High-profile support for Middlesex podcast project giving teenage boys a voice

Thought leader, BBC presenter, multi-platinum songwriter and North London youth worker all back initiative with local school

A Middlesex University podcast project with a local secondary school to highlight issues affecting teenage boys in 2026 has received backing from leading commentators.

Thought leader and campaigner Dr Alex Blower, BBC presenter Amol Rajan, multi-platinum songwriter and producer Jay Weathers, and Middlesex University graduate Jely Kikamba, who has worked on youth projects with Arsenal Football Club, all praised the initiative for giving boys a platform to explore issues such as underperformance in education, behaviour, masculinity and toxic online influence, while learning media skills.

The From The Boys project, in partnership with William Ellis School in Camden, delivered workshops led by the University’s outreach team and Arts and Creative Industries lecturers and students to Year 10 pupils aged 14 and 15 earlier this year.

Taking themes from these workshops, 16 of the pupils undertook work experience last week at the University’s MDX Studios recording facilities to produce around five podcasts to be launched in the autumn. During the week, they learned interview techniques and audio production skills and interviewed guests, teachers and parents.

Guest interviewees included Dr Blower, author of ‘Lost Boys’ and founder of Boys’ Impact hubs, which brings together educational practitioners across the UK to address lower educational attainment in boys on free school meals. Songwriter and producer Jay Weathers, and Jely Kikamba who has partnered with Arsenal on youth work also featured, while BBC Radio 4 presenter Amol Rajan sent the boys a personal video message.

Dr Blower praised the project for giving boys a voice on issues affecting them. He said they were often talked about but not with, while using podcasts as a medium was a fantastic opportunity to spread important messages. “We would love to see projects like this grow rapidly across the UK,” he said. 

Jely, a Middlesex University BA Film graduate and former Arsenal Football Club youth engagement officer, is a community football coach and youth worker in Islington, North London. He  works on creative projects such as documentaries and drama to support youth groups.

He gave the boys an insight into his own difficult childhood and how Arsenal in the Community, the club’s charity and outreach programme, supported him.

He said: “The project is a great idea and similar to work I am doing with boys at my youth club. It gives them the chance to discuss issues that affect them, while providing an opportunity to be involved in creative projects which will give them confidence."

Meanwhile, on hearing about the initiative, the pupils received a personal video message from Amol Rajan who, as well as giving them tips on interview skills, told them how society had changed, giving them the freedom to talk about their feelings and ambitions. 

He said: “Be open, talk to your friends, talk about your ambitions for the future. Shoot for the moon because where you are right now, doing this amazing week at Middlesex University on this incredible project and being in Y10 at William Ellis School, your future is up to you.”

The pupils felt they got a great deal from their week’s work experience, from learning different studio and podcasting skills to discussing the issues that affect them and their peer group.

Jacob, 15, said the pupils learned media skills such as using podcasting equipment, as well as how to interview people. “It was also an opportunity to get our voices heard in a safe environment where we could talk about things affecting boys,” he said.

Bobby, 15, said: “I learned communication skills and how to use technology in the recording studios. It’s been an opportunity to talk about things; everyone has been open-minded and willing to hear what we have to say.”

Felix, 15, also felt he had learned how to use media equipment as well as explore different perspectives on issues affecting boys and men. He said: “We covered issues such as the pressures on boys, social media and the manosphere. What everyone had to say was interesting and helped us to create useful podcasts.”

It is hoped that the initiative will support future Middlesex University research and spark wider conversations on these themes in schools in Barnet, Camden and beyond.

Dr Helen Bendon, Deputy Dean for Education, Arts and Creative Industries at Middlesex University, who has been leading the project with the University’s outreach team and William Ellis School, will be presenting the From The Boys project to around 300 teachers and education experts at the 2026 National Boys' Impact Conference in September.

She said: “After launching the podcast series, next year our plan is to bring this work to schools across North London. We want to inspire similar podcast projects in regions beyond London and be a catalyst for these sorts of discussions elsewhere involving boys and young men.”

The project is predominantly funded by the William Ellis Trust, an independent charity which brings together the school and wider community for the benefit of the school’s pupils, with support from grant-making organisations The Hadley Trust and The Hampstead Wells and Campden Trust.

The official launch of the From The Boys podcast series takes place at William Ellis School on Thursday 22 October.

Find out more about studying Arts and Creative Industries courses at Middlesex University.