The Roy Evans Foundation Community Radio Project

Aim

To train people to work on a live radio station delivering community info programmes, on all different topics and bring communities together

When Roy Evans was the Liverpool Football Club manger he had first had experience of the power of the radio and the reach that it had.  So many people tuned in weekly to hear the match and we want to utilise that to reach our local and national communities, but doing this whilst training and believing in our own community voices and people..

Maghull  Radio is an internet-based radio station that is running from Maghull Town Hall. Working together, we want to bring the radio station to the forefront of the community by reaching to all areas of the demographics in society. By delivering “The Community Hour” twice weekly,  during the day reaching people out of work, stay at home parents, the elderly and any people at home and another in the later hours, reaching anyone that may have been in work or school, we will ensure relevant topics are covered by experts in the field from dealing with mental health issues including isolation, to will writing and many more broad topics as well as topics covered by residents themselves. Presented by a trained presenter, and assisted by residents, broadcast to people in the area with local community news and expert advice on relevant topics. 

People from the community will be trained to deliver and talk about the issues that are faced daily in the community and how to reach for help by signposting them to the right areas. Working with the community to engage them in radio broadcasting by delivering qualifications in broadcasting and radio, working with local schools to create jingles for the programme to ensure the community is involved with every aspect of the programme from set up to delivery. Working with the elderly that may feel isolated by inviting them in to talk about their past experiences, sharing them with the community to reignite memories not just for them but for their listeners. By inviting them in they will have a sense of worth and a purpose. Inviting people from minority groups such as LGBTQ+ to talk about their experiences we can create a safe place to open discussions and reach every corner of society.

Working with local schools we will reach young people that may be disengaged from education and we will take them off site to reengage them through the arts showing them media studies and believing in their talents to encourage them to deliver their own shows with guidance of mentors exploring topics that need to be talked about within society and communities,

Many, from the elderly, young people, disabled people, everyone in the community, have been affected by covid, they need support, by assisting them finding information, helping those that may be isolated and signposting people that may not have the strength, to ask for help. We are now more than ever aware that people need to be reached remotely, but also in the simplest way possible to ensure inclusivity. By creating a community led radio show this can reach so many people and in so many different areas. Working on a radio show, it can continue to thrive and grow and will it reach the heart of the community with the potential to grow and expand. By improving the equipment within the radio station, it creates opportunities for local schools(eg) to see an operating radio, helping mould future radio broadcasters by giving them a true insight into how it is run.

With the funding it will allow us to upgrade the equipment to be fit for purpose, recruit tutors and engineers who can work with the community to teach and mentor on how to present or create jingles, market the station and other aeras to grow minds.  Additional funding allows us to distribute tablets or internet devices to parts of society such as the elderly allowing them to feel less isolated by listening to the programmes.  It allows us to build the venue into a safe space to grow and allow more community engagement with a designated community officer to be recruited.

Community radio provides an open mic for people from communities who are often overlooked by other broadcast media. We will not be so mainstream as we do not need to chase the big audiences, instead we look for an audience made up of the people of the community and what they want and need based on constant research into relevant topics through local news and social media. By constantly engaging with the community and asking them what they would like to listen to through social media channels and local newspapers we can ensure that we have radio shows that are both current, valid and useful in engaging the community. We can have input on Maghull Community Facebook pages that currently reach thousands of local residents constantly asking them what they would like to hear, also asking local businesses if they can advertise any local promotions that maybe of use to the community and working with local councils pinpoint hot topics of concern, such as how to access local foodbanks, ideas for local events and the community will be the ones that help to directly mould the stations topics. Using pa system we will broadcast radio when possible at community events.

We will reach so many community members by the power of radio.  Please help us do that!

This project successfully funded on 20th September 2022