This is Us

In the final episode of the season, Paige chats to Katharine Sacks-Jones, the chief executive of the charity Become.  They discuss the support offered by Become, the music that reminds Katharine of her university experience, the impact of social media and why having a secure home at university is a necessity for all estranged and care experienced young people.  To find out more about the Unite Fou...

Holly, who is studying Applied Humanities at Birmingham Newman University, chats to Paige about social media, the friendships she has made at university, and a song that reminds her of her university experience.  To find out more about the Unite Foundation scholarship visit Unite Foundation + our scholarship = This is us. (thisisusatuni.org) To be a guest on the podcast email info@unitefoundation....

In this episode, Paige meets Hiruni who's studying Psychology at Newcastle University and is currently on a placement year working with the university EDI team. Hiruni talks about her course and placements, her involvement in university societies, the best places to go out in Newcastle and her belief that every estranged and care experienced student should have a free #HomeAtUniversity.

The This is Us podcast is back with a brand new season! Paige chats to Shanti- from the This is Us social team about life as an estranged student, what it's like to study medicine and a song that reminds her of university!  We really hope that you enjoy this episode and as always, do let us know what you think. To find out more about the Unite Foundation scholarship visit Unite Foundation + o...

It's the season finale!  To the end this season of the podcast, we've got something a bit different from the usual student and uni life chats. In this episode,  Paige speaks with special guest Mark Riddell MBE.  Mark is the National Advisor for Care Leavers for the Department of Education. He has lived experience of being in care and chats openly with Paige about his own experiences and...

This week on the podcast we've got something a bit different! In this episode Paige and Cereza swap uni stories and chat through anonymous accounts of flatmate disasters! Cereza graduated Queen Mary University London on the Unite Foundation scholarship and talks to Paige about next steps, making Youtube videos and her ADHD diagnosis. To find out more about the Unite Foundation scholarship vis...

Paige chats to King Balusa, who is studying Business Management and Marketing on the Unite Foundation scholarship in London. They discuss music, creativity, and King's transgender journey. To find out more about the Unite Foundation scholarship visit Unite Foundation + our scholarship = This is us. (thisisusatuni.org) To be a guest on the podcast email info@unitefoundation.org.uk Join the Thi...

In this episode Paige speaks with Lauren, who is currently studying a masters degree in Counselling and Psychotherapy at Edgehill University.  They chat through Lauren's experience and learnings around creative counselling, movement therapy and finding healthy ways of understanding and expressing your emotions.  To find out more about the Unite Foundation scholarship visit Unite Foundation +...

To launch our 5th series of the This is Us podcast, Paige chats to Lisa who is a first year global law student at Queen Mary University London. They talk about the importance of support for care experienced young people, the journey to university and Lisa's plans for the future. To find out more about the Unite Foundation scholarship visit Unite Foundation + our scholarship = This is us. (thi...

In this special 'Be Our Guarantor' podcast episode, host Paige Mackenzie explores the issue of rent guarantors for care experienced and estranged students. She chats to Sam and Ezra who have been affected by the issue, as well as Unite Foundation director Fiona Ellison. You can find out more about how to support and get involved in the 'Be Our Guarantor' campaign here Be Our Gu...

In episode 21 of the This is Us podcast, Paige chats to Danu, who is studying Hispanic Studies and Comparative Literature at Queen Mary University London.  They talk about the books that made them cry, how going to university felt like a natural decision and navigating the university experience without parental support.  If you are affected by any of the issues mentioned in this podcast you can fi...

In this episode of the podcast, Paige chats to an old school friend Becki. They talk through Becki's experience of working in a school and the memories attached to her song choices by Sam Smith, Panic at the Disco and Tom Odell.  Please note that this episode contains discussions of substance abuse and domestic disturbance. If you are affected by any of these issues, you can find support at h...

In this episode of the podcast, Paige chats to Saeed Atcha about challenges at university, his career journey and his self-confessed obsession with Taylor Swift! Saeed studied PR and Marketing at university and is the founder of Youth Leads UK, an award-winning charity that supports young people. You can find out more here Home - Youth Leads

In this episode of the podcast, Paige chats to Aura, an estranged student at the University of Bristol. They talk about the importance of education, how they navigated the challenges of lockdown and Aura's love for Bristol. Aura also talks about the importance of community and finding the right people to create a strong support system. Please note that this episode contains talk of substance...

[TW] We're back with a brand-new series! In the first episode of our 4th series, Paige chats to Daniel who is currently studying criminology and forensic psychology at Kingston University London. They chat about mental health, trying to be vegetarian and the 3 songs he associates with different aspects of his life.  Please note that this episode discusses self-harm, addiction, mental health a...

In the latest episode of This is Us, Paige chats to Sedil, who’s in her final year at Newcastle University studying Civil Engineering. Sedil is going to be specialising in transport (think railways and airports) and, for her, being a woman in engineering is a big deal!  Sedil and Paige talk about the differences between the North and South of England and how Sedil was keen to leave London for a fr...

As she finishes her final year studying Event Management at Leeds Beckett University, Leah talks to Paige about her experiences as an estranged student; the challenges, the opportunities and finding a sense of community.  Guided by Simple Plan, Chaka Khan and Biffy Clyro, Leah and Paige talk about how important music is to them both, look back on festival memories and Leah looks forward to her upc...

[TW] A very special episode of the This is Us podcast this week, we welcome Paige's sister, Jamie! Paige and Jamie talk about growing up together, their different paths in life and their university experiences - while she may not have enrolled at LJMU, Jamie felt very at home there! Look forward to some beautiful duets and late night tales, inspired by Pink, Kate Nash and Neiked. NOTE: Just t...

Having recently graduated, Josh talks to Paige about his journey to uni (literally arriving in his Corsa!), his time studying Politics, a visit to Parliament and his current role with his local authority working to make a difference for young people leaving care. DJ Ironik, Drake and Polo G take us on an emotional musical ride!

It's the first episode of our 3rd series! Paige talks to Journalism student, Jax, about self confidence and belief, nights out in Aberdeen and Jax's work with This is Us, raising awareness of food insecurity through the #DineInFor2Pounds campaign - with the 1975, The Magician and Lil Peep for company!

In the final episode of 2020 Paige chats to Emily who's studying International Business and Marketing at De Montfort University. Emily talks about her experience being part of the Unite Foundation and her role in the recent rebrand and launch of This is Us, starring in the movie of her own life and Emily and Paige discuss their shared love of Justin Bieber! This chat is guided by Dave and Fre...

In this episode of This is Us, Lewis chats to Paige about the power of a positive mindset, his reconnection with his parents, defying expectations and the society he’s setting up for care experienced and estranged students in Manchester – with Miguel, Tame Impala and Big Sean for company.

In Episode 3 or our second series, Stephen – a 3rd year Graphic Design student at DMU – talks to Paige about relationships, his journey to and through university and discovering his career path – with some little detours along the way. Sometimes you need to try the things you don’t want, to find the things you do! Their chat is guided by Coldplay, Talamasca and Hard-Fi. Stephen has been integral i...

In episode 2 of our second series, Paige chats to Tiyana who's studying at Kings College London and keeps very busy alongside her studies as a stylist on fashion shoots and music videos and writing for Woman to Woman. Paige and Tiyana discuss feminism, racism, meeting parents for the first time and the power of being true to and confident in yourself. Their chat is guided by Sevana, Kelis and...

Hello and welcome to series 2 of the This is Us podcast! We're starting the season with something a little bit different. In this first episode, Paige chats to Beki from the Unite Foundation. There's a lot of talk about tea (it's serious business), Paige and Beki's respective university experiences and a bit of an intro to the podcast if you've not listened before. Hope ev...