MIC works with Action Together to train and guide their Women’s network to produce a podcast series of inspiring stories of strength told by women from across Rochdale in Greater Manchester.

We’re once again chuffed to bits to announce the launch of a podcast that’s been made in collaboration with a bunch of brilliant not-for-profit organisations. The podcast, ‘Stories of Strength’ does what we do best, amplifies underrepresented voices – whilst upskilling the team behind it.

How it started

It all started in late 2021 when we started the Stories of Strength podcast project with Action Together, they’re a Community Interest Organisation that looks after the voluntary, community, faith and social enterprise (VCFSE) sector in Oldham, Rochdale, and Tameside (in Greater Manchester).

How we worked

Delivering our Blended Service, we worked with their Women’s Service Network in Rochdale. The network is made up of partners including Cartwheel Arts, Soul Sisters Empowering People, Ukeff, Rochdale Mind, Rochdale Women’s Welfare Association, Rochdale Connection Trust and Rochdale Health Alliance.

We combined training and production to get them to the stage where they are ready to launch their podcast. This includes interviewing women in their network and editing the audio. They were supported also by the series’ awesome community audio producer Danielle Porter and Nichelle Cutler the Neighbourhood Facilitator for Rochdale at Action Together.

MIC Media founder and CEO Vic Turnbull adds: 

The podcast is a fantastic example of how the VCSE sector can come together to give the often unheard, a voice. At the same time, showcase the incredible work that they’re doing in their localities. Both, with the potential of national and international reach. This really does demonstrate the power of podcasts – especially for the third sector. It’s been a really rewarding project for MIC media.

This multi-partner approach has resulted in a podcast that is a collection of inspiring stories from women who come from all walks of life. They include real-life stories about friends and family, migration, motherhood, relationships and health and wellbeing. 

Kerry Bertram, Strategic Locality Lead, Action Together explains how the podcast came about and why it’s important,

During the community response to the pandemic, we heard so many powerful, raw and impactful stories and when we started to work with groups as the Women’s Services Network, we knew that storytelling, sharing experiences and inspiring others through women’s experiences would be a vital part of the collaborative work.  

Working with Vic at MIC Media, gave not only a platform to share these stories but skills, knowledge and training on how to get those stories heard in the world.  This podcast has truly been a delight to watch emerge, skillfully guided by Vic, Danielle and Nichelle, produced by an amazing group of local women and enriched with the words, stories and emotions of everyone involved.

The Stories of Strength podcast releases new episodes every Tuesday. Follow or subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts or simply click here.

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