Hidden Plastics & Imperfect Activism
Point of View: rural voices
“Plastic is a global issue. It's been found practically everywhere, from the bottom of the siege, top of Mount Everest, the air we breathe, the water we drink, and human blood.” In this episode Ava, aged 18, interviews Zara, aged 15, about imperfect activism and what it was like being one of only few young people invited to the Global Plastics Treaty. Zara co-founded Hidden Plastic with her younger brother in 2020 and they’ve been using social media and films to raise awareness about ocean health. And she’s a seaweed ambassador! Please take care when listening as you might feel...
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Our Fight Against Climate Collapse
Point of View: rural voices
In this episode brother and sister Henry and Maddie are talking about how they have chosen to tackle the climate emergency in different ways. In 2022 Maddie was arrested and spent time in jail after she threw human waste on a memorial of Captain Tom Moore as a protest against fossil fuel use. Younger sibling Henry is going to uni to study renewable energy engineering.
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Rural dating as women of colour
Point of View: rural voices
In this episode Sade and Maz are talking about the ups and downs, and some bad experiences, of dating in a rural county as young women of colour.
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Finding hope when living with chronic pain
Point of View: rural voices
In this episode 21-year-old Chantelle and 18-year-old Elles are talking about their experiences of living with chronic pain conditions. As well as discussing the discrimination they’ve both faced and the realities of navigating the health system, they’re sharing their positivity in the face of challenge, their resilience and their hopes for the future.
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Part 2: Levelling up for Hereford’s young people
Point of View: rural voices
In this follow up episode, 22-year-old Rob is back to take another look at how the “Levelling Up” of small cities and towns might help young people in rural places.
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Levelling up for Hereford’s young people
Point of View: rural voices
In this episode 22-year-old Rob looks at whether “Levelling Up” small cities and towns will help the young people who live there. He interviews Kath and Lauren who are members of the StrongerHereford Towns Fund board, and wants to know how Government money coming into Hereford through the Towns Fund Scheme will make a difference.
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A care leaver’s story of survival
Point of View: rural voices
In this episode Maz, aged 25, talks about her experiences of going through the care system in Herefordshire - a story of resilience and survival. From different foster parents to learning to live independently, Maz is candid about how care affected her and made her the young woman she is today.
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The EPIC value of volunteering
Point of View: rural voices
In this episode 18-year-old Charlie talks about how volunteering has changed her life. She interviews youth worker Tammy about the EPIC volunteering programme based at Close House, a drop-in youth centre in Hereford city. Charlie hopes that by sharing her experience more people will help out the communities where they live.
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The calm of choral music
Point of View: rural voices
In this episode gap year students Rob and Charlotte talk about their experience as choral scholars. The friends, who moved to Hereford especially to study music, talk about the wellbeing benefits of singing and listening to music.
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Safety on our streets
Point of View: rural voices
In this episode 17-year-old Lola interviews Sarah, who works with West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre, about safety on our streets and protecting young people, particularly people who identify as women, from sexual violence. They talk about sex and relationship education, as well as the challenge of myths and stereotypes. Topics discussed in this episode might cause upset. Please take care when listening.
info_outlineIn this episode 18-year-old Charlie talks about how volunteering has changed her life. She interviews youth worker Tammy about the EPIC volunteering programme based at Close House, a drop-in youth centre in Hereford city. Charlie hopes that by sharing her experience more people will help out the communities where they live.
“I wouldn't have met as many amazing people as I have. I wouldn't have had the support that I've had for the past couple of years to kind of… make a better me and get to where I am now.”
You can find out more about Close House at closehouse.org. Any young people who use the youth centre can become an EPIC (Energetic, Positive, Informed and Creative) volunteer - it’s a movement of young people who refuse to be idle or let their community label them as misfits or hoodies. EPICs can be sponsored online at closehouse.org/i-am-epic.
P.O.V. is a youth voice programme, funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, that is making space for rural young people to tell their stories and share their experiences in ways that will create change.