Podcasting workshop
In early 2022 I had the pleasure of guiding the East Kent Mencap GOLD group and support staff through some of the foundational processes involved in recording and editing podcasts.
The GOLD group is for people with a learning difficulty in Thanet who: live independently, receive less than 5 hours of support a week, or live with unpaid carers and receive no other support.
“East Kent Mencap’s GOLD Project was fortunate to gain funding from National Mencap’s Lets Get Digital program. Lets Get Digital aimed to improve access, knowledge and understanding of the digital world to ensure that adults with a Learning Disability and/or Autism could join the digital community and have safer online lives. The GOLD Project secured funding for podcasting equipment and a small pot of money to purchase advice on using it and making podcasts. We were keen to give people a voice and podcasting seemed like a great way to give Members of the project a public voice which is seldom heard. Louis joined the group to help us learn how to use the equipment we had purchased. Over 2 workshops we learnt how to plug everything in and practiced hearing ourselves with headphones on as well as how to record, get sound levels right, edit and find out what all the buttons did. The workshops took place just after lockdown and Members were still nervous about coming back but Louis’ relaxed style really helped put everyone at ease. Whilst Louis came prepared with a program plan he worked flexibly with Members to answer their questions and let them explore and build their confidence using the equipment. Before the workshops, Members were nervous about using the equipment and unclear what it all did. However, afterwards, Members were keen to use their new found skills and had a better understanding of what could be achieved. This not only helped them practically with creating a podcast but also understand what could work and why things had to be done in certain ways. Members can now get involved with all aspects of creating a podcast to ensure their voices are heard on topics that are important to them.”
– Suzanne Derham, GOLD Delivery Manager
In early November, the group released their first podcast episodes since the workshops finished. Listen below.