Case Study : Ricardo
“To believe in myself and what I can do. I can actually do it and you can do whatever you want to do”
We met Ricardo during an outreach workshop at Oldway Primary School in 2011. Ricardo immediately took to radio production and took a leading role in the development of Ocean Youth Radio ever since.
We met Ricardo during an outreach workshop at Oldway Primary School in 2011. Ricardo immediately took to radio production and has taken a leading role in the development of Ocean Youth Radio ever since. He has given his time, energy and passion and moved through the ranks leading our youth steering group and at 16 joining our payroll as part time, living wage workshop delivery and producer trainees. Ricardo now plays a vital organisational role, leading Ocean Youth, and offering teaching support and inspiration to our younger and less experienced participants. His talent was recognised by two nominations for the Young Audio awards. Ricardo has moved to London to complete a Diploma in Radio Production and has recently hosted the National Youth Music awards.
“Through my time at Ocean Youth, I’ve learnt many life skills that I can take into future radio careers, as well as general life. Ocean Youth has given me the ability to develop and show confidence in radio from live presenting to interviewing and then use what I’ve learnt to teach others. These skills I know I would of never learned otherwise."
Ricardo
"Over the 6 years so far at Ocean Youth, I’ve loved every minute of it, and still to this day want to put as much time as I can to help out and develop my 2 shows to be the best they can be. With the station there’s always something you can do, or work on. Whether it’s jingle making or helping out on an Ocean Youth project, I always feel my time and effort is appreciated. And that is why, I think I’ve never wanted to stop.“
Ricardo, 2018
“We really like doing radio, and sometimes it’s really hard for people to join in when they’re really scared of doing it. We wouldn’t really speak into the mic and we got really shy. We feel more confident because Ricardo has been teaching us different skills throughout the whole year. He’s in charge of the radio room and he helps us set all the mics and equipment up. I would still be shy now if Ricardo didn’t teach me all of that.
Participant, 2018
“Through my time at Ocean Youth, I’ve learnt many life skills that I can take into future radio careers, as well as general life. Ocean Youth has given me the ability to develop and show confidence in radio from live presenting to interviewing and then use what I’ve learnt to teach others. These skills I know I would of never learned otherwise."
Ricardo
"Over the 6 years so far at Ocean Youth, I’ve loved every minute of it, and still to this day want to put as much time as I can to help out and develop my 2 shows to be the best they can be. With the station there’s always something you can do, or work on. Whether it’s jingle making or helping out on an Ocean Youth project, I always feel my time and effort is appreciated. And that is why, I think I’ve never wanted to stop.“
Ricardo, 2018
“We really like doing radio, and sometimes it’s really hard for people to join in when they’re really scared of doing it. We wouldn’t really speak into the mic and we got really shy. We feel more confident because Ricardo has been teaching us different skills throughout the whole year. He’s in charge of the radio room and he helps us set all the mics and equipment up. I would still be shy now if Ricardo didn’t teach me all of that.
Ricardo loves the radio and he does it all for us and sometimes it’s really fun when you come here but the radio has got something wrong with it and its fun when Ricardo’s just downstairs with us, having a laugh, having fun.”
Participant in Ricardo's Group, 2018
“Ricardo now works for the radio. This gave him a sense of pride, a sense of belonging to a group that unconditionally accepted him for himself and did not judge on his colour or age. Radio has been brilliant for my son, especially as he comes from a single parent household, no father role, now he is communicating and learning with mostly male figures running the radio, along with Kate.
He not only learned to communicate with all walks of people on all levels, he was actually learning many skills in life, but in a fun way that you don’t realise you are actually learning"
Ricardo's Mother, 2019
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