It set out to generate creative and collaborative learning experiences and to enrich the lives of young people in detention, empowering them by giving them a voice.

A total of 44 young people participated in the Hear I Am project, ranging in age from 15 years to 18 years. Young people were central to the design of the project, from building the podcast room to choosing themes, creating intro and incidental music, researching topics, preparing and conducting interviews with invited guests, staff members and their peers.

The project resulted in more than 20 podcast episodes, with young people discussing topics of interest to them and finding common ground with invited external guests and campus staff. The podcast project became one of the most popular activities for young people on campus and Oberstown is committed to continuing to offer this form of creative expression as an additional outlet for young people to have their voices heard. The project has added to Oberstown’s work in building a participative and rights-centred approach to the care of young people in detention.