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Graham Sykes

GRAHAM SYKES – THE NUMBER 1 YOUTH PODCASTER - Social entrepreneur, podcaster, author, and youth engagement specialist.

Graham is a podcaster, author and has twenty-five years’ experience increasing knowledge capital in teens and young adults to increase youth-related outcomes across education, employment, and health.

He has worked extensively in education and delivered a range of student-focused activities including creative co-creation sessions, focus groups and presentations. In 2019 he wrote and published the book DESTINATION ADULTHOOD (an essential guide for teens and young adults). In 2023 he set up Youth Social and started the youth podcast ‘What the Friday’ which has to date provided opportunities for over 50 young people.

He is the head of agency of the strategic youth consultancy Fourteen19®, senior director of the social enterprise Youth Social and is a former government adviser on enterprise and employment. He is also the co-host of InDepth - the music podcast that was number one in five countries.

He offers a range of speaker services including:

1. 20-45 Minute Presentation to Students: ‘Pause/Record/Play’

This talk covers his journey to having a number 1 podcast in five countries. This fascinating story covers how it was driven as a direct response to business challenges during Covid and how it demonstrates the need to have a wide range of skills including resilience, taking advantage of opportunities, innovation and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

The presentation also showcases why all young people can benefit from listening to podcasts including the What the Friday podcast that he produces with young people.

2. 20-45 Minute Presentation for Teachers and Education Professionals

This presentation provides an introduction and overview to podcasts and how they can be used to aid student learning. The session covers: ‘What are podcasts?’ ‘Why they are great for young people?’, ‘How can I find the right one for my students?’ and, ‘How can I create my own podcast?’

3. 45 Minute Classroom-based co-creation Session: ‘Create your own podcast’.

Graham takes students through the process to choose a podcast subject, create an outline episode, write an introduction and present it to the class.

Testimonials from Teachers

"Graham first started working with the school in 2009, when he joined our employer group to help support our application to be the first Studio School school in England. His involvement was invaluable in helping us secure funding and led to the formation of his agency Fourteen19® - which he initially ran from the school and offered placements and opportunities for our students.

Graham regularly speaks to our students and has supported us across a number of our vocational activities – including mock interviews, dragons dens and meet the employer events.

He has always communicated well with students and teachers alike, and he is flexible, professional and has a passion for enterprise and creativity. As a former pupil, he is also a role model for our students who can see someone from their local area having a successful career doing something that they love."

– Sarah Timberley, Careers Engagement Manager - Netherhall Learning Campus High School & Creative & Media Studio School.

"Graham has worked closely with the school and sixth-form for over ten years and has delivered a variety of presentations and activities with students and staff.

He has offered our students a number of opportunities to work on real-life projects. Through these he always mentors and inspires them to create professional work that they can be proud of and that they can use to enhance their CVs and university applications.

We were pleased that he chose our college to launch his book ‘DESTINATION ADULTHOOD’ and as part of this he delivered a number of inspiring presentations to our students across the day.”

– Laura Roberts. Head of Sixth Form, Brooksbank Sixth Form

"In the Spring of 2024, Graham spoke to students on our Xplorer Programme. This programme is designed for students leaving school who need to take some time out of full-time study to focus on their English and maths, employability skills and personal development.

Following the presentation, Graham offered students the opportunity to work with him on a co-creation project he was delivering with Arts Council England.

Our students really engaged with Graham and I think this was down to his empathy regarding their situation and his ability to communicate effectively with the group. At the end of project – all the students reported that they had thoroughly enjoyed it."

– Lindsay Stanger, Course Leader, Kirklees College