First Story Presents: London Voice Podcast By First Story cover art

First Story Presents: London Voice

First Story Presents: London Voice

By: First Story
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About this listen

This podcast is part of the wider London Voice programme, an exciting new oracy pilot delivered by First Story, England’s leading creative writing charity for young people.


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.


It’s aim? To help young people develop as writers who have a voice and 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.


Produced by Talia Randall in collaboration with First Story

Mixed by Jamie Payne


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

This was 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 .

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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Episodes
  • 6 | Odes at St Saviour's and St Olave's Church of England School
    Jun 2 2025

    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    11 mins
  • 5 | If I Were Prime Minister... at Trinity Academy
    Jun 2 2025

    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.


    In this penultimate episode, First Story Ambassador Tracy Chevalier presents the voices of the young writers at Trinity Academy in Brixton. Through original stories and poems, the students unpack their experiences and confront the societal influence and school stereotypes they see around them.


    Tracy also invites fellow First Story Ambassador, Patrice Lawrence, to share her thoughts on the importance of oracy and valuing teenagers' voices, and the impact of growing up surrounded by storytellers.


    Producer: Talia Randall in collaboration with First Story

    Mixing: Jamie Payne

    Presenter: Tracy Chevalier

    Featuring: Jahaluka, John, Keanna, Mohammed, Ridwaan, Shaniel and Liam Flaherty from Trinity Academy, and writer and First Story Ambassador Patrice Lawrence


    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    18 mins
  • 4 | Going Beneath the Surface at Skinners' Academy
    Jun 2 2025

    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.


    Students at Skinners' Academy in Hackney share their original poems and stories, created throughout the First Story London Voice programme. Speaking with Writer-in-Residence, Luan Goldie, the Skinners' students discuss the value of being present and the freedom they found in sharing their voices through audio, away from the pointed lens of a video camera.


    Their English teacher, Comfort Akano, also has a powerful message to share with her students, and with all of us...


    Producer: Talia Randall in collaboration with First Story

    Mixing: Jamie Payne

    Presenter: Luan Goldie

    Featuring: Ameera, Angelina, Farida, Nofisat, Tiayan and Comfort Akano from Skinners' Academy


    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

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

    Show more Show less
    15 mins
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