Last summer, we embarked upon our first co-produced podcast project. A group of four women put themselves forward to get involved in the project and the aim was to raise awareness about the specific mental health needs of women who have had children taken into care. We subverted the usual power dynamic and the women interviewed experts and professionals, asking them the questions they want to hear answers to.
A year later, we have published three episodes, which have had over 1,200 listens, and have started working on our next season. In this blog post, Helena, one of the members of the co-production group, reflects on her podcast journey…
I wanted to get involved with the podcast project, as I have never been a part of a podcast before. It was such an incredible experience, and I love that it will help others who are in a similar situation to me, and hopefully allow them to know they aren’t alone. Being able to bring awareness to the struggles many mothers face after going through the family court process is important, in order to create change for the better. Reflecting back makes me so proud of myself and the team.
Before we got to the recording stage of the podcast, we came together as a group, shared ideas on what we believed was important and areas which needed awareness brought to. Working together as a collective team in making these decisions ensured we all felt involved and able to give our opinion. The podcast, from start to finish, has been a group project, one that we are all proud of being a part of.
The most daunting part of the project was doing the recordings and interviews. I struggled with anxiety and was worried about messing up. The support I received was amazing. I managed to accomplish something I never thought I would due to my anxiety. Interviewing amazing women with their support and vital information ensures that listeners can get the most out of the podcast. It makes me incredibly honoured to have been a part of it.
After being involved with the creating process of the podcast, I now have less anxiety and more confidence when it comes to interviewing others. I believe it is such a powerful and necessary podcast for mothers out there who may feel alone. I know there are more subjects affecting mothers that need to be explored. I am excited about the next season for the podcast, and I know we can continue to give support and advice to mothers out there.
I absolutely loved the podcast episodes… It is all too easy to reduce people to the labels that get attached to them, and we are all guilty of doing that. This podcast series is brilliant at challenging that with the very simple technique of giving a platform to a group of women who get labelled and dismissed more than almost anyone else. I defy anyone to listen to these podcasts and not see, relate to and be inspired by the incredible people behind those stupid labels.
Peter Gilheany, Pause Trustee.
I have been really struck by the bravery, honesty and reflectiveness of the podcast episodes. At Pause, we are very aware of the stigma and judgement women feel from having their children removed. The episode on this subject have given us a tool to take out to wider services, to help raise empathy and to encourage them to look at their own responses and language they use when working alongside women. These podcast episodes have had and will continue to have a huge impact. Thank you all.
Amanda Rushton, Practice Lead for West Sussex.
