We work with Inspire Oldham to amplify the voice of their beneficiaries through a new, 4-part female-fronted podcast series called ‘That Inspire Feeling’.

Earlier this year we revealed a new project we started with our latest client Inspire Oldham. The brilliant CIC are all about supporting and listening to women. They provide services and a network where women gain new friends, confidence, self-esteem and skills. And it’s not just because we’ve been working with them since October 2021 – but we think they’re pretty brilliant.

Over 5 months, we delivered our Blended Service which combines podcast training and production, to a group of women from Inspire. On International Women’s Day 2022, the group launched the 4-part ‘That Inspire Feeling’ podcast.

The resulting podcast ‘That Inspire Feeling’, is designed to help other women to overcome life’s challenges. The podcast team share what’s worked for them, such as crafting and holistics and gives the listener simple advice to start giving things a go themselves. The series is a product of the team’s vibrant ideas, passions, life experiences and let’s not forget their northern humor – that’s why we get on so well with them!

Vic Elizabeth Turnbull, MIC Media CEO reckons it’s projects like these that really exemplify why MIC exists, she adds,

“It’s been a real joy to work with Inspire. As Barbara on the podcast says ‘women deserve a voice, we deserve to be heard’. And what better way to do this than to give women the skills to podcast. Their thoughts, opinions and experiences can inspire more women.

There’s a few things that make this project extra special, 1) Most of the ladies had never listened to podcast before or didn’t know how to listen to one 2) It was all delivered and produced online – we’ve never met any of them in the flesh (we can’t wait when we do!). 

We’re very proud of ‘That Inspire Feeling’ and I hope it inspires other organisations working with women to follow suit and get podcasting!

It’s not just the outcome of the podcast that Inspire Women have gained. The project has also seen the team flex their interviewing and research skills, boost their confidence and communication and see them give audio editing a whirl too.

Sally Bonnie, the founder of Inspire Women is pleased they decided to give podcasting a go, she adds ,

From the early beginnings of Inspire I had always hoped we could find a way of bringing the voices of the women into other spaces and this is such a wonderful way to do this! At the start of the project the women involved had no experience of producing podcasts; there was a lot of creative energy that I am certain Vic from MIC channeled in a beautiful, empowering way.  

Sally goes onto explain that the podcasting project had a huge impact on the women involved, 

As the project progressed, we saw a huge change in the confidence of the women as they shared what they were doing. As we approached our launch date there was definitely excitement in the air! One of the wonderful things was how Bernie, one of the participants, spoke about how proud she was when she told people about the podcast. She’s been showing people at her allotment and at the hospital where she’s receiving dialysis.This is a huge deal because when I first met Bernie, she was so shy and had very little confidence around others. 

There are so many similar stories like this for the women involved.  Vic has given such a fabulous base from where the women can grow “That Inspire feeling”; I know for sure we will continue with the journey with our StrongHer Together group and their next journey story.

One of the ladies involved in making the podcast said,

I enjoyed the podcast course very much. Prior to doing it I didn’t know what a podcast really was, Now I understand what it is, what it means and how to put one together! I enjoy looking for podcasts to listen to for my own learning and relaxation. Thank-you very much.

Now, our Blended Service ensures that this podcast does not stop after we’ve stopped working with the girls. We’ve left the team with the skills, knowledge and podcast blueprint to continue to make podcasts for and by women. We can’t wait to hear what they get up to!. 

This was part of a wider community researchers and reporter project – where Inspire also worked with our social enterprise buddies Yellow Jigsaw. It’s funded by Oxfam and the National Lottery’s Awards for All Funding.

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