navigating now

lucy

24-year old Lucy is a Gold DofE Award holder from Wales. She's excited to have the opportunity to do something new and push the expectations of what a podcast can be. On Navigating Now Lucy talks in an honest light, expressing her view that the more young people do, the less taboo it will be. She thinks young people should always be listened to because anyone who is speaking up deserves to be heard.

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"How seriously we took trying to draw the iconic cat, pineapple, bicycle and how we kept trying to practice and draw a better one at any opportunity. Also, Gracie having the idea of us all getting t shirts with the drawing on which I still think would be amazing. "

What is your message to the listeners?

"Listen carefully to each episode because the thing that will impact you or awaken something in you won't always be what you expect."

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"I just published my first short story! In an actual book that people can buy. It's called Four Forked Tongues and is published by The Broken Spine."

hana

Silver Award holder, Hana is 19 and was one of our very first UK DofE Youth Ambassadors in 2021. She joined Navigating Now because she wanted to be a part of something that could inspire a new generation of change makers. She is excited to learn new skills and take on an entirely new experience. Hana thinks young people are the heart of our future and they should be directly involved. She hopes that when people listen to the podcast it might unveil a different perspective that they didn't consider.

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"Definitely the in-person days meeting everyone and coming together to create content for the podcast as well as meeting all the amazing individuals that all had a part in this project!"

What is your message to the listeners?

"To not only take in advice discussed but implement it into their own lives!"

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"I love reading books and I’m bilingual!"

elsie

15-year-old Elsie is working towards her Silver Award and is one of our youngest hosts. She wanted to be a part of Navigating Now to be a voice from young people not just from England but the UK too. She says that young people are the future and they should have a say on the world that they will one day inherit.

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"One of my favourite highlights from the project is definitely content day and just getting to meet everyone and work with them."

What is your message to the listeners?

"Listen carefully, and enjoy it! The podcast is jampacked with great advice and life lessons for the future, so make the best use of them!"

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"I love love loveeee languages and I'm currently learning five different languages."

karolina

Karolina, 19, started her DofE in Slovakia but did her Gold Award when she moved to Edinburgh. Karolina is keen to represent young people in Scotland, and her involvement in the podcast inspired her to become a 2023-24 DofE UK Youth Ambassador, where she hopes to continue to speak out on issues that matter to her generation.

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"The highlight was meeting the whole team in person both times and seeing how quickly we got to know each other and became comfortable with each other. I have never felt such enjoyment filming a TikTok!"

What is your message to the listeners?

"This is a podcast from young people to young people, discussing themes and issues that young people go through and relate to and at the end of the day show that we all go through the same, just in different situations."

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"I have never eaten a burger!"

craig

Craig is a Bronze, Silver and Gold Award holder and has always sought joy in seeing young people increase in confidence and he believed the podcast is a fantastic opportunity to showcase this. He thinks this will be a great opportunity to have a range of young people from a variety of backgrounds to learn from each other. He believes that young people should be listened to because they are a beacon for our future.

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"My highlight was meeting all the fantastic individuals involved in the creation of this podcast. I don't think you really appreciate how much work goes into releasing a podcast until you see the team behind the scenes. Everyone from the directors to the content managers to the other young people as prominent voices have been a joy to work with and I cannot wait to hear what you think of the finished article!"

What is your message to the listeners?

"You best be listening to the podcast whilst reading this page! There are some golden pieces of advice from celebrity guests intertwined with how young people will take this on board, whilst allowing enough room to make your own opinions on which direction you will take what's been discussed in your own life."

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"I have completed a charity skydive!"

katrina

Gold Award holder, Katrina is passionate about being a voice for young people. She wants to show that they are not alone in tough times. She is determined to be their entertainment and focus her energy in creating that platform for people to enjoy and relate to. Katrina is half Peruvian and is passionate about helping to empower the Latin American community, like being a dancer in a dance group for the Peruvian community, and volunteering for the police cadets.

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"My favourite highlight of the project is not  only meeting everyone behind the scenes but also having the opportunity to inspire and help young people who may be in needs of assistance especially since this project is aimed for teenagers where (from experience) it may be a tough time going through change and growth. "

What is your message to the listeners?

"My message to listeners is that it’s ok to ask for help and I know it’s easier said than done but it’s better than accumulating all those problems which makes it worse. By doing this you are giving those issues the power to give you a hard time when in reality you don’t need it and you’re allowing yourself to go into that cycle of questioning yourself and digging a hole which you feel you can’t reach out. As someone who used to do this, it was hard to accept myself and I always thought I needed that clarity that I am good enough. Obviously everyone deals with situations in different ways but doing it this way is the most toxic and harmful thing you can do to yourself. I hope this message can help people to understand that’s it’s ok to talk about whatever is bothering you and reach out even if you feel like it’s not worth their time because It’s better than holding it in."

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"A fun fact about me is that I’m always looking for the next challenge which is why I keep a bucket list on my phone of what I would like to achieve (realistic and unrealistic) to keep me motivated to keep active, inspired and gain new experiences/ memories. So far I have completed 4!"

emma

Gold Award holder, Emma hopes that Navigating Now will spread enjoyment and a sense of connection to a wide audience of young people who she otherwise may not have connected with. She brings enthusiasm and unapologetic insight into what it's like to live as a young person in the now and doing DofE. She says that young people need to be listened to because "we view the world through fresh eyes."

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"My highlight was going into record at a professional studio and talk with other courageous young people so open and honesty about topics that matter to us. To be given a platform for this has been amazing and I’m very grateful to have been part of helping to shape the podcast."

What is your message to the listeners?

"I hope you find the conversations as thought provoking as I have, and you feel inspired to take action on something you want to try/change in your everyday. Happy listening!"

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"I’ve done an indoor skydive but would never jump out of a plane!" 

Anika

Anika is doing her Bronze DofE at Trinity Academy, one of the schools running DofE with funding from The Department for Education, part of the DofE's Access Without Limits funding programme. She wanted to be involved in Navigating Now to represent and speak out on behalf of young people in the UK, especially highlighting the voices of women, LGBTQ+ and minority ethnic groups whose ideas and perspectives are often undermined. She sees the podcast as a fun way to engage individuals and make their voices heard.

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"I’ve loved every step of the podcast process but one of the highlights has to be behind the scenes of the podcast recording - on both of my round table discussions with James and Juliette, every now and again, one of us would say something and stop and we’d all just burst out laughing!"

What is your message to the listeners?

"To all the listeners… we’ve all had so much fun making, creating and recording this podcast! It’s been such an incredible journey and I hope that, at least some of the advice that we discuss and explore, helps you (even if that means pointing, or navigating, you in the right direction)!"

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"I’m an avid musician and young activist, passionate about youth voice - I recently represented Bristol at the Commonwealth Reception hosted by the King and Queen at Buckingham Palace!"

james

Silver Award holder, James has always believed in empowering young people and using the power of language to raise awareness, generate empathy and shape a future society. As a 2022-23 DofE UK Youth Ambassador he has already reached so many young people but sees Navigating Now as a way to inspire them. He says that he feels extremely lucky to live in a country with free speech and believes this is a privilege he shouldn't take for granted. He is using his platform "to speak loud and clear, because young people have lost their voice for too long."

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"My highlight of the podcast project was meeting other young people. Everyone I have encountered through the project is so lovely! It has been such a unique and valuable opportunity for young people to connect and discuss important issues that we can all relate to."

What is your message to the listeners?

"Regardless of who you are and what stage of life you are at, I hope that you will enjoy the podcast and take something away from it - be it useful advice or just a bit of laughter to lighten your day!"

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"I'm a Taylor Swift fan."

onyii

Since starting her DofE, Onyii discovered the power of saying ‘yes’ to things, and so when she heard about the opportunity to create a podcast, she knew it was something she wanted to be part of. Onyii hopes that through listening to the podcast, young people will take time for themselves, spend time away from social media, and have the confidence to be whoever they want to be.

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"My highlight of the podcast would definitely be meeting the team and having the opportunity to listen to really useful advice that I can operate into my life."

What is your message to the listeners?

"Don’t let small things trip you up, focus on a big goal and take gradual steps."

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"Fun fact: I’ve been inside the Buckingham Palace."

gracie

15-year-old Gracie is working towards her Bronze DofE and sees the podcast as an opportunity to educate the younger generation on the current issues and situations the world is going through. She has strong opinions and adds humour and debate to Navigating Now. She believes young people should always listen to politics and they "must understand what is going on in our world, what can be changed and what can be improved. For a better world and better society."

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"My highlight of the podcast was the feeling of being listened to, and that what I was saying was actually being listened to instead of being ignore because of my age."

What is your message to the listeners?

"My message to listeners is to take life as it comes, always find time for yourself and put yourself first and your mental, physical health. Never give up!"

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"A fun fact about myself is that outside of school every Monday and Wednesday I do Air cadets at 858 sqn."

ROB

25-year-old Rob is a Gold Award holder and is passionate about pursuing a career in film-making and broadcasting and sees Navigating Now as a platform to perfect his skills while creating fresh and exciting content for DofE. He's keen to work with other young people as it is tailored to young people's needs and interests.

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"My highlight of the project was the opportunity to connect with other young people and discuss stigmatized and often un-noticed aspects of life as a young person. I met some great people, had great conversations and had great fun doing so."

What is your message to the listeners?

"My message to the listener is that I hope you enjoy the podcast as an open and free discussion of some fairly heavy topics. Don’t expect us to have all the answers just as we don’t expect you to agree with all our thoughts - but hopefully it will help to guide you to your own conclusions!"

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"Fun fact – I’m a wildlife conservationist obsessed with all things animal!"

JULIETTE

Gold Award holder Juliette first joined Navigating Now because she wanted to work with a team to create something that entertains and inspired people. She says that young people should be listened to because "they can be open-minded and optimistic to a fault. Meaning they can imagine how the world could be better and are willing to try and make it so."

What was your favourite part about making Navigating Now?

"Seeing the progress over time from seemingly small questions, to fascinating debates and stories, to a full fledged podcast and working with so many different people."

What is your message to the listeners?

"As "together" as your peers and heroes seem everyone is just doing their best, so as long as you keep trying to be the best you can be, you WILL be fine."

Tell us a fun fact about yourself

"I have sung on a national opera stage (albeit as a snail in Pinocchio)."

We are all unique, and the issues discussed in Navigating Now may impact and affect everyone in different ways. The thoughts and guidance shared and discussed are suggestions and possible approaches, and you should always do what feels safe and right for you. If you have been affected by the issues in the podcast or want to find out more, here are some contacts and resources you may find useful.