Julian Moorhead is a passionate voice for student advocacy. I think he’s done remarkably well to roll out such an innovative interview event to Newfriars College in Bucknall, Stoke-on-Trent. The college, which supports young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, organized a unique panel discussion where students engaged with Susan Hanks, a well-known standup comedian and radio presenter.
The goal of the campaign was to give students a public outlet for their opinions and give them a chance to speak their minds. Moorhead underscored the importance of trusting students to control their own stories. He stated, “It’s theirs. They own it. So it gives them a voice.”
Hanks has made her career by disarming us and drawing us in with humor and narrative. Her life lessons and experiences proved invaluable and inspiring to the students. Watch what happened that day, as she captured this extraordinary moment. Special thanks to the students who led the charge on this important dialogue.
“This is what’s weird about today for me, because normally, it’s me asking all the questions and I feel in control,” Hanks remarked. She revealed that her favorite aspect of radio presenting is “getting to be nosy, and being allowed to do it, so asking questions.” Much like students, this engaging and student-centered approach struck a chord with these future comedy enthusiasts, as you could hear the excitement from the daily discussions.
Julie Davies, student experience lead at Newfriars College, noted how neurodivergence has become more widely recognized in recent years. “In the past few years, existence of neurodivergence has been more publicised than ever,” she said. Davies told us that he was hopeful that if nothing else, experiences like this would have a long-term effect on the students. “It may just resonate with them and stay with them, hopefully for the rest of their lives,” she added.
The event fostered an environment where students could share their experiences and learn from Hanks’ journey in the entertainment industry. The character building workshop as an experience not only invited youth to express themselves, but it highlighted how representation and understanding are vital for inclusive communities.
