Episode Description

Welcome to the Intergenerational Changemaking Podcast, acollaboration between The Advocacy Academy, InCommon, and Amplify Us. In this episode, participants reflect on How to Make Change — a 10-month pilot programme bringing together young people, community organisers, and their older neighbours in Brixton to share skills, experiences, and visions for the future.

Recorded at the Liberation Centre in Brixton, the discussionexplores the power of intergenerational spaces, the role of community organising, and the importance of creating “third spaces” where people of all ages can connect, learn, and act together.

In This Episode

What happens when you intentionally create space fordifferent generations to come together to create change? In this episode young people, community organisers, and older neighbours share experiences from the How to Make Change series. Together they reflect on the joys, challenges, and lessons of intergenerational work — from moments of solidarity over dinner tables to navigating conflict and resolution with care at its core, and from the importance of listening across generations to the shared hope of buildingmore inclusive futures.

Key Topics Discussed

• Intergenerational Organising: How young and older people can learn from one another.

• Third Spaces: Why places like the Liberation Centre matter for connection, trust, and action.
• Community Power: Turning shared anger and frustration into collective organising.
• Learning Together: The “Oops and Ouch” method for navigating conflict with care.
• Hope Across Generations: How imagination, memory, and lived experience shape changemaking.

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Why You Should Listen?

• Authentic Voices: Hear directly from participants of all ages reflect on what they gained from intergenerational dialogue.
• Practical Lessons: Learn about tools and practices for creating safer, more inclusive community spaces.
• Inspiration for Change: Discover how partnerships across generations can spark hope, connection, and collective action in times of uncertainty.

About the Podcast

The Intergenerational Changemaking Podcast is published by Amplify Us, a platform that empowers young people and communities through storytelling and dialogue. Produced in collaboration with The Advocacy Academy and InCommon, this episode highlights the transformative power of intergenerational organising — proving that the custodians of memory and the agents of imagination need each other to create meaningful change.

In this special feature episode, Tamsin at Amplify Us is joined by her daughter Eloise and two of her friends, Ollie and Luke, for a raw and real conversation about our relationship with smartphones—and what happens when you walk away from them.

Eloise shares her journey of ditching her smartphone and how it’s changed everything from her anxiety levels to her sense of connection and creativity. Ollie and Luke offer their own perspectives, including the pressures of being online as a young creative, navigating uni life without a phone, and how phones are now inescapably tied to work, identity, and even friendships.

We talk about:

• How social media warps reality—and self-esteem
• The myth of productivity and phones
• Losing (and reclaiming) our attention spans
• What music, maps, and memory loss have in common
• How it feels to really be bored again
• Why giving up your phone—even for a week—might change your life

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed, over-connected, or just plain tired of your screen, this one’s for you.

🎧 Try this: Give your phone to a friend for a week and see what happens. Really. You might be surprised.

In collaboration with Become and Amplify Us, this episode dives into the real experiences of young people leaving the care system—and what needs to change to support them better.

Hosts Humerah and Roselyn are joined by fellow campaigners Georgia, G, Kane & Charlotte, who share powerful stories of navigating housing insecurity, pursuing education, and facing systemic barriers—all while advocating for a more supportive transition out of care.

We also hear from Jo Petty, Campaigns and Participation Manager at Become, who explains the goals of the #EndTheCareCliff campaign. The campaign calls for:

• A fully funded opt-out system for Staying Put and Staying Close up to age 25

• Legal changes to homelessness legislation, including exempting care leavers from local area connection rules and intentionality assessments

• Guaranteed access to rent deposit schemes and guarantors from local authorities
  

From policy wins—like commitments to end the local area connection test—to the personal victories of reclaiming voice and agency, this episode is a must-listen for anyone who cares about equity, youth rights, and the power of lived experience.

Key Topics Discussed

• The Care Cliff: What it means to suddenly lose support at 18

• Housing & Homelessness: Why care leavers face unique challenges securing safe, stable accommodation

• Policy & Campaigning: Demands for Staying Put, Staying Close, and legal reform

• Guarantor Inequality: How financial independence is weaponised against care leavers

• Trauma and Self-Discovery: Using lived experience as a platform for advocacy

• National vs Local Offers: The postcode lottery of care support

• Hope & Community: How campaigning builds strength, identity, and solidarity

Why You Should Listen

• Unfiltered Realities: Hear directly from care leavers on how systems fail—and how they fight back.

• Inspiring Resilience: Discover how young people turn hardship into power and policy change.

• Fuel for Change: Whether you’re in care, work in policy, or want to better support young people, this episode will deepen your understanding and spark action.

Support the podcast: Like, share, and follow to help raise underrepresented voices and make lasting change.

Further information and Resources

Become is the national charity that’s here to support every child and young person with experience of the care system. They tell us what’s not working. Together, we fight to make change happen.

Our work with care-experienced young people gives them the support and stability they need to smash their goals. But it’s equally important we keep pushing, to change the system altogether.

We raise awareness of the problems in the care system, and we campaign for change. Our work has resulted in some improvements for care-experienced young people. But there’s so much more to be done. We amplify young people’s voices so the public – and people in power – can see the real problems. Then, together, we show them what the system could look like.

To learn more, visit becomecharity.org.uk

Our Care Advice Service is here to support you during your time in care, and after you’ve left care

Call: 0800 023 2033

Email: advice@becomecharity.org.uk

Whatsapp us on 0786 003 4982

Amplify Us empowers and raises the voices of young people and those from underrepresented communities through podcasting and other creative platforms. Through engaging in our workshops and producing content, participants develop skills and confidence and create peer and community networks.

In this special episode of Amplify Us, we’re joined by Kismet, Vee and Li, three care-experienced young women involved with The Verbatim Formula – a powerful project founded by Maggie Inchley and Sylvan Baker. Together, they explore how creativity, storytelling, and community help shape new ways of thinking about experiences of care.

The conversation dives into personal stories of empowerment, the importance of safe spaces, and the role of the arts in challenging societal perceptions. Through poetry, performance, and advocacy, our guests share how creative expression offers a space for connection, healing, and real change.

🎧 In this episode:

• The power of storytelling through verbatim performance

• Why safe, supportive spaces matter

• Creative expression as a means of reclaiming identity

• Using lived experience to influence policy and understanding

Thanks to Devantai for the music and to People's Palace Projects and Queen Mary's University and the rest of the TVF team:

Benjamin Treloar, Claudius Hettori-Kwosah, Darcey Williamson, Devantai Page, Eileenamina, Iliane Rodrigues, Imran Quayes, Isabelle Kirkham, Kismet Meyon, Magali Hochberg, Maggie Inchley, Sylvan Baker, Victoria Odude.

@maggieInchley

@darceybw

@spongeebooobb

@k.i.z.z.i

@iqvisuals_

@queenv_no.1

@benjamintreloar

@djpxprod

🎧 Listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcasts.

🔗 Links:

• The Verbatim Formula – National Theatre

• Coram Voice

• The Foundling Museum

• • Raphael’s Room (@raphaelsroom) • Instagram photos and videos
  • https://peoplespalaceprojects.org.uk/en/

  
  

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Summary

The Netflix drama Adolescence has sparked discussion — but one group has been noticeably missing from the conversation: young peoplethemselves.

This conversation explores the critical need for young voices in discussions about adolescence, particularly in the context of the drama 'Adolescence'. The participants, Tamsin Clements (Founder of Amplify Us) hosts and talks to Ethan and Joshua (co-hosts of the podcast, The Conversation Cabinet) and their friend, Sophia, share their emotional reactions to the film, discuss the causes of insecurity and violence among youth, and emphasise the importance of reforming PSHE education. They advocate for creating safe spaces for young people to express their feelings and the necessity of open communication between peers and adults. The conversation also touches on the responsibilities of social media companies and the need for better understanding between generations.

Takeaways

Young voices are essential in discussions about adolescence.

The emotional impact of media can resonate deeply with viewers.

Insecurity and self-hatred can lead to dangerous behaviors.

PSHE education needs to be more relevant and comprehensive.

Creating safe spaces for young people is crucial for their well-being.

Open communication can prevent destructive behaviours among youth.

Policymakers should prioritise youth mental health in education.

Intergenerational dialogue is necessary to bridge understanding gaps.

Social media companies must take responsibility for their impact on youth.

The normalisation of male aggression needs to be addressed in society.

Keywords

adolescence, youth voices, mental health, PSHE education, social media, safe spaces, communication, violence against women, emotional well-being, intergenerational dialogue

Welcome to the Seeds of Change Podcast, a powerful conversation exploring advocacy, gentrification, and community through the lived experiences of young activists. Produced in collaboration with The Advocacy Academy (TAA) and Amplify Us, this episode delves into the impact of gentrification on local identity, the significance of third spaces, and the role of youth empowerment in driving social change.

In This Episode

Join a group of passionate young activists as they share their motivations for engaging in advocacy, reflect on the transformation of their communities, and discuss the challenges posed by gentrification—particularly in Brixton. Through insightful discussion and personal storytelling, they explore how local businesses, cultural heritage, and collective action shape the future of communities.

Key Topics Discussed

• Advocacy and Social Change: How young people can channel their energy into activism.

• Gentrification: A Double-Edged Sword? Examining the benefits and challenges of urban transformation.

• The Importance of Third Spaces: Why community spaces matter for connection and identity.

• Local Businesses and Cultural Heritage: How consumer choices impact the survival of independent traders.

• Empathy and Collective Action: Bridging generational gaps and fostering sustainable community development.

• Legacy and Community Identity: The lasting impact of displacement and cultural change.

Why You Should Listen

• Authentic Voices: Hear directly from young activists about the realities of gentrification and advocacy.

• Thought-Provoking Discussions: Gain a deeper understanding of how change affects communities on a personal level.

• Empowerment Through Dialogue: Learn how collective action and local engagement can help shape a more inclusive future.

About the Podcast

The Seeds of Change Podcast is part of Amplify Us, a platform that empowers young people through podcasting workshops in schools and organisations. This initiative provides a space for young voices to share their stories, challenge social issues, and inspire action. In collaboration with The Advocacy Academy, this episode highlights the importance of youth-led advocacy in shaping the communities of tomorrow.