Breakfast & Beyond - Episode 6:
Amanda Winwood of Made for Life Organics

Also available on Tune-in, Stitcher, Deezer and Public Radio

For Episode 6 of Breakfast & Beyond I was delighted to welcome Amanda Winwood, Managing Director of skincare company Made for Life Organics to the farmhouse table. Amanda took up the reins of Made for Life Organics almost 20 years ago, and during that time has been constantly evolving the business to make it as sustainable as possible - from using 100% natural and organic ingredients through to becoming a B Corporation three years ago, and they have just won a ‘Best for the World’ award for their work within the community.

I found this conversation a fascinating dive into the impact of skincare products not only on our bodies, but on the people growing, creating and supplying them, and on the environment; how often do we think through the implications for soil, biodiversity and waterways of using non-organic skincare products, where plants that are used as ingredients are sprayed with chemicals?

“Everything we do within the business is about people, but also about planet and health, they have to be joined up […]
If the earth and the planet are healthy, we’ll be healthy. If we poison the planet, we poison ourselves.”

Over breakfast, Amanda discusses not only the journey of Made for Life Organics as a company, but the holistic approach to sustainability which imbues both her work and personal life; why she founded the Made for Life Foundation; and her firm belief that keeping life simple is at the heart of sustainable living.

Do join us for Episode 6 of Breakfast & Beyond… listen via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Stitcher & Tune-In

Breakfast: recipes, producers & growers …

Linking up: referenced in Episode 6 …

Dr Philippa Dabre - research into link between parabens found in skincare and in breast tissue
Avril Greenaway of Cleaner Seas Group
Surfers Against Sewage - Cornwall-based environmental charity tackling plastic pollution
7th Rise - Off-grid outdoor adventures in Cornwall, founded by Thom Hunt
B Corporation UK - Sustainability certification process for businesses · Made for Life’s ‘Best for the World’ B Corp Community Award
Made for Life Organics Foundation · Cancer Touch Therapy course by Made for Life Organics
Cornwall Innovation Centres · Breeam Awards
Finesterre - Sustainable outdoor clothing company based in Cornwall
Wearing dress made by Edith & Bertha

Sustainable Development Goals

The UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are 17 targets representing a universal call to action to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure that all people enjoy peace and prosperity by 2030. ‘Everyone is needed to reach these ambitious targets. The creativity, knowhow, technology and financial resources from all of society is necessary to achieve the SDGs in every context’ (UNDP). Translating these global objectives to tease out their relevance at the individual and small-organisational scale can inspire us to connect with these important global themes and consider what we are doing - and what more we can do - to make a contribution that supports our own work and wellbeing along with benefiting other people and the planet.

In Episode 6 our discussion referenced the following Sustainable Development Goals:

3 - Good health & wellbeing - Made for Life Organics products are designed to nourish the body and support good health and wellbeing, using natural ingredients
8 - Decent Work & Economic Growth - Made for Life Organics prioritises people along with planet and profit; this includes creating a positive working environment for employees, and growing the company in a sustainable way
9 - Industry, Innovation & Infrastructure - Made for Life Organics innovates with the manufacturing processes they use to create their products and with the training they offer therapists, influencing the industry in through advocating for people with cancer to be able to receive therapeutic touch
12 - Responsible Consumption & Production - Made for Life Organics products are designed to last for a long time to offer quality along with value for consumers; products are created with sustainability in mind from ingredient sourcing to packaging
13 - Climate Action - Made for Life Organics carry out a carbon audit as part of their B Corporation certification process, this is reviewed annually. Choices are made relating to, for example, the company building space and staff travel in order to limit their environmental footprint
14 - Life below water - by using 100% organic natural ingredients, Made for Life Organics support clean waterways as they only source ingredients from farms that grow without using chemicals that can pollute water
15 - Life on land - by using 100% natural ingredients, Made for Life products support biodiversity by sourcing from farmers that grow using sustainable techniques and without chemicals

Podcast recording: behind the scenes …

Thank you for listening!

Thank you for listening to Breakfast & Beyond: Conversations from Cornwall on Sustainable Living. If you enjoyed listening I’d love it if you could subscribe to the podcast, rate it, and share episodes with friends and family who you think would enjoy them. You can listen and subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Tune-In or wherever you find your podcasts.

I’d love to know your thoughts - please join the conversation and get in touch by email tia@botelet.com or instagram. Thank you and I look forward to sharing the the next episode with you!

The Breakfast & Beyond podcast is hosted at our home Botelet Farm in South East Cornwall, where my husband’s family have lived and farmed for over 150 years, and three generations still share the farmhouse today. Set in a peaceful valley upstream of Fowey, we welcome visitors to stay in historic cottages, and there’s a yurt for those who love to immerse themselves in nature.