Go Higher Presents podcasting event 

A two-part podcasting event that was designed to inspire and empower young learners from Black African and Mirpuri Pakistani backgrounds was recently held by Go Higher West Yorkshire (GHWY) Uni Connect. 

The ‘Go Higher Presents’ programme introduced learners to the world of Higher Education (HE) through the medium of podcasting, where they worked towards interviewing student ambassadors from Leeds Beckett University who shared the same heritages as the learners. It was a perfect mix of educational enrichment and practical learning. 

Visiting Tileyard North studios 

The programme, which was run with a small group of year 10 learners from Hanson Academy, began with an in-school session centred around exploring the various opportunities and pathways available in HE. This was designed to spark curiosity and help the learners envision their future academic and career paths whilst preparing to interview the student ambassadors. The learners were super engaged, asking thoughtful questions and diving into discussions that expanded their understanding of what HE can offer. 

After this insightful first session, the group headed to Tileyard North studios in Wakefield. This state-of-the-art studio provided an inspiring space for the practical element of the programme. Shortly after they arrived, the learners were taken on a full tour of the studios and event spaces, sparking their imaginations about the endless possibilities within creative industries. 

A major highlight of the visit was a tutorial on how podcasting equipment works. The fantastic staff at Tileyard North guided the learners through the technical aspects of podcast creation. They covered everything from setting up microphones to using recording software, ensuring the learners had a good overview and felt ready to roll. 

With the groundwork laid, it was time for the learners to plan their own podcasts. This was a moment filled with creativity and collaboration as they solidified their brainstorming from the first session, scripted their segments, and prepared for their recordings.  

When it was time to record, the learners truly shone. They stepped up to the microphones with enthusiasm, engaging in lively and meaningful conversations with the student ambassadors who shared their experiences and insights in a way that added a lot of depth and perspective to the podcasts. It was heartening to see the young learners so animated and confident, expressing their thoughts and ideas with clarity and passion. 

At the end of the session, we held a reflective exercise, and the learners expressed having a better understanding of podcasting and a greater awareness of HE and what the university experience is like. This feedback highlighted the success of the event. 

Programme outcomes and podcast 

The podcasts captured the essence of the learners’ experiences and aspirations, providing a platform for their voices to be heard. Sam Bell, Podcast Engineer, said: “We were very impressed with how engaged the participants were in the project. They knew what they wanted to do, and they really enjoyed doing it, it was great to see.” 

George Riley, the Studio Manager, added: “It was a pleasure hosting the GHWY team at Tileyard North. I am glad everyone enjoyed their podcasting experience, and it was great to meet so many enthusiastic, ambitious young people.” 

The podcasting event helped the learners with technical skills, as well as built their confidence, fostered creativity, and provided them with the tools and platforms to express themselves and explore HE. 

You can listen to the podcasts here.

 

Rebecca King, GHWY Outreach Officer, University of Huddersfield