Voices Unlocked Ep. 6 | Aaron’s Story, Finding Support, and the International Child Peace Prize

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Lorna and Liv welcome guest Aaron, whom they have known since he was a child through Time Matters, and reflect on his early confidence in support groups and media work, including a BBC News interview. Aaron shares how his dad went to prison when he was nine, why his family chose not to maintain contact, and how rebuilding foundations through his mum’s research and peer support helped him cope. He describes stigma and bullying at school, including threats and being judged as destined to offend, and discusses the importance of vulnerability and safe spaces. They talk about the verbatim theatre production Eight Hours There and Back and Aaron’s later work presenting for BBC The One Show. Aaron also recounts being shortlisted worldwide for the International Child Peace Prize, placing second, and shares his current achievements in the Air Cadets and as a Lord-Lieutenant Cadet.

00:00 Disclaimer
00:34 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:34 Catching Up and Memories
05:36 Aaron Dad Prison Story
06:34 Choosing No Contact
09:49 Rebuilding Foundations
11:44 Safe Space and Vulnerability
14:11 Theatre Project Origins
20:04 One Show and Impact
23:40 School Struggles and Stigma
27:33 Stigma and Expectations
29:27 Breaking the Criminal Gene Myth
30:48 Safeguarding and Enabling Environments
33:01 Motivation and Paying It Forward
35:17 London Trips and Tube Chaos
38:57 Child Peace Prize Spotlight
41:46 Top Three Journey and Global Stage
48:03 Subtitles and Speech Impact
50:35 Cadets Role and New Achievements
52:35 Gratitude and Wrap Up