New Podcast Launch: Beyond the Buzz — Youth Voices on Drugs, Choices and Change
Youth Unity CIC is proud to launch Beyond the Buzz, a new youth-led podcast series developed in partnership with Havering Council, giving young people a platform to speak openly and honestly about drugs, alcohol, peer pressure and the choices they face.
Beyond the Buzz brings together authentic youth voices, professional insight and lived experience, creating open conversations that support prevention, education and better understanding between young people, parents and professionals
Honest Conversations Led by Young People
At the heart of Beyond the Buzz is a commitment to youth voice. Young people are involved in:
- Choosing discussion topics
- Hosting and leading conversations
- Interviewing guests
- Shaping the final episodes
Through podcast training and creative workshops, participants build confidence, communication skills and technical media experience, while also developing the confidence to speak about difficult topics in a safe and supported environment
What Topics Does the Podcast Cover?
Each episode explores real issues that affect young people and families, including:
- Drug and alcohol misuse
- Peer pressure and social expectations
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- School and education challenges
- Youth slang and hidden terminology used around substances
- Recovery journeys and positive change
The aim is not to lecture, but to inform, reflect and empower, helping young people understand risks while also hearing stories of resilience and recovery from those with lived experience
Bridging the Gap Between Young People and Adults
Beyond the Buzz is designed to support not only young people, but also:
- Parents and carers
- Schools and safeguarding leads
- Youth and community professionals
By explaining terminology, trends and pressures that young people face, the podcast helps adults better understand modern drug culture and the realities young people navigate, improving communication and early intervention opportunities
Education, Prevention and Positive Futures
The podcast forms part of Youth Unity’s wider commitment to early help, prevention and safeguarding-led youth engagement. Episodes will be promoted through:
- Schools and PSHE programmes
- Youth services and community settings
- Online podcast platforms including Spotify and Apple Podcasts
- Targeted social media campaigns
This ensures that learning and awareness extend beyond those taking part in recording, reaching the wider community with trusted, youth-informed messages
Building Skills, Confidence and Voice
For the young people involved, Beyond the Buzz supports:
- Confidence and public speaking
- Teamwork and listening skills
- Digital and media production experience
- Emotional expression and reflection
- Understanding consequences and making informed choices
These transferable skills support wider education and employment pathways, while strengthening young people’s sense of ownership and positive identity within their communities
Looking Ahead
The pilot phase of Beyond the Buzz will deliver 10+ podcast episodes, followed by evaluation, youth feedback and impact reporting to inform future expansion across schools and youth settings in Havering and beyond.
Youth Unity CIC is proud to work alongside statutory partners to ensure that prevention work is not only informative, but shaped directly by the voices of those it is designed to support.
