Podcast: Gerrin' on wi' it series - "The key thing is equitable, reciprocal knowledge exchange"

In this episode of “Gerrin’ on wi’ it”, Paul Hayes sits down with community leader Kate Macdonald to explore what genuine cross‑sector collaboration really looks like in Yorkshire and the Humber. Drawing on decades of experience in academia, the NHS, and grassroots community projects, Kate discusses the challenges faced by the voluntary and community sector—from short‑term funding cycles to power imbalances and cultural misunderstandings. Together, they unpack why relationship‑building, trust, and equitable knowledge exchange are essential ingredients for meaningful co‑production, sustainable partnerships, and place‑based change. 

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This episode was recorded on 18 February 2026. If you would like to get in touch, please contact contact@y-pern.org.uk. A transcript of this episode is available. 

About the speakers

Kate Macdonald has over 30 years of experience in academia, NHS mental health services, and grassroots community projects. She has improved mental health services locally and regionally, including early psychosis care, and uses relational practice and systems thinking to foster trust, equitable collaboration, and human-centred solutions. She founded TimeBank Hull and East Riding, co-facilitates Hull Poverty Truth Commission, and is Development Coordinator for the Ideas Fund, connecting communities and researchers. She also leads the Community Panel for the Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership, championing inclusive approaches that enable communities to shape policy and co-create solutions. 

Paul Hayes is Senior Policy Engagement Fellow at Leeds University Business School, supporting academic colleagues in developing impacts from their work and in engaging with the policy community and public bodies. He was formerly corporate policy manager at Wakefield Council and policy lead for the Key Cities Group, an association of 27 mid-size UK cities. This role encompassed policy advisory work to local, regional and national politicians; development and authorship of local and regional strategies and plans; engagement with and representation on working groups of UK government and national bodies; and responses to consultations. The role also included scoping, commissioning, and joint development of academic and think tank research and engagement with business and voluntary and community sectors. 

Terms and acronyms 

• Y-PERN – Yorkshire and Humber Policy Engagement and Research Network 
• YPIP – Yorkshire Policy Innovation Partnership  
• Timebank Hull and East Riding  
• Hull Poverty Truth Commission  
• The Ideas Fund  
• YPIP Community Panel  
• ‘Not another toolkit’