Chatterjack Becomes Official Podcast Partner for LEVELS Whitehaven 

Chatterjack, Natterjack Marketing's Podcast, Becomes Official Partner for LEVELS Whitehaven

We've got some genuinely exciting news to share.

Natterjack Marketing is officially becoming an industry partner for LEVELS Whitehaven the incredible new immersive entertainment and education centre that's just opened on Duke Street.

And we're not just recording our podcast, Chatterjack, from their professional studio. We're going to be helping the young people who use LEVELS for gaming and esports learn how to create their own podcasts.

We're absolutely buzzing about this. And here's why it matters.

What Is LEVELS? (And Why It's a Big Deal)

If you haven't heard about LEVELS yet, let me fill you in.

LEVELS is a £4.6 million redevelopment of Whitehaven's former Whittles building, a Grade II listed building that was honestly an eyesore for years. Boarded-up windows, weather damage, complete disrepair. The kind of building that brought the whole street down.

Now? It's one of the most impressive spaces in West Cumbria.

Spanning four floors, LEVELS features:

• The largest VR arcade in the North with haptic feedback equipment that lets you feel in-game sensations
• Professional esports facilities with 10 high-spec gaming stations (the same setups used by national teams)
• Motion capture studio for content creation
• Professional podcasting and recording suite (this is where we come in!)
• Immersive learning spaces with interactive technology
• A café and social areas for community hangout

It's not just a gaming centre. It's a space designed to inspire young people aged 12-18, giving them access to technology and opportunities that are usually only available in major cities.

Backed by funding from Sellafield Ltd (through their Social Impact Multiplied scheme), BT, and BEC, LEVELS represents serious investment in West Cumbria's future.

WHY THIS PARTNERSHIP MATTERS TO US?

Here's the thing about Natterjack Marketing: We've always believed that world-class opportunities shouldn't be exclusive to London, Manchester, or other major cities.

We built our agency here in West Cumbria because we believe businesses can thrive here. We've proven it ourselves. And we've helped our clients prove it too.

But belief isn't enough. Young people need to see what's possible. They need access to opportunities, technology, and skills that show them they don't have to leave Cumbria to build amazing careers.

That's exactly what LEVELS does and it's exactly why we wanted to be part of it.

Chatterjack Finds Its New Home

Our podcast, Chatterjack, has been part of Natterjack's offering for a while now. We've interviewed fascinating people, explored business challenges, shared marketing insights, and tried to create something genuinely useful and entertaining.

But we've recorded it in various places makeshift setups, borrowed spaces, wherever we could make it work!

Now, Chatterjack has a proper home at LEVELS, in their professional recording suite.

This isn't a hobby setup. This is a studio with professional microphones, soundproofing, recording equipment, and editing facilities. The same space young people will use to create their own content.

We'll be recording Chatterjack from LEVELS, bringing in guests, and creating content that showcases not just what we do, but what's possible when you invest in quality facilities right here in Cumbria.

Teaching the Next Generation

Here's the part we're most excited about: We won't just be using the podcasting suite we'll be teaching young people how to use it too.

Podcasting is an incredible skill. It teaches:

• Storytelling (how to structure a narrative, build engagement)
• Interviewing (asking good questions, active listening)
• Audio production (recording, editing, sound design)
• Research (preparing topics, understanding your audience)
• Confidence (speaking clearly, managing nerves)
• Technical skills (using professional equipment and software)

These are transferable skills. Whether someone goes into broadcasting, marketing, journalism, content creation, or any field that requires communication, podcasting teaches fundamental capabilities.

And honestly? Some of the best podcasters are young people who grew up with digital content. They understand platforms, audiences, and authenticity in ways that older generations sometimes miss.

We want to help LEVELS' young people discover whether podcasting could be their thing. Maybe they'll create gaming podcasts, reviewing games or interviewing other players. Maybe they'll interview local businesses or community members. Maybe they'll explore topics they're passionate about.

Whatever they create, they'll learn skills that matter. And they'll do it using professional equipment in a professional space, something that simply wasn't available to young people in West Cumbria before.

Why Industry Partnerships Like This Matter

LEVELS has brought together some impressive industry partners: Sellafield Ltd, BT, Atos, and now Natterjack Marketing.

These partnerships aren't just about funding or sponsorship (though that matters too). They're about real-world connection between young people and the industries they might work in.

When businesses like ours partner with facilities like LEVELS, we're saying:

• These skills matter in the real world
• These careers are legitimate and valuable
• You don't need to leave Cumbria to pursue them
• We're invested in helping you develop

It breaks down the barrier between "school stuff" and "real work." Young people using LEVELS can see that the skills they're learning esports, content creation, podcasting, digital literacy are skills that actual businesses value and use.

That connection matters enormously.

What We're Planning

So what will this partnership actually look like in practice?

1. We'll be moving our podcast recording to LEVELS' professional suite, creating episodes that showcase interesting people, businesses, and ideas from Cumbria and beyond.

2. We'll run sessions teaching young people the fundamentals of podcasting: equipment setup, recording techniques, interviewing skills, editing basics, and how to build an audience.

3. We're exploring opportunities for LEVELS members to get involved with Chatterjack whether that's youth takeover episodes, co-hosting opportunities, or collaborative content that gives young people real-world experience.

4. By using the same equipment young people have access to, we'll demonstrate what's achievable with quality tools, good ideas, and consistent effort.

5. Beyond podcasting specifically, we'll be visible at LEVELS events, available to chat about marketing and content creation careers, and generally invested in the success of this incredible facility.

The Bigger Picture: Why This Fits Our Mission

If you've been following Natterjack for a while, this partnership probably makes complete sense.

We've always been about more than just marketing services. We're about proving that world-class work happens here. That Cumbria can compete with anywhere. That the next generation doesn't need to leave to build incredible careers.

This partnership with LEVELS is a natural extension of that mission.

For too long, West Cumbria has been seen as a place young people leave. University takes them elsewhere. Jobs take them elsewhere. Opportunities take them elsewhere.

A future where young people don't have to choose between staying in Cumbria and pursuing ambitious careers. Where they can build tech companies, create content, work in digital industries, all from home.

LEVELS is a crucial piece of that puzzle. And we're honoured to be part of it.

What's Next?

We'll be at LEVELS regularly, both recording Chatterjack and running sessions with young people interested in podcasting.

If you're a parent curious about what LEVELS offers, come check it out. The facilities are genuinely impressive, and the team are passionate about what they're building.

If you're a young person interested in content creation, gaming, esports, or just want to hang out in a seriously cool space LEVELS is for you.

And if you're a business in West Cumbria wondering how you can support young people and get involved in projects like this reach out. Partnerships like this work when businesses genuinely invest in the community, not just financially but with time, expertise, and commitment.

We're all in this together.

Here's to the future. Here's to the young people who will shape it. And here's to Whitehaven showing the rest of the country what's possible when you invest in potential.

Game on. 🎮🎙️

Want to learn more about LEVELS? Visit levelswhitehaven.co.uk

Interested in Chatterjack or our work with young people? Pop us a message!