In this episode, I interview two incredibly self-aware, compassionate and driven young people Ashleigh & SJ  who participated in the Young Changemakers programme, a collaboration between UK Youth, Centre for Mental Health and Diana Award.

We talk about what systems change means to them, their experiences of racial inequality in the mental health and education systems and they discuss their social action projects 'Team Not So Micro' and 'Team Change'.

Trigger Warning: this episode contains reference racism, mental health & suicide. If you are affected by any of the issues raised, please check out the links below for further support. 

This episode features an original poem by SJ

Young Changemakers Programme: https://diana-award.org.uk/our-programmes-and-initiatives/changemakers#:~:text=Young%20Changemakers%20is%20a%20collaboration,health%20services%20in%20the%20UK 

Links:

• Samaritans. To talk about anything that is upsetting you, you can contact Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email [email protected] or visit some branches in person. 
• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK. Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 689 5652 (6pm to midnight every day).
• Shout. If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
• Aashna aashna.uk Provides a list of therapists working to recognise the ways in which culture, faith, religion, colour, social background, sexuality, gender and neurodiversity affect people's experiences.
• BAATN (The Black, African and Asian Therapy Network) baatn.org.uk Provides a list of therapists from Black, African and Asian backgrounds, and signposts to local mental health and advocacy services.

In this episode, I interview a stand-out leader Craig Pinkney, criminologist, youth specialist and chief executive of SOLVE, the center for youth violence & conflict (https://solvecyvc.com/home). 

We talk about his journey into youth work, why self-exploration is so important for systems change and what it means to be anti-racist. 

Trigger Warning: this episode contains reference to violence. If you are affected by any of the issues raised, please check out the link below for further support. 

This episode features the music of Eko and his track 'Black to Reality'. 

Links:

• Support if you are affected by violence/crime: https://www.victimsupport.org.uk/ 
• Craig Pinkney's Linkedin
• SOLVE's YouTube channel
• Eko's TikTok channel
• Eko's Spotify channel
• Eko's instagram page
• Eko's YouTube channel

Part 2

This is a 2 part episode, featuring an inspirational group of young people known as the Youth Led Commission on Separated Children (YLCSC) and Hilda, Youth Led Campaigns officer at the Children's Society. 

They are campaigning for all unaccompanied young refugees, who arrive in the UK alone to get a legal guardian.

In these episodes we hear from Phoenix, Ayo, ibrahim, TJ and Ope and it features the song 'Human Kindness' by singer, songwriter Carrie Tree https://carrietree.bandcamp.com/track/human-kindness 

Links:

• YLCSC and their campaign: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-campaigns/guardians-for-unaccompanied-children
• 'Distress Signals' report: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/information/professionals/resources/distress-signals 
• What is the 'hostile environment'? https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/blogs/democratic-citizenship/what-is-the-hostile-environment 
• The Children's Society newsletter featuring YLCSC: https://www.flipsnack.com/CA7CFEBBDC9/society-newsletter-summer-2022-tiqo8f8unf/full-view.html 

Part 1

This is a 2 part episode, featuring an inspirational group of young people known as the Youth Led Commission on Separated Children (YLCSC) and Hilda, Youth Led Campaigns officer at the Children's Society. 

They are campaigning for all unaccompanied young refugees, who arrive in the UK alone to get a legal guardian.

In these episodes we hear from Phoenix, Ayo, ibrahim, TJ and Ope and it features the song 'Human Kindness' by singer, songwriter Carrie Tree https://carrietree.bandcamp.com/track/human-kindness 

Link to part 2: http://bit.ly/3FuXRHb 

Links:

• YLCSC and their campaign: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/what-we-do/our-campaigns/guardians-for-unaccompanied-children
• 'Distress Signals' report: https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/information/professionals/resources/distress-signals 
• What is the 'hostile environment'? https://www.port.ac.uk/news-events-and-blogs/blogs/democratic-citizenship/what-is-the-hostile-environment 
• The Children's Society newsletter featuring YLCSC: https://www.flipsnack.com/CA7CFEBBDC9/society-newsletter-summer-2022-tiqo8f8unf/full-view.html 

In this episode I interview Ghino Parker, Centre director at Barnardo's who has worked across many communities to ensure that diverse voices are heard.

In this episode we talk about:

• Systems Change as 'common sense youth work'
• Kimberle Crenshaw's movement around intersectionality
• Cultural competency crucial for Systems Change
• Real life examples of applying cultural competency

Resources:

1. Kimberle Crenshaw TED talk intersectionality: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=akOe5-UsQ2o
2. Ghino Parker TED talk 'when youth workers make all the difference' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vsYIqhVZMAI&t=3sCo-impact Gender equality and Intersectionality https://www.co-impact.org/gender-equality-and-intersectionality/#:~:text=Co%2DImpact's%20goal%20is%20to,the%20circumstances%20of%20their%20birth.