In this episode of What The Friday, Ella chats with Sarah, an Employability Manager at Locala, about what it really means to be successful as a young person today. Instead of chasing status or money, Sarah explains how success is rooted in personal fulfilment, well-being and purpose, and in using your strengths to build a life that feels right for you.

Together they explore practical steps young people can take to discover their strengths, turn big dreams into realistic goals and stay motivated when things do not go to plan. Sarah shares advice on using the SMART framework, learning from setbacks, and taking initiative to stand out in education, volunteering and work.

The conversation also covers why personal brand matters, how to start using LinkedIn even if you feel you have “nothing to put on there”, and simple ways to build a supportive network that can open up hidden job opportunities. Sarah offers clear tips on communication, CVs, interviews, and using tools like the STARmethod to show your skills with confidence.

Whether you are thinking about your first job, planning a career change, or just trying to figure out what you are good at, this episode is full of practical, reassuring guidance to help you focus on the journey and not just the destination.

Useful links mentioned or related to this episode

This episode was kindly funded by Locala https://www.locala.org.uk/

Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes or sign up to the Destination information & opportunities web-app for teens and young adults at www.destination.org.uk where you can find loads of useful life-benefiting content for young people.

You can also follow up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whatthefridaypod/ or TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefridaypod(@WhatTheFridayPod)

Special thanks to Jimi for editing and Youth Social www.youthsocial.co.uk for pulling everything together.

Finally special thanks for Paul A Jackson for the music.

Starting your first job can feel confusing, exciting and a bit intimidating. In this episode, Bailey Grace talks with Sarah, Employability Manager at Locala, about the essential skills, rights and responsibilities young people should know before stepping into work.

They explore what employers really look for, how to figure out the culture of a new workplace, and what to do if something doesn’t feel right or safe. Sarah also explains zero‑hour contracts, why policies like health and safety and data protection matter, and how to build a strong professional reputation from day one.

In this episode we cover:

Useful links mentioned or related to this episode:

This episode was kindly funded by Locala: https://www.locala.org.uk/

Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes or sign up to the Destination information & opportunities web-app for teens and young adults at www.destination.org.uk where you can find loads of useful life-benefiting content for young people.

You can also follow up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whatthefridaypod/ or TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefridaypod(@WhatTheFridayPod)

Special thanks to Jimi for editing and Youth Social www.youthsocial.co.uk for pulling everything together.

Finally special thanks for Paul A Jackson for the music.

Leaving school and facing post‑16 choices can feel huge, confusing and stressful. In this episode, Jimi talks with Tara, Employability Manager at Locala, about how young people can own their decisions after Year 11, whether they choose sixth form, college, apprenticeships, T Levels or training programmes.

Tara explains how to make choices based on your own values, strengths and interests rather than pressure from parents, teachers or friends. They explore normalising uncertainty, using work experience and volunteering to test ideas, handling setbacks such as missed grades or rejected applications, and understanding local labour market information so you can spot growing industries and real job opportunities.

Throughout the conversation, Tara reassures listeners that career paths are rarely linear and that changing direction is completely okay. She highlights the skills that really matter when planning your future, especially communication, research and confident decision making, and shares practical tips and tools to help you take your next step with confidence.

Leaving school and facing post‑16 choices can feel huge, confusing and stressful. In this episode, Jimi talks with Tara, Employability Manager at Locala, about how young people can own their decisions after Year 11, whether they choose sixth form, college, apprenticeships, T Levels or training programmes.

Tara explains how to make choices based on your own values, strengths and interests rather than pressure from parents, teachers or friends. They explore normalising uncertainty, using work experience and volunteering to test ideas, handling setbacks such as missed grades or rejected applications, and understanding local labour market information so you can spot growing industries and real job opportunities.

Throughout the conversation, Tara reassures listeners that career paths are rarely linear and that changing direction is completely okay. She highlights the skills that really matter when planning your future, especially communication, research and confident decision making, and shares practical tips and tools to help you take your next step with confidence.

Useful links mentioned and related:

This episode was kindly funded by Locala. https://www.locala.org.uk/

Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes or sign up to the Destination information & opportunities web-app for teens and young adults at www.destination.org.uk where you can find loads of useful life-benefiting content for young people.

You can also follow up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whatthefridaypod/ or TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefridaypod(@WhatTheFridayPod)

Special thanks to Jimi for editing and Youth Social www.youthsocial.co.uk for pulling everything together.

Finally special thanks for Paul A Jackson for the music.

In this powerful episode of What The Friday, Graham talks with Isobel about living with anxiety and learning to say yes to new opportunities. Isobel shares how she moved from feeling timid and fearful in social situations to hosting arts and culture podcasts, interviewing experts, and slowly building her confidence.

She talks honestly about what it is like to be recorded while feeling terrified, the relief of hearing back a polished episode, and the surprising friendships that came from stepping into the unknown. Isobel explains how she tells the difference between fears that protect her and fears that hold her back, and offers practical ideas for pushing gently beyond your comfort zone, from small daily experiments to bigger creative risks.

The episode also highlights the power of hearing professionals speak openly about their own anxiety, and why being kinder to yourself can change how you see your whole future.

Find more useful content and podcasts for young people via the Destination information and opportunities web app at: https://destination.org.uk Learn more about Youth Social and their work with young people at: https://www.youthsocial.co.uk

Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes or sign up to the Destination information & opportunities web-app for teens and young adults at www.destination.org.uk where you can find loads of useful life-benefiting content for young people.

You can also follow up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whatthefridaypod/ or TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefridaypod(@WhatTheFridayPod)

Special thanks to Kirklees College for supporting this episode, Jimi for editing and Youth Social www.youthsocial.co.ukfor pulling everything together.

In this episode, Iarlaithe visits the National Science and Media Museum in Bradford (https://www.scienceandmediamuseum.org.uk/) to explore how museums can become social, creative and genuinely welcoming spaces for teens and young adults. Guest Elaine Richmond, Learning Partnership and Events Manager, explains how museums are changing perceptions, involving young people in designing exhibitions, and using interactive tech and social media to make collections feel relevant to everyday life.

We dive into why many young people feel museums are “not for them,” how youth voices are shaping exhibitions like the Sound and Vision galleries, what barriers still stop young people from visiting, and how supported visits, volunteering and work experience can open the door to museum careers.

This episode was kindly funded by YPIP https://ypip.org.uk/

You can also follow up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whatthefridaypod/ or TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefridaypod(@WhatTheFridayPod)

Special thanks to Kirklees College for supporting this episode, Jimi for editing and Youth Social www.youthsocial.co.uk for pulling everything together.

Finally special thanks for Paul A Jackson for the music.

In this episode, Isobel talks with Madeline Thorne, Relationship Manager for Children, Young People and Learning at Arts Council England, about how public funding supports young people’s creativity across Yorkshire and the Humber and beyond.

Madeline explains how Arts Council England invests in organisations and projects, what meaningful youth voice looks like in practice, and how youth advisory boards, co-creation, and young trustees can genuinely influence decisions.

They explore how to make galleries, theatres, and museums feel welcoming for first-time visitors, why partnerships between youth organisations, colleges, and arts organisations are vital, and how new recognition of digital arts is opening doors for content creators, gamers, and online artists.

Madeline also shares practical advice for young creatives on finding local opportunities, saying yes to the right projects, and connecting with others who care about arts and culture.

Find out more about:

This episode was kindly funded by YPIP https://ypip.org.uk/

Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes or sign up to the Destination information & opportunities web-app for teens and young adults at www.destination.org.uk where you can find loads of useful life-benefiting content for young people.

You can also follow up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whatthefridaypod/ or TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefridaypod(@WhatTheFridayPod)

Special thanks to Kirklees College for supporting this episode, Jimi for editing and Youth Social www.youthsocial.co.ukfor pulling everything together.

Finally special thanks for Paul A Jackson for the music.

In this episode of Youth Social, host Romilly speaks with producer and animator Kath Shackleton about how young people can find and create arts and culture opportunities in their local area.

Drawing on her experiences growing up in Bradford in the 1980s and building spaces like the One-in-12 Club, Cath talks about turning anger and hopelessness into action, using activism and DIY music events to build community and confidence.

They explore how to spot hidden creative opportunities in places that look “dead,” how to use social media without being overwhelmed, and where young people can find support to start their own nights, exhibitions or collectives. From local venues and community cafes to creative boot camps and youth friendly theatres, this episode is packed with practical ideas and encouragement to help you turn an empty space into something vibrant and yours.

This episode was kindly funded by YPIP https://ypip.org.uk/

Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes or sign up to the Destination information & opportunities web-app for teens and young adults at www.destination.org.uk where you can find loads of useful life-benefiting content for young people.    

You can also follow up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whatthefridaypod/ or TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefridaypod(@WhatTheFridayPod)

Special thanks to Locala and Kirklees College for supporting this episode, Jimi for editing and Youth Social www.youthsocial.co.uk for pulling everything together.

Finally special thanks for Paul A Jackson for the music. 

Sharing your art for the first time can feel terrifying, especially when you are worried about being judged, not feeling talented enough, or not fitting the image of a typical creative. In this episode, Isabelle talks to Jess Woodhead, Youth and Social Arts Lead at Chol Theatre https://wearechol.co.uk, about how young people can move through fear, self doubt and comparison to share their work with confidence.

Jess reflects on her non traditional route into the arts, the pressures of class and privilege, and why failure, uncertainty and being a beginner are all vital parts of the creative process. Together they unpack how school grading can damage creative confidence, why representation and diversity matter in the arts, and practical first steps if you are scared to show your work to others.

In this episode you will learn:

If you are a young person who feels anxious about sharing your creativity, this episode offers honest reassurance, real life experience and concrete ideas to help you take your next step.

This episode was kindly funded by YPIP https://ypip.org.uk/

Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes or sign up to the Destination information & opportunities web-app for teens and young adults at www.destination.org.uk where you can find loads of useful life-benefiting content for young people.    

You can also follow up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whatthefridaypod/ or TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefridaypod(@WhatTheFridayPod)

Special thanks to Locala and Kirklees College for supporting this episode, Jimi for editing and Youth Social www.youthsocial.co.uk for pulling everything together.

Finally special thanks for Paul A Jackson for the music. 

Is arts and culture really for people like me? In this episode, Iarlaithe talks with vocal artist and local entrepreneur Sarala Soul about diversity in the arts, who gets represented, and how young people from underrepresented backgrounds can find their place in creative spaces.

Sarala shares her journey from a nervous 15 year old on a school stage to headlining a sold out show for International Women’s Day in Huddersfield. Together they explore:

Perfect for young people, educators and creatives who want to make the arts feel more inclusive, hopeful and real.

This episode was kindly funded by YPIP https://ypip.org.uk/

Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes or sign up to the Destination information & opportunities web-app for teens and young adults at www.destination.org.uk where you can find loads of useful life-benefiting content for young people.    

You can also follow up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whatthefridaypod/ or TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefridaypod(@WhatTheFridayPod)

Special thanks to Locala and Kirklees College for supporting this episode, Jimi for editing and Youth Social www.youthsocial.co.uk for pulling everything together.

Finally special thanks for Paul A Jackson for the music. 

How do you keep your creativity alive when you are juggling college, work or caring responsibilities? In this episode, host Isabella speaks with Hardeep Singh Sahota - artist, educator, dancer, choreographer and Creative Director of the South Asian Arts cultural hub - about realistic ways to make space for arts and culture in a busy life.

Hardeep shares how he balanced college, marriage and running a takeaway while still making time for ceramics, graphics, photography and dance. He explains what a "creative practice" is, why short bursts of creativity matter, and how liminal moments like washing dishes or walking to class can feed your ideas. The conversation tackles burnout, guilt about taking creative time, the role of supportive teachers and family, and why arts and culture are essential for a healthy society, not a luxury.

You will hear practical tips on:

This episode was kindly funded by YPIP https://ypip.org.uk/

Don't forget to subscribe for new episodes or sign up to the Destination information & opportunities web-app for teens and young adults at www.destination.org.uk where you can find loads of useful life-benefiting content for young people.    

You can also follow up on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/whatthefridaypod/ or TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@whatthefridaypod(@WhatTheFridayPod)

Special thanks to Locala and Kirklees College for supporting this episode, Jimi for editing and Youth Social www.youthsocial.co.uk for pulling everything together.

Finally special thanks for Paul A Jackson for the music.