The Youth Social Podcast

In Care Stories: Ep1: Josh P

Josh P has overcome a number of issues whilst in care. Listen as he talks honestly about how he dealt with the many challenges in his life.
 
Thank you to The National Lottery Community Grants for funding this project and making it possible for young people in care to share their experienced. https://www.tnlcommunityfund.org.uk/
 
If you are affected by any of the issues discussed in this podcast please talk to your PA or support worker.
 
If you would like independent advice, here’s a list of relevant support services with weblinks that offer additional support to looked-after children and care-experienced teens and young adults:
 
The Care Leavers’ Association
A user-led charity that supports care leavers of all ages and promotes the rights of care-experienced individuals.
https://www.careleavers.com
 
The Children’s Society
The Children's Society provides support for vulnerable young people, including those who are looked after or have left care.
https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk
 
Coram Voice
Coram Voice offers advocacy, advice, and support to children and young people in care or who have recently left care.
https://coramvoice.org.uk
 
National Care Advisory Service (NCAS)
NCAS is part of Catch22, offering advice and guidance for young people transitioning from care to independent living.
https://www.catch-22.org.uk/what-we-do/childrens-social-care/care-leavers/
 
Barnardo’s Care Leaver Services
Barnardo's provides services for care leavers to help them transition into independent living, education, or employment.
https://www.barnardos.org.uk/get-support/support-for-young-people/leaving-care
 
Just for Kids Law
This organisation supports young people in care and care leavers with legal advice, advocacy, and support.
https://www.justforkidslaw.org
 
If you would like more youth-related podcast content, check out the What The Friday youth podcast:
 
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6BXIcHaznBB22boZhWLVMt?si=7db1508114594f00
 
Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/what-the-friday-youth-podcast/id1684528663
 
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@YouthSocialCIC
 
 

Ep11: GennyLec '24 - A pre-election discussion with young people

On the eve of a general election, Youth Social have been working with three students at Brooksbank Sixth Form in Calderdale to look at how youth voices can be heard by local councillors and civic leaders and used to influence decision making.
To help communicate the views of young people, the students have produced this podcast.
They created a questionnaire which was completed by sixth form and year 11 students. This survey looked at how important certain issues were for young people (e.g. having a good career, living in a safe area, socialising with friends etc.) and then how they rated Elland for them. Participants were also asked if they could improve one aspect of the local area – what would they change.
The data was then analysed and forms the basis of this podcast.
Key findings included the safety of young people, inclusion and accessibility, climate awareness and local jobs & careers. The group also discussed whether votes should be given to 16 and 17 year olds.
The full research report will be shared with the Elland Town Development Board and the youth group will have a future input into local area decision-making.
For more information on Youth Social please visit www.youthsocial.co.uk

Ep10: Benita’s volunteering story

In our series looking at Youth Volunteering, we catch up with Benita. 
 
Benita studied Architecture in India and is studying a Masters in Interior Design at the University of Huddersfield. 
 
Listen to her story as she explains how volunteering is helping her gain experience in the creative sector and building important networks. 
 
In addition, the podcast also covers: 
How she found out about the opportunity
What benefits she has got from volunteering
How it has helped her mental health & wellbeing
How her travel expenses are covered
What skills she has gained through volunteering 
Her favourite experiences
These Podcasts have been created in partnership with the Future Creative volunteer programme for young people aged 16-24 years. Future Creative is delivered by TSL Kirklees (the Volunteer Centre for Kirklees) working in partnership with Lawrence Batley Theatre and funded by Arts Council England’s Volunteering Futures grant programme.
 
To find out more contact: volunteer@tslkirklees.org.uk
Visit TSL Kirklees volunteering website: https://tslkirklees.org.uk/volunteering-home/
Find your nearest Volunteer Centre: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/want-to-volunteer/

Ep9: Luke’s volunteering story

In our series looking at Youth Volunteering, we catch up with Luke. 
 
Luke is at the University of Huddersfield studying Film Studies.
 
Listen to his story as he explains how volunteering is helping him learn new skills and gain experience related to his course & career aspirations. 
 
In addition, the podcast also covers: 
The type of volunteering he has been doing
Some of the additional skills he has learned
Some of the experience he has gained
How the skills are helping him
How it has helped his mental health & wellbeing
 
These Podcasts have been created in partnership with the Future Creative volunteer programme for young people aged 16-24 years. Future Creative is delivered by TSL Kirklees (the Volunteer Centre for Kirklees) working in partnership with Lawrence Batley Theatre and funded by Arts Council England’s Volunteering Futures grant programme.
 
To find out more contact: volunteer@tslkirklees.org.uk
Visit TSL Kirklees volunteering website: https://tslkirklees.org.uk/volunteering-home/
Find your nearest Volunteer Centre: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/want-to-volunteer/
 

Ep8: Iqra’s volunteering story

In our series looking at Youth Volunteering, we catch up with Iqra. 
 
Iqra is 24 and is a retail manager in Huddersfield.
 
Listen to her story as he explains how volunteering is helping her manage her mental health and meet new people. 
 
In addition, the podcast also covers: 
How she found a flexible opportunity that fitted around her job
The type of volunteering she has been doing
Some of the additional skills she has learned
Some of the experience she has gained
How the skills are helping build her confidence
These Podcasts have been created in partnership with the Future Creative volunteer programme for young people aged 16-24 years. Future Creative is delivered by TSL Kirklees (the Volunteer Centre for Kirklees) working in partnership with Lawrence Batley Theatre and funded by Arts Council England’s Volunteering Futures grant programme.
 
To find out more contact: volunteer@tslkirklees.org.uk
Visit TSL Kirklees volunteering website: https://tslkirklees.org.uk/volunteering-home/
Find your nearest Volunteer Centre: https://www.ncvo.org.uk/get-involved/volunteering/want-to-volunteer/

Ep7: What makes a great volunteering opportunity?

In the last of our studio-based youth volunteering podcasts, we speak to a group of five six-form students - Holly, Joshua, Ruben, Annie and Zara - to explore what makes a good opportunity and what teens and young adults are looking for in a volunteering role.
You can find out more about volunteering by visiting the TSL Kirklees website www.tslkirklees.org.uk or search ‘volunteering opportunities near me’ in Google.
More information on Youth Social can be found at www.youthsocial.co.uk
This podcast is supported by the Kirklees Council Community Plus Fund and was funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

Ep6: Talking to volunteering organisations

In this episode we speak to the people and organisations that offer youth volunteering opportunities to find out what they are looking for from young volunteers.
We meet Louise Sykes from Locala who offer healthcare opportunities, Chris Newberry from the Kirkwood who care for people towards the end of their life, Julie Peel who manages opportunities for Kirklees Libraries, and finally Daisy Whitby, the volunteer support officer at Fresh Futures who support local families.    
 
You can find out more about volunteering by visiting the TSL Kirklees website www.tslkirklees.org.uk or search ‘volunteering opportunities near me’ in Google.
More information on Youth Social can be found at www.youthsocial.co.uk
This podcast is supported by the Kirklees Council Community Plus Fund and was funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund. 

Ep5: Talking to Young Volunteers (Part 2)

Graham continues interviewing young volunteers to find out what it’s like to volunteer.  In this episode he speaks to Martha at Uniform Exchange -  an organisation that provide school clothes for people unable to buy new, Omar and Freya at Fresh Futures – who provide support for families and then finally he meets a group of young people who have been getting a taste of volunteering through the Future Creative programme.
 
You can find out more about volunteering by visiting the TSL Kirklees website www.tslkirklees.org.uk or search ‘volunteering opportunities near me’ in Google.
More information on Youth Social can be found at www.youthsocial.co.uk
This podcast is supported by the Kirklees Council Community Plus Fund and was funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Ep4: Talking to Young Volunteers (Part 1)

For this episode Verity and Katie kick Graham out of the studio to go and interview young volunteers in their place of work.
We speak to Alfie who volunteers in the A&E department at Dewsbury Hospital, Mariam who works in a library and Finley & Estelle who are working as in-patient volunteers at the Kirkwood.
You can find out more about volunteering by visiting the TSL Kirklees website www.tslkirklees.org.uk or search ‘volunteering opportunities near me’ in Google.
More information on Youth Social can be found at www.youthsocial.co.uk
This podcast is supported by the Kirklees Council Community Plus Fund and was funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Ep3: Youth Volunteering and Employment

In the third episode we look at how youth volunteering can help develop employability skills and to get a job. We chat careers and skills with James Davidson from C+K Careers and to Madi who turned a volunteering opportunity into a full-time paid position.  
 
You can find out more about volunteering by visiting the TSL Kirklees website www.tslkirklees.org.uk or search ‘volunteering opportunities near me’ in Google.
More information on Youth Social can be found at www.youthsocial.co.uk
This podcast is supported by the Kirklees Council Community Plus Fund and was funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.