Different types of games in an Escape Room and what draws customers to return repeatedly. Insights into starting, scaling, and managing multiple businesses. Future plans for 2024 and beyond. Listen now to Episode 48 of the Sheffield Hidden Gems podcast to hear directly from Hannah Duraid, Founder and CEO of The Escape Game and Game Show All Stars: https://bit.ly/46U0oqX Alternatively, you can cut and paste this link in your browser: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/sheffieldhiddengems/episodes/Episode-48--Hannah-Duraid--Founder--CEO--Escape-Room-Games-e2nc600 Listen now to Episode 48 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast to hear directly from Hannah Duraid, Founder and CEO of The Escape Game and Game Show All Stars. #escapegames #escaperooms #sheffieldissuper #sheffieldpodcast DON'T MISS OUT! ps. FREE subscription: remember to invite your friends and business contacts to subscribe and listen to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Excel City Apartments⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

E48

Aug 19, 2024

30:42

Sheffield's Hidden Gems Podcast -Terry Murphy, Managing Director of Archer Project Enterprises (Episode 47)

This podcast has been published and will be available on all popular podcast platforms. Episode 47 of the Sheffield Hidden Gems podcast features Terry Murphy, Managing Director of Archer Project Enterprises, a social enterprise with charity origins in Sheffield. In this conversational interview with our Managing Director and host of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, our guest, Terry Murphy, talks about: The Archer Project and his role as Managing Director of Enterprises. Terry's experience of combining travel abroad with entrepreneurial success. The 'back story' which caused the leap from 'for profit' to the third sector. How a holistic approach helps people who are at risk of homelessness. Creating supportive environments to develop 'job readiness' skills. Lessons learnt from working with Archer Project Enterprises -9 years+ The future: Plans for 2024 and beyond Listen now to Episode 47 of the Sheffield Hidden Gems podcast to hear directly from Terry Murphy of Archer Project Enterprises: https://bit.ly/4ah2C3v Alternatively, cut and paste this link in your browser:https://open.spotify.com/episode/384QSKcLw5z6dKHtsih2GI #crossedwires #hiddengemspodcast #sheffieldissuper #crossedwiresfringe #leahsyard DON'T MISS OUT! ps. FREE subscription: remember to invite your friends and business contacts to subscribe and listen to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Excel City Apartments⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

E47

May 8, 2024

33:52

Sheffield's Hidden Gems Podcast with Ella Freeman, Founder of Lunar Living -Handmade Homeware (Episode 43)

This episode has been published and can be heard on Spotify (https://bit.ly/3DGlCdX), Apple (https://bit.ly/3Yj6rAV) and other popular podcast platforms. Episode 43 of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ features Ella Freeman, Founder of Lunar Living, a handmade homeware business. In this episode (https://bit.ly/3DGlCdX), Ella Freeman talks about how she moved from a hobby to a revenue generating business. Having started to design and make homeware items whilst still at university, Ella decided after graduation to venture into entrepreneurship. Listen to Episode 43 and you will hear Ella's story as she talks about: *How Ella Freeman's hobby during her university studies become a business with direct customers and wholesalers * Story behind intriguing name of the business 'Lunar Living' *Lessons learnt since starting her business that will continue to benefit business growth. * Types of materials are used to make specific homeware collections.*Journey from design idea to finished homeware items * Plans for Lunar Living in 2023 and beyond You will hear about all of the above and more when you listen to Episode 43 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast (https://bit.ly/3DGlCdX) with guest Ella Freeman of Lunar Living handmade homeware business. #wastetowealth #homeware handmadecrafts #sheffielissuper #lunarliving Don't miss out! ps. Remember to subscribe for FREE to the ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ hosted by ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Excel City Apartments⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in Sheffield.

E43

Aug 2, 2023

25:42

Sheffield's Hidden Gems Podcast -in conversation with Gina O'Conner, Founder and Director of Roots and Bloom CIC (Episode 41)

This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. Episode 41 of the ⁠⁠Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast⁠⁠ features Gina O'Connor, a Social and Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner, who is also the Founder and Director of Roots and Bloom CIC. Do you know what a Social and Therapeutic Horticulture Practitioner does? For an answer to this question and more, listen to this conversational interview on the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast as Gina O'Connor talks about: *The 'light bulb moment' and personal story behind the founding of Roots and Bloom CIC (Community Interest Company) *How a textiles artist reignited her creative flair to launch a flower growing and bouquet creation enterprise *Why dementia therapy is part of the horticultural enterprise and relevance of social prescribing? *Types of supportive therapies and volunteering opportunities open to individuals and employees of organisations *How flower growing and floral arrangements can deliver therapeutic benefits *Plans for Roots and Bloom over the next few months and beyond Here's the link to listen to Episode 41 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast with guest Gina O'Connor: https://bit.ly/3CuXrid #socialenterprise #sheffieldfounders #womenfounders #hiddengemspodcasting #sheffieldissuper Don't miss out! ps. Remember to subscribe for FREE to the ⁠⁠Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast⁠⁠ hosted by ⁠⁠Excel City Apartments⁠⁠ in Sheffield.

E41

Jun 13, 2023

29:30

Sheffield's Hidden Gems Podcast -in conversation with Mike Lawrence, Health & Wellbeing Consultant and First Aid Trainer (Episode 40)

This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. Episode 40 of the ⁠Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast⁠ features Mike Lawrence, a Health & Wellbeing Consultant and accredited Instructor Member approved by MHFA England to deliver Mental Health First Aid courses. Dedicated to helping people achieve optimal mental health and wellbeing, Mike started his business (https://www.mikelawrence.co.uk/about-us/) after working in leadership roles for several years in larger organisations. Learn more in this conversational interview recorded for the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast as Mike Lawrence talks about: *What made his decide to work in mental health and wellbeing -the back story *Types of supportive therapies and training available to individuals and employees of organisations *How to access Mental Health First Aid training and benefits *Plans for the Mike Lawrence Health and Wellbeing consultancy over the next few months and beyond Since 2017, the Mike Lawrence Health and Wellbeing Management Consultancy has been among the top three Best Therapists in Sheffield. Now, you too can gain insights into why. Here's the link to listen to Episode 40 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast with guest Mike Lawrence: http://bit.ly/43mCTEN #sheffieldhiddengems #sheffieldissuper #healthandwellbeing #hiddengems #hiddengemspodcasting Don't miss out! ps. Remember to subscribe for FREE to the ⁠Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast⁠ hosted by ⁠Excel City Apartments⁠ in Sheffield.

E40

Apr 11, 2023

35:14

Sheffield's Hidden Gems Podcast with Liesje (Leesh) Dusauzay, CEO of Sparkle Sheffield Autistic Charity (winner of a Queen's award) -Episode 39

This episode has been published and can be heard everywhere your podcast is available. Episode 39 of the ⁠Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast⁠ features Liesje Dusauzay, CEO and Founder of Sparkle Sheffield Autistic Charity. This award-winning charity founded by Leesh started in 2014 as an informal support group for parents of autistic children in Sheffield. In this conversational interview, Leesh (as she prefers to be called) explains how she drew on own experience as a parent of three autistic children to find answers for herself and other parents of autistic children in Sheffield. Listen to Episode 39 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast as Leesh Dusauzay talks about:*How she found out that one of her children was autistic *Initial challenges faced in trying to find answers to questions about autism and hurdles she had to overcome *What led her to start an informal parents support group which evolved in time to become a registered charity in 2015 *Empowerment and support for parents, carers and friends of autistic people (children and adults) *Royal recognition received by Sparkle Sheffield Autistic Charity in 2022 (Queen's award for voluntary services) *Unique groups for service delivery: Sparkle Tots, Sparkle, Sparkle On, Aut-Some, Twinkle Listen to Episode 39 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast as Leesh Dusauzay shares some of the charity's plans for 2023 and beyond. #sheffieldhiddengems #sheffieldissuper #autisticharity #sparklesheffield #hiddengems #hiddengemspodcasting Don't miss out! ps. Remember to subscribe for FREE to the ⁠Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast⁠ hosted by ⁠Excel City Apartments⁠ in Sheffield.

E39

Mar 30, 2023

41:00

Sheffield's Hidden Gems Podcast -Dave Coulson, Team Manager and Director of Cycling Sheffield Ltd (Episode 37)

February 2021 was the launch month for the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast and the first episode featuring a business focused on creating work in glass.As we enter the 3rd year, we are delighted to release the 37th episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast. At the start of our podcast anniversary month, our guest is Dave Coulson, Team Manager of Cycling Sheffield and Managing Director of the company.In this episode of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast, we are delighted to feature a business focused on professional cyclists in Sheffield, the outdoor city.Listen to Episode 37 of the podcast and hear from Dave Coulson, former professional cyclist, as he talks about:*His journey from professional cyclist through to current role as Director of a professional cycling team *How the business has evolved over the past 10 years -professional cyclists and business sponsors *What makes Cycling Sheffield unique and criteria used in selecting riders to join the teamListen to Episode 37 of the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast as David Coulson talks about recent successes from his team of elite professional cyclists, plans for 2023 and beyond and a few highlights from the past ten years. #sheffieldhiddengems #sheffieldissuper #cyclingsheffield #hiddengems #hiddengemspodcasting #sheffieldoutdoors #outdoorcity Don't miss out!ps. Remember to subscribe for FREE to the Sheffield's Hidden Gems podcast hosted by Excel City Apartments in Sheffield.

E37

Feb 7, 2023

28:42

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