Panellist: Unheard Voices

Unheard Voices, Lost Potential

Speaker | London

I was invited by the education charity Voice 21 to speak at their London conference Unheard Voices, Lost Potential, exploring how young people develop the confidence to speak and be heard.

I joined a panel on Amplifying Girls’ Voices through Oracy, alongside Yosra Soliman (Bold Voices) and the Head and Deputy Head of Challney High School for Girls, Joanne Mylles and Sheba George.

The conference brought together educators, journalists and changemakers, with speakers including Alastair Campbell, Kiran Gill, Mary Mandefield and Emily Kasriel.

My contribution drew on my work as a journalist.

Using photographs only, I wanted visually share my journey as a journalist. The aim was to explain what I’d learned, interviewing vulnerable people for over a decade and how important the role as an appointed gatekeeper is.

Protecting young people from the glare, stereotyping and media attention that can come with being seen is a big responsibility, while also creating opportunities for them to speak, to stretch, to be heard. It’s about letting them grow, but doing it safely.

Much of my work sits in that space and I shared some advice on how to make their gatekeeper role easier.

Feedback is always good to hear. I hadn’t intended to make people cry, but some did when I spoke about the women I’ve met and the importance of girls being supported to find their voice earlier - not later, when they’re already in difficult or desperate situations.

Meeting Yosra from Bold Voices was a highlight - it’s comforting to see someone so confident and determined to make positive change.