Young Neurodivergent Voices Take Centre Stage with Everything Emersons

This summer, something special happened in Emersons Green. A group of local neurodivergent and disabled young people, aged 16–25, came together to create a podcast series that is already making waves in their community.

In over just three weeks, they learned new digital media skills, built their confidence, and interviewed local leaders to explore themes of community, identity, and neurodiversity. The result is Everything Emersons, a podcast that captures fresh perspectives from voices too often underrepresented in local decision-making.

Guests include the Mayor of Emersons Green, the area’s new youth worker, and the chairman of Emersons Green Junior Football Club. Each conversation highlights the power of young people asking questions that matter to them, while creating a legacy that belongs to their community.

As Jasmine, one of the participants, put it:

“I’ve learned a lot, I’m more confident than I thought I was, especially doing interviews and working with new people. It’s been really fun and opened my eyes to what’s possible.”

For some of the young people, this was their first chance to feel heard in a public space. That sense of belonging is at the heart of why we designed the Future Voices project. By offering training in digital media within a safe, inclusive space, we wanted to open doors to skills, confidence, and opportunities that last well beyond the summer.

Lucy Smith, Managing Director of Inclusive Change at Work CIC, summed it up:

“This project gave young people the opportunity to connect with their local community, learn valuable digital media skills, and explore their identity in a safe, inclusive space. For some, it was their first time ever feeling heard or connected locally, that’s the kind of impact we need to invest in.”

The partnership with Emersons Green Village Hall, was funded by Emersons Green Town Council, meant young people could come together in a welcoming space to create something meaningful. As Hall Manager Nikki Frost reflected, “We’ve welcomed young people into the hall who’d never visited before, and now they’ve produced something that could inspire many more.”

Listen to Everything Emersons

The podcast is now live on Spotify, YouTube, and our website. Search for Everything Emersons on your favourite platform, or listen here.

Interested in Running a Similar Project?

If you are part of a community, school, or organisation and would like to explore how a project like Future Voices could work for you, we would love to talk. Our team specialises in creating inclusive programmes that build skills, confidence, and connection.

Get in touch with us at [email protected] or visit www.icaw-cic.com to find out more.