03/09/2026
Giving young people a voice - and the opportunity to influence change
Over the summer, two of our students, Oliver Pountney and Tom O'Leary, took part in the Authoring Our Own Stories project, an initiative supporting young men aged 15-17 to explore issues that matter to them and help shape the future of their communities.
As part of the project, Oliver and Tom travelled to London, where they met with other young people involved in the project from across the region. They even managed to take in the London Eye together as the sun was setting!
The project goes well beyond a trip, however. The young people have been working as peer researchers, exploring issues affecting young men and gathering the views and experiences of their peers. The next stage will involve bringing these findings together and developing a survey focused on young men's safety and mental health, with the possibility of further focus groups in schools.
It's fantastic to hear that Oliver and Tom have been described as a “real asset” to the group.
We're particularly proud to see our students engaging with opportunities that develop confidence, leadership and research skills - while ensuring that young people's voices are heard by the people and organisations who can make a difference.
A huge thank you to Plymouth City Council's Community Connections team and Youth Focus South West for creating this opportunity and supporting our students.
This is exactly the kind of meaningful experience we want our Careers, PSHE and wider personal development programme to provide: real opportunities to participate, lead, research and make a difference.
