#24 [English] Interview with Sarah / YIP 17 Alumni, YIP OT!

I’m currently in Sweden, taking part in the international program YIP (Youth Initiative Program) — living and learning together with 33 amazing participants from 18 countries.

This week, I had the chance to sit down with Sarah Bennett,YIP 17 Alumni, YIP OT!

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SARAH BENNETT

Sarah grew up in Manchester, UK, where she spent the first 18 years of her life. After finishing school and college, she travelled through parts of Eastern Europe and Southeast Asia, experiences that opened her eyes to the richness and diversity of the world and its people.

Back in the UK, she studied Social Policy (BSc) at the University of Bristol, bringing an intersectional feminist perspective to her work and exploring how social issues connect within wider political systems.

Upon graduating, Sarah gained experience working with young people aged 4–16 in schools, mental health services, and Forest School programs.

In 2024, she joined the 17th cohort of YIP, where she deepened her understanding of systems thinking and developed an ecological perspective on the world.

She is now part of the organising team for YIP18 as a voluntary co-worker, where she is responsible for digital marketing amongst other facilitatory roles.

00:00

Hi everyone, and welcome to the YIPYEE'sExperience Podcast.

I'm Rio from Japan, and...

Naoko.

Yes, we are part of YIP18, and living and learningtogether with 33 amazing people from 18 differentcountries?

No, less than 18. I don't know, 16 or 18.

16 or 18 different countries here in Sweden.

And yeah, today, we're so happy to have Sarah fromthe UK with us.

So she was a part of YIP17, and now she's part ofYIPOT's organizing team.

So welcome Sarah, and could you introduce aboutyourself please?

Hello, I'm Sarah. I'm from the UK. I was born inManchester.

And yeah, like Rio said, I'm on the organizingteam of YIP as a voluntary co-worker.

And I was a part of YIP17, so I was a YIPYEE lastyear.

I was in Rio and Naoko's position last year.

Yeah.

Yeah.

I'm really curious, why did you decide to be partof OT's right after YIP17?

So for me, I went to a very mainstream school whenI grew up.

And I hadn't had an alternative educationalbackground whatsoever.

And so, yeah, choosing to go to YIP was a reallybig thing for me,

both financially and also in terms of choosing abit of a different life path for myself.

And yeah, and when I was at YIP, it was such arich year.

I learnt in a very, very different way to the waysthat I'd learnt from before at school and outsideof YIP.

And so, yeah, while I was at YIP, I really had alot of respect and amazement with the organizingteam.

And it was something that I didn't necessarilythink about so much while I was a YIPYEE,

because I was so engrossed in being a YIPYEE andbecause the organizing team felt so safe.

And so, yeah, like such a safe container for YIP17,

that it meant that I didn't really have to thinkabout the organizing team.

I could just focus on fully being present as a YIPYEE myself.

And it was only towards the end of my YIP yearwhere there was talk about that they needed avolunteer for the next year.

And that I started to kind of think, wow, one ofthe reasons that I've had such a rich, amazingyear is because the organizing team is sobrilliant.

And that's when I started thinking, oh, I couldmaybe be part of this.

03:00

And what would I learn if I could see the behindthe scenes of this organization that I respect somuch and that I've taken so much from?

And could I be part of giving back to others?

So yeah, and yeah, and so then I applied and Istarted.

And yeah, it's been great.

Then how is the OTD experience so far?

Yeah, it's very full.

I was reflecting on this this morning that I feelso full all the time.

In quite a literal way that my time is just like,you know, it's first thing in the morning.

I like wake up and it's service hour and then it'steam meeting and then it's a lead morning singing.

So then it's that and then I'm taking theregister.

So I'm in most of the courses and then it'sediting posts for social media.

And yeah, and making the monthly newsletter.

And it doesn't sound like a lot.

But on top of, yeah, I think it is a lot.

And I also love that it's a lot.

And I love the fact that my job now has so muchdiversity.

And it makes me feel like I'm.

Yeah, I think the way that the organizing teamruns is not just seeing the workers as like amachine or as one part of a bigger machine.

They see us as whole human beings and withmultiple skills and different interests.

Yeah, and I've really felt that.

I felt that on this organizing team that because I'm viewed as a human being,

then I'm able to step up and have a multitude ofdifferent skills that I can offer.

And also it's.

Yeah, and also I can say if things get too much.

And I can.

Yeah, there's like responsibility on the team,which I like.

And yeah, it feels very whole and very holistic,which is part of the YIP philosophy.

So it makes sense that it's also on the team.

Yeah.

Do you have any highlights?

When you're doing outings.

There's so many.

Yeah.

I think on the same point that I just made aboutfeeling that I'm seen as a whole human being.

It's also in the way that the care structures runon the organizing team.

So we have team meeting every morning for half anhour and it's quite often there's a check in inthat.

Also outside of the team meeting, we have teamstudy.

Team study.

Which to be fair, we've only done once.

06:00

However.

However, the ethos is that we, yeah, we studytogether.

Yeah.

We're like reading one of Steiner's lectures.

Right.

Yeah.

And I also have supervision with Annie, who's oneof the other OTs who's been working at YIP for avery long time.

And she checks in with me in a much deeper wayonce a week.

We have like over an hour where we talk about whattasks I have, if it's getting too much, how I'mdoing, how I'm managing, how she tells me abouthow she's doing.

And so, yeah, I feel like I really meet mycolleagues, not just as colleagues, but as aswhole humans.

And I think I can just keep saying the same thingagain and again, but it really is so fundamentalto YIP.

That.

Yeah.

So, yeah, one of the highlights, I think, isreally feeling like I've met other human beings onthe organising team.

And we're so, I'm so lucky that with theconstellation that we have at the minute with Amiand Irene and Naya and Annie and Reinald, they'rejust brilliant people.

And I can genuinely say that they're my friends.

And I think that's a highlight.

Yeah.

Being able to spend time with all of them.

How was it for you to see YIP 18 as an alumni?

At the start, I found it quite hard.

I think I felt very protective over my YIPexperience.

And I couldn't help but compare.

I think because I'd been at YIP so recently, onlythree months before I started this role, and itwas still very fresh, those relationships.

So at the start, I was thinking like, oh, like, Idon't know, we did it like this.

And I remember my YIP year.

And then very soon, like within the first week, Ireally was able to kind of let go of some of thatcomparison and be fully present and recognise thatit's never going to be the same.

And there's no point comparing because, as I'vesaid about a million times, YIP is about thepeople.

And when the people change, then YIP changes.

And so YIP 18 is its own complete thing.

And YIP 17 was its own complete thing.

And they were different.

And that's a strength.

I'm not just saying this because I'm on thispodcast, but I love YIP 18.

I think that, yeah, 33 beautiful humans.

09:00

And I'm very happy to be spending my days with YIP18 at the minute.

Cringe, but true.

Oh, by the way, how was the YIP 17 experience foryou?

Yeah, it was harder in a different way.

I think my expectation for YIP when I arrived as aYIP was that I was going to meet 35 people whobelieved the same things as me and who I wouldjust be like best friends with.

And it would just be like super easy.

And then I arrived and I found that I was met withlots of people that were quite similar and youkind of match that.

But also the vast majority of people who weren'tthe same as me and who didn't believe the samethings and who challenged me and me.

So, yeah, so I think that was a big learning thingwas that.

Actually, do I really want everything in life tobe the same and do I grow if I'm surrounded bypeople who believe the same things as me?

Yeah, so it was it was a challenge and there werecertain parts of me that.

Yeah, I'm thinking of I'm thinking of certainmoments where I really had to like step step upand change who I was or question parts of myselfto understand why.

Why is it that I'm reacting certain ways and whyis it that I'm.

Yeah, triggered or whatever.

So, yeah, it was a challenge and it was also I'vealready mentioned this, but because I went to amainstream school and I didn't feel like myeducational experience was so holistic, it felt.

Really refreshing to be at YIP where it was muchmore holistic.

And yeah.

And also one of the reasons that I came to YIP wasbecause I felt quite stuck in life.

And I'm 26 and I started YIP when I was 24 turning25.

And I'd graduated from university already.

I'd worked for two years in schools in the UK.

But I didn't really feel like that was my purpose.

I think I came to YIP with this like with thishope that YIP was going to show me a map of like,OK, your purpose is that direction or like there'sthe there's the X on the map where you find yourtreasure chest, which is your purpose.

12:06

And I and for me, the process of YIP was learningthat that isn't what YIP is.

It's not that there's like this one goal and here's how you find it and YIP can provide you withthe steps to get there and it has all the answers.

Rather, what I've learnt over this past year isthat actually those answers or like that treasurechest is kind of already in my life and in my bodyalready.

And YIP has provided me with, it's facilitated aspace for me to recognise that and recognise themagic that is already in me.

And that's really helped with my the way that Iunderstand this like finding purpose in life andthis mission of finding what my true calling is ordestiny or whatever you want to call it.

Yeah, and it's such a safe space to try out thingsat YIP.

For instance, with like the morning singing at thestart of YIP 17, so at the start of my YIP year, Iwas really not a strong singer and did not feellike I could sing in front of anyone.

And now, yeah, and because I was surrounded bysuch supportive people and yeah, and I was giventhis space to try out it.

Now I lead morning singing every morning and Ilead a laundry choir in the laundry house and it'syeah, and I'm really proud of that.

I'm really curious. What did you do in your YIP17? What did you do in an initiative project?

Yeah, I was curious what was your initiativeproject?

Yeah, my initiative project was using systemsthinking because we had a systems thinking unit inmy YIP year, which you haven't had in a YIP 18.

And I used the systems thinking lens to developmyself internally.

And yeah, and so I was applying some of the theorythat we'd learned in the first month of YIP, whichhad really shifted the way that I understood theworld to then think,

ah, okay, we also have internal systems. And howis it that I can move out of some of the systemsthat don't serve me anymore?

And how can I evolve to be a more conscious humanbeing?

So yeah, that was kind of the theory behind mypersonal project.

15:00

And I facilitated some workshops that were to dowith this topic and what internal systems do wehave and how are we able to shift those systemsinside ourselves?

Yeah, so I facilitated, it was kind of in arelationships workshop for my YIP year.

And I also was making a lot of sourdough bread,which sounds quite funny.

But it was, yeah, the theory behind that was, whatcan I learn from this very natural process ofmaking bread, which I love to do?

And how can I apply that same, how can I learnfrom the bread that I make?

Which sounds really, I don't know, like, doesn'treally make much sense.

But actually there were some really tangiblethings that I could learn from that process.

Could you share a little bit about what have youlearned from the sourdough making process?

Yeah, so one of the things was that actually sourdough bread is deeply anti-capitalist.

And it goes at its own pace and it's really slow.

And it's not about efficiency or getting the endresult.

It's about slowly growing in a very natural wayand without rushing.

Also, diversity is the strength of sourdough inthe sense that the different microbiomes and thedifferent bacteria is what gives the bread theyeast to grow.

And if it didn't have that diversity of microbiomes, it wouldn't grow.

And I felt like that really represented my YIPyear because we had to have a diversity ofculture.

And that's what exactly what is in the bread andthat's what gives it the strength.

Also, I was investigating heritage grains.

Heritage grains.

Yeah, so that's not using the monocrop of commonbread wheat.

Rather you use heritage wheat.

So wheat that is specific and local to an area.

And I was milling my own grains.

So I got a flour mill and I would go to the bakeries and I would ask them to buy their most localgrain.

And then I would come back and I would mill it inTel Avanna, which is the house that you're livingin.

And then I would make it into bread.

And part of that process was also building up arelationship to the soil.

And I guess the lesson from that is that, yeah,again, what is it if we all just think the sameway?

And can we have a monoculture of the mind if wejust use one type of bread?

18:04

And what is the impact of that on the environment?

So, yeah, I was really deepening my relationshipto this land.

And I was also researching heritage grains inEngland.

And how people don't use it anymore.

And it's like 90% of the bread that we eat is fromthe monocrop of common bread wheat.

Which is lacking in nutrients.

And it's also lacking in diversity of the cropitself.

And that was something I learnt.

And then the final thing that I'm going to talkabout now is that each loaf of bread that you makeis a little bit of a risk.

And sometimes it doesn't work out.

And sometimes you're left with a loaf of breadthat isn't very nice and it hasn't really risen.

And there's also part of just accepting that.

And when I make a loaf of bread, I'm just like,oh, that one didn't work out so well.

But I can make another one and it's okay.

At the end of the day, it's just bread.

And so there's something quite freeing about that.

Wow, amazing.

Wow, so many things to learn from the bread.

Also, then you can share.

And this is one more thing.

With sourdough starter, each time you make a loafof bread, then you end up with exponentially moresourdough starter.

Because you feed it and then the bacteria kind ofgrow exponentially.

So you end up with an abundant amount and that youcan then share with others.

Wow.

And I really like that understanding of life, thatthere's abundance and it can be shared.

Oh, nice.

This year, every week you made yogurt for ourbreakfast.

Thank you so much. I really appreciate it.

Yeah, that's the same thing, isn't it?

That there's diversity of culture and that's whatturns the milk into yogurt.

Did you learn something from making yogurt everyweek?

It's quite a similar process to making sourdoughbread in that you can't rush it so much.

It just takes its own time.

Maybe there is a science behind it.

If I knew all of the technical parts, then I wouldknow why it turns out differently each time.

I don't know if you've experienced, but sometimesthe yogurt that I make is much thicker.

Sometimes it's a bit more slimy and stretchy.

And I think that's also the same message.

There's something about life that is just deeplyunpredictable.

Can we celebrate that rather than needing to knowexactly what the outcome is?

I also love making yogurt. It's super fun.

I'm going to miss your yogurt.

21:02

I'm going to miss making it for you.

It would be nice if you could share some messagesto YIP18.

I think to try and be as present in this YIPexperience as possible.

And really say yes to the opportunities.

Because I think that's the most important thing.

It's such a safe space and it's so supportive.

Yes, there are places like YIP outside of YIP.

And yes, there are supportive environments.

But this is a gift.

This course is...

I would encourage all of YIP18 to really try outbeing their fullest selves.

And really try putting on a different hat andhosting an open mic.

Or teaching a song in morning singing.

Or doing that thing that you've always wanted todo but you've always felt a bit scared to.

I would say go for it.

And you'll probably surprise yourself.

Thank you for the messages.

What are the things that you would carry on from YIP?

I've been changed by YIP.

So I think just by carrying on being me.

It's now in me.

So I think that's quite a fundamental thing.

How I show up in the world.

There's a little bit of YIP there.

And in a more tangible way.

I think that will look like really needing toalways have an understanding of my emotions.

And trying to read into other people's emotions.

And that being something that's very...

Having check-ins regularly with colleagues in thefuture.

Or with friends or with family.

That's something that now I will really prioritise.

I think singing is something that I did in schoolwhen I was younger.

And then didn't for a long time.

24:01

And then have really grown to love since being atYIP.

And actually just before we started filming.

Recording.

Then my mum sent me a message.

Saying that she would really like to join a choirwith me.

When I get back home.

And so I think that's a need for me now.

To sing with people.

Because it's such a special thing for me.

And yeah, I really hope to...

After YIP, work in a place that has as muchintegrity as YIP does.

And a place that really lives the values that itportrays.

Because YIP does.

It doesn't just say, oh, it's a holisticeducation.

That tries to develop young people as whole humanbeings.

It really lives that.

In the organising team.

And in the way that the curriculum is designed.

It's not just a shiny thing that they put on thewebsite.

It's really true.

Thank you.

Maybe one more last question.

Well, few more.

I'm curious.

What's your question which you're holding now?

And what is your next chapter will be like?

What a great question.

My question is.

How can I step into my potential?

And what's the question what my next chapter willlook like?

Honest answer.

I don't know.

But I think I'm moving back to the UK.

Well, I am moving back to the UK.

And it's tricky being from the UK with Brexit.

Because I don't have a European visa.

So my time in the Schengen area has run out.

So I'm moving back to the UK.

And I'm looking for work.

In the field of.

Kind of ecological thinking.

Systems thinking.

Working with the land permaculture.

Maybe doing.

Continuing the digital communications work.

I've been doing it yet.

But yeah.

I don't know.

But I have a lot of trust.

And I'm really excited for my.

My evolution.

27:00

Thank you for sharing.

It's okay.

The last.

Very last question.

I have.

So this podcast is for.

Is for future yeppies.

Yes.

So do you have any like messages.

Or question.

Or like to.

You know.

Future yeppies.

Messages.

I mean the obvious one is.

Apply for yepp.

Obs.

Of course.

Apply for yepp 19.

You've got 5 days until yepp 19 applications openby the way.

And I think it's super interesting yepp.

Because it is a little bit of a microcosm.

Of the outside world.

And some of the.

Some of the bigger issues.

That we see in the world.

In terms of mental health crisis.

Diversity and polarisation.

And struggling with people who have differentbeliefs.

Yeah.

In terms of.

Feeling like there's maybe a disease of ease.

Which is a term that Reinhard uses.

But in general we often rely on other people doingour work for us.

And that can show up in yepp as well.

Of people not wanting to come to service hour.

And struggling to show up for the community.

Yeah.

A multitude of different things that we see on theoutside world.

Also show up at yepp.

And so.

And I think that that's a really fruitful place.

To be able to work with these issues.

And be able to build the skills.

To be able to then leave yepp.

And manage the complexity and the difficulties inthe world.

And so I think my message is.

Whatever you might be struggling with.

Future yeppies.

That's ok.

And it's actually a really.

Bring your whole self to yepp.

And bring the difficulties.

Because.

If you try and hide them.

Then you won't be able to work with them.

Whereas.

If you're bringing them to yepp.

Then you can work with them.

And then that is something that is a reallyuseful.

Skill.

To have.

In this complex and difficult world.

That we live in.

And beautiful world.

Yeah.

Thank you Sarah.

Apply.

Apply.

Yepp 19.

So this is the last Sunday.

For you.

To be with yepp 18.

Last Sunday with yepp 18.

Yeah.

But we're gonna meet.

Hopefully we're gonna meet in a forum.

Yes.

I'll be back for the forum.

So it won't be the last that you see of me.

We'll be waiting for you.

Yeah.

I'll be waiting for you as well.

Not in a creepy way.

30:02

Yeah.

This time next week.

I'm gonna wake up at 4am.

I think.

To wave you off.

I'll come to the bus with you.

Really?

Yeah.

Has to be done.

Thank you so much for your time.

I'm so happy to have you.

And yeah.

Please yeah.

Stay in touch.

Yes.

We will.

So looking forward to meet you on May.

No.

The initiative forum is in April.

April.

April.

Very soon.

Yeah.

It's actually not.

It's not so long away.

Thank you so much for having me on the podcast.

Thank you Sarah.

Thank you.