A podcast studio has been launched in partnership with Croydon Council, to help young people to develop creative and technical skills.

A programme to train young people to create community podcasts is being run by All Heads Recognized (AHR), which provides educational support for young people.

The studio, in South Norwood, will be a platform for young voices, allowing students to discuss topics relevant to them and their community. Looking ahead, AHR plans to provide studio hire services, helping AHR to generate income for their Community Interest Company (CIC).

Croydon Council is supporting the project through its South Norwood Regeneration Programme, a £2.4m programme aiming to revitalise and revive South Norwood High Street. It is funded by the Mayor of London’s Good Growth Fund and Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone.

The Council has been working with AHR to offer business planning, project planning – to establish the podcast programme – and helping with communications planning for future podcast programmes.

The Council also connected AHR with business support through the Council’s Creative Clinic and UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF) business support programmes, to help make the project a success.

Since December, 20 young people have taken part in the programme and have had the opportunity to be trained by a media training specialist. AHR plans to expand its podcast training to the community network in South Norwood and further in the wider community.

Executive Mayor Jason Perry has welcomed the success of the podcast studio and attended the launch, where guests got to see how the students have developed their podcasting skills by taking part in a podcast interview.

Terry Lewis, AHR director, added: “At AHR we strive to empower communities, and nurture young talent through innovation and training. We got positive feedback from the young people.”

“Our young people are learning valuable media, communication and technical skills, whilst discussing important topics that influence them and their community.

“We want to support the thriving creative industries in our borough and to make sure everyone has access to opportunities to gain skills that will support them in their careers. I really enjoyed meeting the young people and partners at the launch, as well as speaking in the podcast.”

Jason Perry, Executive Mayor of Croydon