PTA Podcast

In this episode, I talk about why secondhand books sales are a great addition to your PTA funding, whether you have them as a standalone event or as a stall at a larger event. I have a few creative ideas for you about how to lay out your display and how to arrange the books to try and maximise the profits and freshen up your sale. A secondhand book sale is such an easy stall to run and as most books are donated from parents, it is 100% profit for your PTA!

I included a couple of photos...

In this episode, I share my experience of attending two quizzes each run by a different PTA. I talk through how the evenings were organised and highlight the similarities and difference between the two events. Then, I chat through some top tips taken from the quiz nights I attended with some extra ideas. 

Do drop me an email to tell me what your PTA is up to - hello@ptapodcast.com

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too! 

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I'm talking to you from my car this episode as a shout out to other parents who have to wait for their child to finish a club! This episode is a catch-up about my World Book Day plus the announcement that our PTA Podcast virtual Book Club has now started! Our first book is The Hive by Gill Hornby.

Sign up to my mailing list on my website to keep up to date with the Book Club, as I will let you know how to send me your reviews and then when we are reading the next...

In this episode, I share my experience (and love!) for Treasure Hunts! I have created a number of different treasure hunts or scavenger hunts over the years, and I think they are a versatile and exciting activity to add into your fundraising calendar. Give one a try this year if you haven't done one before - you can fit them to a theme, they don't need many volunteers and they are so much fun! Listen to this episode to find out more.

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too! 

In this short episode, I share a marketing idea with you - a different way that you can send out messages to parents. Instead of sending out more blocks of text, try and entice your parents to make small changes to support your PTA by focussing on the numbers! Listen to this episode to find out more.

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too! 

Check out my website and sign up to my mailing list to get notified when new episodes are released - www.ptapodcast.com

Welcome to 2026! This episode is quick catch-up from me - I give you a brief update on my PTA activities from December and my plans going forward. I also pull out my highlights from the recent issue of the School Fundraising Magazine which has just been published (Spring 2026 issue). There are some great ideas in here for Easter fundraising and STEM activities.

You can find a link to a digital copy of the magazine here:

https://content.yudu.com/web/3z42w/0A43t9q/SFSpring2026/html/index.html?refUrl=https%253A%252F%252Fwww.pta...

Welcome to the PTA Podcast Book Club! This is just a little episode to introduce you to some PTA books that I will be talking about on my podcast. I have found some books which mention PTAs as part of their plot and I thought it would be fun to discuss and review them. I would love you to join me in reading and then reviewing the books - just sign up to my mailing list to take part and receive all the details - www.ptapodcast.com

I will let you know by email which book...

Would you like to explore making grant applications a bit more? Or try reaching out to local businesses? Then this is the episode for you!

In this episode, I chat to Richard Manville, the managing director of Community Inspired. His social enterprise runs the PTA+ website https://www.pta.co.uk/, School Fundraising magazine https://www.pta.co.uk/magazine/current-issue/ and the FundEd website https://funded.org.uk/ which he talks about today. The FundEd website contains a huge searchable database of grant opportunities for schools and PTAs, and has many other tools available to help...

This episode is split into two sections - some self-care tips for those of you feeling a bit overwhelmed with your Christmas fundraising, and then a little pep talk to remind yourself how great you are and how much your volunteering means to the children at your school. It is always such a busy time of year when you are part of a PTA, let alone all the things happening in your family life as well, and I know how that can feel. Try and find 39 (!) mins to listen to this episode and I hope I can share some...

I think a cake sale is one of the foundations of fundraising - a very simple, straightforward event which keeps the money ticking in to your PTA. In this episode, I share my experiences of cake sales over the years I have been organising them. So whether you haven't run one before or are a seasoned pro, hopefully there is something here for you. 

Look out for my Cake sales Part 2 episode coming soon in which I share ideas on how to elevate your cake sales and share some ideas for home-baking, even if you don't consider y...

Have you heard about a Progressive Supper before? This is a brilliant evening event which is perfect for the winter or spring months, and combines fundraising with a way of strengthening your parent community at school. In this episode, I chat to my friends Susan and Lyn who have organised many of these evenings and have very generously shared all their top tips so you can hit the ground running if you want to try this event at your school. Do let me know if you give it a go.

I'm still looking for song suggestions for...

Welcome back to a new school year!

In this episode, we have a little catch up about summer holidays and what my PTA is working on at the moment. A new edition of the School Fundraising magazine has just come out, packed full of ideas and advice so I talk through some of the articles I found interesting. Read the latest version here:

https://www.pta.co.uk/

And I have started a PTA Podcast Playlist on Spotify - see what my first 8 song choices are to get us started. I would love...

Please note, I can't reply to texts, but I can to emails - hello@ptapodcast.com

In this episode, I give you a little catch-up on recent events with me, and announce that my son Patrick and I have published the first PTA Podcast computer game! We have made a text-based game where you can organise a summer fête for a primary school in just 10 minutes from the comfort of your own sofa!

Put your PTA skills up to the test! Can you negotiate the headache of finding enough volunteers? What stalls will you c...

Please note, I can't reply to texts, but I can to emails - hello@ptapodcast.com

In this episode, I share my tips on how to get through the organisation of a big event like a summer or winter fête. I talk about things you could try during the planing stages to make things easier, what you can do on the day of the event and crucially, how to cope when it's all feeling too much. I hope my experiences are helpful to you if you are feeling a bit overwhelmed with organising your summer or w...

Please note, I can't reply to texts, but I can to emails - hello@ptapodcast.com

In this episode, I chat to Carol Rogerson about the PTA+ website which is a unique resource for all things related to PTAs in the UK - do go and have a browse of the website if you haven't already found it - www.pta.co.uk

Carol is also the editor of School Fundraising magazine and we talk about how she finds articles for the magazine, how PTA fundraising has changed over the past few years and what...

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In this episode, we have a look at the concept of marginal gains - a way of making tiny changes to various aspects of your events organisation and planning which can add up to big improvements overall. I give some suggestions from my own time as a PTA Chair on some of the things that I have tried over the years to improve how I organised events. And I encourage...

Thank you for your message! Please note, if you text me I cannot reply directly to you, but I can if you use my email address below.

In this episode, I give you all the details about my proudest and biggest achievement when I was Chair of my PTA - fundraising for a new library at my school. It was a full-on year of fundraising and fun, and it changed the way my PTA approached projects and how we worked with the school. I learnt so much from taking on the challenge and I share my ten...

Thank you for your message! Please note, if you text me I cannot reply directly to you, but I can if you use my email address below.

In this episode, I reply to Evie who texted me and asked about Instagram. That made me think about the different ways my PTA communicates with parents and I thought I would share the different methods and my experience of them with you. Do you use similar methods - which are most effective for you? Have you tried anything different to me - please let me know.  I'd love to h...

In this episode, I chat to Keren Mitchell about his website called Superkind (https://superkind.org/) which PTAs can use to gather sponsorship money and really put the children at the heart of fundraising. I also suggest that you add "Gift Aid reference number" to your PTA to-do list if you are a charity in the UK but haven't registered for Gift Aid yet. Do you use an online platform for gathering sponsorship donations? Which one did you go for and how was your experience? Have you tried Superkind yet - do let me know!  I'd love to hear f...

In this episode, I share my experience of doing a handover to the next PTA Chair. It was all very straightforward in the end, as most of it is electronic now! Are you doing a handover, or will you have one coming up in the future? Have you had a similar experience to me? I'd love to hear from you - contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too! 

Why not email me about an e...

In this episode, I update you on what happened as I tried to step down as Chair of my PTA. As you know from Episode 19, I was dreading my AGM with no one wanting to step up to the role. So this is my story about what happened and how it went. I also list a few places you can go for help if you are dealing with a tricky situation in your PTA at the moment. Have you had a similar experience to me? Do let me know - hello@ptapodcast.com.

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In this episode, I chat to my friend Eve about her gift-wrapping business and an idea about a festive fundraiser with a difference. Why not give a gift-wrapping evening a try to get parents together for a social occasion? We talk through how this could work and explore how you can make any gift-wrapping you do as a PTA more eco-friendly. If you don't have anyone in your area who could help with hosting a gift-wrapping event, Eve has many online courses where you could learn some of her techniques if you wanted to run an evening yourself!
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In this episode, I welcome you back to my podcast after I had a break over the summer. I'm juggling a few things already, including organising the AGM in the next few weeks. I'm wanting to step down as Chair at the AGM but no one so far wants to step up so I'm feeling rather unsure about how to handle it all. Do you have any tips or advice for me?!

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've...

In this episode, I share 10 easy ideas to create a stall at a fair, using only A4 paper - something everyone has access to. These ideas can mostly be created the day before  and might help to cut down on a bit of the stressful planning associated with a big event, or are easy last-minute additions if you have a gap to fill.

If you are looking for the Fortune Teller book then here is a link so you can see what it looks like:
https://usborne.com/gb/origami-fortune-tellers-9781474927994

Please rate and review m...

In this episode, I share my experiences of fundraising in a small school, looking at the pros and cons of being in a smaller community. I also talk about how my PTA tries to overcome the challenges, although it's not always possible!

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.

Check out my website - www.ptapodcast.com
And find me...

This episode is a little review of my own recent Easter fundraising as well as a catch up with Emilia about her Easter fun day and how it all went. 

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.

Check out my website - www.ptapodcast.com
And find me on Facebook.

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In this episode, I chat to Emilia about her fundraising plans for her daughter's school in Sweden. She explains how school fundraising works in the Swedish school system and how she has placed the children at the centre of her plans. I also give you a little update on my PTA's Easter fundraiser.

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.

Check...

In this episode, I share my experience of running my first Colour Run (yes, the one that had to be postponed 3 times!). I also touch on what fundraising we tried at our annual Sports Day.

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.

Check out my website - www.ptapodcast.com
And find me on Facebook.

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In this episode, I share the low effort and low cost fundraisers which have worked well for my PTA. Perhaps there are some new ideas in here for your PTA to try? I mention cake sales, non-uniform days, secondhand uniform sales, sponsored events, online game, external vendors and book sales.

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.

Check out my website...

And I am through to the other side of the Christmas fundraising! Phew! In this episode, I review how the Fayre went with a couple of special guests to help me. I also talk about how it's important to protect your mental health as a PTA volunteer and to reach out for support to your team if you are feeling overwhelmed.

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would...

What do you call them - fêtes or fairs, or even fayres?! In this episode, I update you on my fundraising in Terms 1 and 2 which includes a non-uniform day, printed tea towels, a secondhand clothing sale and our big end of year fundraiser - our Winter Fayre. 

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? 
Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.
Check out my website - www.ptapodcast.com

In this episode, I update you on my recent AGM and confess how hard it was to chair the firs planning meeting of the year. So, I took some time to find some tips on chairing meetings and share some of these with you. As promised, here are the links to the 3 most useful websites I found about chairing meetings: https://www.meetingsnet.com/continuing-medical-education/5-practical-tips-managing-volunteer-meetings

https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ea9a919ba4a91150fc6f126/t/5ef1153a42dce443e1599348/1592857917071/The+Role+of+the+Chairperson.pdf

https://www.pta.co.uk/running-a-pta/managing-a-pta...

In this episode, I talk about the start of a new school year and my forthcoming AGM. How are you feeling about the year ahead? Maybe you have taken on a new role, joined the PTA for the first time or are continuing as the Chair - I wish you every success this year as we take our first steps into the academic year of 23/24.

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!
Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? 
Contact me using hello@p...

In this episode, I talk you through what's on my (never-ending) PTA To Do list! How long is your To Do List? Do you struggle to make time to complete it, like me? Hopefully this episode might inspire you to get started on yours.Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.Check out my website - www.ptapodcast.comAnd find me on Facebook.

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In this episode, I describe my recent triumph with a World Book Day event - a special Sweet Shop that only features sweets from popular children's story books.

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.

Check out my website - www.ptapodcast.com
And find me on Facebook.

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In this episode, I share my tale of woe with you about an event that was quite frankly, the hardest thing I have had to deal with whilst part of my PTA - everything just went wrong!

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.

Check out my website - www.ptapodcast.com
And find me on Facebook.

Support...

In this episode, I chat to my friend Lisa about a fundraiser that she organises for her PTA - an annual trip to the local panto!

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.

Check out my website - www.ptapodcast.com
And find me on Facebook.

Support the show

In this episode, I describe my experience with raffles and what I learnt from using an online text raffle.

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.

Check out my website - www.ptapodcast.com
And find me on Facebook.

Support the show

In this episode, I describe my recent winter fundraising and we talk about those dreaded risk assessments!

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.

Check out my website - www.ptapodcast.com
And find me on Facebook.

Support the show

In this episode, I chat to my friend Louise about how PTAs work in American schools.

Please rate and review my podcast so other lovely PTA volunteers can find it too!

Why not email me about an event you've taken part in? Contact me using hello@ptapodcast.com. I would love to hear from you.

Check out my website - www.ptapodcast.com
And find me on Facebook.

Support the show