Seen and not Heard podcast by Barnardo's

Heard and Not Seen: The Barnardo's Podcast

We believe that every child should have a voice.

Join us as we speak to the children and young people we support and bring their experiences to life.

In each episode, we talk to inspiring children and young people who have faced unimaginable challenges and have incredible journeys to tell. We'll also meet the project workers, front line staff and professionals involved in their lives.

Season 3: Making Change

In this series we’re looking at what needs to change in the Care system, and how change can be made. We hear from young people who have been through the care system, those that work in it and policy makers – all of whom are trying to make change. 

  • Seen and Not Heard podcast by Barnardo's

    Ep1: The Challenge

    We speak to a group of care-experienced young people in Plymouth about the challenges they face and what changes need to be made to the care system to make it better. 

  • Seen and Not Heard podcast by Barnardo's

    Ep2: Putting a Plan Into Action

    We hear from a group of young people as they come up with a plan and put it into action.

  • Seen and Not Heard podcast by Barnardo's

    Ep3: The Bigger Picture

    We zoom out to take a look at the Care System as a whole, and investigate another method of making positive change - through government policy.

Learn more about the Care Review and the recommendations from the young people:

Season 2: Oral History Project

The Oral History project is about capturing and sharing the incredible experiences of Black and dual heritage communities, including the post-war African and Caribbean communities in Britain, often referred to as the Windrush Generation. 

  • Black and white image of Floella Benjamin

    Floella Benjamin

    The personal experience of our Vice President, Baroness Floella Benjamin who came to Britain from Trinidad and Tobago as a small child.

  • Black and white image of Tony Simpson

    Tony Simpson

    Tony Simpson retraces his steps in Barnardo's Care by visiting the places and institutions he was born and raised in.

  • Black and white image of Marine Gordon

    Marine Gordon

    Marine talks to Irene about their shared life experience of being women of colour and spending time in care.

  • Old image of Julienne Wilding as a child, on orange background

    Julienne Dolphin Wilding

    Julienne has a conversation with Irene, comparing and contrasting their shared life experience of spending time in care as women of colour. 

  • Chris Alexander, on an orange background

    Chris Alexander

    Chris tells us about his experiences growing up with Caribbean heritage in East London in the 1970’s and 80’s.

  • Winston Norton on an orange background

    Winston Norton

    Winston - who was placed in care with Barnardo’s at the age of three - talks to Tyjae, a young man from London, who attends our Youthbuild Academy in Lewisham. 

Season 1: Harmful Practices

Our pilot season is developed and recorded in conjunction with the National FGM Centre, a partnership of Barnardo's and the Local Government Authority. We explore female genital mutilation, Kindoki (a form of witchcraft), and the stigma attached to albinism, through interviews with inspiring survivors. Mardoche, Mama Sylla and Demi talk openly about the painful, difficult and life threatening situations they were placed in and how they had the strength within themselves, as well as the support of Barnardo's, to heal.

  • Image of Mama Sylla

    Ep1: FGM with Mama Sylla

    We talk to Mama Sylla who, aged just 9 years old, became a victim of Female Genital Mutilation.

  • Image of Mardoche Yembi

    Ep2: Witchcraft with Mardoche Yembi

    We talk to Mardoche Yembi, a survivor of childhood accusations of Witchcraft, or Kindoki.

  • Image of Demi Adeyemi

    Ep3: Albinism with Demi Adeyemi

    We talk to Demilade Adeyemi, a young woman with albinism.