Virgin Atlantic’s in flight entertainment now includes its first children’s podcast.
British not-for-profit arts organisation, Made By Mortals has teamed with the airline to offer young passengers the award-winning podcast, Armchair Adventures as part of the inflight entertainment.
Described as a ‘positive podcast’ by BBC Radio 4, the podcast is about Connie, a young girl whose family-run travel agency is at risk of going bust as a result of the pandemic. Working with her customers, who are portrayed by the group’s elderly participants, they create an alternative to a traditional holiday – an adventure from the armchair.
Led by directors Paul Hine and Andy Smith, Made By Mortals work with elderly people and those with mental health conditions across Manchester and the North West, to bring their experiences to life through participatory music and theatre sessions.
As a result of the pandemic, Made By Mortals recognised a need for an outlet which people, young and old, could turn to for support. As a result, Armchair Adventures was born: a fun, interactive podcast for children, created by older people.
The Armchair Adventures podcast is associated with other activities including schools’ workshops, art installations, activity packs and a live theatre show. Each adventure is inspired by the experiences, knowledge and passions of its elderly participants and expressed through drama, music, movement, and song.
The news of the partnership with Virgin Airlines, comes after Armchair Adventures recently won the Bronze prize for Best Family Podcast at this year’s British Podcast Awards. It has previously won awards from the Digital City Awards and Manchester Publicity Association Awards.
Cathy Walters, Manager of Inflight Entertainment at Virgin Atlantic, said: “We love the story of Armchair Adventures, which brings different generations together through this fun, interactive podcast. We’re really proud to have them as part of our entertainment line-up and I’m sure children will enjoy letting their imaginations fly while onboard.”
Paul Hine, Director at Made by Mortals, added: “The partnership is a really nice fit. Virgin Atlantic is going on a physical journey, and Armchair Adventures is a journey of the imagination. There’s a synergy between the brands, even despite their difference in scale.
“We are determined to change the perception of participatory arts and people viewing it as simply a nice thing to do. Partnering with Virgin Atlantic definitely helps us do that.
“When you bring a group of over 65’s together under one roof, you’ll undoubtably be amazed by the journeys they have been on, the stories they have to tell and the lessons they picked up along the way.
We believe in giving people a place to share their stories which can not only help bring them together and find purpose, but also educate and inspire young people in the process.”
Armchair Adventures launched with Virgin in July and can now be enjoyed on flights across the world. Series three launches on Thursday 6 October, with two episodes each month.
