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 affected by some of the climate issues discussed. P.O.V. is a youth voice programme funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation. It makes space for rural young people to tell their stories and share their experiences in ways that will create change.

"It's really hard to discuss stuff like this because it is really distressing. Especially when Maddie was in prison. Everything was up in the air and nobody really knew what was going on." 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. Please take care when listening as you might feel affected by some of the issues discussed. P.O.V. is a youth voice programme funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation and Herefordshire Community Foundation making space for rural young people to tell their stories and share their experiences in ways that will create change.

"I think for me, it's just an overdue discussion. It's not something that is talked about, especially not somewhere like Hereford." In this episode Sade and Maz are talking about the ups and downs, and dire experiences, of dating in a rural county as young women of colour. They are candid about their experiences of racism, and how they both got involved in the Black Lives Matter protest that took place in Hereford in 2020. Please take care when listening as you might feel affected by some of the issues discussed. P.O.V. is a youth voice programme funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation making space for rural young people to tell their stories and share their experiences in ways that will create change.

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. "I'm always learning to keep my future open. But I think I'm a bit like you, I just want to be able to do more, I think, to even get to a place where I'm ready to go to work, or I'm ready to have my own family, I think will be amazing. Just knowing that hopefully in 10 years time, I'll be in a better place with my M.E. and I'll be in a better place for dealing with my pain." Please take care when listening and if you feel affected by chronic pain or any of the issues discussed in this episode, you can get support from the following places: Pain UK is an alliance of charities providing a voice for people in pain: painuk.org Pain Support: painsupport.co.uk/help-advice/medical-consults NHS's Live Well webpages: www.nhs.uk/live-well/pain/how-to-get-nhs-help-for-your-pain In an emergency, dial 999. P.O.V. is a youth voice programme funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation making space for rural young people to tell their stories and share their experiences in ways that will create change.

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. This time he's joined by Felix, who during 2021 was closely involved in the StrongerHereford Towns Fund board. The Hereford board secured £22.4million from Government to pay for capital projects led by local groups and organisations. This includes a major refurb of Castle Green Pavilion, a new skate and sports park, and investment in a School of Digital Futures at the Hereford College of Arts. Read more at www.strongerhereford.co.uk. P.O.V. is a youth voice and engagement programme funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, making space for rural young people to tell their stories and share their experiences in ways that will create change.

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. Hereford is receiving £22.4m through the Towns Fund Scheme to pay for 12 building projects led by local groups and organisations. This includes a major refurb of Castle Green Pavilion, a new skate and sports park, and investment in a School of Digital Futures at the Hereford College of Arts. Read more at www.strongerhereford.co.uk. Rob will be back later this week with a bonus episode about the Towns Fund. P.O.V. is a youth voice and engagement programme. funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation, making space for rural young people to tell their stories and share their experiences in ways that will create change.

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. "I learned how to fight for things, I learned how to use my voice. I learned to stand my ground. All the positives is stuff I had to learn from having to be self sufficient and relying on myself." The episode features explicit language and covers topics that some people might find upsetting, including abuse and racism. The show was recorded at Rural Media's Studio in Hereford in a safe space with support on hand. If you support or are a care leaver in Herefordshire and need guidance, you can call Herefordshire Council on 01432 261626. Check out Care Leavers Association for general info on care leaver's voice: www.careleavers.com. P.O.V. is a youth voice programme funded by Esmee Fairbairn Foundation making space for rural young people to tell their stories and share their experiences in ways that will create change.

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. "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.

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. "I feel it a really fantastic way of just disconnecting from the busy rush of the day. To just sit back and relax and take stock of the day." They also chat about their plans for the future. Charlotte, by the way,  is the first female choral scholar at Hereford Cathedral. And Rob will be back later this series to talk about whether 'Levelling Up' will help young people in rural places like Herefordshire. There has been a choir at Hereford Cathedral since at least the 13th century. Read more at www.herefordcathedral.org/cathedral-choir. Evensong at the Cathedral takes place daily. 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.

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. If you feel affected by any of the issues discussed in this episode, you can get support from the following places: West Mercia Rape and Sexual Abuse Support Centre. This charity provides specialist support, counselling, help and information, for those affected by any form of sexual violence. Call their Emotional Support Line on 03456 461188 or visit wmrsasc.org.uk. Rape Crisis: rapecrisis.org.uk | national freephone helpline is 0808 802 9999. Refuge: nationaldahelpline.org.uk Women's Aid: womensaid.org.uk Respcet (men's support): mensadviceline.org.uk You can find your nearest sexual assault referral centre by searching online at www.nhs.uk/service-search/other-services/Rape-and-sexual-assault-referral-centres/LocationSearch/364. In an emergency, dial 999. 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.