First Story Presents: London Voice is part of an exciting new oracy pilot delivered by First Story, England’s leading creative writing charity for young people.

Young writers from the First Story programme at St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School put pen (and voice) to praise poems in this final episode of First Story Presents: London Voice.

Writer-in-Residence Ashley Hickson-Lovence guides us through odes to places, food, music, names, the moon and even an impromptu ode-of-sorts to biscuits. We also hear how oracy supports good mental health, with Speak for Change, the APPG enquiring into oracy, reporting that spoken communication skills are associated with self-confidence, self-esteem and emotional literacy. Sophie Hiscock, First Story CEO, reflects on the power of hearing young people speaking out in their own voices, using their own words.

Producer: Talia Randall in collaboration with First Story

Mixing: Jamie Payne

Presenter: Ashley Hickson-Lovence

Featuring: Destiny, Ellie, Favour, Isabel and Zoe from St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School, and Sophie Hiscock, First Story CEO

Over the course of this academic year, First Story has been working with six non-selective secondary schools in Greater London as part of London Voice to help young people develop as writers who have the skills and confidence to be heard. Students from Hampstead School, St Paul’s Way School, Platanos College, Skinners’ Academy, Trinity Acadamy and St Saviour’s and St Olave’s Church of England School have had the opportunity to take part in creative writing, performance and audio workshops led by skilled industry professionals. This podcast is one of the outcomes of their work.

London Voice has been made possible by the generous support of The Mercers’ Company, trustee of St Paul’s Schools Foundation.

This is a First Story project. To find out more about First Story and London Voice, visit firststory.org.uk and join the conversation on Instagram by following @firststory_uk

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