Youth Unity CIC is proud to support Failing Forwards, a youth-led podcast created through the MYENDS Romford programme in Havering, giving young people a powerful platform to share their experiences, challenge stereotypes and speak openly about the realities of growing up in today’s communities.
Failing Forwards is not about polished performances or adult-led narratives. It is about real conversations, real experiences and real voices, led by young people who are often talked about, but rarely listened to.
A Platform for Honest Conversations
Through Failing Forwards, young people explore topics that directly affect their lives, including:
- Mental health and emotional wellbeing
- Education and school experiences
- Drug misuse and peer pressure
- Anti-social behaviour and community tensions
- Knife crime and fear of violence
- Confidence, identity and future aspirations
These conversations are raw, honest and reflective, allowing young people to speak openly about challenges, mistakes and the lessons they have learned along the way.
The aim is not to sensationalise experiences, but to create space for reflection, accountability and growth, while helping young people recognise their own resilience and potential.
Why Youth-Led Podcasting Matters
Podcasting provides young people with more than just a creative outlet. It supports:
- Confidence and communication skills
- Emotional expression and self-reflection
- Positive peer discussion and listening skills
- Digital and media experience
- A sense of agency and ownership over their stories
By shaping the topics, leading discussions and contributing to production, participants develop confidence in sharing their perspectives and understanding that their voices have value.
All recordings take place in supported environments, with trained youth workers facilitating sessions and ensuring safeguarding and wellbeing are always prioritised.
Challenging Stereotypes and Changing Narratives
Failing Forwards also plays an important role in challenging negative stereotypes about young people in areas affected by deprivation and community safety concerns.
Instead of statistics and headlines, listeners hear directly from young people about:
- What pressures they face
- What support they feel is missing
- What helps them stay focused and positive
- What they want adults and decision-makers to understand
These lived experiences provide powerful insight for professionals, services and local partners working in prevention, education and youth support.
Part of the Wider MYENDS Romford Programme
The podcast forms part of Youth Unity’s wider delivery within the MYENDS Romford initiative, which focuses on early intervention, violence prevention and supporting young people at risk of exploitation or harm through relationship-based youth work, mentoring and creative engagement.
By combining direct support with creative platforms such as podcasting, the programme helps young people develop confidence while also contributing to community learning and service improvement.
Listening Leads to Change
Failing Forwards is about more than sharing stories — it is about creating understanding, building trust and opening pathways to positive change.
When young people are heard, valued and supported, they are more likely to engage positively with education, services and their communities. This podcast is one way Youth Unity and MYENDS are working to ensure young people are not just supported, but actively involved in shaping conversations about their futures.
