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  • Charity shops - the real story: Changing landscapes and online opportunities - with Robin Osterley OBE
    2025/11/24
    Charity shops are often talked about but rarely understood — so this week we’re joined by Robin Osterley OBE, outgoing Chief Executive of the Charity Retail Association, to explore what’s really happening on the high street.Robin has led the CRA through retail turbulence, COVID, rising costs and huge shifts in public behaviour. Fresh from receiving his OBE, he shares a clear and honest picture of the charity retail landscape - what’s changing, what’s working, and where the real opportunities are.In this episodeWhy reports of mass charity shop closures are misleadingThe rise of bigger, better “superstores” and what’s driving the changeWhy profitability matters more than everThe cost challenge: wages, NI, inflation and volunteer shortagesWhat really sells in charity shops (and what doesn’t)The impact of fast fashion on donations and wasteHow online platforms, reselling and AI are opening new opportunitiesThe huge social value generated by charity retailRobin’s advice to charities considering expanding into retailSector NewsA Donor Code of Conduct?The Chartered Institute of Fundraising calls for a code following new data showing fundraisers — particularly women — reporting unacceptable behaviour from donors.Key TakeawaysCharity retail isn’t declining — it’s evolvingLarger stores and better curation are improving profitabilityOnline resale is supporting, not undermining, charity retailFast fashion is the biggest operational challengeCharity shops remain powerful community hubs and sustainability championsFor every £1 invested, over £7 of social value is createdWith the right model, retail can be a major strategic asset for charitiesUseful LinksCharity Retail Associationhttps://www.charityretail.org.ukChartered Institute of Fundraising – https://www.ciof.org.ukThe Charity Shop Gift Cardhttps://www.thecharityshopgiftcard.co.ukBritish Heart Foundation – Online Shophttps://www.bhf.org.uk/shopEmmaus UK – Social Enterprise & Superstoreshttps://emmaus.org.ukShelter – Charity Shops & Visual Merchandising Workhttps://england.shelter.org.uk/shopOxfam Online Shophttps://onlineshop.oxfam.org.ukGet involved:Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platformEmail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠⁠Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK.This episode is produced by ⁠⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes.From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠
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    1 時間 9 分
  • BITES #18: Winter warmers: How UK charities are helping people through the winter months
    2025/11/17
    Welcome back to The Charity Show Bites - your quick-fire roundup of uplifting stories, clever ideas and community-led initiatives from across the UK charity sector.With stormy weather rolling in and temperatures dropping, Tim and Piers explore the creative, practical and often heartwarming ways charities and local groups are helping people stay warm, connected and supported this winter. From befriending calls to warm hubs, mobile soup vans to volunteer lift schemes, this episode is full of the brilliant small ideas that make a big difference.In this episode, we cover:🔔 Age UK London — winter check-ins, home visits, phone calls and warm-space signposting to keep older Londoners safe and connected.🧤 National Grid Community Matters Fund — grants for warm hubs, food provision, emergency heating support and energy efficiency workshops.🥣 The Salvation Army — its annual winter appeal, including mobile support: roving soup vans, pop-up warm spaces and outreach teams distributing hot meals and thermal clothing.🎄 Age UK Notts: No One Should Have No One — festive lunches, befriending visits, doorstop check-ins and hundreds of new December volunteers.🧥 Health, Hearts & Hope (Kent & Medway) — the Winter Kits Appeal, providing £70 rough-sleeping packs and relaunching their hot-water-bottle scheme.🏠 Places for People – Winter Ready Programme — supporting 49 local warm hubs and food banks through insulation fixes, draft-proofing and heating upgrades.☕ Royal Voluntary Service — new warm-welcome sessions across the North East and South Wales, offering drinks, activities, exercise and social connection.🚗 Community Transport: Warm Wheels — volunteer-driven lifts to warm hubs, lunch clubs and medical appointments in rural areas where bus routes have declined.👉 Whether it’s a warm meal, a warm place or simply warm company, this episode shines a light on the everyday heroes helping their neighbours through winter.Useful links:Age UK London – https://www.ageuk.org.uk/londonNational Grid Community Matters Fund – https://www.nationalgrid.co.ukThe Salvation Army – https://www.salvationarmy.org.ukAge UK Nottingham & Nottinghamshire – https://www.ageuk.org.uk/nottsHealth, Hearts & Hope – https://www.healthheartshope.orgPlaces for People – https://www.placesforpeople.co.ukRoyal Voluntary Service – https://www.royalvoluntaryservice.org.ukCommunity Transport Association (Warm Wheels links) – https://ctauk.orgThe Good Studio – https://www.thegoodstudio.co.ukGet involved:Listen to The Charity Show and The Charity Show Bites on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platformEmail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠⁠Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK.This episode is produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠⁠
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    13 分
  • Rethinking inclusion: RNIB and Scope on embedding lived experience in charities - with Anna Tylor & Mark Hodgkinson
    2025/11/10
    In this episode, Tim and Piers are joined by two of the sector’s leading voices on disability inclusion:Anna Tylor, Chair of the Board of Trustees at RNIBMark Hodgkinson, Chief Executive of Scope, the disability equality charity.Together, they discuss the evolution of inclusion - from challenging stereotypes to transforming public attitudes - and how two of the UK’s biggest charities are leading the way in terms of embedding lived experience into all aspects of their work.In this episode, we explore:♿ Why lived experience in leadership matters and how RNIB and Scope bring disabled voices into decision-making.🧭 How boards can keep inclusion on the agenda without slipping into tick-box territory.💬 Moving from compliance to culture - what true accessibility looks like day to day.📈 The disability employment gap - why it’s still stubbornly wide and what needs to change.🤝 Allyship and collaboration - how non-disabled and disabled colleagues can drive change together.🧠 Tech and inclusion - opportunities, risks and why AI could be a game-changer for accessibility.🛠 Simple steps every charity can take to become more inclusive.Tim and Piers look at the Poppy Appeal, now more than a century old, reflecting on its huge reach and the lasting support it provides for veterans and their families. They also discuss new CAF research showing two-thirds of charity leaders believe the sector’s health is “unwell,” with rising demand, burnout and financial strain topping the list. Finally, they touch on Mind’s latest report warning of a worsening youth mental-health crisis, with more young people struggling and long waits for help.This week’s Small Charity Spotlight features Footprints Baby Loss, a small, volunteer-led charity offering peer support and training for families and health professionals after baby loss, and Contact, the long-standing charity helping families with disabled children through advice, practical support and campaigning for better rights and services.Useful linksRNIB – rnib.org.ukScope – scope.org.ukFootprints Baby LossContact (for families with disabled children) – contact.org.ukRoyal British Legion (Poppy Appeal)Charities Aid Foundation (CAF) – sector wellbeing / reports – cafonline.orgMind – youth mental health research – mind.org.ukThe Good Studio – thegoodstudio.co.ukGet involved:Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platformEmail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK.This episode is produced by ⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes.From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠
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    1 時間 12 分
  • BITES #17: Bonfire Night: Sparks, spectacles and fundraising fireworks
    2025/11/03
    Welcome back to The Charity Show Bites — your quick-fire fix of surprising stories, small charity heroes, and the creativity that keeps the sector glowing.With Bonfire Night lighting up skies across the UK, Tim and Piers turn their attention to the real fireworks - the fundraisers, volunteers and communities using the season to raise thousands for good causes. From lantern-lit remembrance events to neon carnivals and full-blown pyrotechnic competitions, this episode celebrates the warmth, generosity and community spirit that make November 5th one of the biggest fundraising nights of the year.Episode highlightsIn this episode, we explore:🔥 Flint RNLI Fireworks at Flint Castle – an all-volunteer event raising thousands for the life-saving lifeboat station on the River Dee.🎆 Huddersfield Round Table Bonfire – one of Yorkshire’s biggest community events, raising £30,000 for local charities including The Welcome Centre Food Bank and Yorkshire Air Ambulance.🧣 Bradley Stoke Town Council Fireworks Night (South Gloucestershire) – every penny of ticket sales donated to Mamas Bristol and Great Western Air Ambulance Charity.🕯️ Saint Luke’s Hospice “Light Up the Night” – a moving blend of remembrance and celebration, raising £10,000 for hospice care in Sheffield.💡 Bridgewater Carnival – Europe’s largest illuminated charity carnival, generating £40,000 for Brainwave and St Margaret’s Hospice.🎇 Leighton Buzzard Fireworks Committee – over 60 years of volunteer-run displays, raising £28,000 for the Scouts and local hospice services.💥 Southport Fireworks Champions Show – a competitive pyrotechnic event supporting Queenscourt Hospice.🚑 Community First Responders & Air Ambulance Services – how local Bonfire Night collections are literally saving lives.Useful linksRNLI (Flint Lifeboat Station) – rnli.orgThe Welcome Centre Food Bank – thewelcomecentre.orgYorkshire Air Ambulance – yaa.org.ukMamas Bristol – mamasbristol.org.ukGreat Western Air Ambulance Charity – gwaac.comSaint Luke’s Hospice Sheffield – stlukeshospice.org.ukBridgewater Carnival – bridgewatercarnival.org.ukBrainwave – brainwave.org.ukSt Margaret’s Hospice – st-margarets-hospice.org.ukQueenscourt Hospice – queenscourt.org.ukThe Good Studio – creative content for good causes: thegoodstudio.co.ukGet involved:Listen to The Charity Show and The Charity Show Bites on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platformEmail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK.This episode is produced by ⁠⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠
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    9 分
  • Rethinking food aid: Dignity, education and change - with Nathan Atkinson from Rethink Food
    2025/10/27
    This week, Tim and Piers are joined by Nathan Atkinson, co-founder of Rethink Food, a social enterprise on a mission to end hunger through education, sustainability and dignity.From life as a headteacher in Leeds to leading one of the UK’s Top 100 Social Enterprises, Nathan’s story is both powerful and practical — showing how small actions can spark national change.In this episode, we explore:🍞 How one conversation with a hungry pupil changed Nathan’s life — and inspired Rethink Food.🥕 The National School Pantry Network, helping families access food with dignity, not dependency.🌍 Teaching children to “eat to save the planet” through creative food education.💪 Why empowerment, not stigma, must sit at the heart of food support.🎬 The role of storytelling in changing perceptions — and how Rethink Food uses creativity to connect.🧠 Why innovation often starts in the quiet moments — and how the sector can learn from that mindset.Between parts one and two of the interview, Tim and Piers unpack the week’s charity news, including:⚠️ A major report predicting a shortfall of 3 million volunteers across UK charities — and what that could mean for the sector.🎮 The rise of gaming for good, with YouTube star TommyInnit raising £450,000 for Great Ormond Street Hospital through a live-streamed mystery game.And as always, we shine our Small Charity Spotlight on two brilliant organisations:🛍️ World Food Aid Shop (Clacton-on-Sea) – funding food banks and disaster relief, with volunteer power at its heart.🧸 MERU – designing and adapting assistive products and sensory toys for disabled children, giving independence and joy where it’s most needed.👉 Whether you work in food insecurity, education or community programmes, this episode will leave you inspired by what’s possible when creativity meets compassion.Useful linksRethink Food – rethinkfood.org.ukNational School Pantry Network – rethinkfood.org.uk/nspnRoyal Voluntary Service report on volunteering – royalvoluntaryservice.org.ukGreat Ormond Street Hospital Charity – gosh.orgWorld Food Aid Shop – worldfoodaid.orgMERU – meru.org.ukThe Good Studio – Creative content for good causes: thegoodstudio.co.ukGet involved:Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platformEmail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK.This episode is produced by ⁠The Good Studio⁠ – Creating great content for good causes.From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠
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    1 時間 6 分
  • BITES #16: Frightfully good fundraisers: Spooky Halloween fundraising from across the UK
    2025/10/20

    Welcome to The Charity Show Bites - your quick-fire fix of surprising stories, sector insights and the occasional spooky surprise between our main episodes.

    This week, Tim and Piers go full Halloween, rounding up the most creative, funny and downright frightful charity fundraisers from across the UK. From eerie forest trails to glow-in-the-dark runs, haunted quizzes to record-breaking pumpkin carving, these events prove that when it comes to fundraising, imagination is everything.

    In this episode, we cover:

    • 🎃 The London Halloween Walk – hundreds of costumed walkers and eerie pit stops.

    • 💡 Hope House Dark Runs – glowing 5K events across North Wales and Shropshire.

    • 👻 Leeds Scare Trails – actors, soundscapes and full horror after dark.

    • 🧠 Warwick Quiz Night – spooky trivia and fancy dress.

    • 🏗️ The Gelder Group Haunted Walk – a Lincolnshire construction company turning its forest into a fright fest.

    • 🐾 Lancaster Animal Care’s Spooky Craft Day – recycled crafts, pumpkins and handmade decorations.

    • 🪓 The Faversham Pumpkin Challenge – hundreds of volunteers carving 1,000 pumpkins.

    Useful links

    • The London Halloween Walk (Action Challenge) – https://www.ultrachallenge.com

    • Hope House Children’s Hospices – hopehouse.org.uk

    • Leeds Mind – leedsmind.org.uk

    • BBC Children in Need – bbcchildreninneed.co.uk

    • St Barnabas Hospice – stbarnabashospice.co.uk

    • Lancaster Animal Care – animalcare-lancaster.co.uk

    • Macmillan Cancer Support – macmillan.org.uk

    • The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes: thegoodstudio.co.uk

    Get involved:

    • Listen to The Charity Show and The Charity Show Bites on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platform
    • Email us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠
    • ⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠
    • Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!


    💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK.

    This episode is produced by ⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠


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    10 分
  • Spotlight on charity law: Making sense of the rules and red tape - with Kirsty McEwen
    2025/10/13
    This week we’re tackling one of the trickiest topics in the sector - the legal side of running a charity. From fraud prevention and trustee payments to Charity Commission guidance and board responsibilities, we lift the lid on what it really takes to stay compliant and confident.Our guest is Kirsty McEwen, Head of the Charity & Not-for-Profit team at Higgs LLP, a trustee many times over, and a lawyer with 25 years’ experience advising everyone from small start-ups to national organisations. Kirsty joins Tim and Piers to demystify charity law, share practical advice and highlight the most common legal pitfalls facing charities today.Plus, we reflect on a tough week at the Brain Tumour Charity following the announcement of rugby legend Lewis Moody’s MND diagnosis.We also dive in to LinkedIn algorithms, bots overtaking humans online, and a fascinating story about how VR technology is transforming cancer treatment for children.In this episode🧠 Fraud & governance – How small charities can protect themselves from cybercrime and internal fraud.📜 Legal basics – What every trustee should know about constitutions, conflicts of interest and payments.📈 New Charity Commission guidance – From fraud prevention to donations, accounting and compliance.⚖️ When things go wrong – What to do if your charity makes a mistake — and when to tell the Commission.🌍 Becoming a Trustee – Kirsty’s advice for anyone thinking of joining a board or setting up a charity.❤️ Small charity spotlight – Featuring VASA and Kira’s Kingdom, two local charities making a big difference.Useful linksThe Brain Tumour Charity – Lewis Moody FoundationHiggs LLP – Charity & Not-for-Profit TeamCharity Commission Guidance on Fraud PreventionNCVO – Governance and Trustees ResourcesSmall Charities Coalition (via NCVO)VASA – Voluntary Action Stratford-on-Avon DistrictKeira’s KingdomGet involved:Listen to The Charity Show on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platformEmail us at ⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShowFind every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK.This episode is produced by The Good Studio – Creating great content for good causes.From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at www.thegoodstudio.co.uk
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    1 時間 10 分
  • BITES #15: World Animal Day: From donkeys to Meatloaf scarecrows
    2025/10/06
    Welcome back to The Charity Show Bites, your quick-fire dose of surprising stories, sector insights and the odd fact you can impress your colleagues with over a cuppa.This week, Tim and Piers celebrate World Animal Day, which marked its 100th anniversary on October 4th, 2025. From street fundraisers and surprise donations to pop-star scarecrows, this episode shines a light on the brilliant animal charities and community projects helping creatures great and small.In this episode, we explore:🐾 Scottish SPCA’s biggest ever World Animal Day fundraiser – 33 street collections across 15 council areas, powered by hundreds of volunteers.🐴 Remus Horse Sanctuary – open day celebrations in Essex, complete with rescued horses, ponies and donkeys.🐶 £100,000 surprise for Rescue Me Animal Sanctuary – presented by Paddy McGuinness at the Pets Foundation Ball in Liverpool.🐕 Cost of living crisis – new data from the Association of Dogs and Cats Homes showing 97% of rescues face rising demand.🐇 Naturewatch Foundation’s Pet Rescue Grants – microgrants changing lives for small rescue centres like the Bunny Jackpot Foundation and Hope Rescue.🏆 Petplan & ADCH Animal Charity Awards 2025 – celebrating the sector’s unsung heroes, from Cotswold Dogs & Cats Home to British Divers Marine Life Rescue.🌾 Minskip Scarecrow Weekend – North Yorkshire’s eccentric pop-star-themed fundraiser featuring Elvis, Bowie, Madonna… and a surprisingly realistic Meatloaf.🌍 Save Animals, Save the Planet – this year’s global World Animal Day theme reminding us that protecting animals protects our shared environment too.👉 Whether you’re a dog owner, a donkey fan or just love a good feel-good story, this episode is a cheerful snapshot of how the charity world continues to champion animal welfare, 100 years on from the first World Animal Day.Useful linksWorld Animal Day – worldanimalday.org.ukScottish SPCA – scottishspca.orgRemus Horse Sanctuary – remussanctuary.orgRescue Me Animal SanctuaryAssociation of Dogs and Cats Homes (ADCH) – adch.org.ukNaturewatch Foundation – naturewatch.orgPetplan & ADCH Animal Charity AwardsCheck out the scarecrows: https://youtu.be/HpEPBwf-50IThe Good Studio – creative content for charitiesGet involved:Listen to The Charity Show and The Charity Show Bites on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or your favourite platformEmail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠thecharityshowpod@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Send a voice message to TheCharityShow⁠⁠Find every link you need: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://linktr.ee/thecharityshow⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Enjoyed the episode? Leave a five-star review and follow/subscribe to support the show!💡 If you enjoyed this episode, hit follow or subscribe on your podcast app, and please leave us a five-star rating — it helps more people find conversations with real charity experts across the UK.This episode is produced by ⁠⁠⁠The Good Studio⁠⁠⁠ – Creating great content for good causes. From podcasts and campaigns to film and copywriting, The Good Studio helps charities tell powerful stories that make people care.👉 Find out more at ⁠⁠⁠www.thegoodstudio.co.uk ⁠⁠
    続きを読む 一部表示
    10 分