The views of local young people about healthy relationships are now available in a new podcast series.
Developed by the Youth Council, it brings essential information on healthy relationships, consent, and sexual health to local listeners in Hammersmith & Fulham.
Residents can join in on their conversation by scanning QR codes on digital screens at major shopping locations, including:
- Livat shopping mall in King Street, Hammersmith
- Hammersmith Broadway shopping centre and
- Westfield London in White City – Europe's largest shopping destination.
Member of Youth Parliament Ealaf said:
So many young people have expressed not being able to access key information that relates to them. Seeing our poster on the screen in such key places means that young people will be able to access the podcast as easily as scanning a QR code!"
H&F Deputy Youth Mayor Precisa, who introduces the podcast, added: "The Youth Council is making a great impact on opportunities available to young people in the community."
The 30-minute episodes have been curated with expert support including H&F's Community Safety team. If you, or your child, would like be a voice for local young people, visit the H&F Youth Council webpage to get involved.
Episode highlights
Episode #1: Healthy Relationships
The launch episode explored relationship dynamics with expert insights from domestic abuse experts.
Domestic abuse coordinator Jess from Chelsea and Westminster Hospital – who run local sexual health clinic 10 Hammersmith Broadway – highlighted communication, trust, respect, consent, and equality as key pillars of healthy relationships.
On the topic of unhealthy relationships, Jess highlighted warning signs: "Is the person you're with kind of shouting at you when you argue? Are you walking on eggshells a lot? Are you worried about saying what you really want to say?"
Anushka from charity Advance explained local support services: "We can help young women and girls with anything from fleeing the domestic abuse to getting empowered to becoming independent."
Episode #2: Sexual Harassment
Episode two featured Met Police Superintendent for Hammersmith & Fulham, Craig Knight, spoke to Youth Council members about prevention and reporting of sexual harassment.
"Nobody should have to go through life being catcalled, and certainly no one deserves to be subject of a crime and a victim of a crime," said Knight.
He emphasised the importance of reporting harassment: "We know that about 50% of all crime and incidents goes completely unreported.
"Please tell us what's happening – it could be that piece of the jigsaw that makes the difference between putting really dangerous people behind bars."
Episode 3: Redefining Masculinity
Marie Horner of education and arts charity, Tender, and Pablo Blackwood from QPR in the Community Trust, examined masculinity in episode three.
"Misconceptions about masculinity are very closely linked with unhealthy behaviours in young people," explained one of the Youth Council hosts.
Pablo Blackwood shared his perspective on being a man: "We all have a role to play.
"We need to make sure we call out negative aspects of masculinity, whatever that looks like, in the same way we would call out any other kind of behaviour that isn't correct."
Marie added: "Men aren't encouraged to share how they feel, to be vulnerable, to be supported.
"By working with children and young people in schools, to help them develop empathy and understanding for others, that's very powerful."
Episode 4: Sexual Health and Consent
The final episode focused on sexual health and consent.
The episode provided important information about protection against STIs, safer sex practices, and understanding consent in relationships.
Zack from 10 Hammersmith Broadway explained: "Mutual respect for each other is important in a relationship. This includes consent during sexual activity and feeling comfortable to express your likes and your dislikes."
Support available
All four episodes of the 'Let's Talk About It' podcast are available on the H&F SoundCloud profile.
If you, or someone you know, has been affected by any topics discussed, you can find support and further resources in the description box of each episode.
