Who are they?

Joe is a Year 10 pupil in Bradford. He has taken part in ‘Speak Up: Your Voice Matters’ in Years 9 and 10. He enjoys joinery, which he has learned from his dad and is proud of the things they have made together. He thinks of his dad as his role model.

“[My dad] has faced a lot of adversity, a lot of family issues and he’s just done his best and tried to be a good dad.”

The learner’s experience on ‘Speak Up: Your Voice Matters’

Joe took part in several self-reflective activities during the ‘Speak Up’ programme. He thinks these sessions felt different to school because they were very interactive, which he liked. This included doing activities such as using magazines and multimedia to explore his ideas for the future. The creative approach to the programme sparked Joe’s interest in art, and he was grateful for the advice and support of the Outreach Officer about potential pathways into arts education.

Taking part has helped him to think deeply about which of his options are suitable for him, linked to his skills and strengths. His dad has also supported him with this.

Joe has been able to set goals and map future pathways that feel achievable. He is less interested in higher education as it does not fit into his current interests. Despite this, he feels positive about experiencing higher education thanks to visiting a campus during the programme. He now understands its benefits.

“At the start I was dead set on an apprenticeship, but ‘Speak Up’ opened my mind and I thought about attending college.”

Concluding thoughts

‘Speak Up’ has had a positive impact on Joe, thanks to the activities within the programme and the relational way it was delivered. The sessions have sparked conversations with his self-identified role model to help him map out future pathways that are achievable for him in more detail, linked to his skills and strengths.

“I’ve thought about [my future] a decent bit more and I’ve got a more certain approach to it.”