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Community Radio Annual report on the sector: 2010/2011

Statement

Publication date: 23 November 2011

Contents

Section Page 1 Executive summary 3

2 Sector overview 7

3 Community radio stations’ income 14

4 Community radio stations’ costs 27

5 Community radio stations’ key commitments and social gain 34

Annex Page 1 Stations completing an annual report for 2009/2010 52

2 Stations’ achievements and difficulties 58

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Section 1

1 Executive summary 1.1 Community radio stations are not-for-profit radio services designed to operate on a

small scale and to deliver community benefits, known as ‘social gain’. The legislation enabling community radio services to be licensed was introduced in 2004 and amended in January 2010. The first community radio station launched in November 2005. This is Ofcom’s fourth annual report on the community radio sector.

1.2 Ofcom has to date licensed 231 stations over three rounds of licensing. 196 of these are broadcasting and a further 23 have either decided not to launch or have handed their licence back, largely due to funding problems. The remainder are preparing to start broadcasting. The second round of licensing concluded in August 2010 and a third round of community radio licensing commenced in April 2011.

1.3 Community radio serves a diverse range of communities. The majority of stations serve a general audience in either an urban/suburban area (16%) or a town/rural area (43%). Many services, however, serve smaller communities of interest. This includes, for example, those aimed at minority ethnic groups (13%), a youth audience (11%) and those with a religious focus (6%). Of the licences awarded, 187 are in England, 14 in Northern Ireland, 20 in Scotland and 10 in Wales.

1.4 The legislation governing community radio sets out the characteristics of community radio services and defines social gain. Each station has a set of ‘key commitments’, which forms part of its licence and sets out how it will meet these characteristics and deliver social gain. The key commitments includes how a station will make itself accountable to its target community and ensure access, its programming aims and its commitments with regard to training and other social gain objectives.

1.5 The legislation also requires that Ofcom sets licence conditions limiting the amount of income that individual stations can generate from on-air advertising and sponsorship. For the majority of stations this limit is 50%. However, two stations have lower limits (25% and 10%) and a further 18 stations cannot take income from on-air advertising and sponsorship at all. These additional restrictions have been put in place to protect existing small commercial services whose coverage areas overlap with the community services.

1.6 Each station that has been broadcasting for more than a year is required to complete an annual report. The reports detail how each station has performed against its key commitments and identifies its sources of income and expenditure. The financial aspect of the reporting enables Ofcom to check whether the station has stayed within the legislative restrictions on funding.

1.7 For the period April 2010 to March 2011 Ofcom received key commitments annual reports from 163 stations and financial annual reports from 161 stations. One station was excused from providing a financial report and one station did not provide its financial report in time to be included in this report. Another station did not submit either its key commitments or financial reports.

1.8 Annual reports were not required from stations that launched during this period or subsequently and are therefore not included in this report.

1.9 In 2010/11 the average (mean) station’s income was around £63,000. The median figure, the mid-point in the distribution of stations’ income, was considerably lower at £42,000. This is because a small number of stations are earning significantly more than the majority.

1.10 The total reported income of the four highest earning stations, each reporting over £250,000 income for the relevant period and earning a total of just over £1.5m, equates roughly to the total income of the 74 lowest income stations. If we exclude the four highest earning stations’ income then the average income drops to £54,500. The median figure remains relatively similar at £41,000.

1.11 Stations targeting a community of interest (rather than a geographic community) reported a higher income than the sector average. Stations serving a general audience in an urban area reported a higher average income than town/rural stations (£89,500 as opposed to £45,000).

1.12 The average (mean) sector income is down by around 19% on the previous year’s reported figure. In the 2009/10 period income had dropped by around 6% compared to the period prior to this. The median income for the current reporting period has dropped by 7% compared to the 2009/10 period.

2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08

Average (mean) income £63,000 (-19%) £74,500 (- 6%) £79,000 (-12%) £101,000

Median income £42,000 (- 7%) £44,500 (-11%) £50,000 (-25%) £ 66,500

1.13 Trend analysis undertaken on the stations which have reported in each of the last two years (i.e. 2009/10 and 2010/11) indicates that the average (mean) income for these stations has dropped by only 0.05% (£70,500 in 2010/11 compared to £74,500 in 2009/10 for the same group of stations). This may indicate that the financial situation for those stations that have submitted annual reports for the last two financial periods has remained relatively stable.

1.14 When compared to previous years, the proportion of income from specified sources appears relatively similar. The most significant type of income for the sector is grant funding, which accounts for 37% of the total. Income from on-air advertising or sponsorship accounted for around 21% of total income across the sector.

1.15 Public sources of funding accounted for 25% of the total sector income. Local authorities accounted for around 13% of the sector’s total income. 8% of income came from other public bodies such as the Arts Council, health providers, educational establishments and various national lottery award schemes.

23% of stations submitting financial returns did not take income from advertising and sponsorship in this reporting period. Of these 37 stations, 25 chose not to take this type of income as a matter of choice or policy. The remaining 12 stations were prohibited under their licence from doing so.

1.16 The Community Radio Fund, which is administered by Ofcom on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, accounted for £321,500 (around 3% of the sector’s total reported income). The Community Radio Fund continues to be the largest single source of income for the sector.

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1.17 Community radio stations, on average, are spending slightly more than their income. Stations cost, on average, around £64,500 to run. This has declined by 13% compared to the previous reporting period. The median expenditure for this reporting period has dropped to £40,000 compared to £52,000 the 2009/10 period.

2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08

Average (mean) expenditure

£64,500 (-13%) £74,500 (-8%) £81,000 (-20%) £101,000

Median expenditure £40,000 (-23%) £52,000 ( - ) £52,000 (-19%) £ 64,500

1.18 Trend analysis undertaken on the stations which have reported in each of the last two years (i.e. 2009/10 and 2010/11) indicates that the average (mean) expenditure for these stations has dropped by only 0.03% (£72,000 in 2010/11 compared to £74,500 in 2009/10 for the same group of stations). This analysis gives some insight into how those stations reporting for two full financial periods have fared year-on-year.

1.19 The highest cost for community radio stations remains staff expenditure, which accounted for around 50% of stations’ costs. Premises and technical costs, as in previous years, accounted for the next most significant outlay.

1.20 Around 44% of stations that returned a financial annual report were in deficit. Of these 71 stations in deficit, 24% (39 stations) reported this to be in excess of £10,000 (the highest was £90,000). At the other end of the scale, one station had a surplus of £75,000. In most cases, large deficits are being funded by parent organisations; any surpluses are typically invested in the operation of the service.

1.21 Community radio stations broadcast live for around 82 hours per week on average, and, in general, broadcast a further 12 hours per week of original pre-recorded material. On average around 32% of daytime output is speech which can feature a wide range of local organisations and community initiatives.

1.22 Some stations focus on particular genres of music, while those serving a geographic audience generally broadcast more mainstream music during daytime programming, moving to specialist output in the evening.

1.23 The average station reports the involvement of around 78 volunteers annually, although there is a wide variation. Together these volunteers give on average of around 295 hours a week of their time in total. Time given by volunteers can vary considerably from an hour or two to over 1,000 hours per week.

1.24 At a cost of just over £10 million pounds, based on the reports received from stations in this reporting period, community radio in the UK delivered:

• A total of more than 12,500 volunteering opportunities

• Over 45,000 volunteer hours each week

• Over 15,000 hours of original radio output each week

• Output broadcast in a wide range of community languages

1.25 There are now over 190 stations broadcasting and Ofcom estimates that volunteers contribute close to 250,000 hours a month to community radio.

1.26 Given that the community radio sector is now relatively mature, Ofcom does not intend to publish an annual report of this type for 2011/12. However, all relevant stations will still be required to submit an annual report as part of their demonstration of compliance with licence and other statutory requirements.

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Section 2

2 Sector overview 2.1 Community radio is the term for not-for-profit stations that deliver specific social

benefits to local communities. Community radio stations typically cover small geographical areas with a coverage radius of up to 5km and are run on a not-for-profit basis. These stations focus on the delivery of defined social benefits to particular geographical areas or communities of interest.

2.2 In addition to providing varied content, community radio stations deliver extensive benefits to people in the areas in which they broadcast. This includes providing a voice to those who may find it harder to access the media, such as older people or speakers of minority languages, offering training and work experience opportunities and contributing to local education.

The licensing process

2.3 Community radio forms a unique third tier of radio broadcasting services alongside the BBC and commercial radio. Its distinctiveness is enshrined in the Community Radio Order 20041

2.4 Ofcom first invited applications for community radio licences in September 2004 and completed this initial round of licensing in May 2006. There were 194 applicants in this round and 107 groups were awarded a licence. The first station launched in November 2005.

which sets out the requirements for community radio, including that services are non-profit-distributing, are provided for an identified target community, deliver defined ‘social gain’ objectives, invite access and participation in the service and are accountable to their target communities.

2.5 For the second round of licensing Ofcom invited applications on a region-by-region basis, splitting the UK into eight regions. Applications were first invited from south west England and south Wales in August 2006 and applications from the final region, Greater London and other areas within the M25, were invited in July 2009.

2.6 Ofcom completed the second round of licensing in August 2010. There were 200 applicants in this round and 121 of these groups were awarded a licence.

2.7 The third round of community radio licensing commenced in April 2011 with applications invited from the south west of England and Wales. Applications will be invited from a further seven regions in this round.

2.8 In total Ofcom has offered licences to 231 community radio stations. Of these 196 are on air with a further 12 preparing to launch (community radio stations have up to two years to launch from the date that they are offered a licence).

2.9 Ten stations decided not to launch and a further ten have handed their licence back after they had commenced broadcasting. Three stations have ceased to exist after the licence-holding companies were dissolved. The reasons given for a community radio service failing have in general related to funding, with groups, for example, encountering unexpected cash flow problems or difficulties in obtaining sufficient funding to launch or to maintain the service. Although community stations have up to

1 http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2004/1944/contents/made

two years to launch from the point of licence award, many groups have found that this timeframe still requires quick action and sufficient planning in order to launch a valuable and sustainable service.

2.10 Since completing their annual reports for the 2010/11 reporting period two stations, whose submissions have been taken account of in this report, have gone off air. Wayland Radio in Norfolk decided to close due to funding difficulties in August 2011. Burngreave Community Radio in Sheffield was found to have dissolved its licence holding company and therefore the licence ceased to exist in September 2011. The licence-holding company for Boundary Sound in Newark, which did not submit its reports in time to be included in this report, was struck off and dissolved by Companies House in November 2011, which resulted in the licence ceasing at that time.

2.11 Further information on the licensing process for community radio is available on Ofcom’s website at http://licensing.ofcom.org.uk/radio-broadcast-licensing/community-radio/.

Figure 1 Community radio stations launch dates by calendar year

Licence transfers

2.12 Community radio licences may be transferred from one organisation to another. However, Ofcom must consent to such transfers. In order to do this, Ofcom must be satisfied that the proposed new licence-holder is in a position to comply with all of the conditions included in the licence. These include providing the licensed service and continuing to deliver the station’s existing key commitments.

2.13 Ofcom requests information from the proposed new licence-holder including business plans, evidence of available funding to sustain the service and information regarding the proposed directors.

2.14 In the reporting period (1 April 2010-31 March 2011) Ofcom consented to four licence transfers: Cambridge 105 (previously 209radio) in Cambridge, Down FM in Downpatrick, IUR FM in Newry and Ujima Radio in Bristol.

Current licences

2.15 Figure 2 shows the locations of community radio services across the UK. Currently there are 169 stations licensed in England, 18 in Scotland, 12 in Northern Ireland and

3 3553

35 30 233 38

89126

154177

020406080

100120140160180

2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010

Station launches by year

Station launches during the yearTotal stations broadcasting at year end

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nine in Wales. (Not all of these are broadcasting yet and these figures exclude the stations that handed back their licences.)

Figure 2 Map of community radio in the UK

FMAM

COMMUNITY RADIOIN THE UK

Updated: Nov 11

Angel R Hav ant

GTFMXS

Radio Plus

HFM

Kemet R

Takeov er RThe Ey e

R FazaR Dawn

R Ikhlas

Insight RAwaz FM

Sunny Gov an R

Rev iv al R

Angel R IOW

Sky line GoldExpress FM

Unity 101

BCB

Phoenix FM

Future Radio

Radio Scilly

shmuFM

The Super Station

Asian Fev er

Unity FMNew Sty le R

Big City

The ‘Bridge

WCR

Radio FailteBFBS Lisburn

Iur

Down FMShine FM

Lionheart R

NE1 FM

Seaside R

Indigo FM

Gloucester FM

Youthcomm R

West Hull CR

R Rev erb

107 Garrison FM

Cross Rhy thms Ply mouth

Forest FM

Greater LondonDesi R– SouthallHay es CR - Hay esOn FM – Hammersmith Bang – Stonebridge & HarlesdenNuSound R – NewhamResonance FM – C LondonVoice of Af rica - NewhamWestside CR – SouthallRinse FM – Inner LondonReprezent – S LondonBetar Bangla – Tower HamletsGeneration Radio – LambethGreenwich Kasapah – GreenwichStreetlif e Radio – Waltham Forest

Asian Star

Phoenix FM

Greater LondonCSR

Tempo

Black Diamond

Leith FM98.5 Garrison FM

BCf m

R Teesdale

Shef f ield Liv e

Branch FM

R Verulam

Div erse FMRadio LaBInspire R

Castledown R106.8

Garrison FM

Siren FM

Ipswich CR

Calon FM

Hope FM

Cambridge 105CAM FM

102.5Garrison FM

Cross Rhy thms

Pendle CR

Div ersity

BRFM

Saint FM

10Radio

Stroud FM

The Source

R St Austell Bay

Soundart R

BRFM (Blaenau Gwent)

R Tircoed

Somer Valley FM

Ujima FM

Glastonbury FM

Phonic FM

Swindon 105.5

The Bay

Bro R

XLFM

Bute FM

Aliv e R

Spey sound

Driv e 105

Aldergrov e & Antrim FMHoly wood FM

Bally kinler FM

Mearns FM

Celtic Music AM

Pulse CR Brick FM

Dunoon CR

Blast FMLisburn City R

3TFM

Spice FM

Community Voice

Utopia FM

R Hartlepool

Dry stone R106.9 Garrison FM

Bishop FM

Sine FMTMCR

Vixen

Flame CCRTudno FM

Point FM

Preston FM

Chorley FM

MoorlandsHalton FM

KCC Liv e

Cheshire FM Canalside

Greater Manchester & N CheshireSalf ord CRAll FM – South central & East ManchesterWy thenshawe FMTameside CRPure R – StockportBolton FMPeace FM – HulmeRossendale RadioNorth Manchester FMGay dio - ManchesterUnity Radio – central Manchester

Crescent

Oldham CR

Gtr Manc. & N Ches. Lincoln City Radio

Grav ity FM

JCom

Redroad FM

Erewash Sd

Amber SdTakeov er

Tulip R

TCR FMAmbur R

Raaj FM

Switch R

7Wav es

Kohinoor FMDemon FM

EAVA

Radio PlusThe Hillz

Hermitage FM

Inspiration FM

Penistone

R Cardif f

Corby R

Felixstowe

Bly th ValleyZack 105.3

RWSfm

Leisure FM

BigglesFM

Huntingdon CR

In2Beats

AHBSR Sunlight

Academy Thanet

Academy

R Awaaz

Meridian

Uckf ield FM

Seahav en

BGWS

Marlow FM

Voice

The Park

1 Ummah

OX4

Vibe

Susy

The Hillz

Gateway 97.8

FromeFMWCR

Fantasy R

2.16 Each community radio station is required to define its own target community at the time of application. This can be a general audience within its broadcast area or a service targeting a specific community within a geographic area. The table in Figure 3 summarises the types of community services licensed.

Figure 3 Community radio – types of community served Type of community served

Number of licences awarded2

Percentage of licences awarded

Number on air (November 2011)

Number completing annual reports in 2010/2011

General audience – town/rural

100 43% 81 67

General audience – urban3

38

16% 30 28

Minority ethnic group

32 13% 30 26

Young people4 25 11% 21 14

Religious focus 14 6% 13 11

Military 9 4% 9 9

Other

Older people 4 2% 3 2

Arts 3 1% 3 3

Disability 1 <1% 1 1

Health promotion 1 <1% 1 1

LBGT 1 <1% 1 0

Independent/Urban music5

2

<1% 2 0

Scottish music 1 <1% 1 1

Total 231 196 1636

2.17 As this table illustrates, many different types of community of interest services have been licensed. For example, stations targeting a youth audience include those

2 This includes licences that have subsequently been handed back. 3 An urban station has been defined as one based in a town or city of more than 175,000 people and/or one that is contiguous to a large conurbation. 4 Includes services aimed at children, those in further or higher education, and young people more generally. 5 Some services focussing on urban music have been included under ‘young people’ as that was the primary target community identified. 6 Both Cambridge 105 and Voice of Africa Radio submitted a key commitments report, (but not a financial report) and therefore have been included in this figure. Boundary Sound had not submitted an annual report at the time this report was drafted and is not included in this figure.

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aimed at specified age groups and students, as well as those aimed at young people and children more generally.

2.18 Of the services targeting young people, six specify an age group. Other services are aimed at, for example, young people and those involved in learning, while one station targets young people as well as the local LGBT community and three services are aimed at young people more generally.

2.19 It should be noted that the lines are often blurred between the types of community served. Some stations target a particular and defined community of interest whereas others may serve more than one type of community. For example, a station serving a geographic community will often include a specific remit directed at subgroups within that community.

2.20 The Community Radio Order 2004 requires that community radio stations seek to serve ‘underserved’ communities and we estimate that at least half of the ‘geographic’ stations broadcast some programming aimed specifically at one or more minority or disadvantaged group. Many stations, and especially those based in major conurbations, are likely to include output aimed at specific subgroups within their target community reflecting the diversity within particular broadcast areas.

2.21 For example, Diversity Radio broadcasts primarily to the people of Lancaster and Morecambe, but also focuses on being an outlet for non-mainstream musical tastes. In the same vein, some services focussing on urban music tend to fall under the category ‘young people’ as this is the station’s primary identified target community.

2.22 In Dewsbury, Yorkshire, Branch FM broadcasts to the local Christian community, with an added remit to serve the 25 to 45 year-old age group. Lionheart Radio in Alnwick, Northumberland, serves the community living in Alnwick, and those aged 15 to 25.

2.23 Chorley FM primarily targets Chorley’s young people aged between 15 and 25, but also includes specific speech programming in its broadcasts for the underserved Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) community in the town.

2.24 What these examples suggest is that the headline figures in Figure 3 for community of interest stations may under-represent the true amount of programming and off-air activity aimed at people who fall within one or more specific group, as many ‘general audience’ stations broadcast some output targeted for local interest groups.

2.25 In the same way, stations targeting a specific ‘community of interest’ offer programming which is of appeal to the broader community too.

Raidió Fáilte, Belfast

Raidió Fáilte is the only station in Belfast providing broadcasting services in Irish to the Irish language community in the city and to those interested in the Irish language and culture. Raidió Fáilte continues to provide good quality Irish language broadcasting including speech based and music based programmes produced for and by the Irish language community 24 hours per day.

extract from station annual report

The population served by community radio

2.26 Based on our computer modelling of population data and signal reception, we estimate that close to 10.5 million adults (just over 12.5 million people in total) are able to receive a community radio station broadly aimed at them – that is, either a general audience service or one that targets a particular community of interest of which they are a member. It should be noted that this is an approximate figure as there is a wide variation in the concentration of spectrum use across the UK and figures for the size of specific communities of interest are estimates only.

2.27 Put another way, close to 17% of the total UK population may be able to receive a community radio service aimed at them on FM or AM.

2.28 The exact parameters for assessing the coverage of community radio services are set out in Ofcom’s document ‘The licensing of community radio’ (http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/community/about/l_cr_state/). Further details of how Ofcom defines technical coverage can be found in ‘Coverage and planning policy for analogue radio broadcasting services’ (http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/coverage/pp_def/).

Reporting requirements for community radio licensees

2.29 Each community radio station has a set of ‘key commitments’ which forms part of its licence. This is the equivalent of the ‘Format’ included in every analogue commercial radio licence, but is far more detailed. The key commitments document sets out what the radio station is required to broadcast (which is based on the promises made by the station in its original application for the licence). The key commitments include a description of the programme service, social gain (community benefit) objectives (such as training provision), arrangements for access for members of the target community, opportunities to participate in the operation and management of the service, and accountability to the community.

2.30 Community radio licence holders (licensees) are required to submit an annual report on progress and delivery against their key commitments. We provide a template for the annual report, which licensees complete, and a separate pro forma for financial information. It is a licence condition that licensees provide annual reports, on request, to Ofcom.

2.31 For the period April 2010 to March 2011 Ofcom received key commitments annual reports from 163 stations and financial annual reports from 161 stations. One station was excused from submitting a financial return for this period as the licence was transferred to a different company during the reporting period and the new licensee did not have access to previous financial information (Cambridge 105). (In future if a licence transfer is agreed the new licensee will be expected to ensure it has the information required to enable it to submit both annual reports). The financial report was not received from one further station in time to be included in this report (Voice of Africa Radio).

2.32 Seven community radio stations failed to submit their annual reports in accordance with the original deadline, but subsequently submitted reports.

2.33 A further three community radio stations were found in breach of their licence for late submission of their annual reports. This included Voice of Africa Radio which serves the African community in Newham, east London, which failed to submit its financial report in time to be included in this report and Boundary Sound, serving a general

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audience in Newark, which did not submit either of its annual reports in time for the information to be included in this report despite repeated requests to do so. As a result, both stations are now the subject of possible regulatory sanctions.

2.34 TMCR in Thorne and Moorends, South Yorkshire, was found in breach of its licence but no further action will be taken as both reports were subsequently submitted and the data has been included in this report.

2.35 A report on all of these licence breaches has been published in Ofcom’s Broadcast Bulletin7

2.36 Licensees are required to submit the financial report each year so that we can judge whether they have stayed within the funding limits set by the legislation (see below). The report includes information such as major sources of income and expenditure, and gives licensees the opportunity to report back on the value of in-kind support from volunteers and the wider community.

.

2.37 The majority of community radio services are allowed by the legislation to generate up to 50% of their income from on-air commercial sources (spot-advertising and sponsorship opportunities taken together).

2.38 Ofcom has the discretion to set a lower limit to the amount of income that can be derived from on-air advertising or sponsorship. Ofcom does this when it considers that licensing a community radio service may prejudice unduly the economic viability of a local commercial radio service. Two stations have such restrictions in their licences: 106.9 Garrison FM in Catterick with a 25% limit, and Radio Sunlight in Gillingham, Kent with a 10% limit (Radio Sunlight has not yet commenced broadcasting).

2.39 A small number of community radio services are prohibited from obtaining any income from the sale of on-air advertising and sponsorship in order to protect the interests of nearby small-scale commercial stations with fewer than 150,000 adults (aged 15 +) within their measured coverage area. This restriction is imposed by the legislation and currently affects 18 stations, all but one of which are on-air (WCR in Warminster has not yet commenced broadcasting).

7 Broadcast Bulletin issue number 188 http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/enforcement/broadcast-bulletins/obb188/obb188.pdf

Section 3

3 Community radio stations’ income 3.1 Community radio stations try to find income from a wide range of sources. Those

that receive income from the sale of on-air advertising or sponsorship have to ensure that no more than 50% of their annual income is from this source, as described in paragraph 2.37.

3.2 Community radio services must be non-profit distributing and any profit generated should be used wholly and exclusively to secure or improve the future provision of the service or for the delivery of social gain to members of the public or the target community.

3.3 Ofcom asks each station completing an annual report to report on its total income which is broken down into categories. Later in this section we will report on average income by source across the sector (based on reports from 161 licensees) for the period 1 April 2010 to 31 March 2011. It is important to note that there are variations depending on the type of station and its location, and these variations are discussed later.

Average income

2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08

Average (mean) income £63,000 (-19%) £74,500 (- 6%) £79,000 (-12%) £101,000

Median income £42,000 (- 7%) £44,500 (-11%) £50,000 (-25%) £ 66,500

3.4 The average (mean) income for the sector was just under £63,000. Figure 4 illustrates, however, that stations have reported a wide range of incomes. Income ranged from less than £1,500 to over £550,000.

3.5 The median income (that is, the value at the mid-point in the distribution of incomes) during the 2010/11 reporting period was considerably lower than the average, at around £42,000. This is because a small number of stations generate a significant proportion of the sector’s income. For example, the four highest earning licensees (reporting over £250,000 each) earn as much income as the bottom 74 stations combined; just over £1.5 million. If we exclude the four highest earning stations’ income then the average (mean) income drops to £54,500. The median figure remains relatively similar at £41,000.

3.6 Just over 20% of the stations submitting a financial report reported income of less than £20,000 during the 2010/11 period. This was similar in the previous reporting period (2009/10). It should be noted, however, that many stations operate very successfully on a small budget and report a correspondingly low amount of expenditure.

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Figure 4 Distribution of total income levels across the sector

Income by type

3.7 Figure 5 shows that the most important types of income for the sector have remained unchanged: grants (37%) and on-air advertising and sponsorship (21%). This is consistent with the findings in previous reporting periods. Donations, often from members of the target community, accounted for 12% of income and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) accounted for 11% of income in the 2010/11 reporting period. (SLAs are typically agreements between two parties where one is the customer, e.g. the local council, and the other is the service provider - the station. SLAs allow community radio stations to engage with relevant statutory organisations for the delivery of output of social benefit, in return for funding.)

Figure 5 Total income split across the sector by five most important types

3.8 Different stations may take different approaches to how they allocate particular types

of income to specific categories. For example, the lines may be blurred when we look at grants, SLAs and funding for the delivery of education and training as sources of income. The category ‘other income’ may also include a variety of income streams that various stations may categorise differently. We therefore consider that the figures within these categories, in particular, are approximates. However, we are confident that overall income figures are robust.

16 1821 23

12

19

710

6 4 4 4 0 3 2 4 4 40

5

10

15

20

25

On-air advertising and sponsorship 21% (£13,500)

Grants 37% (£23,500)

SLAs 11% (£7,000)

Donations 12% (£8,000)

Other income 6%

(£4,000)

Income by typeThe average community radio station income was around £63,000

Five most important types of income for community radio services

3.9 Where individual stations form part of a larger organisation, such as a youth or community centre, we have asked that only the income and expenses incurred in the operation of the radio station are reported. Stations may take different approaches to apportioning the income and expenditure information relating to the radio station, dependent on their operating structures.

3.10 It is also important to take into consideration that most community radio stations also broadcast online. A small number of stations broadcast on other licensed platforms too, such as on DAB or satellite8

3.11 Advertising income from services other than the community radio AM or FM service should be relatively straightforward to apportion. Other types of income and expenditure such as rent and utilities may be more difficult to assign in full to the community radio service rather than to other broadcast mediums. It should therefore be taken into consideration that some figures reported may take account of a larger operation than just that of the licensed community radio service.

. In these cases stations may include income and expenditure from these other services as part of their financial returns. We ask that this is properly categorised. For example, advertising income from websites should be reported as ‘off-air advertising’.

3.12 Figure 6 further details the different income types that stations reported this year. Not every station receives income from each of these income streams. Particular issues around advertising income are discussed above.

Figure 6 Breakdown of income in the community radio sector 2010/11 Income type Totals % of sector

income Sector average

Average for stations in receipt of income type

Total income £10,117,659 100% n/a

On-air advertising and sponsorship (combined)

£ 2,150,729 21% £13,359 £17,345 (124 stations)

Grants £ 3,793,364 37% £23,561 £30,840 (123 stations)

SLAs £ 1,089,892 11% £ 6,770 £25,346 (43 stations)

Donations £ 1,256,899 12% £ 7,807 £11,531 (109 stations)

Other Off-air advertising and

sponsorship £ 219,953 2% £ 1,366 £ 5,365

(41 stations) Fundraising/events and

merchandise £ 324,060 3% £ 2,013 £ 4,209

(77 stations) Education and training £ 574,455 6% £ 3,568 £11,047

(52 stations) Membership schemes £ 50,834 <1% £ 316 £ 1,955

(26 stations) Broadcast access fees £ 47,767 <1% £ 297 £ 4,777

(10 stations) All other income £ 609,706 6% £ 3,787 £ 8,239

(74 stations) * the figures in this table are based on financial reports received from 161 stations 8 Some high income stations report income and expenditure for activities other than just the community radio service, such as for broadcasting on DAB and/or satellite as well.

17

3.13 It should be noted that sources of income that generate a small proportion of income for the industry overall may be of significant value to the individual stations using these income streams. For example, the sector average for membership fees is around £300 but generates nearly £2,000 on average for each of the 26 stations reporting this as an income stream. Similarly, the sector average for broadcast access fees9

is under £300; however, the ten stations that reported this as a source of income typically generated around £5,000 each in the reporting period.

RadioReverb, Brighton

Most significantly, the station has kept its head above water through the funding crisis caused by the global recession. We are now looking forward to a period of growth and expansion, with increased outreach, wider involvement of community groups, increased training opportunities and further broadening of station output. This will be supported through development initiatives and increased resources - a key task of the new Fundraising & Development Manager.

extract from station annual report

The impact of community radio legislation – income from on-air advertising and sponsorship

3.14 Stations that do not take income from on-air advertising and sponsorship reported a lower average income of £44,500. This differs quite considerably from the last reporting period when stations not taking income from this source reported an average income similar to the overall average for that period. Of the 37 stations that have reported not taking income from advertising 12 are restricted by the legislation from doing so. A much lower average income was reported by this group (£28,500).

3.15 25 of the 37 stations which did not take income from on-air advertising or sponsorship in the 2010/11 reporting period did so either as a matter of choice or policy. This includes stations which are part of a larger organisation, such as shmuFM in Aberdeen which is part of a Community Media Unit active in video production, music production and publishing as well as operating the community radio service.

3.16 There is some feeling in the community radio sector that taking income from on-air advertising detracts from the core purpose of community radio broadcasting. Others feel that broadcasting local, informative and relevant advertising forms part of social gain delivery and also provides affordable advertising opportunities to small businesses. For stations targeting a community of interest this may result in advertising for products or services outside of the broadcast area, but which are still relevant to the target community.

3.17 For those stations generating income from on-air advertising and sponsorship this revenue accounts for 25% of total income, on average (excluding in-kind support). This figure has dropped from 29% compared to previous reporting periods.

9 Some stations generate income by charging broadcast access fees to other groups making use of the station’s airwaves to, for example, deliver a specific programme.

3.18 26 stations received 50% or more of their cash income from on-air commercial activity; that is from on-air advertising and sponsorship. Community radio stations can, however, offset the value of volunteer ‘in-kind’ support against commercial income. Ofcom’s guidelines10

Income from in-kind support

for stations wishing to use volunteer time as part of station income values an hour’s volunteering from senior volunteers at £13.13 and for standard volunteers at £9.38. Stations may offset up to 25% of their volunteer in-kind support as income and a minimum of 25% of income must come from sources other than on-air commercial activity or volunteer in-kind support.

3.19 The average reported value of in-kind support was £73,000; this is up considerably from £44,500 in the last reporting period. Volunteer time makes up the majority of this, although stations are increasingly reporting on the value of support from other products and services. The total value of in-kind support in this period was close to £9m. It should be noted, however, that not all stations report on their in-kind support. This is especially true of those stations that do not need to offset volunteer support against advertising income. It is likely that the true value of in-kind support in the sector is much higher.

3.20 The average number of volunteer hours reported per week in the 2010/11 period was 295. Using the volunteer rates referred to in paragraph 3.18, a value of close to £150,000 on average per station could be attributed to volunteer support. Volunteer input in the community radio sector is discussed further in section 5.

3.21 In-kind support may also come in the form of premises provided at reduced rates or free of charge, the use of a car or services such as, for example, accounting or legal advice. The value of this non-monetary support is the cost that stations would otherwise expect to have to pay. However, products or services that are generally available free to stations cannot be counted as in-kind support.

3.22 Stations have reported a wide range of in-kind support in this period, including rent free transmission sites and studios, the use of a vehicle, taxi services, the use of public address (PA) equipment for outside broadcasts and free publicity and printing.

Public funding

3.23 As part of the financial reporting, stations are asked to report on their major funders, regardless of the type of income. Not all stations break down their income to individual sources, but from the information we have received around 25% of income came from public sources in this period. This has dropped year-on-year from 53% in the 2007/08 period to 44% in the 2008/09 period and 37% in the 2009/10 period.

3.24 One of the most significant individual sources of public funding remains the Community Radio Fund (the Fund) which is administered by Ofcom on behalf of the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS).

10Guidelines for community radio stations that wish to use volunteer time as part of station turnover: http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/broadcast/radio-ops/volunteerinput.pdf

19

3.25 The Fund is worth up to £500,00011 per year and is designed to support the core costs of community radio services, such as for staff responsible for fundraising and management. (Ofcom does not contribute any money to the Fund.) The typical grant awarded is around £15,000. Further information on the Fund is available on Ofcom’s website at http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/community-radio-fund/. DCMS has confirmed that the Fund will continue until 2014/15.

3.26 The Fund accounted for 3% of the sector’s total income in the period under review. A number of Fund recipients in 2010/11 were new stations not eligible to submit annual reports; therefore the total amount of income from this source does not reflect the total amount of Fund awards granted in this period.

3.27 Local authorities have historically been significant funders of community radio. This has been in the form of grants, SLAs, training initiatives and on-air advertising. A small number of other individual funders also made grants or SLAs of more than £100,000 in the year under review.

3.28 Other major sources of public funding include, as in previous years, the Welsh Assembly Community Radio Fund, the Ministry of Defence for those stations serving a military community of interest, grants from educational establishments (local colleges and universities) and central government bodies such as the Arts Council.

3.29 It is probable that not all public funds are included in the totals in Figure 7 as we only ask stations to identify their ten most significant funders by value. Very few stations specify more than ten funders, excluding individual advertisers and in-kind support, so funds not included here are likely to be low in value.

Figure 7 Public funding of community radio stations

11 Not all stations that received a grant from the Fund in 2010/11 were due to complete an annual report as stations are given 18 months in which to spend their award. In addition to this a number of stations awarded a grant from the Fund are not yet eligible to provide an annual report to Ofcom as they have not yet been on air for a full financial year. Therefore, the total reported income from the Fund is lower than the actual total paid out to stations.

Non-public sources75% (£7,627,000)

Local authorities13% (£1,340,500)

Community Radio Fund3% (£321,500)

Other public bodies 8% (£826,500)

Income by source

Income by type of community served

3.30 Figure 8 indicates that stations serving a general audience in an urban area as well as those targeting specific communities of interest have reported incomes higher than the sector average at £89,500 and £70,000 respectively, compared to the sector average of close to £63,000. The communities of interest are broken down further in Figure 9. Stations serving an audience in a town or rural area reported lower incomes on average at around £45,000.

3.31 The wide range of audiences and communities served by community radio is reflected in the total average income reported in Figure 8 and by the variations and fluctuations in sources of income reported by different types of community radio services.

Figure 8 Average income by type of community served

3.32 Figure 9 looks at the income of five types of community station compared to the sector average. We have included only five types of community in this income breakdown as the sample size from other community of interest types were too small to robustly report upon.

3.33 Looking at total average income, stations serving a general audience in an urban area reported an average income of close to £90,000 compared to the sector average of around £63,000. Stations serving a youth audience reported a much lower average income of £37,000.

3.34 The amount of income received from advertising varies by station type. Stations serving minority ethnic communities received 37% of their income from advertising; this compares to the sector average of 21%. Stations in rural areas also reported fairly high income from commercial activity; this source of income accounted for 27% of total income for these stations. On-air advertising was a less important revenue stream for stations serving a youth audience, with 11% of income coming from this source. It should be noted, however, that some stations choose not to take income from advertising as part of their ethos and a small number of stations are restricted from receiving income from this source, as discussed earlier in this section.

3.35 Grant income has long been important for community radio stations. In this reporting period 37% of income came from this source. This was a major source of income for youth stations (56% of income) and those serving a general urban audience (50% of income) as well as stations serving a general rural audience (43% of income).

£63,

000

£70,

000

£45,

000 £8

9,50

0

£42,

000

£42,

000

£34,

000

£66,

500

£0

£20,000

£40,000

£60,000

£80,000

£100,000

Sector averages Community of interest

Geographic audience -town/rural

Geographic audience - urban

Average incomeMedian income

Target community

21

3.36 Stations with a religious focus, however, reported a much lower proportion of income from grants at 14% of total income. Donations accounted for 42% of income for this group of stations, with each of the 11 stations in this category reporting income from this source.

3.37 Income from fundraising and events, including merchandising, accounted for 8% of income for stations serving a minority ethnic audience. For youth-oriented stations income from the provision of education and training accounted for 10% of income compared to 6% for the sector, on average. Stations serving a general audience in urban areas raised 8% of income from this source.

Figure 9 Income by type of community served

Income by length of time a station has been on air

3.38 Figure 10 indicates that more established stations (those that have been on air for four years or more) are generally on the higher end of the earning scale. However, the chart shows that stations that have been on air for between three and four years on average attract slightly less income than those that have been on air for two to three years. This has remained unchanged from the previous reporting period when stations on air for between two and three years were on the lower end of the earning scale.

Figure 10 Breakdown of income by number of years on air

21% 27% 14% 37%

19%

37% 43%50%

32%

56% 14%

11%

8%12%

42%

7%18%

19%

27%17%

23%

£0

£20,000

£40,000

£60,000

£80,000

£100,000

Sector average (161

stations)

Geographic -town/rural

(66)

Geographic -urban (28)

Minority ethnic (25)

Youth (14) Religious (11)

All other income

Donations

SLAs

Grants

On-air advertising and sponsorship

£36,

500

£66,

500

£52,

000

£76,

500

£110

,000

£30,

000

£44,

000

£34,

000

£52,

000 £9

9,50

0

£0

£20,000

£40,000

£60,000

£80,000

£100,000

£120,000

less than 2 years 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years +

Average incomeMedian income

(37 stations) (25 stations) (42 stations) (40 stations) (17 stations)Number of years on air

4% --- --- 7%

6% ---

11% ---

12% --- 14% ---

--- 8%

Income by nation and region

3.39 Community radio stations are scattered across the UK with some nations and regions having more stations than others. Because some areas and nations have comparatively few stations it is difficult to robustly report national or regional trends.

3.40 Some variations on the average are detailed in the table below:

Figure 11 Variations in income in the nations and regions Nation/region (number of stations reporting)

% of total stations reporting

Significant variation on the sector average

East Midlands & Lincs (25) 16% Income from on-air advertising high and accounts for 33% of income (sector average is 21%). Grants much lower than the sector average (37%), but accounts for 20% of income.

Greater London (7) 4% Average income considerably higher, as is income from on-air commercial activity, grants and SLAs. Income from education and training lower and no income from membership schemes.

Northern Ireland (10) 6% Income from SLAs more than double the sector average, accounting for 31% of income (sector average is 11%). Grant income higher; proportionally and in real terms. Income from on-air commercial activity much lower.

North east England (12) 7% Average income lower; SLAs much lower than the sector average but accounts for 6% of income. Education and training makes up 10% of income (sector average 6%).

North west England (20) 12% Average income much higher with grant income higher too, accounting for 62% of income (sector average is 37%). Income from SLAs considerably lower.

Scotland (18) 11% Average income much higher with income from SLAs almost treble the sector average. Donations account for 39% of income (sector average is 12%).

South east England (22) 14% Income slightly lower than the average with income from on-air advertising and sponsorship higher than the sector average, as is income from education and training. Membership fees account for 3% of income (sector average is <1%).

South west England (18) 11% Average income much lower across the board, with the exception being income from off-air advertising which is more than treble that of the sector average. Income from education and training accounts for 15% of income (sector average is 6%).

Wales (9) 6% Average income much lower. Income from grants slightly higher than the average and accounts for 55% of income (sector average is 37%).

23

West Midlands (5) 3% On-air commercial income and SLAs higher and account for 35% and 22% respectively of income (sector average is 21% and 11% respectively). Grant income comparatively lower. 7% of income is from broadcast access fees (sector average is <1%) and much higher than the industry average.

Yorkshire & Humberside (15) 9% Income lower than the average. SLAs double that of the sector average and accounts for 26% of income (sector average is 11%). Grant income slightly lower but accounts for 43% of income (sector average is 37%). On-air commercial income around half the average.

Trend analysis: stations completing reports in 2009/10 and 2010/11

3.41 The remainder of this section looks at a year-on-year comparison of the stations which also provided financial information for the 2009/10 Ofcom Community Radio Annual Report12

Average income

. This analysis gives an insight into how those stations reporting for two full financial periods have fared year-on-year.

2010/11 (124 stations) 2009/10 (125 stations)

Average (mean) income £70,500 (-0.05%) £74,500

Median income £44,500 ( - ) £44,500

3.42 Ofcom’s annual report for 2009/10 found that the average (mean) station income was around £74,500 with a median of £44,500. If we compare income from stations that reported in both this reporting period and in the 2009/2010 period (124 stations) we can examine the trends across this group of stations. The average station income is around £70,500 with a median of £44,500 – similar to the averages reported for 2009/2010 and higher than the mean and median figures across all stations reporting for 2010/11. This may indicate that the financial situation for those stations which submitted annual reports for the last two financial periods has remained relatively stable.

3.43 When looking at the income for those stations reporting for the first time this year (37 stations), the average station income drops to around £36,500 with a median of just under £30,000 – much lower than the headline figures for this reporting period. It is likely that stations that have launched more recently have through necessity had to operate on a lower income model given the constraints on public funding and the recession, more generally.

Income by type

3.44 The most important types of income for the sector have remained grants and on-air commercial earnings from advertising and sponsorship. Figure 12 indicates that,

12 The 2009/10 report included financial information from 125 stations. One station, Feile FM, handed its licence back in March 2011 and has not been included in the financial analysis for the 2010/11 period.

both proportionally and in real terms, the amount of revenue raised, on average, from specific income streams has remained relatively similar across the two reporting periods.

Figure 12 Income by type: 2010/11 compared to 2009/10

3.45 Figure 13 looks more closely at actual income reported by the stations providing

financial information for both the 2010/11 and 2009/10 periods. Income has fallen marginally on average when looking at the 124 stations that have provided financial information over the last two reporting periods. This is true for each of the highlighted income streams, with the exception of income from service level agreements (SLAs).

Figure 13 Year-on-year breakdown of income: 2010/11 compared to 2009/10 Income type 2010/11

(124 stations) 2009/10

(125 stations)

Totals Average Totals Average

Total income £8,759,779 £70,643 £9,306,190 £74,450

On-air advertising and sponsorship (combined)

£1,775,008 £14,315 £2,033,411 £16,267

Grants £3,176,840 £25,620 £3,258,915 £26,071

SLAs £1,040,155 £ 8,388 £ 894,767 £ 7,158

Donations £1,177,174 £ 9,493 £1,288,295 £10,306

All other income * £1,590,602 £12,827 £1,830,802 £14,646

* All other income includes revenue from off-air advertising and sponsorship, fundraising and events, education and training, membership schemes, broadcast access fees and other income streams. Public funding

3.46 Figure 14 indicates that public funding cuts are beginning to affect those stations that have completed a financial annual return over two consecutive periods. In the 2009/10 period public money accounted for 37% of station income; this figure has dropped to 25% based on the same stations reporting on the 2010/11 financial period.

20% 22%

36% 35%

12% 10%13% 14%18% 20%

£0

£25,000

£50,000

£75,000

Sector average 2010/11 (124 stations) Sector average 2009/10 (125 stations)

All other income

Donations

SLAs

Grants

On-air advertising and sponsorship

Income by type year-on-year comparison

25

Figure 14 Public funding: 2010/11 compared to 2009/10

Income by type of community served

3.47 Looking at average income by the type of community served over the two financial periods, those stations serving a specific community of interest and those serving a geographic urban audience have reported higher incomes than the sector average. Stations serving an audience in a town or rural area reported lower incomes on average, although the figure has changed by almost £10,000 between the two reporting periods.

Figure 15 Average income by type of community served: 2010/11 compared to 2009/10

3.48 Figure 9 looked at the income of five types of community station. For the purposes of the more comparable year-on-year analysis in Figure 16 we have included only four types of community as the sample size from other community of interest types over the two reporting periods were too small to report upon robustly.

3.49 This shows that the amount of income derived from the main sources appear to have remained fairly stable across the 2010/11 and 2009/10 reporting periods.

75%63%

13%

8%

9%25%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

Sector average 2010/11 (124 stations) Sector average 2009/10 (125 stations)

Other public bodies

Community Radio Fund

Local authorities

Non-public sources

Public funding year-on-year comparison

<3% ---

4% ---

Figure 16 Income by type of community served: 2010/11 compared to 2009/10

Where percentages are not shown the amounts account for 3% and under

20% 25%37% 41%

24% 22% 14% 19% 19% 26%

36%40%

32% 26%45% 46%

46% 41%

14% 9%

12%11% 6% 4% 4% 19% 10%

13% 9% 10% 8% 14%

42% 41%

18% 22% 16% 21% 18% 14% 17%28% 23% 20%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

10/11 09/10 10/11 09/10 10/11 09/10 10/11 09/10 10/11 09/10

Other income

Donations

SLAs

Grants

On-air advertising and sponsorship

Sector average Minority ethnic Geographic town/rural Geographic urban Religious

Reporting period

27

Section 4

4 Community radio stations’ costs Average income

4.1 On average it costs around £64,500 to run a community radio station. This is down by 13% on the average (mean) costs reported in the last reporting period. Between 2008/09 and 2009/10 costs declined by 8%, and by 20% between 2007/08 and 2008/09. It appears that, as the reported average income has declined year-on-year, stations have had to cut their costs accordingly.

4.2 As is the case with the sector’s income, individual station expenditure varies considerably. Reported annual stations costs in this reporting period ranged from under £3,500 to just over £600,000 with the median, the mid-point in the distribution of station’s expenditure, being considerably lower than the mean at around £40,000. As with our analysis of station income this would suggest a small number of high cost stations increasing the sector average.

2010/11 2009/10 2008/09 2007/08

Average (mean) expenditure

£64,500 (-13%) £74,500 (-8%) £81,000 (-20%) £101,000

Median expenditure £40,000 (-23%) £52,000 ( - ) £52,000 (-19%) £ 64,500

Expenditure by type

4.3 As in previous years staff costs remain the most significant cost borne by community radio stations and accounts for half (50%) of the sector’s total costs, up slightly from 48% in the last financial period. In the period under review 42 of the 161 stations reporting on their finances did not employ any paid staff. Looking at the 119 stations that did employ staff in this period, this cost these stations around £43,000 on average; similar to the average cost of £42,500 in 2009/10.

4.4 Breakdowns of other cost types are given in Figure 17.

Figure 17 Breakdown of expenditure in the community radio sector 2010/11 Expenditure Sample

totals % of sector total

Sector average

Average for those stations with specific cost type

Total expenditure £10,375,192 100% £64,442 n/a

Staff £ 5,136,400 50% £31,903 £43,163 (119 stations)

Premises £ 1,183,649 11% £ 7,352 £ 9,320 (127 stations)

Technical costs £ 1,007,903 10% £ 6,260 £ 7,048 (143 stations)

Other Volunteer expenses £ 200,243 2% £ 1,244 £ 2,356

(85 stations) Marketing £ 307,365 3% £ 1,909 £ 2,794

(110 stations) Admin £ 922,012 9% £ 5,727 £ 6,881

(134 stations) All other expenditure £ 1,617,620 16% £10,047 £11,312

(143 stations) * the figures in this table are based on financial reports received from 161 stations

Expenditure by type of community served

4.5 Figure 18 shows stations serving a general audience in town/rural areas as reporting the lowest average expenditure. This is consistent with the average income reported for this type of community station and is unchanged from the previous reporting period.

Figure 18 Average expenditure by type of community served

4.6 As indicated in Figure 19, stations serving a general audience in urban areas and those with a religious focus reported higher than average expenditure compared to the sector average. Figure 9 looks at the average income across the same community types and for stations serving a general audience, income is comparatively higher. This is also true of stations serving a minority ethnic community.

4.7 Station costs vary depending on the type of community served. Across all the community types analysed in Figure 19, however, staff costs account for at least 40% of expenditure.

£64,

500

£70,

000

£46,

000 £9

6,50

0

£40,

000

£39,

000

£36,

500

£81,

000

£0

£20,000

£40,000

£60,000

£80,000

£100,000

£120,000

Sector averages Community of interest

Geographic audience -town/rural

Geographic audience - urban

Average expenditure

Median expenditure

29

Figure 19 Expenditure by type of community served

Expenditure by length of time a station has been on air

4.8 In line with the income figures in section 3, stations that have been on air for five years and more have reported higher average costs of £108,000. Newer stations that have been on air for less than two years have reported expenditure of £39,000 on average, much lower than the sector average of close to £64,000 and much lower than the more established services on air for five years and more.

Figure 20 Expenditure by length of time on air

Expenditure by nation and region

4.9 Due to the small number of stations reporting in each nation or English region, we must exercise caution when drawing conclusions about stations.

4.10 However, with this caveat, we have identified some variations in the table below:

Figure 21 Variations in expenditure in the nations and regions Nation/region (number of stations reporting)

% of total stations reporting

Significant variation on the sector average

East Midlands & Lincs (25) 16% Expenditure is broadly similar to the sector average across most categories. Staff costs much lower than the average in real terms but similar proportionally (45% compared to 50% sector average).

49%46%

60% 42%

40%41%

11%13%

10%

17% 14%10%13%

6%

7% 16%30%

29%

24%

34%

42%

29%

£0

£20,000

£40,000

£60,000

£80,000

£100,000

Sector average (161

stations)

Geographic -town/rural

(66)

Geographic -urban (28)

Minority ethnic (25)

Youth (14) Religious (11)

All other costs

Technical costs

Premises

Staff

£39,

000

£64,

500

£58,

000

£76,

000

£108

,000

£30,

500

£44,

500

£39,

500

£46,

500 £9

2,50

0

£0

£20,000

£40,000

£60,000

£80,000

£100,000

£120,000

less than 2 years 2 years 3 years 4 years 5 years +

Average expenditure

Median expenditure

(37 stations) (25 stations) (42 stations) (40 stations) (17 stations)

--- 11% 7% ---

Greater London (7) 4% Premises costs are almost double the sector average and make up 16% of expenditure (sector average is 11%). Volunteer expenses treble the sector average both proportionally and in real terms. Technical costs slightly lower and less spend on marketing.

Northern Ireland (10) 6% Technical costs much higher and account for 18% of expenditure (sector average is 10%). Expenditure overall slightly lower than the sector average.

North east England (12) 7% Expenditure much lower than the average, with staff costs around half, but still accounting for 44% of costs (sector average is 50%).

North west England (20) 12% Overall average expenditure around a third higher than sector. Staff costs much higher and accounts for 63% of costs (sector average is 50%). Premises costs higher.

Scotland (18) 11% Expenditure high. Staff costs more than double the sector average, accounting for 60% of costs (sector average is 50%). Premises and technical costs lower.

South east England (22) 14% Expenditure generally lower than the average with premises costs slightly higher. Staff costs accounting for only 36% of spend (sector average is 50%).

South west England (18) 11% Expenditure much lower across each category. Premises costs proportionally accounts for 13% of expenditure (sector average is 11%).

Wales (9) 6% Lower expenditure generally across most categories. Staff costs much lower than sector average but similar proportionally.

West Midlands (5) 3% Technical costs more than double the sector average, accounting for 23% of costs (sector average is 10%). Staff costs much lower than the average.

Yorkshire & Humberside (15) 9% No significant variations, although staff costs account for 53% of spend (sector average is 50%).

Are stations meeting their costs?

4.11 Across the sector average station expenditure is slightly higher than income at £64,500 compared to £63,500. This is not however indicative of individual station finances as a broad range of income and expenditure is contained within this.

Figure 22 Average sector income and expenditure

£63,

000

£74,

500

£79,

000

£101

,000

£64,

500

£74,

500

£82,

000

£101

,000

£0

£20,000

£40,000

£60,000

£80,000

£100,000

2010/2011 2009/2010 2008/2009 2007/2008

Average income

Average expenditure

31

4.12 The highest reported surplus was around £75,000, with the largest deficit reported to be close to £90,000. 71 stations, around 44% of the community radio stations submitting a financial return, reported a deficit. This has dropped from almost 50% during the last financial period and is slightly higher than the 40% reporting a deficit in the 2008/09 financial period. 39 stations (24%) reported a deficit in excess of £10,000.

4.13 It should be noted that stations are asked to report on a financial year equivalent to the Ofcom reporting period (April to March) and not all stations work to this financial year. For this reason, income and expenditure may be planned differently and grants, for example, may have been received outside our reporting period. Therefore, in some cases, stations reporting a deficit may, in fact, be more financially secure than indicated.

4.14 Stations generally reinvest any surplus back into the community radio service. Deficits are typically funded through a larger parent organisation or from previous years’ surpluses.

4.15 Overall the figures for the 2010/11 reporting period indicate that, although income across the sector has fallen, stations are correspondingly spending less by minimising costs where appropriate. Some stations are more reliant on specific revenue streams. For example, if grants are not renewed this could have a severe impact on individual stations. However, this may not be noticeable when looking at the sector as a whole.

Trend analysis: stations completing reports in 2009/10 and 2010/11

4.16 The remainder of this section looks at a year-on-year comparison of the stations which also provided financial information for the 2009/10 Ofcom Community Radio Annual Report13

Average expenditure

. This analysis gives an insight into how those stations reporting for two full financial periods have fared year-on-year.

2010/11 (124 stations) 2009/10 (125 stations)

Average (mean) expenditure £72,000 (-0.03%) £74,500

Median expenditure £48,000 (-0.08%) £52,000

4.17 In the 2009/10 reporting period the average (mean) station expenditure was around £74,500, with a median of £52,000. Comparing the expenditure of stations reporting in the past two reporting periods, 2010/11 and 2009/10, the average station expenditure for the current period rises to around £72,000 with a median of £48,000. These costs are similar to the averages reported for 2009/10 and may indicate a relatively stable financial picture for this group of community radio stations.

4.18 Looking at the expenditure of those stations reporting for the first time this year (37 stations), average station costs drop to around £39,000 with a median of around

13 The 2009/10 report included financial information from 125 stations. One station, Feile FM, handed its licence back in March 2011 and has not been included in the financial analysis for the 2010/11 period.

£30,500. As with the income figures discussed in paragraph 3.50, this is much lower than the headline figures for this reporting period.

Expenditure by type

4.19 A breakdown of the main cost types are given in Figure 23. For those stations reporting in 2010/11 and 2009/10, average costs have fallen slightly, as have technical costs. Staff costs and the cost of premises are up slightly, on average, however this is not by very much and general increases in cost of living may account for this.

Figure 23 Year-on-year breakdown of expenditure: 2010/11 compared to 2009/10 Expenditure

2010/11 (124 stations)

2009/10 (125 stations)

Totals Average Totals Average

Total expenditure £8,933,393

£72,043 £9,309,125 £74,473

Staff £4,460,640 £35,973 £4,472,724 £35,782

Premises £1,028,984 £ 8,298 £1,022,147 £8,177

Technical costs £ 761,724 £ 6,143 £ 998,683 £ 7,989

All other expenditure * £1,420,956 £21,629 £2,849,857 £22,799

* All other expenditure includes costs for volunteer expenses, marketing, admin and other costs. Expenditure by type of community served

4.20 Over the two financial periods average expenditure across the sector, generally, has remained stable. This is also true of stations serving a defined community of interest. For those stations serving a geographical audience in a town or rural area, average expenditure has dropped, on average, by around £10,000; this is also true of average income for the same group of stations. Those serving a geographical audience in an urban area, on the other hand, have seen expenditure increase by over £10,000 on average which is also reflected in the average income for this group of stations, as illustrated in Figure 15.

Figure 24 Average expenditure by type of community served: 2010/11 compared to 2009/10

£72,

000

£80,

000

£47,

500 £1

00,0

00

£74,

500

£78,

500

£57,

000

£88,

500

£0

£20,000

£40,000

£60,000

£80,000

£100,000

Sector averages Community of interest

Geographic audience -town/rural

Geographic audience - urban

2010/11 (124 stations)

2009/10 (125 stations)

Average expenditure

Target community

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4.21 Figure 19 looks at the average expenditure of five types of community station. Figure 25 below analyses expenditure over the two reporting periods and, as the sample size from other community of interest stations are too small to report upon, we have included only four types of community in this breakdown. There are some small fluctuations but overall the spread of costs for each group of stations analysed over the two financial periods has remained broadly the same.

Figure 25 Expenditure by type of community served: 2010/11 compared to 2009/10

50% 48% 43% 40% 45% 41%60% 57%

43% 42%

12% 11% 16% 19% 13% 10%

10% 11%15% 13%

9% 11% 6% 13% 11% 16%

6% 7%14% 9%

30% 30% 34% 29% 31% 32% 24% 25% 29% 35%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

10/11 09/10 10/11 09/10 10/11 09/10 10/11 09/10 10/11 09/10

All other expenditure

Technical costs

Premises

Staff

Sector average Minority ethnic Geographic town/rural Geographic urban Religious

Reporting period

Section 5

5 Community radio stations’ key commitments and social gain 5.1 Community radio services are licensed under the terms of the Community Radio

Order 2004 (the Order) which modifies some sections of the Broadcasting Act 1990 (the Broadcasting Act) as amended by the Communications Act 2003 (together "the Legislation"). The Order sets out a wide range of requirements which broadcasters must comply with in order to be awarded and subsequently to retain a community radio licence.

5.2 All stations broadcast output from within a defined target area for most of the time, though some will also broadcast content from elsewhere, dependent on their ethos and, to some extent, the community they wish to serve.

5.3 The ‘characteristics of community radio services’ are central to the Order and it is this that defines the nature of community radio. There are also more detailed specific requirements which Ofcom must take into account when assessing an application for a community radio licence.

5.4 The specific characteristics of community radio service imposed upon community radio stations by Article 3 of the Order require that such services are operated:

• for the good of the public;

• to deliver social gain (community benefit);

• to serve specific communities;

• to operate on a non-profit-distributing basis;

• to provide operational and managerial opportunities for members of the target a community (or communities); and

• whereby the organisation providing the service is accountable to the community concerned.

5.5 The term ‘social gain’ is further defined by the Legislation and includes four mandatory social gain objectives, as well as allowing services to define further social gain objectives themselves. The mandatory requirements are:

• a service for underserved groups;

• the facilitation of discussion and the expression of opinion;

• the provision of education or training (to non-employees); and

• facilitating the better understanding of the particular community and the strengthening of links within it.

5.6 The Legislation requires Ofcom to include in each community radio licence such conditions as are appropriate for securing that the character of service, proposed in the application, is maintained. As a result, each station has specific ‘key commitments’ which form part of its licence. These are based on the promises made in the application, and agreed with each station before it commences broadcasting.

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5.7 The ‘key commitments’ section is the equivalent of the ‘Format’ included in every commercial radio licence. However, commercial radio services are not expected to adhere to such a wide range of requirements as community radio services, and as a result their Formats relate primarily to their broadcast output (i.e. what the listener hears) rather than any off-air activities they may undertake.

5.8 The key commitments include:

• a description of the community to be served;

• a summary of the character of service (a short description of the station’s aims);

• a description of the programme service;

• social gain objectives (including how the station will satisfy the four mandatory social gain requirements set out above, and any other social gain objectives of the service);

• access and participation arrangements; and

• mechanisms to ensure accountability to the target community.

5.9 Due to the nature of the key commitments, not all of the feedback Ofcom receives is quantifiable. There are, however, some elements that we can usefully summarise to report on for the sector as a whole. Figure 26 shows some of the key areas that we are able to quantify, along with notable variations on the average by the type of community served, location in the nations and regions and by the amount of time on air.

Figure 26 Selected key commitments data Sector

average Notable variations on the average

Total live / original hours14

82 hours / 94 hours per week

Stations with an arts bias reported broadcasting more live output and more original hours than the average. This is also true of services broadcasting to a youth audience. Stations with a religious focus, however, broadcast significantly less live and original output than the average in the last reporting period.

Those stations located in London and Wales typically broadcast more live output as well as original content than the sector average, whereas stations in Yorkshire, the south west and the north east reported markedly less than the average.

The most established stations, those that have been on air for five years and more, have reported broadcasting both more live hours and more original output than the average. Conversely, stations that have been broadcasting for less than two years have reported less than the average in both of these areas.

14 ‘Original hours’ includes live output and also pre-recorded material that has not previously been broadcast.

Number of volunteers

78 Military stations had far fewer volunteers than the average. Stations with a general urban audience and those with an arts remit have, on average, more volunteers involved.

Stations broadcasting in Northern Ireland reported less than half as many volunteers, compared to the sector average. Station in the south west and the north west reported significantly higher numbers of volunteers than the average.

Stations on air for five years or more reported the highest number of volunteers, on average.

Total volunteer hours per week

295 Arts focussed stations reported volunteer hours of more than double that of the average, with stations broadcasting to an elderly audience and those serving a general urban audience also reporting more than the average.

Stations located in the south east, London, Wales and the north west reported higher than average volunteer hours, with stations in Northern Ireland reporting much less.

Stations on air for five years or more reported the highest number of volunteer hours, on average.

Speech output as a percentage of total daytime output

32% Religious stations and those serving an ethnic minority audience reported a higher proportion of speech output.

Stations in London and the West Midlands reported a higher than average proportion of speech output.

Stations on air for between two and three years reported the highest proportion of speech programming on average with newer stations, on air for less than two years, reporting the lowest.

5.10 Ofcom checks each station’s annual report against its published key commitments to ensure these are being met. If we are not satisfied with the information provided then we will consider regulatory action as set out in the document ‘Regulation of community radio services’ available at http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/radio/community/regulations/crregulation/.

5.11 This document also gives information on how a service may request a change to its key commitments. In this reporting period a number of stations reported under-delivery against some of their key commitments. We would suggest that these stations need either to ensure that they deliver against all of their key commitments in future, or consider applying for a change to aspects of their key commitments to help ensure that they come into compliance.

5.12 To ensure that individual stations are meeting their key commitment requirements Ofcom may listen to a station's output – a process referred to as 'content sampling'. In addition to this, we will respond to listener complaints where it falls within our remit.

Programming: original output

5.13 Community radio services in general rely on volunteers and this may mean that few are live 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Networking or overnight automation is not unusual in the radio sector, generally.

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5.14 The average across the sector during this reporting period was 94 hours of original programming each week – up from 90 hours per week for the 2009/10 reporting period. Community radio stations typically produce the majority of their output locally with a lot broadcast live. During this reporting period stations broadcast on average 82 hours of live content per week – up from 80 hours during the last period. Notable variations on the sector averages are noted above in Figure 26.

Programming: speech and music

5.15 When considering an application for licence award, Ofcom is required to consider whether an applicant will broaden choice, and be of a nature or offer content that is distinctive in relation to other local commercial and community radio services in the area. This tends to mean that, across the sector, music and speech output on community radio is especially diverse.

5.16 Some stations focus on particular genres of music. Radio JCom in Leeds, for example, targets the Jewish community and says that, while its overnight music appeals to all tastes, the station’s daytime music programmes include Klezmer, Jewish religious and Israeli music. KCC Live in Knowsley, Merseyside broadcasts to a youth audience and its schedule includes a daily specialist music hour; currently this includes Psychedelic, 60’s, urban, alternative indie and Asian rock music.

5.17 The key commitments for CSR, a student station in Canterbury, requires that all music programming will be specialist with no traditional chart-based music programming. The station says its specialist programming continues to educate listeners on the origin of the music and provides fresh, new sounds to the station.

5.18 Asian Star, with an Asian audience in Slough, says it adapts its music output, as promised in its key commitments, “based on listener demand which is information gained via our Listeners Club surveys”.

5.19 Stations serving a geographic audience generally have a more mainstream approach to music during daytime broadcasts, moving to specialist output in the evening or at appropriate times. Erewash Sound, broadcasting to a general audience in Ilkeston in Derbyshire, airs a two-hour specialist music programme every weekday evening. The station feels this programme has become embedded in the schedule and receives good feedback and audience interaction.

5.20 In Penryn, Cornwall, The Source broadcasts two regular music programmes dedicated to local music, playing live and pre-recorded original music from inside the local area. “These programmes as well as comprehensively covering live musical events have also hosted and created original, new events for the local community to attend and enjoy.”

5.21 Speech output makes up a significant proportion of live output in community radio broadcasting, with individual stations having different speech requirements in their key commitments. On average speech made up 32% of stations’ live daytime output during this reporting period.

5.22 Speech programming can vary a great deal between stations and most often depends on the type of community served. Unity FM, broadcasting to the Muslim community of Walsall in the West Midlands, says that many of its volunteer presenters discuss current news events and encourage community discussion on these issues and the station also has regular spiritual shows and programming focussing on health matters.

5.23 Angel Radio Isle of Wight, which targets the elderly residents of Newport, has a varied schedule which includes afternoon stories, vintage variety and comedy shows as well as programmes featuring local interviews about local issues and achievements.

5.24 Holywood FM, serving British Forces personnel, their families and civilians living and working in Holywood, Northern Ireland, broadcasts programmes live from Afghanistan each day: ‘Ops Breakfast’ each morning and ‘Ops Hour’ at lunchtime each weekday. The station says these programmes have proved very successful, providing a “very real link for the families and serving personnel in operational areas”. As well as these live updates from abroad, another weekly programme, ‘Access All Areas’ carries messages and dedications to and from military personnel and their families.

5.25 Stations serving a general audience often broadcast local information of interest to the target community and pertinent to the location and surrounds. Wayland Radio in Thetford, Norfolk, broadcasts a ‘What’s On Diary’ throughout the day. These segments include local guests, interviews and local news items, with occasional pieces from outside broadcasts. Other stations have dedicated programming devoted to local information dissemination.

5.26 Dunoon Community Radio says its speech output comprises a variety of community news and information with many of the station’s presenters promoting local events. “The interviews are generally with local organisations or charities who are promoting their organisation, special events or interviewing local bands or artists”.

5.27 Regular live interviews and features on Penistone FM cover a variety of subjects, and involve a range of local organisations such as: representatives from the local Library and guests from Springvale School, Billy The Kid Dash, the Round Table, Ladies Circle, Young Farmers’ group, Penistone Paramount, Penistone Children’s Centre, Wentworth Castle Gardens, Penistone Grammar School, the local theatre group, and Penistone Centre Stage Musicals for example.

5.28 Local organisations are often featured as part of community radio output. Tulip FM in Spalding, Lincolnshire, broadcasts an hour-long live discussion programme each week with guests such as the local member of parliament, councillors, representatives from the police and fire service as well as other organisations such as the citizens advice bureau, the National Farmers Union, local businesses, pressure groups and sports clubs, to name but a few. In addition to this the station says its ‘Community Diary’ feature is “hugely popular as a source of information for all voluntary and charity groups in the area.”

5.29 RadioReverb in Brighton boasts a host of established speech-based shows, as well as a number of new programmes aired during the reporting period. Their ‘One-World Community’ show focuses on “community events, activities, groups, projects, services, opportunities for volunteering and other useful information for people in Brighton and Hove”. This includes interviews and local music and is broadcast live from the studio. The station says that most of these programmes are repeated within the weekly schedule, at a different time of the day or week from its first airing, so as to target different audiences or capture listeners who may not have heard it when first aired.

5.30 Many stations across the country reported on the general and local elections in 2010. 102.5 The ‘Bridge, in Stourbridge, for example, says it covered the election in great detail, with contributions by reporters from the BBC’s ‘Politics Show’ in the run up to

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the election itself. The station felt it “achieved a mammoth feat at the General Election, with a team of over half-a-dozen volunteers broadcasting non-stop overnight programming during the 2010 election and, following Ms. James’ election, The ’Bridge broadcast an exclusive and live interview with her, beating BBC Midlands Today and BBC WM to the first interview with her. We also had reporters at two other venues, covering a total of four other local counts live.”

5.31 Depending on the community they serve, community radio stations often carry programming in a wide range of languages.

5.32 Radio Tircoed in Swansea, whose key commitments includes some Welsh programming, broadcasts a dedicated Welsh show, ‘Tynnu Syl’, which features interviews, studio guests, telephone interviews and Welsh music. The station says the show is aimed at the 15-25 age range but has proved popular with all listeners. The station hopes to build on this and introduce another Welsh show, this time aimed at older listeners in particular.

5.33 Output is normally in the Irish language on Raidió Fáilte in Northern Ireland, with the occasional use of other languages. Amongst the languages heard on the service are Scots Gaelic, English, Spanish and French and “as part of our work with the new communities from Eastern Europe living in Belfast we broadcast programmes in the languages of these communities produced by members of these communities”.

5.34 shmuFM in Aberdeen features and supports local languages and dialects, including Doric, Scots and Gaelic. The station also broadcast programming in a variety of community languages including Polish, Spanish, French, German, Slovakian, Hindi, Marathi, Bengali, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Oriya, Urdu, Punjabi, Guajarati, Malaysian and Latvian.

5.35 Mearns FM in Stonehaven, Scotland, broadcasts in English with occasional programming in the local dialect, Doric.

5.36 Stations serving minority ethnic communities are more likely to broadcast in community languages. Radio Dawn, serving the Muslim community of Nottingham, broadcasts mainly in Urdu and English as well as a variety of other community languages such as Arabic, Punjabi, Mir Puri, Bengali, Gujerati, Pushto, Hindi and Malay. The station says the diversity of its programmes and the languages it broadcasts in reflects the community. “We regularly do News and current affairs programmes in different languages particularly in English, Urdu, Punjabi and Mirpuri.”

5.37 In London, NuSound Radio says it has “aided immigrants by providing output and local information in community languages such as Urdu (Pakistan), Tamil (Sri Lanka), Pashtu (Afghanistan) and Malay (Malaysia) to our listeners to help with communications and information sharing with the wider communities”.

5.38 Unity 101 Community Radio provides a community radio service for those living in deprived communities, in particular Asian and ethnic minority communities, in Southampton and has reported broadcasting programmes in English, Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, Bengali, Gujrati, Cantonese, Mandarin, Polish, Pashto and Dari during the reporting period. The station says it hopes to add more languages. A survey carried out by the station found that there was significant interest in the station developing

and starting an on air theme based ESOL15

5.39 Ujima Radio, broadcasting to the African-Caribbean and other BME communities in Bristol says that it “actively sought to reflect other cultures and in particular Bristol’s growing Polish community. A Polish speaker now hosts our flagship breakfast programme for two days of the week 7-10am”. In addition to the Polish programming the station also broadcast in Arabic during the reporting period.

programme to help people learn English, thus improving communications.

5.40 Stations serving a geographic community or a general audience in a defined target area also broadcast some output in a broad range of diverse languages such as Farsi, Polish, Cornish, French, Spanish, Punjabi, Urdu, German, Slovakian, Malaysian and Latvian to name but a few.

5.41 Sunny Govan Community in Govan, Glasgow, says its speech output “continues to include a Polish Language show for one hour per week, representative of the growing Polish community in the local area.” Similarly, 103 The Eye in the Vale of Belvoir, Melton Mowbray, says it has input from a native Polish speaker on a regular show which includes both Polish contemporary music and announcements in Polish in an effort to serve the local Polish community which, the stations says, is its largest ethnic group.

5.42 Although some stations may plan to broadcast in other languages, this is not always possible. Blyth Valley Community Radio in Southwold, Suffolk, said that it found there was no community demand for other languages. “This is continually monitored and we would consider other language programme should there be a demand in the future.” The ability to broadcast in other languages is often also dependent on the availability and suitability of volunteer presenters.

5.43 Hayes FM in west London prides itself on its strong relationships with local community organisations which, the station says, has featured in its morning programmes throughout the reporting period, as well as in some evening programming. The station has targeted smaller communities within its coverage area with programmes for Asian, Irish and African Caribbean listeners as well as Polish and Tamil shows.

Radio Teesdale, Teesdale

Volunteers have produced special “one off” programmes with interviews and discussions from a wide range of individuals and organisations. These have included programmes on the election coverage, personal finance week, older person support, the construction of the Teesdale Community Resources Hub building, life in a young offender’s prison etc...

extract from station annual report

15 English for speakers of other languages

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Social gain – serving the underserved

5.44 All community radio stations are expected to serve the ‘underserved’. This generally means those people and communities that do not have local radio services currently aimed at them.

5.45 North Manchester FM says its daytime output “regularly promotes what is going on in the local community with input from local residents, agencies and community/ voluntary groups”. The station works with local agencies and stakeholders to further develop its work both on and off air. “We regularly feature representatives from local agencies as guests. We also have had dedicated shows produced by local agencies such as Greater Manchester Police and Greater Manchester Fire and Rescue”.

5.46 Saint FM in Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex, said the adverse weather in the area at the beginning of 2011 showed what a valuable resource Saint FM is to the local community as the station was able to keep listeners up to date with local travel, traffic and weather reports with presenters ringing in with real time information and providing live reports from around the area.

5.47 ALL FM, broadcasting to the local communities of South Manchester, says its range of shows, volunteers and presenters reflects the audience of ALL FM in terms of ethnicity, gender, disability etc. “We encourage local organisations to highlight events within their community using ALL FM”.

5.48 Redroad FM in Harthill, South Yorkshire, finds that local organisations and businesses use the station as a platform to get information across to local residents including young people.

5.49 Diverse FM in Luton has found that, as result of its ongoing consultation with its listeners and stakeholders, it has managed to develop regular programmes: one led by Bedfordshire Police which enables a Safer Neighbourhood team to promote a range of community safety related issues on air and another programme led by SEPT, formerly NHS Luton, which broadcasts a range of health related information.

5.50 For stations targeting specific communities, such as minority ethnic groups or young people, this obligation is fundamental to their service.

5.51 BANG Radio, broadcasting to residents in Harlesden, north west London, and those socially excluded and marginalised groups in the area, says its focus on engaging 16-25 year olds from urban backgrounds continues to be “the strength of what we do here at BANG”. The station says its focus on socially excluded or at risk young people ensures a place where they feel safe and secure. “The concentration on improving the lifestyles of young people from disadvantaged backgrounds continues to gain respect from the community and increased awareness of the work we do shines through our success stories of young people who enrol on our programmes.”

Forest FM, Verwood (Dorset)

We serve our housebound, elderly and disabled listeners by broadcasting interesting interviews with members and groups from the of the local community thereby keeping them in touch with what’s going on in the area.

extract from station annual report

Social gain - facilitating discussion and the expression of opinion

5.52 Community radio stations provide opportunities for local people to express their views and take part in on-air discussions. This can be in the form of regular discussion programmes, through phone-ins and through outside broadcasts from external events. In addition to this, stations are increasingly engaging with their audiences through social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter, and web forums.

5.53 Awaz FM, which provides a service for the Asian population of Glasgow, broadcast discussion programmes during the period under review which included a wide and diverse range of topics such as “bad habits, current affairs, are women selfish towards men?, immigration laws, post election, corporal punishment, what is the best way to handle discipline, post natal depression in new fathers, world cup, talk show about the election, dealing with old age, qualities of a good traveller, usage of shoes in the south Asian culture, tattoos and death.”

5.54 On Ambur Radio, serving the Asian community of Walsall, the phone-in programmes enable residents to “maximise our breakfast and community-type magazine programmes. We seek the views of people in the community with our monthly road shows especially in communities who don’t have access to our FM services.”

5.55 Takeover Radio in Leicester, a station aimed at children and young people, reported that in the last twelve months they had experienced a downturn in listener texts with many now contacting the station through Facebook and Twitter. The station says “Facebook is now the major vehicle for listeners to contact the station and this can be a two-way communication tool, presenters regularly post questions and topics, which can be debated, on Facebook and on the radio.”

5.56 Bro Radio in Barry says the station has begun “utilising our telephone system more than ever and [we] continue to develop new programme ideas that include the community directly to air.” Echoing this, Moorlands Radio in Leek says its mid morning programme offers an “open line for local people to get in touch about any subject or anything they needed help with”. The station added that, since being on air, it has noticed a move from people phoning the station to communicating via text and e-mail. The station has developed its programming accordingly.

5.57 During the reporting period Community Voice FM in Middlesbrough featured a number of discussions with local policy makers “including but not limited to discussions with election candidates, local councillors, representatives from the PCT and Department for Work and Pensions and a number of representatives from local voluntary and support groups and employment and training agencies have been involved in discussions.” In addition the station says its faith-based programming focuses on discussions between people of different faiths, specifically Muslims, Sikhs and Christians; programming which is supported through funding from Faiths in Action.

5.58 With regard to the facilitation of the expression of opinion amongst station volunteers, Sine FM in Doncaster says it arranges volunteer/presenter meetings every two months to provide an opportunity for open discussion about various relevant issues. “There is also a Facebook page and a Twitter group for all presenters so discussions amongst presenters can continue outside of the meetings.”

5.59 Unity FM, broadcasting to the Muslim population of Birmingham, says it encourages discussion and the expression of opinion in most of its live shows. Presenters

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encourage listeners to call in and contribute to programming. The station says that different programmes engage with listeners in different ways. It cites some programmes attracting up to ten phone calls in an hour whereas youth targeted programming can receive around 200 text messages in a two hour show. In addition to this the station uses a discussion forum on its website, occasional polls, emails and social networking to gather opinion.

5.60 Most of Sheffield Live!’s programming features discussions and debates about what is happening in Sheffield with listener participation encouraged through phone ins. The station says that listeners “contact us about local issues and events that they know about and we often invite listeners in to take part in programmes and to talk about their interests and activities.” The station finds phone-in programmes focusing on issues and debates popular, “especially those in some of our community language programmes, where local, national and international events are discussed.”

Social gain - training for people not employed by the station

5.61 All stations offer some form of training to their volunteers and the majority offer training opportunities to other members of their target community too. This can range from taster sessions and short courses to fully accredited training programmes.

5.62 Phoenix Radio in Halifax has developed a full-time training scheme, the Phoenix Radio Empower Project, or PREP. This initiative supports personal development through confidence building and enhancing communication skills. The station says the course will be adapted to support the diverse needs of learners.

5.63 In Grantham, Gravity FM has established a dedicated one-hour training slot for newer presenters where each presenter benefits from consistent one-to-one training. Training covers all aspects of broadcasting a show, including planning, show development, and practical skills. More established presenters receive feedback and refresher training.

5.64 Radio Hartlepool has “continued to give appropriate training to its volunteers in a whole host of activities, including general administration, radio production and radio presenting, and with high emphasis being focused on Ofcom’s Broadcasting Code and its updates”.

5.65 Many stations also encourage the involvement of local schools or educational establishments in a variety of projects that will involve some training in radio skills.

5.66 7Waves 92.1 in the Wirral give two hours’ free studio time to special schools in the area each week for training opportunities. The station also encourages schools across the Wirral to place students within their work experience programme, with duties including reading the weather, traffic and travel, answering the phones, collating emails, texts and shout outs “and of course making tea”. 7Waves 92.1 placed 21 students during the reporting period.

5.67 Spark FM, which broadcasts from the University of Sunderland, says that “the University operates the UK’s only foundation degree in Community Radio, and this course incorporates placement activity within Spark and wider considerations around community broadcasting”. The station says the students engaged on placement modules within this degree are responsible for content production and volunteer training, “taking locally recruited first-time volunteers and assisting them to develop broadcast radio skills with a broadcast outcome.”

5.68 Leith FM works with the Edinburgh Language School to offer students whose first language is not English placements with the station to improve their spoken English. The station says there have been eight such placements with students assisting the station manager with administrative tasks as well as some presenting.

5.69 Pure FM’s Head of News, a trained journalist, has developed a legal training course and the station requires that all its presenters to undergo legal training. The station says this course covers subjects such as contempt of court, defamation, libel and privacy laws. “The course is compulsory for all new volunteers who are speaking on-air and is offered to other volunteers as a refresher.”

Mearns FM, Stonehaven (Scotland)

… we are delighted with our schools programmes – which are part of the “curriculum for excellence” and all the local primary schools have participated. We were funded by the local authority to provide recording equipment for each school, spent time training the teachers how to use it – and they in turn trained the children. Many of the local classes then visited the studio and we anticipate that this will be repeated year on year. Going forward, we have to involved more teachers by providing courses that will count towards their compulsory continuing professional education.

extract from station annual report

Social gain - the better understanding of the particular community and the strengthening of the links within it

5.70 Community radio stations seek to better understand and strengthen links within their community through a variety of ways.

5.71 As part of its remit to “encourage the community at large to learn about diverse cultures and traditions of the people in the area”, Spice FM’s schedule includes programmes celebrating special calendar events for all the major South Asian religions and cultures. The station broadcasts programmes focussed on Hinduism, Sikhism, Islam and Christianity. The station feels that listeners from other communities are given opportunities to learn about the different cultures and traditions through these programmes.

5.72 Bolton FM has “proactively looked to establish and successfully maintain relationships and partnerships with organisations that operate in the town, within the region and nationally so that we can successfully serve the people of Bolton. For example, we have established and maintained good working relationships with the Council, the local hospice, Bolton Lads and Girls Club, Bolton College, the University of Bolton and Bolton Wanderers Football Club. These relationships ensure that we are seen as part of the ongoing and continuing development to make Bolton a better place in which to live and work.”

5.73 Phonic FM in Exeter says it has extended and strengthened links with local arts groups in both formal and informal ways during the reporting period. The station participated in various events including visual arts. “Demand for coverage of arts events increased, not only within the immediate broadcast area, but also, for example in the case of the Blues Shows, on a National Level.”

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5.74 Although the majority of listeners to Radio Ikhlas in Derby are from the Muslim community, the station says it has had feedback from “different faiths, cultures and beliefs in regard to our programming and in particular the music we play. We have also had a large amount of feedback from local organisations, including the Council, police and schools [and] with the NHS and local youth services.”

Bristol Community FM, Bristol

We continued to build good relationships with the community by broadcasting in various languages and by covering subjects that are important to them. A good example of this was during the Holy Month of Ramadan. We were asked to have more Muslim broadcasting on the station and to broadcast longer hours. We did this and had a Muslim producer coordinated all the output and engagement. We took live feeds from Mosques in Bristol and broadcast live till 2am each day. This broadcast gave us a great deal of respect from an otherwise underserved part of our community.

extract from station annual report

Additional social gain objectives

5.75 The Community Radio Order 2004 includes a (non-exclusive) list of additional 'objectives of a social nature'. These include:

a) the delivery of services provided by local authorities and other services of a social nature and the increasing, and wider dissemination, of knowledge about those services and about local amenities;

b) the promotion of economic development and of social enterprises;

c) the promotion of employment;

d) the provision of opportunities for the gaining of work experience;

e) the promotion of social inclusion;

f) the promotion of cultural and linguistic diversity;

g) the promotion of civic participation and volunteering.

5.76 As well as the compulsory social gain objectives, many stations commit to further social gain goals such as those outlined above.

5.77 Drive 105 promoted the work of many local charities and locally based international charities through its output during the reporting period, as well as featuring groups focussing on issues affecting minority communities in the target area of Londonderry.

5.78 Asian Star in Slough broadcast specialist programming such as Immigration Matters, which resulted in many calls “from members of the public looking for advice, information and help” as well as a property programme incorporating “guests from the local authority, speakers from the landlord’s forum, housing officers offering information on benefits, tax credits and so much more”.

5.79 Kohinoor FM in Leicester receives daily updates from the City Council communications department about council services which are aired daily on the breakfast show and mid-morning shows.

5.80 Preston FM ran a ’radio careers day’ with speakers and advisors from the BBC, commercial radio and the music industry as well as representatives from local training providers, business advice services and volunteering agencies.

5.81 In Manchester, Peace FM broadcasts a programme which publicises employment initiatives and opportunities. “We are currently in conversation with Job Centre Plus for them to promote job opportunities. We have promoted social enterprises and franchising as other ways of gaining self employment”. It also publicises adult education in the area through a variety of talk programmes.

5.82 Calon FM in Wrexham tries to ensure its volunteers can further their careers within the radio broadcast sector by providing relevant information. “The station links with BBC Wales as well as local commercial station Heart FM in order to offer volunteers the opportunities for work experience in a range of broadcast environments. Calon FM makes every effort to provide work placements for everyone who requests to do so.”

Takeover Radio 106.9, Sutton in Ashfield (Nottinghamshire)

We have been working with a local secondary school to produce and present a one hour show every Sunday evening focussing on school life, home work and other issues i.e. bullying and exams. We aim to run a similar show in partnership with local primary schools looking at similar areas i.e. bullying and home work. This show will be more educational and will include produced audio lessons to help children’s development outside school hours.

extract from station annual report

Access and participation

5.83 Volunteering is a vital element in community radio. The legislation specifies that access to, and participation in, the operation of community radio is a key characteristic of the sector.

5.84 Volunteers typically take on a broad range of roles at community radio stations. TCR fm in Tamworth notes that the majority of its volunteers are interested in the broadcasting aspect of the station and tend to join the presenting team. But there is scope for progression. “As we have grown some members have been able to progress to higher roles with more responsibilities. One member has become a station director in addition to management responsibilities.”

5.85 The time given by volunteers collectively can vary considerably from an hour or two to over 1,000 hours per week. Volunteers may stay with a station for a number of years or get involved for just a short time or for a specific project or training initiative.

5.86 The Hillz FM in Coventry has put in place an open door policy and members of the public are invited to visit the studio, talk to staff and volunteers and to take part in programmes, when appropriate. The station says its guest DJ spots allow members

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of the public to do short stints in the studio of around 30 minutes without having to commit to long term involvement.

5.87 Revival FM, providing a service with a Christian perspective for the people of Cumbernauld, Glasgow, says it has a team of volunteers in the community who work to “communicate information and obtain feedback about the station’s activities. This includes the distribution of leaflets, posters and occasional listener surveys.” The station also says it is represented at community events and participates in exhibitions.

5.88 The number of volunteers involved with a service can prove problematic from a logistic point of view too. In Barrhead, Pulse Community Radio says that, due to the number of volunteers involved with the station, holding regular meetings has proven difficult as the station’s premises are not equipped to host a gathering of all the active volunteers.

5.89 For Tameside Radio the station ensures that nobody is excluded for financial reasons and fully funds the expenses of volunteers attending the station or participating in other events. The station has also developed its social networking through Facebook and Twitter and says it always responds to comments from listeners on either of these social networks.

5.90 Community radio stations are increasingly citing social networking as an effective means to provide opportunities to encourage access and participation.

5.91 Hope FM in Bournemouth encourages community access and participation on air, through its website, through its Facebook and Twitter pages and by collaborating with its Listener Panel

5.92 Many stations try to enable access across the community. Amber Sound in Ripley, Derbyshire, says “our disabled facilities have allowed a number of volunteer with health and mobility issues to use the station and contribute to our community and music output.”

Diversity FM, Lancaster (Lancashire)

We believe we are still improving the lives of some of our volunteers who find it difficult to interact socially but who have been given a voice via radio. We believe that we are increasing the literacy and numeracy levels and ICT skills of some of our volunteers through their involvement with the radio project, giving them transferable skills that will be useful in both education and employment situations.

extract from station annual report

Accountability

5.93 All community radio stations must be accountable to the community they serve. Community radio stations seek to do this through a variety of means such as by holding regular meetings with representatives from the community, listeners and other stakeholders; gathering feedback from listeners through online forums, outside broadcasts, surveys and social media; holding open meetings and setting up initiatives to take account of the views of station volunteers.

5.94 Demon FM liaises with its community in Leicester through regular meetings both in-house and out on location. In addition to this, the station utilises online forums, outside broadcasts and surveys to gather feedback from its listeners. The station meets with external organisations such as Leicester Wave and Citizen’s Eye in an effort to bring more community involvement in news broadcasting on the service.

5.95 Not all stations have the resource to action such a wide range of accountability measures. Some find it difficult to generate interest in a listener panel or focus group and use Facebook or other social networking sites instead where listeners can post feedback on the service.

5.96 Alive Radio gathers feedback from its listeners and volunteers through twice yearly open public meetings held at the studio, as well as through the station’s association with the Dumfries Christian Network.

5.97 Stroud FM’s presenter forum, which is made up of a cross section of the community, meets to discuss what they would like the station to do. However, the station points out that, although there are many great ideas about what could be done, it is often the case that due to lack of finance and people, they are unable to act on these ideas.

5.98 In gathering feedback from its volunteers, Celtic Music Radio in Glasgow has set up an online forum which is available only to volunteers and staff. All matters relating to the station can be discussed here and this is duplicated on Facebook. Comments, suggestions and general operational information is shared by all those involved with the station.

5.99 Soundart Radio’s membership scheme is one way in which the station promotes accountability. In addition, this promotes participation as “we have also been able to offer free memberships to disadvantaged people thanks to support from the South West Foundation, at taster days that we have organised for people with mental health problems, and for new Travellers and their families.”

5.100 Corby Radio has a workgroup of eight community members, made up of representatives from community groups, businessmen, academy members and members of the public. “We try when possible to hold bi-monthly meetings to discuss station policy and output and various community issues. The workgroup help to make decisions for the good of the station.”

Achievements

5.101 As part of the reporting process, stations are encouraged to tell us of their achievements during the review period. Although many station achievements are reflected under the specific social gain or key commitment delivery, some other areas are touched on.

5.102 A growing number of stations felt that managing to stay on air, despite the strained economy and the difficulty in attracting funding and advertising, was an achievement in itself. Radio Teesdale said that it has had to operate on a much smaller scale, financially, than it had envisaged when its key commitments were drawn up. Careful management and support from the local community has allowed the station to remain financially viable and still deliver against its key commitments. Salford City Radio has found the support from its volunteers in setting up and running events invaluable in raising funds for the station.

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5.103 Many stations point to their staff and volunteers as real areas of success. Bishop FM in Bishop Auckland was able to employ three members of staff in this financial period to undertake part time roles which, it feels, has helped the station improve. A number of volunteers from Youthcomm Radio, broadcasting to a youth audience in Worcester, have gone on to develop their own careers in radio, while other volunteers have, through their time with the station, been inspired to pursue college and university courses in radio and media subjects. The ′Bridge in Stourbridge says that its volunteers achieve goals not previously thought possible due to the station’s lack of manpower, facilities and financial resources.

5.104 The ability to measure their listenership has been achievement for a number of stations, with individual services using innovative ways to gather this information. Some stations cite increases in text messages and emails from listeners as a viable way to measure listenership and gather opinion regarding the service.

5.105 Community engagement is very important to community radio services. For EAVA FM in Leicester a key achievement was the number of listeners and organisations who got involved and engaged with the station in the reporting period. Castledown Radio in Tidworth, Wiltshire, cites excellent links with the students from the Academy with which it is affiliated, and the station says it has benefited from support and guidance from a diverse group of local businesses and organisations which, it felt, reinforces the station’s commitment to provide a valued community radio service.

5.106 A large number of community radio stations have been nominated for, and received awards in the reporting period. These have ranged , from national awards such as the EPIC Innovation Award which Express FM in Portsmouth received for its radio soap, to local awards such as Radio Hartlepool’s Innovation in Technology Hartlepool Business Award.

Major difficulties

5.107 Ofcom also asked stations to report, in confidence if they wished, on major difficulties that they had faced during the year. As this feedback was mostly given in confidence we cannot name the stations concerned, however a number of key trends were identifiable.

5.108 Not surprisingly the most common difficulty cited by community radio stations has been the lack of available funding. Stations feel stifled by the small budgets they have to work within and the majority of community radio services cannot afford to employ staff to undertake key functions. Delays in funding have put pressure on a number of services and for some stations the reliance on a single source of funding, for example grants from public sector organisations, can increase this pressure even more. Stations report that grants are scarce and in many cases intensive resource is required to apply. For many stations, the lack of public funding means that there is an atmosphere of uncertainty.

5.109 Many stations would like to offer more social gain initiatives. For example, services feel they cannot offer the amount of training they would like to due to lack of funding and space constraints (such as not having a separate training suite) or not being able to employ a trainer.

5.110 Another reported difficulty has been the ability to produce live programming during daytime hours. Many stations have found that volunteer availability is more problematic during the day when a lot of people have work and other commitments. Some presenters prefer not to present live and would prefer to pre-record their shows

which may mean that individual stations are not able to deliver against their live output commitment. The desire for volunteers to record rather than present live has also meant, for some stations, that the studio is used for pre-recording making it harder to train people for live work.

5.111 Retention of volunteers can be labour-intensive, factoring in unexpected absences such as illness and holiday. Some stations feel that the support needed by their volunteers is a big responsibility and requires a lot of resource. Similarly, managing expectations of a large group of volunteers can be problematic. For many the day-to-day running of the station is down to a huge level of voluntary effort from, in some cases, a small group of people.

5.112 For a number of stations coverage is still an issue; some stations feel that they are not achieving suitable coverage, are not adequately covering their chosen target area or are limited by the restricted coverage that community radio services are allocated. Some stations feel that inadequate coverage makes it more difficult for them to effectively sell advertising.

5.113 Annex 2 details some of the station difficulties that we can share in this report, as well as the achievements enjoyed by stations during the reporting period.

Listener figures

5.114 The radio industry standard for measuring listener figures, RAJAR16

5.115 Instead community radio stations are using a variety of means to measure their listenership and take account of audience needs. Ofcom asked stations to provide details of any audience research they had carried out.

, is used by both the BBC and commercial radio services. The cost of RAJAR is prohibitive for most community radio stations and no community radio station has reported using RAJAR.

5.116 Insight Radio broadcasts from Glasgow and provides a service for blind and partially sighted people. The station, which is part of the RNIB17

5.117 Demon FM in Leicester commissioned audience research which, it says, “gave a picture of the station as a developing organisation”. The findings indicated that respondents had views on a number of issues, including that there were not enough female voices represented, not enough consideration of faith-based interests and “too much chat between presenters”. However these points were balanced with plenty of positive feedback too.

, is able to commission annual audience research, which it says measures the station’s reach across the UK (Insight Radio broadcasts on Sky television and Freesat, as well as its community FM service in Glasgow). The station stays this research is “closely aligned to the methodology used in Rajar”.

5.118 Using online survey tools and website statistics is an effective way for some stations to gather information.

5.119 Broadcasting to a youth audience in Leicester, Takeover Radio ran an online survey throughout the year which, the station says, helped to develop the station sound to suit the requirements of its audience.

16 Radio Joint Audience Research 17 The Royal National Institute of Blind People

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5.120 Stroud FM also used an online survey tool to reach 157 respondents. Findings from the research indicated that the majority of those polled listen to the station’s specialist music programmes in the early evening, with the second most popular listening period being the drive time show. The station has also taken account of its online statistics and feedback from Twitter and Facebook.

5.121 Bristol Community FM says it does not undertake market research but relies on figures from its website which has indicated a steady increase in listening through the online service. The station says this has risen to over 20,000 hits per month with podcasts of specific shows attracting around 10,000 hours per month.

5.122 Some community radio services have called on expertise in their locality instead. Using a survey designed by Liverpool University Management School, 7Waves 92.1 in the Wirral hopes this will result in valuable data for the station. Similarly, Pulse Community Radio in Barrhead, East Renfrewshire, intends to use marketing students from a local college to help the station carry out research by interviewing local people to gather information about the station’s listenership. The station hopes to use this information to develop ideas raise the station’s profile. A LL FM in Manchester worked with the University of Manchester to carry out research which, it says, demonstrated that the station attracted around 14,000 listeners, a market share of 7%.

5.123 For Radio Tircoed in Swansea word of mouth has proved a valuable way to measure success. The station’s presence at events and promotions provide opportunities to speak to listeners about the station’s output, “often with knowledgeable comments about the shows.”

5.124 Asian Star, broadcasting to Slough’s Asian community, has collected in-depth data on listener preferences, listening trends, feedback on features and demographic information. The station has managed to collect this information through a variety of means including its listener club, various forms of communication (email, texts, Facebook), its comments book, satisfaction surveys, website feedback, open days at the station and a number of other initiatives.

5.125 A large proportion of community radio stations cite prohibitive costs, lack of staff and lack of knowledge as obstacles to carrying out formal research exercises. However, as illustrated above, an overwhelming number of stations are coming up with ways of testing their markets and gathering information useful for their businesses.

Pendle Community Radio, Nelson (Lancashire)

73 people completed a questionnaire that contained 10 questions. The questions were based around the type of programmes they enjoyed most to how many hours of radio they listened to a day. This was a basic questionnaire so we could gain some feedback on how well the listeners thought the radio was running. We are in the process of planning and creating a new detailed questionnaire which will contain more questions that will give us further insight into what people think about the radio and the areas that could be improved to provide a better service to the community.

extract from station annual report

Annex 1

1 Stations completing an annual report for 2010/2011 Station Location Category of target

community

102.5 Garrison FM Aldershot, Hampshire Military

102.5 The 'Bridge Stourbridge, West Midlands Geographic – urban

103 The Eye Vale of Belvoir, Leicestershire

Geographic – town/rural

105.3 Zack FM Forest Heath, Suffolk Geographic – town/rural

106.8 Garrison FM Salisbury Military

106.9 Garrison FM Catterick Military

107 Meridian FM East Grinstead Geographic – town/rural

107 Spark FM Sunderland Young people

10Radio Wiveliscombe, Somerset Geographic – town/rural

3TFM Community Radio for Health

Saltcoats, Ayrshire Health promotion

7Waves 92.1 Leasowe, The Wirral Geographic – urban

97.5 Kemet FM Nottingham BME

Aldergrove & Antrim FM Aldergrove, Northern Ireland Military

Alive Radio Dumfries Religious

ALL FM Levenshulme, Manchester Geographic – urban

Amber Sound FM Ripley, Derbyshire Geographic – town/rural

Ambur Radio Walsall BME

Angel Radio Havant, Hampshire Older people

Angel Radio Isle of Wight Newport, Isle of Wight Older people

Asian Star Slough, Berkshire BME

Awaz FM Central Glasgow BME

Ballykinler FM Ballykinler, Northern Ireland Military

BANG Radio Harlesden, London Geographic – urban

BCB 106.6FM Bradford Geographic – urban

BFBS Lisburn Lisburn, Northern Ireland Military

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Big City Radio Aston, Birmingham Geographic - urban

Bishop FM Bishop Auckland, County Durham

Geographic – town/rural

Black Diamond FM Midlothian Geographic – urban

Blast 106 Belfast Young people

Blyth Valley Radio Southwold, Suffolk Geographic – town/rural

Bolton FM Bolton Geographic – urban

Boundary Sound18 Newark-on-Trent, Nottinghamshire

Geographic – town/rural

Branch FM Dewsbury, Yorkshire Religious

BRfm Brynmawr, Blaenau Gwent Geographic – town/rural

BRFM (Bridge FM) Isle of Sheppey Geographic –town/rural

Brick FM St Boswells, Borders Geographic – town/rural

Bristol Community FM Bristol Geographic – urban

Bro Radio Barry, Vale of Glamorgan Geographic – town/rural

Burngreave Community Radio

Burngreave, Sheffield Geographic – town/rural

Bute FM Rothesay, Bute Geographic – town/rural

Calon FM Wrexham Geographic – town/rural

Cambridge 105 (formerly 209radio)19

Cambridge

Geographic – urban

Canalside Radio Bollington, Cheshire Geographic – town/rural

Castledown Radio Tidworth, Wiltshire Geographic – town/rural

Celtic Music Radio Glasgow Music – Scottish

Cheshire FM Mid-Cheshire Geographic – town/rural

Chorley FM Chorley, Lancashire Young people

Colchester Garrison FM Colchester, Essex Military

Community Voice FM Middlesbrough Geographic – urban

Corby Radio Corby Geographic – town/rural

Crescent Radio Rochdale BME

Cross Rhythms City Radio Stoke-on-Trent Religious

18 Boundary Sound was required to provide annual reports for this period. It did not provide reports to be included in this report. 19 Cambridge 105 was excused from providing a financial annual report as the licence was transferred to a different company during the reporting period. The incumbent group did not have access to previous financial information.

Cross Rhythms Plymouth Plymouth Religious

Cross Rhythms Teesside Stockton-on-Tees Religious

CSR Canterbury Young people

Demon FM Leicester Young people

Desi Radio Southall, west London BME

Diverse FM Luton, Bedfordshire Geographic – urban

Diversity FM Lancaster, Lancashire Geographic – town/rural

Down FM Downpatrick, Northern Ireland

Geographic – urban

Drive 105 Derry/Londonderry Geographic – urban

Drystone Radio South Craven, Yorkshire Geographic – town/rural

Dunoon Community Radio Dunoon, Argyll Geographic – town/rural

EAVA FM Leicester BME

Edinburgh Garrison FM Edinburgh Military

Erewash Sound Ilkeston, Derbyshire Geographic – town/rural

Express FM Portsmouth Young people

Felixstowe Radio Felixstowe Geographic – town/rural

Flame CCR Wirral Religious

Forest FM Verwood, Dorset Geographic – town/rural

Glastonbury FM Glastonbury, Somerset Geographic – town/rural

Gloucester FM Gloucester BME

Gravity FM Grantham, Lincolnshire Geographic – town/rural

GTFM Pontypridd Pontypridd, south Wales Geographic – town/rural

Halton Community Radio Halton, Cheshire Geographic – town/rural

Harborough FM (HFM) Market Harborough, Leicestershire

Geographic – town/rural

Hayes FM Hayes, west London Geographic – urban

Hermitage FM Coalville, Leicestershire Geographic – town/rural

Holywood FM Holywood, Belfast Military

Hope FM Bournemouth Religious

IndigoFM Kirkby Lonsdale, Cumbria Geographic – town/rural

Insight Radio West Glasgow Disability group

Ipswich Community Radio Ipswich Geographic – town/rural

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(ICR) Iúr FM Newry, Northern Ireland Geographic – town/rural

KCC Live Knowsley, Merseyside Young people

Kohinoor FM Leicester BME

Leith FM Edinburgh Geographic – urban

Lionheart Radio Alnwick, Northumberland Geographic – town/rural

Mearns FM Mearns, Aberdeenshire Geographic – town/rural

Moorlands Radio Biddulph, Staffordshire Geographic – town/rural

NE1 FM Newcastle upon Tyne Geographic – urban

New Style Radio 98.7 FM Birmingham BME

North Manchester FM Manchester Geographic - urban

NuSound Radio Newham, London BME

Oldham Community Radio Oldham Geographic – urban

OnFM Hammersmith, west London Geographic – urban

Peace FM Manchester BME

Pendle Community Radio Nelson, Lancashire BME

Penistone FM Penistone, South Yorkshire Geographic – town/rural

Phoenix FM Halifax, West Yorkshire Geographic – town/rural

Phoenix FM Brentwood, Essex Geographic – town/rural

Phonic FM Exeter Arts and music

Point FM Rhyl, north Wales Geographic – town/rural

Preston FM Preston Geographic – town/rural

Pulse Community Radio Barrhead, East Renfrewshire Geographic – town/rural

Pure Radio Stockport Geographic – urban

Raaj FM West Bromwich BME

Radio Asian Fever Leeds BME

Radio Cardiff Cardiff BME

Radio Dawn Nottingham Religious

Radio Faza 97.1 fm Nottingham BME

Radio Hartlepool Hartlepool Geographic – town/rural

Radio Ikhlas Derby BME

Radio JCom Leeds BME

RadioReverb Brighton Geographic – urban

Radio Scilly Isles of Scilly Geographic – town/rural

Radio St Austell Bay St Austell, Cornwall Geographic – town/rural

Radio Teesdale Teesdale, County Durham Geographic – town/rural

Radio Tircoed Tircoed Village, Swansea Geographic – town/rural

Radio Verulam St Albans, Hertfordshire Geographic – town/rural

Raidió Fáilte Belfast BME

Redroad FM Harthill, South Yorkshire Young people

Resonance FM Central London Arts and music

Revival Radio Glasgow Religious

Saint FM Burnham-on-Crouch, Essex Geographic – town/rural

Salford City Radio Salford Geographic – urban

Seaside FM 105.3 Withernsea, East Yorkshire Geographic – town/rural

Sheffield Live! Sheffield Geographic - urban

Shine FM Banbridge, County Down (Northern Ireland)

Religious

Sine FM Doncaster, South Yorkshire Geographic – town/rural

Siren FM Lincoln Young people

Skyline Gold 102.5 Hedge End, Southampton Geographic – town/rural

Somer Valley FM Midsomer Norton, Somerset Geographic – town/rural

Soundart Radio Totnes, Devon Arts and music

Speysound Radio Badenoch & Strathspey Geographic – town/rural

Spice FM Newcastle upon Tyne BME

Stroud FM Stroud, Gloucestershire Geographic – town/rural

Sunny Govan Radio Govan, Glasgow Geographic – urban

Swindon 105.5 Swindon, Wiltshire Geographic – town/rural

Takeover Radio 106.9 Sutton in Ashfield, Nottinghamshire

Young people

Takeover Radio Leicester Young people

Tameside Radio Tameside Geographic – urban

TCR FM Tamworth Young people

Tempo 107.4 FM Wetherby, West Yorkshire Geographic – town/rural

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The Bay (Poole) Ferndown, Dorset Geographic – town/rural

The Hillz Hillfields, Coventry Geographic - urban

The Source Penryn, Cornwall Geographic – town/rural

The Super Station Orkney Orkney Geographic - town/rural

TMCR Thorne & Moorends, South Yorkshire

Geographic – town/rural

Tudno FM Llandudno, north Wales Geographic – town/rural

Tulip Radio Spalding, South Holland Geographic – town/rural

Ujima Radio Bristol Geographic – town/rural

Unity 101 Southampton BME

Unity FM Birmingham BME

Vixen 101 Market Weighton, Yorkshire Geographic – town/rural

Voice of Africa Radio20 Newham, East London BME

Wayland Radio Ashill, Norfolk Geographic – town/rural

WCR FM Wolverhampton Geographic – urban

West Hull Community Radio Hull Geographic – urban

Westside Community Radio Southall, west London Geographic – urban

Wythenshawe FM Wythenshawe, Manchester Geographic – urban

Youthcomm Radio Worcester Young people

XS Neath and Port Talbot, south Wales

(formerly Afan FM) Young people

20 The annual financial report was not received from Voice of Africa Radio in time to be included in this report.

Annex 2

2 Stations’ achievements and difficulties Ofcom asks stations to report, in confidence if they wish, on major difficulties faced during the reporting period and this is summarised in Section 5. Stations are also encouraged to tell us about their achievements. Set out below are some extracts from stations which have not asked for their comments to be kept confidential. Achievements and difficulties are grouped together under broad categories.

Achievements

Audience numbers and listenership

A major listener survey was conducted with very encouraging results. 107 Meridian FM, East Grinstead

Recently one month showed that the station had over 190,000 listeners on the Internet. An early survey (June 2010) showed that 1 in 4 local people had listened to the station. Felixstowe Radio, Felixstowe

GFM listeners raising £12,000, via fundraising events which showed that the target community wanted to keep GFM on air, this in my opinion was better than any audience researcher could ever have captured. Gloucester FM, Gloucester

Moorlands Radio’s listenership is growing. This is clear from the week on week increase in text and e-mail traffic in response to our programmes. Moorlands Radio, Biddulph (Staffordshire)

We have managed to carry out extensive listener research with the support of Manchester Business School students. Peace FM, Manchester

We have significantly increased our percentage of on-line listeners in the past year. In particular our Wall to Wall Blues show is regularly listened to around the world and has become most popular. Penistone FM, Penistone (South Yorkshire)

Apart from ensuring the station could deliver all that was required of it, the most significant achievement has been the ability to create and maintain a strong listener base in a very competitive environment with much lower level resources than commercial rivals, enabling it to become recognised and embedded as the voice of the community in Rhyl. Point FM, Rhyl (North Wales)

Scale of acceptance – 86% brand recognition, up from 80% in our last return and 36% (was 35%) listenership in a very competitive radio market tells us that what we are doing has been accepted by the target community. Tameside Radio, Tameside

Increased listening. After the rebrand to XS we have a 762% increase in our on air and online listening figures. XS, Neath and Port Talbot (south Wales)

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Awards and nominations

Young Presenter Kenny Coyle received a National Award from the Scottish Arts Council at Adult Learners Week, for his outstanding contribution to Innovation and Creativity in the world of Community Media. 3TFM Community Radio for Health, Saltcoats (Ayrshire)

In April one of our youngest presenters, Ben Atkinson, then aged 18, won the Mayor of Melton's Young Citizen Award for which we had nominated him. In July we won the Federation of Small Businesses Contribution to the Community Award for Leicestershire, Rutland and Northamptonshire. In September, two of our two youngest presenters, Jordan Clarke and Jack Hogan who are 13 and 14, and who present a weekly show from their school, were the winners of the Every Child Matters award in their home village of Cotgrave. In October, presenter Ben Atkinson, now aged 19, won a Young Achiever Award in the Melton Times Community Awards where, the station itself was Highly Commended as a community project. In March 2011 we were Highly Commended in the Community Award section of the Melton Times Business Awards. 103 The Eye, Vale of Belvoir (Leicestershire)

The station has won four awards in the last twelve months, and five in total, including the coveted Radio Academy Nations and Regions award for the best station in the North East (with a potential audience of less than 300,000), and two Student Radio Association awards for best community engagement in the United Kingdom. 107 Spark FM has also been nominated for three further SRA awards. On the night of 6th May 2010, Spark FM’s live eight hour election coverage programme was carried simultaneously on Radio Lionheart in Alnwick, Spice FM and NE1 FM on Tyneside, CVFM in Middlesbrough and Bishop FM in Bishop Auckland. 107 Spark FM, Sunderland

We were recognised by the local rural community council and were awarded a certificate of merit –runner up in the ‘older people’ category. This is an honour we are very proud of as we wish to do everything we can to help older people in our community. Angel Radio Isle of Wight, Newport (Isle of Wight)

2010 will be the year we were officially recognised as Winner of the Queens Awards MBE for Voluntary Groups. It was an honour and pleasure for being recognised over the last 10 years of the work we have done. We also went through the Qualities Scotland EFQM ‘Committed to Excellence’ program and successfully completed the year long project and achieved our accreditation. We highlighted three areas of improvement – People, Strategy and Processes. Awaz FM, Central Glasgow

We have been awarded three Achievement Awards from the Community Media Council of Northern Ireland for a promo, a cross-community report and the Rachel Cochrane Show which she broadcast from Afghanistan for three months. BFBS Lisburn, Lisburn (Northern Ireland)

Winning several awards for programme quality and production, Police programme, Scottish music programme and Sunday morning Christian programme. Black Diamond FM, Midlothian

Being voted “the UK’s Best Loved Radio Station” by the business-to-business network “Best Of”. Finalist for Best Community Business’ in the Bolton and Bury Business Awards for 2011. Bolton FM, Bolton

Jesse Rae has been nominated for the Producer, World Radio California USA Awards 2011. Brick FM, St Boswells (Borders)

The main achievement this year was being awarded the radio Academy ‘Regions and Nations’ station of the year award for the South West. This is an industry award for the station with a potential listenership under 300,000 people. The judges said: “We applaud the aims and ambition of the station, and we appreciate the inclusion of voices from widely ranging ages, cultural background and levels of experience in a schedule that reflects the rich mix of Bristol’s inner city population. We were also impressed by the number of volunteers who have worked and received training with the station, and appreciated hearing some of their voices." Bristol Community FM, Bristol

Winning a ‘Heart of the Community’ Award from North East Assembly Sheffield City Council for the outstanding contribution BCR has made to the community and lives of people who live within the area. Burngreave Community Radio, Burngreave (Sheffield)

Castledown Radio won the "Most Inclusive Approach" category at the Voluntary and Community Sector Awards in 2010, organised by Wiltshire Council and NHS Wiltshire. We are very proud of this achievement, and will continue to strive to attain this level of inclusiveness throughout our licence period. Castledown Radio, Tidworth (Wiltshire)

Celtic Music Radio was nominated in the Trad Music in the Media Award category. Other nominees were BBC Radio Scotland ; STV on their YouTube channel; Horo Gheallaidh (Mac TV) for BBC Alba. This nomination certainly gave the entire Celtic Music Radio team a ‘lift’ and encouragement plus recognition of the service we provide to our community of interest. Celtic Music Radio, Glasgow

We won two runners up Jerusalem Media Awards for best Podcast for our Girls’ Night In show, and best under 25 presenter for Shell Perris. Cross Rhythms City Radio, Stoke-on-Trent

CSR was awarded Gold for its coverage at the national Student Radio Awards in November, recognised in consecutive years for the work entailed. CSR, Canterbury

The Community Awards is an annual award ceremony to recognise the unsung heroes of Luton in various categories. In 2010 Diverse FM was awarded prizes in three categories for its outstanding services to the community. Categories were Luton in Harmony award for promoting community cohesion in the town, Young Heroes Award (Shadab Hussain a volunteer) and Volunteer of the Year Award (Mehbub Koyes). Diverse FM, Luton (Bedfordshire)

2 programmes won awards in the Community Media Council for Northern Ireland Achievement Awards in 2 categories. Drive 105, Derry/Londonderry

Our radio soap finished after 108 episodes and was recognised with a national EPIC Innovation Award. It was a huge success locally, very well received and undoubtedly built the skills and confidence of all who participated in it. Express FM, Portsmouth

Wining an award for Gloucester best based community activity, The Gloscars. The award was presented to GFM by Glosassembly on behalf of the voluntary and community sector 2010. Gloucester FM, Gloucester

Our benefit to the community has been recognised by both Grantham Business Club with an award for services to the community, and listeners who nominated a volunteer for a South Lincs CVS's volunteering recognition award. We were also delighted when one of our volunteers was recognised in a national award when he was presented with the Diana certificate of excellence which recognises the outstanding contribution of young people who

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work together in groups to improve their communities, organisations or schools. Gravity FM, Grantham (Lincolnshire)

In the 2011 “Pride In Harborough” award scheme promoted by the local newspaper the Harborough Mail, and voted for by members of the community, Harborough FM were runners up in the “Raising the Profile of the Town” award in recognition of works done, and Mr Chris Jones the Station’s Programme Controller was runner up in the category of “Hard Work and Determination” for his personal efforts on behalf of the Station and community at large. Harborough FM, Market Harborough (Leicestershire)

Our sustaining service, BFBS Lisburn, has been awarded three Achievement Awards from the Community Media Council of Northern Ireland for a promo, a cross-community report about a rugby match in Holywood and the Rachel Cochrane Show which she broadcast from Afghanistan for three months. Holywood FM, Holywood (Belfast)

2010 brought the station its first recognition on a regional basis. INDIGO 106.6fm was nominated in the annual How-Do awards for creative media in the Regional Excellence category for radio output and competed against the likes of BBC Local and large commercial stations. This has increased INDIGO’s profile and the number of invitations to submit output for consideration. IndigoFM, Kirkby Lonsdale (Cumbria)

One of Insight Radio’s partially sighted volunteers won a Finalist Certificate in the 2010 New York Festivals Award for Best Regularly Scheduled Music Programme. Insight Radio also won a Highly Commended Freesat Award for Station of the Year. Insight Radio, West Glasgow

Three programmes won awards in the Community Media Council for Northern Ireland’s Achievement Awards. These awards were judged by some of the leading figures in broadcasting in Northern Ireland. Iúr FM, Newry (Northern Ireland)

This year has seen KCC Live achieve more than we could have ever hoped for. Our volunteers put together a package and entered us into and won The Nations & Regions Awards with the Radio Academy for the North West. This automatically put us into the hat for the National Sony Awards Station of the Year category with under 300,000 listeners against 11 other regions in the UK. On the 31st March at an event in London it was announced that we had been nominated as one of 3 stations for the award. A fantastic effort after only one full year on FM. The station has been buzzing ever since. KCC Live, Knowsley (Merseyside)

We were excited to be awarded a bronze Sony Radio Academy Award in the Community Programming category for the “Divided We Fall” drama serial, produced with Mannmade Productions in February 2010. Preston FM, Preston

Winner of ‘Innovation In Technology’ Hartlepool Business Awards 2010. Radio Hartlepool, Hartlepool

Radio Teesdale was awarded the bronze award for Best Pocast in the Christian Broadcasting Council (CBC) Awards 2011 and is nominated for a Jerusalem Award for an Easter Celebration programme. Radio Teesdale, Teesdale (County Durham)

This year Resonance won the prestigious Radio Academy Nations and Regions Award for London for the second year running. Resonance FM, Central London

Salford City Radio has been successful in the following awards: Runner up Central Saford Community Award 2010; Community Award Winner 2009 in the Salford Business Awards;

Runner up 2008 Salford Business Awards; Community And Social Care Award 2008. We also received a nomination for Organisation of the Year award in the 2010 Salford Heart of Salford Awards. Salford City Radio, Salford

The station manager was awarded the Town Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Community. SKY NEWS transmitted our coverage of the festivities to mark the Royal Wedding and the Station Manager won a prize for this contribution. Seaside FM 105.3, Withernsea (East Yorkshire)

The Station won an award from The Media Trust. The Community Voices Award was given in recognition of the work of Soundart Radio and Lead Artist, Magda Crace for the Unsane Rhapsody mental health project. Soundart Radio, Totnes (Devon)

Awards – The station was shortlisted in the North West Radio Academy Station of the Year (Small Station) and shortlisted in the How Do Awards, North West Station Of The Year, losing out to a major commercial radio station. Tameside Radio, Tameside

Community interest and engagement

The station has gained a good reputation, not only in the community it serves, but between the communities, local government and statutory bodies. The station has a relationship with a number of large, blue chip companies (i.e. Debenhams) who are advertising with the station because they realise the potential and the strength of the market that is the 97.5 Kemet FM audience and also the position 97.5 Kemet FM has maintained its position as a cultural broker within the Nottingham. 97.5 Kemet FM, Nottingham

Forest Heath Public Radio Ltd. further supports our local community non-profit and community organizations by giving them free 30 second public service announcements. These PSAs are broadcast hourly at the rate of three per hour in rotating order. Over 175 organizations utilize this free service to promote their causes from fundraising, events to membership drives and general awareness. PSAs are submitted through an online form which is available on our website and we also publish the PSAs on our website in addition to broadcasting themr. 105.3 Zack FM, Forest Heath (Suffolk)

Starting a monthly question and answer session on different subjects with people in the garrison, allowing the targeted audience to ask questions and have them answered on air. Topics included health matters, domestic violence, job matters and police matters. Aldershot Garrison FM, Aldershot (Hampshire)

We have gained wide acceptance and enthusiasm from the wider local community and have engaged with most of the key leaders and significant elements of the community, from the council, health board, police, education, the arts community and churches. Alive Radio, Dumfries

We have sustained partnerships with organisations such as Greater Manchester Police, Bridgewater hall, Manchester City Council and Radio Regen whilst attracting new partnerships with Levenshulme Literature Festival, Manchester College and the Contact Theatre. ALL FM, Levenshulme (Manchester)

Finding our local leisure centre survey listed Amber Sound as having up to a 24% penetration of their clients and exceeding 350 text contacts in a single day. Amber Sound FM, Ripley (Derbyshire)

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We hold open days and public meetings, have discussion forums via our website and actively encourage listeners to interact with us via emails, letters requesting their thoughts of our radio programmes. We also have a comments book within our reception area enabling the public to leave their views. We encourage local feedback through local groups such as schools and colleges, advertising business customers and through all our other parties that are affiliated with our service as we feel this is crucial to our success through this feedback that we obtain this helps us to polish our performance.

We are very proud of the fact that 20% of our listeners are non Asian and tune into our station daily for vital travel news, national and local news, guests and workshops for such people as the local MP, CEO of local authority, the Mayor and other authoritative figures. Asian Star, Slough (Berkshire)

The greatest achievement over the year is integrating more into the local community with other community groups and government departments and agencies making use of station assets for their gain, whether that is promotional work or disseminating information to the local residents. In addition, the station is now being approached by local businesses wishing to advertise with us. These both highlight to us that marketing of the station is starting to work, and programme quality is improving. Bishop FM, Bishop Auckland (County Durham)

Being accepted as an integral part of the community, and being recognised for such. Recognised role as the source to get information about up to date community events. Black Diamond FM now embedded as a key player in community capacity building. Black Diamond FM, Midlothian

We are very pleased at the amount of support we have received from the local Town Council, Parish Councils, District Council (Waveney), and the County Council (Suffolk, who have awarded us a grant). This support has grown over the period that we have been broadcasting on FM and local people, businesses, charity groups and societies, etc., are using the radio facilities to promote themselves and their activities. Blyth Valley Radio, Southwold (Suffolk)

The recognition by the civic leaders of Bolton, which means Bolton FM is embedded in the civic life of the town, and regarded as significant communications outlet. The three local MPs recognise the station as a powerful medium with which to communicate with their constituents and electorate. In addition, the level of relationships we have established with organisations like Bolton Council, Greater Manchester Police and the National Health Service. Bolton FM, Bolton

Developing stronger links with key agencies and figure heads from the private and public sector and continuing to raise the awareness of facilities, activities and support that is available to the community. Branch FM, Dewsbury (Yorkshire)

It is an achievement to get people who are basically reluctant to speak on air to try the experience of expressing themselves and to gain self confidence. Many have learning difficulties and some are handicapped or disabled, but it teaches them how to develop their skills and offers an improvement in their wellbeing. Older people are interviewed and talk about their favourite music and their experiences in life. Youngsters have an opportunity to gain self confidence, and it gives pupils at school work experience and the confidence to communicate and gain skills. Brick FM, St Boswells (Borders)

A month long Ramadan broadcast brought many new contributors into the studio and also gave us a marketing possibility to raise a small amount of cash. Bristol Community FM, Bristol

We were also proud to be able to take 'Father Christmas' on a tour of island schools, care homes, community groups and local businesses. At one of our volunteer meetings it was suggested that we have a Santa Claus to spread goodwill to local children. The idea developed into a large project where one volunteer designed and made a unique costume for another volunteer who played 'Father Christmas' with great vigour. Two other volunteers took 'Father Christmas' on his tour and the feedback that we received from astonished children and adults delighted every one of us and we look forward to doing it again. Bute FM, Rothesay (Bute)

During the severe winter Castledown Radio again implemented it’s 24hr ‘Snow Line’ which broadcast school closures, transport information and help line details for the local councils and also published information on www.castledownradio.info about all events and activities that were affected by the bad weather. Website traffic increased by 50% during this period. Our listeners have said “The information provided was highly valued especially in the bad weather.”

Castledown Radio has excellent links with the young students of the Academy, their parents, and through various activities, the community at large. Castledown Radio has continued support, finances and guidance from a diverse group of local businesses, local organisations, Parish, Town and County Councils which re-enforces our commitment to continue to provide a valued community radio service. Castledown Radio, Tidworth (Wiltshire)

Kept the Garrison & local community informed of school closures, road closure, travel disruption and events cancelled during the major snow event in December 2010 and onwards. Local Army schools used the station to inform parents of closures or changes in arrangements. Colchester Garrison FM, Colchester (Essex)

Since our launch date, we have had in the region of 40,000 emails, 20,000 text messages and 24,000 active online listeners. We have also attended 67 outside broadcast events to promote various local topics, such as the launch of the newly built Corby Cube, the opening of The Heritage Centre, The Corby Carnival, The Highland gathering and the recent campaign to get the street lights switched back on. Also we were proud to help the ‘Pen Green’ appeal to save the children’ resource centre which almost closed due to funding being cut but survived because of the spirit of the people and our backing of the campaign. Corby Radio, Corby

One of our presenters sits on the Partnership Of Faith Group to tackle crime in the city centre, led by the Police. Cross Rhythms City Radio, Stoke-on-Trent

The station is continually improving its links with partners, which means that we can embed and develop the quality of our services, and the relevance of our services to our audience and volunteers. DemonFM is now able to offer a more structured output working with partners such as Citizen’s Eye and From Dusk 2 Dawn. The key stakeholders of the station are very supportive of the work that the volunteers are undertaking, with a substantial level of in-kind resource investment provided by De Montfort University and De Montfort Students Union. Demon FM, Leicester

Over the last two years DFM’s achievement in all areas has excelled everyone’s expectation. Locally, in Luton and surrounding towns and villages, DFM is recognised as the most listened station and the only local station that serves the needs of the local people. DFM successfully replaced BBC Counties radio as the official media partner of Luton Town F.C and their preferred supplier of the live commentary for Hatters player and supports. And all these were achieved (until recent successful Big Lottery grant) with limited funding and other resources. Diverse FM, Luton (Bedfordshire)

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Following a request to publicise an employment event our local Help Direct office reported that 47% of attendees had heard about it via Diversity FM. Diversity FM, Lancaster (Lancashire)

Kept the Garrison & local community informed of school closures, road closure, travel problems and events cancelled during the severe snow disruption in December 2010. The station became the focal point for information during the adverse weather with schools and event organisers from within the garrison and local community calling and e-mailing with information. The launch of The Garrison FM book Club. This not only encourages listener interaction but supports the work carried out at the Army Education Centres and local libraries. Edinburgh Garrison FM, Edinburgh

COMIC RELIEF 2011: Erewash Sound embraced the national drive to raise funds potentially available to local eligible organisations by setting up a ‘Just Giving’ page for listeners from the Erewash area to donate to Comic Relief and be recognised as being driven by the radio station to do so. A radio station presenter visited local schools to give the children access to the airwaves by recording their favourite jokes for broadcast. This particular activity was deemed so successful, it is now leading to a drive to launch a ‘school of the month’ in which content will be collected from the school and broadcast. Erewash Sound, Ilkeston (Derbyshire)

A lot of outreach was done when we had a paid part time post and that has begun to pay dividends in terms of community involvement and engagement and awareness that the station is a resource for the local community. Glastonbury FM, Glastonbury (Somerset)

Attracting the active support of politicians from all parties and at all levels of government in Wales. GTFM Pontypridd, Pontypridd (south Wales)

Our greatest achievement has been to provide a voice for marginalised members of the local community. The station also provides a platform to promote local community events and initiatives, as well as offering advice about service providers in the area… we are delighted to have more disabled volunteers and service users involved than ever before, including those with special needs and learning difficulties. Halton Community Radio, Halton (Cheshire)

Harborough FM were once again this year proud to have been selected by the local community to act as hosts for many of the major town events including Christmas Late Night Shopping to include the tree lighting ceremony, Arts Fresco Street Festival, carnival, numerous school fetes, Armed Forces Day, local village fun days, two large firework displays. Harborough FM, Market Harborough (Leicestershire)

Delivering a community panel discussions with the local schools, the disability organisations, local school and the local MP and the Mayor of London and his opposite number. Hayes FM, Hayes (west London)

Take-up of Hermitage FM is far better than was originally expected. Previous experience has shown that new community groups take time to be recognised. Hermitage FM achieved in just two months what was expected to take two years. Our involvement with sports groups, leisure centres, local authorities, County Council, schools, colleges, churches, local police, the RNIB, disability groups, local charities and many more has been exemplary. Hermitage FM, Coalville (Leicestershire)

Holywood fm along with The Loughview Community Forum based in Holywood, has initiated a project to promote the integration of families living in Palace Barracks into the local community. A small team of people (from inside and outside the wire) are working on a 10-

minute radio feature about life in Palace Barracks looking at how the local community perceive life in the barracks and how both communities can improve their understanding of each other. The project is purely voluntary and gives us yet another opportunity to increase our profile. Holywood FM, Holywood (Belfast)

Members of the community now look to Kohinoor Radio as a one stop shop for all their information needs. This is very commendable to achieve such an accolade in a short space of time. Kohinoor FM, Leicester

We have maintained our partnerships with Gallery Youth Project, Duchess High School, Coquet High School, St Cloud University and Barndale House School (special school for teenagers with learning difficulties) to recruit and train younger volunteers. Lionheart Radio, Alnwick (Northumberland)

During the bad snow at the end of 2010 and the beginning of 2011, Moorlands Radio was a vital service for local people for “what’s off” information, weather reports, traffic information and importantly School Closures. Moorlands Radio, Biddulph (Staffordshire)

NuSound acts as a key information source for local people on several topics and so enriches their lives. For example, we regularly invite local councillors and local institutions, for example Newham PCT, London Fire Brigade, local police, local lawyers and independent nutritionists to talk on the radio about several issues that affect local people. NuSound Radio, Newham (London)

Inclusion of guests from the local communities and very high profile guests including an Oscar winner. Inclusion of MPs and local councillors as well as local people in live studio debate. OnFM, Hammersmith (west London)

The community have expressed that they have a medium to voice their opinions and views. Pendle Community Radio, Nelson (Lancashire)

Our links with the business community are developing slowly but surely. We were delighted when the Avenue Shopping Centre renewed sponsorship of our web-streaming service for another year and we have started to attract some smaller-scale (but no less significant) sponsorship from other local businesses. Pulse Community Radio, Barrhead (East Renfrewshire)

We have continued to build on our interactive relationship with the community we serve by attending a wide variety of community events, recording and broadcasting live content from many of them. This has given us the opportunity to engage with communities across the borough including areas of social deprivation such as Brinnington and Adswood. Our “How Kools Your Skool” feature has given our breakfast presenters the chance to meet with more than 200 Stockport school children during the year and given them the opportunity to record their own feelings on how cool their school is. Time is spent coaching a number of them through writing and reading scripts to be broadcast during the feature. We also podcast the feature for each school. Pure Radio, Stockport

The radio hosts a current affairs programme 5 days a week. Regular guests are MPs, Welsh Assembly Members, local councillors, and representatives of various agencies. We offer access to the local community who appreciate the opportunity to ask questions direct, and because they are answered on air the whole community has access to the information. Radio Cardiff has also been instrumental in organising local music events that reflect the tastes of the diverse community that we serve , and these have been extremely well attended. Radio Cardiff, Cardiff

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Radio Dawn delivered a fundraising campaign for a local Christian charity Emmanuel House to support homeless people in our city. We raised over £6,000 for this cause and were featured in a local press report. Radio Dawn, Nottingham

The increasing response for events to be included in our ‘What’s Happening Guide’, promotion of local bands and artists, one of which got through to Britain’s Got Talent, and a significant increased uptake of the ‘Community Slots’. Radio Hartlepool, Hartlepool

The multi faith project helped to ease community tensions. Many different faiths, backgrounds and cultures participated in the project. Radio Ikhlas, Derby

We are now being invited to participate in the planning stage of many local events and our contribution to Community Groups is welcomed and appreciated. We are proud of the inroads we have made in our involvement with the community. It has taken a lot of time and effort from all the team but we have seen an increase in visitors to the web site rise from around 100 to 2250 per month. Feedback from members of the public has been very positive. Radio Tircoed, Tircoed Village (Swansea)

Our outreach work has continued to grow and develop and we are pleased that we have used our unique position to bring the Irish language in a positive way to many people who have previously been unable or reluctant to access Raidió Fáilte, Belfast

Partnerships with 8 out of 16 secondary schools in the borough of Rotherham. Redroad FM, Harthill (South Yorkshire)

Throughout 2010 and 2011 the Mining For Gold team, operating as outreach volunteers, worked with two mental health groups, IMF in Islington and Core in Hackney. Both projects involved supporting a group of service users to compose their own music and poetry, which we then broadcast live on the weekly Mining For Gold show. In September 2011 the team will collaborate with The Elfrida Society of Islington to create a radio orchestra for people with learning disabilities. Resonance FM, Central London

Revival FM has worked during the past year to establish and maintain relationships with key people and organisations in our community and continues to enjoy their support. Many more people in the community have contributed their time and expertise towards programming and other activities. Revival FM, Glasgow

Providing support, publicity and judging the Garrison’s Got Talent Contest 2010 open to acts from all regiments based on Salisbury Plain in aid of SSAFA. Publicising and providing a compere for the Forces Festival in May 2010 to an audience of around 3,000 people from the surrounding area. Salisbury Plain Garrison FM, Salisbury

We helped raise nearly £5000 for the Cancer hospice at Moorgreen Hospital as well as over a £1000 for breast cancer support. Skyline Gold 102.5, Hedge End (Southampton)

Celebrated major religious festivals for four main faith communities; Hindu, Sikh, Muslim and Christian. Spice FM, Newcastle upon Tyne

The organisation has helped to give the community a new sense of confidence and belief in itself. The area has been deprived for generations and has been negatively stereotyped by the traditional media outlets. Sunny Govan Community Radio continues to place high importance on diversity and inclusion through the process of community development. The amount of community groups that have participated continues to excel initial expectations. Sunny Govan Radio, Govan (Glasgow)

Providing a much appreciated “Voice for Wetherby” to the considerable benefit of the community, on a very limited budget and within the constraints of the Community Radio Order. Creating a new focus for the area through the medium of radio, by linking the various communities within the associated towns. Tempo 107.4 FM, Wetherby (West Yorkshire)

The Bay has again this year been able to contribute over £2,000 of support for Life Education Wessex which has directly enabled them to run a gala quiz night raising over £20,000. The Bay (Poole), Ferndown (Dorset)

The station’s coverage of the local area is far more comprehensive than that of its competitors and this is a key goal of the station, while its sports, community, political and specialist music coverage are now attracting a wide following and praise for its high quality. The 'Bridge, Stourbridge (West Midlands)

Many more local groups have been giving us information about their events which has been seen as a very positive stage in gaining their support and trust. We have taken our PA to local events, supporting the community as well as publicising the radio station. TMCR, Thorne & Moorends (South Yorkshire)

20/20 show with Bristol Partnership – spreading information from the council to the community. Ujima Radio, Bristol

Students from University Of Southampton host on a fortnightly basis a programme entitled “Knowing You Knowing Me” The University teaches international students from over 130 countries and Southampton is proud of its image as a multi cultural society with 12 different faiths and 40 spoken languages. The purpose of this programme is to address community integration and overcome myths, explaining cultural differences and challenging negative media coverage. Unity 101, Southampton

Vixen 101 promotes amateur and professional theatre around the East Riding. The theatre programme became the only dedicated radio show for community and professional theatre in the region and featured local actors, writers and theatre Managers, as well big names such as Marti Webb, Beverley Craven and Seth Lakeman. The Theatre programme has also given Vixen 101 a new prominence in the arts and theatre scene. The show was presented live on a regular basis using Skype technology from the Pocklington Arts Centre and, “The Junction” theatre in Goole, during the year. Vixen 101, Market Weighton (Yorkshire)

We have brought health issues into the minds of many Africans through our work with Newham General Hospital and also through conducting interviews with health experts. Voice of Africa Radio, Newham (East London)

Working in partnership with the Worcestershire E-safety Partnership and West Mercia Police, we produced audio and video content to support a new local anti-cyber-bullying initiative, which included interviews with Worcester Rugby Club and Worcester Wolves basketball team. We also worked in partnership with FLOSS, a team of staff and young people from the local council, to record and document a celebration event showcasing successful funding bids made by the young people themselves. This included recording the event and producing interviews with various groups and organisations, edited into a final audio package. Youthcomm Radio, Worcester

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Events and outside broadcasts

We again provided coverage of the Tour of Britain cycle race as it passed through Wiveliscombe in September. 10Radio, Wiveliscombe (Somerset)

When the station has held outside broadcasts or outside events, such as at community events in the market square, it has attracted in excess of 2,500 people to the events. 97.5 Kemet FM, Nottingham

We launched our programme of weekly road show appearances in February 2010 and we went on to attend more than 40 venues in the town and villages, ranging from church fetes and vintage machinery shows to open gardens and special events held in charity shops. Programmes were produced from all of these: most were recorded but several were live broadcasts using 3G technology. As part of the Leicestershire County Council community forums funding, we staged four major road shows – at a village festival, a careers convention and two Christmas fairs - whose features included training for young people, a showcase for local musicians and promotion of the town to encourage tourism. 103 The Eye, Vale of Belvoir (Leicestershire)

Since 2009, the radio station has offered support to the RAF Mildenhall and RAF Lakenheath Enlisted and Civilians Spouses Club & the Officer’s and Civilians Spouses Club which hold three bazaars yearly and the proceeds from these bazaars are channelled back into the local community, funding many non-profit and community organizations. With the support of the radio station, they have seen increases from year to year from attendance from the general public. The radio station broadcasts live at each event.

We broadcast local church services from St. Mary’s Church of England and St. John’s Catholic Church which has allowed housebound people the opportunity to continue enjoying the church services. We have received several letters of praise for our Sunday morning programming to include our newest show, Sunday Morning Inspiration, which has got the attention from the local schools religious studies classes. 105.3 Zack FM, Forest Heath (Suffolk)

Launch of Road show with fully mobile studio and covering general election live throughout the night with live OB from count. Amber Sound FM, Ripley (Derbyshire)

Increased awareness for the station at major events including Notting Hill Carnival which included a BANG guide to carnival leaflet and Electric slide. BANG Radio, Harlesden (London)

Yet again for the 3rd year we were chosen as media partners for the Lord Mayors’ Show, Birmingham Carnival (bi-annual event), the Great Midland Fun Run and Birmingham University sports event. The fact that we were chosen before larger commercial radio stations in the area has once again shown the popularity of Big City Radio. Big City Radio, Aston (Birmingham)

We covered the Eisteddfod with live transmission from the Maes. BRfm, Brynmawr (Blaenau Gwent)

We broadcast live from the Bristol Harbour festival and Brisfest festival. These two broadcasts saw us broadcasting live for three days from a stage which was promoting local artists and music. These were major outside broadcasts for the station and enhanced our position as a major broadcaster in the city. Bristol Community FM, Bristol

This year marks the Wrexham Year of Culture and as such Calon FM has played a large role in the promotion and marketing of events surrounding this. Calon FM launched the Year of Culture on the 23rd of January 2011 with a ‘flash mob. Calon FM will continue to work very closely with the Wrexham Council to cover and attend as many events as possible throughout the year. Calon FM is an official associate to Wrexham Year of Culture. In addition, Calon FM was chosen as the radio station of choice and as such is partnered with The Welsh National Eisteddfod which will be coming to Wrexham in the summer of 2011. Calon FM, Wrexham

We have had excellent success in taking the station out and about with some outside broadcast events. Of great success was Red Nose Day where we raised almost four hundred pounds for the cause. We also had a stall at the celebrated Strawberry Fair event were we signed up new members and broadcast a number of bands and events at the fair, with Cambridge105 being the only local broadcast organisation with a presence there. Cambridge 105, Cambridge

Successful and very positive CY2Y (Canalside Youth to Youth) sessions for young people led by young volunteers. And the setting up of an internet youth radio. Canalside Radio, Bollington (Cheshire)

Castledown Radio has received repeat requests from local groups and organisations to provide The Really Red Radio Roadshow (RRRR) and PAs at their events. Whilst at these events the broadcast team record interviews that are played at the venue over the PA and are later broadcast on the radio. The repeat bookings and the positive comments at each venue tell us that we are giving the public what they want and that they value what Castledown Radio delivers to the community. Castledown Radio, Tidworth (Wiltshire)

During Celtic Connections 2011 our regular 19 days of coverage at The Glasgow Royal Concert Hall was made available across many parts of England and South Wales on DAB digital radio using the ‘Pop Up’ channel facility on the Now Digital local multiplexes. Celtic Music Radio, Glasgow

Attendance at Chorley’s Picnic in the Park where the station and its Folk Show had both been nominated for Chorley Smile awards. Chorley FM, Chorley (Lancashire)

In July 2010, CSR returned to the popular Canterbury festival Lounge on the Farm. A team of volunteers successfully broadcast for three days from the field after being selected as the official radio station for interviews and performance re-caps. The organisers chose CSR to provide coverage – as opposed to more established stations Kmfm and BBC Kent – due to our community driven, non-corporate ethos and continuing commitment to culturally engage the residents of Canterbury.

CSR worked once again with the organisers of Keynestock to provide live coverage and performances from the University of Kent annual competition. This festival provides bands with a platform to perform to a large crowd on campus and compete to perform at the Summerball. CSR were also involved in the judging of the event and interviewed all bands taking part live on air. Artsfest is an annual festival held by the University of Kent. In 2010, this event was open to members of the local community and included music, readings and other activities. Although a four-day event, Saturday is the grand finale, and CSR provided on air coverage of all the events throughout the day.

CSR were present once again at the AGMs for both Kent Union and the Christ Church Students’ Union. These events were covered live with the opportunity for people listening in to pass comment on social sites, email and text. CSR, Canterbury

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As a result of the a Big Lottery grant, Diverse FM has been able to invest on a mobile studio / broadcast unit with touch screen facilities, which enables DFM to take the unit out to schools, care homes, people with disabilities and to different local events and festivals. This has enabled us to take Diverse FM to the local community rather than expecting them to come to us. DFM has also worked in partnership with and /or supported over 100 local charities with their works or promoting their events and activities. DFM have not only supported these organisations or their activities through producing jingles or adverts to promote the events but have also supported many events through providing in kind or real financial supports, as well as attending and broadcasting live from the event. Diverse FM, Luton (Bedfordshire)

Staged a major talent show ‘The Drive Factor’ involving local singers over a 2 month period, singing live on air, with the final being held in a 1,000 seater venue. Drive 105, Derry/Londonderry

One of our biggest achievements was broadcasting from the Cowal Highland Gathering, this event, which has a worldwide audience, is held over three days at the end of August. Dunoon Community Radio, Dunoon (Argyll)

Members of Erewash Sound gave up their time to compere and provide engineering support to the Ilkeston Rotary Club who staged a ‘talent contest’ for local bands, artists and groups. The cross promotion of not only the event and those taking part gave maximum exposure to the work of the club, but also the charities benefiting from funds raised and also generated considerable exposure for the contestants who received positive encouragement, support and promotion with their aims. Erewash Sound, Ilkeston (Derbyshire)

We teamed up with Macmillan Cancer Care and helped organise their Worlds’ Biggest coffee morning in September 2010 at the Verwood Hub. Forest FM, Verwood (Dorset)

Hermitage FM has broadcast live from many events, not only around North West Leicestershire but as far afield as Wembley Stadium supporting Coalville Town Football Club in the final of the FA Vase. These broadcasts have proved to be a valuable contribution to the local area and have opened up a whole new concept to community activities. The support from the local authorities is high. We were invited to broadcast live from the local and national election counts and were treated equally alongside the BBC and ILR (whilst they covered many different areas of the county, our focus was unique on North West Leicestershire). Hermitage FM, Coalville (Leicestershire)

The schools competition we ran – “Be a DJ for the Day” attracted a huge response from schools in the area. We had 12 winners in all who were hosted in the studio. The feedback we have had from the schools since has been heartwarming and we plan to hold a similar competition next year. Holywood FM, Holywood (Belfast)

Showcasing local bands & performers on a massive stage on the beach during the Bournemouth Air Festival – an event that draws over 300,000 people to this locality in August. Hope FM, Bournemouth

We provided the entertainment at the Knowsley Christmas Light switch on in Huyton, Prescot, and Kirkby entertaining the crowds from our OB Truck with giveaways, live singers and community dance groups. KCC Live, Knowsley (Merseyside)

We have promoted free events such as Stop Smoking, Substance Misuse, Community Entertainer’s Fair (organised by Change Community Project) Ladies Wellbeing & Lifestyle Evening (proceeds going to Macmillan Cancer Support), National Armed Forces Day, Organ Donor register (Hammersmith Hospital),The New London Orchestra, Metropolitan Police

Authority- Independent Custody Visiting Scheme, British Heart Foundation offering free lifestyle checks around Newham, Safer Neighbourhood Teams, B Employed (Widows & Orphans International) Breast Screening campaign in Newham, Bowel Cancer (national promotion). NuSound Radio, Newham (London)

We have always considered outside broadcasts to be an essential part of our programming. As they bring the event to the notice to a wider audience and bring and a wider audience to the event. This year we have held live outside broadcasts of: The three day Saddleworth Folk Festival; Failsworth Carnival; Christmas lights switch on event; Girl Guides 100th anniversary celebrations; Mayor Making Ceremony ; regular Rugby League commentaries; Rugby League Playoff Grand Final; Oldham Council Meetings; coffee and chat events linking with partner organisations (e.g. age concern, Macmillan nurses); three Election counts; five Election Husting events. Oldham Community Radio, Oldham

We have been able to continue developing live outside broadcasts such as a town centre Christmas light switch on, the Remembrance Day service from the Halifax Minster, Neighbours Day, and have been negotiating with the local professional football team to do live commentary. We have supplied PA services for local galas, charitable events and celebration evenings such as Voluntary Action Calderdale’s Volunteer Oscar Celebration evening, Community Foundation for Calderdale charity event. Phoenix FM, Halifax (West Yorkshire)

The station was also able to support a range of events which took place beyond the notional FM coverage area; these included Sidmouth International Folk Week, Chagstock (a notable tie-in with ‘Water Aid’), the Ashburton Blues Festival and Teignmouth Jazz Festival. Phonic FM, Exeter

Of particular note during the year was the project's summer tour, which took place during July, August and September and saw the whole station visiting six different community venues across the target area. The venues visited were chosen in response to lower levels of volunteer uptake from those geographical areas, and the tour was particularly successful in recruiting new volunteers from areas previously under-represented within the project. Preston FM, Preston

The 4th Annual “lighting ceremony”, on 15th February 2011 (12 Rabi ul Awal) celebrating the birth of the Blessed Prophet of Islam, Muhammad, peace be upon him. This was held at the Bobbersmill Community Centre (BMCC), which was decorated with internal and external lighting. This event attracted more than 1,000 people from all over Nottingham. Radio Dawn, Nottingham

We were media partners with the Brighton Festival Fringe and intend to further strengthen our relationship with the festival in the next reporting period. RadioReverb, Brighton

We successfully carried out two outside broadcasts, in co–operation with Feile FM. Raidió Fáilte, Belfast

Revival FM continues to hold an ongoing programme of event organisation and promotion such as open days, concerts and banquets for fundraising and support for deserving causes. Revival FM, Glasgow

We went on to do our first ever live outside broadcast from a local council run safety event and have since done several more including covering the visit to Maldon by Her Majesty the Queen and a live breakfast show from the window of Marks & Spencer’s in Maldon high street. Saint FM, Burnham-on-Crouch (Essex)

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Source FM conducted outside broadcasts from 10 different events over the summer of 2010. The Source, Penryn (Cornwall)

We arranged an Asian wedding fayre. This was the first of its kind and was aimed at the local community who had no facility like this locally in the past. We were also a partner to the Newcastle mela multicultural festival – Spice FM hosts the main stage and has a very visible presence at the event and is able to engage a large proportion of our community and promote our service to a huge cross section of communities that reside in Newcastle. Spice FM, Newcastle upon Tyne

We have been invited by Ashfield District Council to host the ‘Ashfield Show’ in August. 15,000 local people attend the event each year. The free to attend show includes performances from musical artists and bands, a fun fair and food stalls. Takeover Radio 106.9, Sutton in Ashfield (Nottinghamshire)

Tameside Jobs Fair – an annual event. Tameside Radio has sponsored the event for the last two years as the attendees have grown from 1300 to 2300. LGTB Pride event – Tameside Radio hosted a picnic in the park event organised by third sector groups, promoted the event and organised the technical equipment. Tameside Radio, Tameside

Christmas Carols evening: We broadcast live from this festive event held around a local church where our presence helped promote the date beforehand and raise the station’s profile whilst attending. TCR FM, Tamworth

TMCR have successfully manned the PA stage at the annual Thorne Festival with several of our team being involved with looking after acts on the stage, talking to the public, making announcements and so on. Three of our members are now on the festival committee as a direct result of taking part. TMCR, Thorne & Moorends (South Yorkshire)

In the past 12 months we have been represented and received positive feedback for our coverage at: Bay of Colwyn Promenade Day, Llandudno Victorian Extravaganza, Deganwy Promenade Day, Conwy County Borough Council Sports Awards, North Wales Bluegrass Festival, Glamorgan Cricket Festival at Colwyn Bay Cricket Club, numerous music festivals during the summer including the Radio One Big Weekend, Remembrance Day Ceremony for Llandudno Town Council, Choral Concert at Venue Cymru. Tudno FM, Llandudno (north Wales)

We have continued to develop the technology to sustain a stable live link twice a week from Islamabad, Pakistan and similar facilities are used from Manchester and Coventry once a week respectively into the studio. These are presented by our trained volunteers from Southampton who continue to develop their skills. Unity 101, Southampton

The outside broadcasts from Pocklington broadened out to cover other issues in the town, such as tourism, crime prevention, education success and economic development, with live guests contributing to the content. Vixen 101, Market Weighton (Yorkshire)

We have worked hard to get the local community involved with what we do at VOAR by hosting many events, cultural days as well as debates. Voice of Africa Radio, Newham (East London)

We have been fortunate in having two of our volunteer engineers skilled in audio transmission technology. They have resourced and assembled broadcasting equipment, providing a facility that fits in the boot of a car and powered by a 12v battery. Being at village events has certainly raised our profile as well as bringing us closer to our audience. The positive audience feedback received has been invaluable. Wayland Radio, Ashill (Norfolk)

Our outside broadcasts found a far stronger focus during the year and the organisational changes made had a strong legacy which is making fundamental and positive contributions in the period following that pertinent to this report. This is the creation of a self contained broadcast unit, designed and built by volunteers, and a well trained ‘crew’ available for outside work. This started at the Wolverhampton City Show were the visual impact of the station was unmissable. This was repeated at the city’s country music festival which is the largest of its kind in the country. Events were enhanced by the presence of a fully liveried Smart car, supplied for each event by the local dealer who then ran the vehicle as their demonstrator for a full six months with our logos in place. WCR FM, Wolverhampton

Producing Wythenshawe Town Centre Christmas Lights switch on event which had a turnover of approximately £10,000 involving professional stage, sound and lights, community talent, professional talent, fireworks. Wythenshawe FM, Wythenshawe (Manchester)

Funding and advertising

We secured £57,000 of funding from the Rural Development Programme for England (Local Action strand) to run an “Outreach and Engagement Project”. This has enabled us to buy a bespoke mobile broadcast unit, additional training equipment, 3G mobile broadcast kit, and contributions to running costs in the first year. Much of the purchasing had been completed by the end of March 2011, with operations starting in early 2011/12. We also secured £9000 of funding from Awards for All to record and publish a series of audio wildlife walks in and around our broadcast area. 10Radio, Wiveliscombe (Somerset)

In August we gained a £2,528 grant from Leicestershire County Council's Community Forums to run four roadshows and train 30 young people in broadcasting (we actually trained 62). The station was again awarded funding from Melton Firefighters Christmas appeal in recognition of its work in the community. 103 The Eye, Vale of Belvoir (Leicestershire)

107 Meridian FM secured a significant grant to fund the equipping of a second broadcasting studio next to our existing studio which will be available for member training, paid-for external training, producing programme trailers, advertisements and jingles, and to act as an exchange live studio with the existing one. This second studio is due to come on stream soon. 107 Meridian FM, East Grinstead

ALL FM successfully lobbied Manchester City Council to continue funding ALL FM. They have agreed to fund ALL FM for another year at 33% less than the previous years. We have also attracted funding from the Arts Council, Manchester Airport Community Trust Fund and David Wilson Homes. ALL FM, Levenshulme (Manchester)

Being debt free and managing to stay afloat in a climate where community stations seem to failing every month. Amber Sound FM, Ripley (Derbyshire)

The station has completed 4 years of broadcasting, and remained financially in the black. Fund raising for training, outdoor broadcast and portable studio equipment achieved. Black Diamond FM, Midlothian

Good stewarding and management of nominal finances coming into the station ensuring that it continues to move through the current financial recession and difficulties without detriment to the service provided to the target community. Branch FM, Dewsbury (Yorkshire)

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The best achievement this year was survival. It has been almost impossible to get any money in to run the station. A part time fundraiser was employed to bring in much needed funds. Bristol Community FM, Bristol

Despite the downturn in the economy, BRO Radio has attracted some important sponsors including McDonald’s and advertising revenue remains stable. We were awarded a grant by the Welsh Assembly Government (Barry Regeneration Fund) which has allowed us to build two new studios kitted out with Myriad Playout Systems and Sonifex S2 split desks. This has allowed us to provide top quality training facilities and increase station awareness. It has also enhanced our partnership with our landlord, the Barry YMCA. Bro Radio, Barry (Vale of Glamorgan)

Securing funding from Awards for All to build a soundproof booth, which has helps contain the noise that sometimes disturbed other tenants, also to purchase new studio and office equipment and furniture. Securing funding from South Yorkshire Community Foundation, through the Grassroots Fund for running cost. Securing funding from Yorkshire & Humber Learning Consortium’s Community Grants to deliver media, radio production and employability training to unemployed residents. Burngreave Community Radio, Burngreave (Sheffield)

Calon FM had continuing success with receiving funding from the Welsh Assembly Government – Welsh Heritage Fund. This money helped to considerably increase Calon FM’s Welsh content, as well as the station transforming its website so that it is completely bilingual. Calon FM, Wrexham

We launched a new idea for selling advertising on the radio station. Adbay runs along similar lines to Ebay whereby people bid for certain advertising slots based on what they think the value of it is to them. This has helped bring in a little more advertising income. We have begun negotiations with Vodafone to rent roof space on our building, which will bring in a valuable income. Cross Rhythms City Radio, Stoke-on-Trent

Secured funding from the Big Lottery, Lloyds TSB and the PSNI. Drive 105, Derry/Londonderry

Having a very high level of gifts in kind (87% of our gross income). Keeping financially afloat in a very difficult monetary climate with a dearth of grants and sidelining of religious activities. Flame CCR, Wirral

Our ability to stay operational throughout 2010/2011. Hayes FM, Hayes (west London)

Staying financially solvent. Iúr FM, Newry (Northern Ireland)

Two fundraising events were held at 6 month intervals. These involved over 1,000 people at each event and successfully raised significant amount of money for the radio station and also lead to a significant increase in donations throughout the year to support the station. People attending the events were of all ages from babies to the eldest being 92 years old and they were from culturally different backgrounds although speaking the same Panjabi language (Muslims, Hindus and Sikhs). Kohinoor FM, Leicester

Winning a grant from the Ofcom Community Radio Fund for the employment of a part-time business development manager. This is a significant achievement as this post will help to maximise income to the station, improve relationships with local businesses, and raise the profile of Leith FM. Leith FM, Edinburgh

Despite the recession, Moorlands Radio has been a commercial success. There are many businesses locally that had never advertised on the Radio before due to cost. Our advertisers are reporting very positive results. Moorlands Radio, Biddulph (Staffordshire)

We continue to state that despite the economic downturn and the severe spending review, NE1fm has continued to be on air with little or no funding. We were also very pleased to be awarded a grant from the community radio fund for a business development officer whose role is to secure future funding for the project. NE1 FM, Newcastle upon Tyne

Despite serious public sectors cuts our funding from the statutory sector via The Oldham Partnership has been increased. We are the only local organisation which received an increase for the years 2010/11 and 2011/12. Oldham Council has also informed us that it will give us 100% ‘discretionary business rate relief’ on our studio premises. This is in recognition of the value of our service to the borough. We were also delighted to have increased our advertising revenue. Some of this is increased business from the public sector and some via the Greater Manchester Community Radio Alliance sales executive. Our financial situation this year has improved from past years, however a shortage of funding is still an issue.

In 2010 we secured a small grant from Sport Relief to facilitate the continuation of our series of “Summer Strolls”. This is perhaps our most notable use of the radio as a vehicle for delivering ‘social gain’ and community cohesion. Each month from May to October we organised a short two hour lunchtime walk. We broadcast live from the ‘stroll’ and interviewed all the participants. Numbers attending ranged from 20 to 32, a slight increase on last year. Oldham Community Radio, Oldham

Most significantly, the station has kept its head above water through the funding crisis caused by the global recession. We are now looking forward to a period of growth and expansion, with increased outreach, wider involvement of community groups, increased training opportunities and further broadening of station output. This will be supported through development initiatives and increased resources - a key task of the new Fundraising & Development Manager, enabled by the generous grant from Ofcom. RadioReverb, Brighton

Radio Teesdale is operating at a considerably lower turnover than was envisaged when the key commitments were drawn up. However, with careful management and a considerable support and willingness to succeed from the local community we have met all the key commitments and are still financially viable. Radio Teesdale, Teesdale (County Durham)

Raising funds such that all costs have been met during the fourth year of the full time license. This included increasing the revenue from sponsorship and advertising has increased by 25% in 2010-11 from the previous year. Radio Teesdale, Teesdale (County Durham)

Advertising and programme sponsorship has risen slightly despite the economic climate and this is a reflection of our interaction with members of the Communities businesses through our o/b work. Radio Tircoed, Tircoed Village (Swansea)

The new transmitter site extended our coverage considerably, providing full coverage of St Albans itself and surrounding towns and villages. We took advantage of this to launch a new marketing and sales campaign to attract new advertisers and sponsors. This has worked well as we have signed up a number of new sponsors and many new advertisers and expect to increase our revenues significantly in future. Radio Verulam, St Albans (Hertfordshire

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Our volunteer base has a core of 20 proactive volunteers who have raised finance for us by setting up and running events. Salford City Radio, Salford

So far we have held; a comedy night; auction night; music night; folk music night and local bands night, all of which have raised significant sums. One volunteer has taken part in the Manchester 10k run and another completed a sponsored parachute jump. Salford City Radio, Salford

Funding from Awards for All came through for our WASHBOARD Programme. Almost to the value of £10,000 pounds this has ensured we continued to broadcast during this period. Seaside FM 105.3, Withernsea (East Yorkshire)

After putting pressure on the Scottish Parliament with our campaign for the Scottish Community Radio sector to be part of government public message strategy, e.g. broadcast government public messages, we now sustained advertising in the region of over £7000 per annum. This includes achieving advertising revenue for other community radio stations throughout Scotland. Sunny Govan Radio, Govan (Glasgow)

We were granted £17,000 from the Ofcom Community Radio Fund which enabled us to employ a full time station manager. We have also received £1,332 from Nottinghamshire Freemasons Fund to buy sports reporting equipment which will allow us to broadcast commentary/reports from local sporting events. Takeover Radio 106.9, Sutton in Ashfield (Nottinghamshire)

We have directly assisted the Friends of Poole Park charity, which raises money to build and maintain amenities at the beautiful local park. The radio station broadcast live for two days from the event which was attended by over 20,000 local people. The Bay (Poole), Ferndown (Dorset)

The return to financial stability as a company. West Hull Community Radio, Hull

Premises

In the fall of 2010, Forest Heath Public Radio Ltd. as a direct result of the government cut backs, looked at significant ways in which to reduce our overheads while maintaining the same quality of service both on and off the air. We moved our studios and offices to a building in town centre and reduced our annual rent by £156 and drastically reduced our business rates by £1,368 per annum. This is due to the relief we receive by locating in a listed property, the regeneration of the Mildenhall Town Centre and from Government rate relief. The new location gave us more visibility in the town and allowed us further integration into our local community with greater access to the public. 105.3 Zack FM, Forest Heath (Suffolk)

We have also opened a second studio facility in Southwold which has significantly increased our profile within our broadcast area. This second studio has also enabled us to train even more people and to record programmes in one studio whilst broadcasting from the other. Blyth Valley Radio, Southwold (Suffolk)

Achieved the setting up of new broadcasting studios, reception and training centre in the heart of Sheerness town, which will provide multiple opportunities for all ages of our community for voluntary and work experience, and further training in broadcasting, media and IT skills. BRFM (Bridge FM), Isle of Sheppey

Castledown Radio is currently based on The Wellington Academy site in a Portacabin and is being re-housed in a newly adapted media centre being built in the old science block. We are due to be on air from there in July 2011. Castledown Radio, Tidworth (Wiltshire

The Panjabi Centre took the decision to completely rebuild and refurbish its training centre, it became operational in July 2010 and the centre will feature 3 radio studios, a production area, classroom/meeting room, a TV studio all of which are air-conditioned. The large studio now has TV lighting and ‘backdrop curtaining’. This complements the professional camera and editing suite also purchased in 2010/2011. Desi Radio, Southall (west London)

After the successful funding application to Big Lottery, a grant for £325K was awarded to DFM to develop a Community Media and Training Centre. The grant has enabled DFM to move into its own large building with purpose built training areas with relevant equipment and facilities. It has helped DFM to build and set up three studios (1 dedicated for training and young people) with the latest and high-tech equipment and employ three paid members of staff to manage the project and its activities. Diverse FM, Luton (Bedfordshire)

The move to the new studio in February 2011, and the ongoing work associated with developing the operational management structure also means that Down Community Radio is well positioned to develop its services in the coming months and begin the process of further growing the breadth of its programme offering. Down FM, Downpatrick

We have moved yet again as we outgrew the new space we had very quickly. We now cover two floors in the same building with one floor dedicated to office space and a meeting room and the floor below with five studios and two training rooms [we share these with Highbury College students]. Highbury College, one of our most important supporters has extended its rent-free offer to us for the next five years in the light of our new licence. Express FM, Portsmouth

Modifying a hall in an old building to provide one studio and also provide a framework that will enable expansion to a second studio, reception area and a disabled friendly entrance when finance allows. Building one studio that people comment on as a very pleasant place to work in. Flame CCR, Wirral

The station relocated without actually having to go off air at all. Bearing in mind the vast majority of this planning and hard work has been carried out by people who also have their own full time jobs outside of the radio station, we are very proud of this significant achievement. Harborough FM, Market Harborough (Leicestershire)

Our most significant achievement during the year was finally persuading Suffolk County Council to let us move our aerial to Chantry High School. We now have quality coverage throughout the transmission area – listenership has increased markedly as a result and we are better able to do our job as a station for the whole community. Ipswich Community Radio (ICR), Ipswich

Our studio complex & high quality equipment continues to impress visitors from projects and other radio stations. NE1 FM, Newcastle upon Tyne

We have managed to upgrade our studio with volunteer help. Peace FM, Manchester

A move into a new building in late 2010 has brought with it new energy, drive and facilities for the station, and will doubtless result in a positive future for existing and new beneficiaries engaging with the project. Preston FM, Preston

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Our major achievement during the year was to raise sufficient funds (nearly £17,000) to be able to move both our studios and transmitter to much better sites. The fund-raising by various volunteers included donations from local organisations and individuals, fund-raising events (sponsored runs and a music quiz) and grants. Our new studios are better located near the City centre and in a much nicer building. Our transmitter is now located on top of a church tower which is the highest location for miles and therefore a perfect transmission site. The funds also enabled us to install a professional microwave link between studios and transmitter. Dismantling our old studios, building new ones, moving our transmitter site and keeping on air the whole time was a particularly challenging project but we managed to do it all within four weeks and were on air from the new setup at the end of April 2010. Radio Verulam, St Albans (Hertfordshire

A major activity this year was the successful moving of our studios and aerial to a new site (because of building development at our previous premises) – this major operation was carried out with less than 2 hours interruption to our broadcast schedule. Raidió Fáilte, Belfast

The station made a second studio operational, allowing for increased use of our broadcast facilities. Resonance FM, Central London

Shine FM moved into new premises during the period with better access for people with mobility requirements. Shine FM, Banbridge (County Down)

The local town council feel that we are providing a service to the community and have extended our lease of the studio and office free of charge for a further five years. The borough council are again giving us the discretionary eighty percent discount on our community charge. Skyline Gold 102.5 Hedge End (Southampton)

At the beginning of March we moved into new premises on the Abbey Park in Leicester. This has been a difficult move working with volunteers with limited time; however it has happened without a long break in transmission. Takeover Radio, Leicester

Source FM completed the fit out and opening of new studios at Tregener Road in Falmouth. The Source, Penryn (Cornwall)

Moving to much larger premises in September 2010 without any service disruption. Tulip Radio, Spalding (South Holland)

A move to new studios with a shop front address and increase in much needed office and broadcast space. West Hull Community Radio, Hull

Securing long-term new premises for Westside FM was always a top priority in 2010/11 and although it has also been a major difficulty for us we are now glad that the station is back on track and can now push forward and continue to achieve all our goals. Westside Community Radio, Southall (west London)

Press and publicity

We have developed a good working relationship with the local press who have become very sympathetic to our cause and have also supported us well. This exposure has resulted in several new volunteers coming forward. Blyth Valley Radio, Southwold (Suffolk)

Heather Bellamy and Sarah J write for a regular column in the local newspaper called Yours Faithfully. Cross Rhythms City Radio, Stoke-on-Trent

We organised at Golf day April 30th 2010 supporting the Rifles Benevolent Fund in remembrance of local Verwood lad – Rifleman Phil Allen – who was killed in November 2009. We managed to raise £3,700 for the charity. Forest FM, Verwood (Dorset)

Featuring in Channel 4’s ‘Fairy Jobmother’ programme. Radio Hartlepool, Hartlepool

We have received favourable reviews in Time Out and by The Guardian’s radio critic, Elisabeth Mahoney… We were also positively mentioned in an article in The Wire magazine, written by Knut Aufermann. Soundart Radio, Totnes (Devon)

We were featured as one of 3 projects on The Secret Millionaire which was filmed in April 2010 and transmitted on Channel 4 in November 2010. This was also broadcast in several English speaking countries and provided an insight to a global audience of community radio as a vehicle for social gain objectives. A donation of £15,000 (with Gift Aid the donation amounted to almost £20,000). Community Radio Stations in Scotland were also featured including Sunny Govan Community Radio as part of a documentary on MAC TV (Gaelic spoken TV transmitting throughout Scotland). Sunny Govan Radio, Govan (Glasgow)

The station was recently highlighted in the Secret Millionaire programme on Channel 4, where the millionaire, Sue Stone, awarded the station £13,500 to part cover the salary of a staff member. The publicity gained has led to a large increase in the number of people interested in volunteering. We have also been able to attract a wider range of skills and experiences to the steering group, which will help us to generate income and produce programmes of interests for the wider community. The Hillz, Hillfields (Coventry)

Programming

We continue to introduce listeners to music they would never hear on most other stations. The facility of live radio being offered to groups and organisations who may not have had the opportunity in the past. 10Radio, Wiveliscombe (Somerset)

We have been praised on our broadcast output and we believe we achieve a good balance between the requirements of a professional sounding radio station and offering opportunities for the general public to learn broadcasting and go on to present and produce programmes and features. We continue to work hard to consolidate the station's position and we plan to develop it further in the next few months by building a training and recording studio next to the main one, for which we already have much of the equipment. 103 The Eye, Vale of Belvoir (Leicestershire)

The Forest Heath Area of West Suffolk doesn’t have a daily local newspaper and we found that many people within our catchment area were not able to get daily news. In the fall of 2010, we introduced a daily newscast which is put together by one of our volunteers who has retired from the United States Air Force and worked with RAF Mildenhall Public Affairs office. Our newscast encompasses local, regional, national and international news and airs in our morning drive show weekdays from 6am to 10am. We are the only source of daily “Local News” in our rural area of West Suffolk.

From our first week of broadcasting we have broadcast a Portuguese Language show called O Galo De Barcelos. The show has now received regional and national coverage from the media and enjoys a worldwide audience through our streaming which is available on the

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web. The show targets the large Portuguese migrant population in and around the Forest Heath Area. The show is a mix of music, news and information and transmits vital information supplied by local authorities. 105.3 Zack FM, Forest Heath (Suffolk)

The Foreign Secretary, William Hague, was interviewed twice during the year, here in his local constituency, in regard to Army matters. 106.9 Garrison FM, Catterick

Producing and broadcasting the Army V RAF Inter Services football match with live commentary to the local area and across the services network of stations and for the Army website. Interviewing Defence Minister for International Security Strategy, Gerald Howarth MP, twice during the year. Aldershot Garrison FM, Aldershot (Hampshire)

Launching Newswire programme and full time weekday news service. Amber Sound FM, Ripley (Derbyshire)

Now we are playing music from the wider range of 1900-1969 we have expanded our record library hugely and we are fast approaching 90,000 records for our listeners to choose from. This is a very comprehensive library and prevents our having to play the same few records over & over again as many of the larger radio stations do. Angel Radio Isle of Wight, Newport (Isle of Wight)

156 Live shows per month. BANG has introduced a new and exciting show called Bloggers Delight which has been well received from the audience; this has grown out of the dedication of two volunteer presenters. The show is great representation of the local community and the debates are current and fresh. BANG Radio, Harlesden (London)

Our morning presenter and our reporter have both visited Afghanistan with troops from the Province. Our reporter spent 10 days with 1 Royal Irish and the Irish Guards to collect stories and messages; and our morning presenter spent three months in Camp Bastion in support of 2 Rifles, 1 Royal Irish, 2 Mercian and other members of the NI Garrison to present the Breakfast Show live from Afghanistan. This show proved to be a huge success and provided a very real link for soldiers serving in Afghanistan and their families back home. BFBS Lisburn, Lisburn (Northern Ireland)

The quantity of daytime programmes has increased from 9 hours per day to over 11 hours on average. This has been achieved through new volunteers being enrolled and trained over the year. In addition, we have live or pre-recorded evening programmes for each evening of the week, filling most evenings up to 11 pm. Bishop FM, Bishop Auckland (County Durham)

Playing our part as an emergency broadcasting service during the bad winter. Black Diamond FM, Midlothian

We have increased the number of volunteer presenters and have extended our broadcasting hours from the original 6 hours per day to 9 hours per day, seven days a week. Blyth Valley Radio, Southwold (Suffolk)

Sustained broadcast of programmes that is always aimed at improving the social well being of the listeners and receiving feedback to confirming this. Branch FM, Dewsbury (Yorkshire)

Culture Mash was a youth engagement programme that bought together young Somali and Asian youths. We had twenty young people engage with this project which was funded by Mediabox. This is an ongoing programme. Bristol Community FM, Bristol

BRO Radio is a very enterprising station and pushes the boundaries at every opportunity. We have significantly increased our selection of programmes providing a wider variety and catering for all ages, music tastes and listener preference. We are producing some cutting edge documentaries including ‘fly on the wall’ and ‘a day in the life of’. These have included local MP’s in Westminster, Police and Fire Service and the local RNLI. Bro Radio, Barry (Vale of Glamorgan)

We have recently be granted permission to broadcast from the Wales National Eisteddfod in 2012 where we will be competing with ITV and the BBC. This will incude a 28 days RSL. Bro Radio, Barry (Vale of Glamorgan)

Coverage, for the first time, of the General Election count at Chorley Town Hall, with live feeds and interviews being broadcast through the night. Chorley FM, Chorley (Lancashire)

During the year, most of the garrison’s soldiers were deployed in Afghanistan for 6 months. Our breakfast presenter and producer spent two weeks in Afghanistan before Christmas 2010, concentrating on interviews and Christmas messages with the deployed troops of 16 Air Assault Brigade from Colchester, Woodbridge and Wattisham. 62 interviews were recorded, edited and e-mailed back to the HQ station for network broadcast (along with the dedications) between December 20 and New Year weekend. Apart from this, the Friday Afghanistan Link-Up comprised recorded phone conversations with Brigade soldiers on Op Herrick 13 and dedications. Most of these interviews, like all audio of wide interest, were podcast on the station’s website. Colchester Garrison FM, Colchester (Essex)

We have also had volunteers broadcasters at 100% of all Corby Town’s home football matches and 65% attendance to all away matches and we are proud that Corby Radio has been chosen as the official media partner of Corby Town FC. We are also proud to be able to bring our own hourly news bulletin for 6 hours of the day during the week and are working to extend the news output using media students from local schools and colleges. Corby Radio, Corby

We launched a new Sunday afternoon show called The Week That Was, which recaps the highlights of the previous week and forward announces coming highlights. Cross Rhythms City Radio, Stoke-on-Trent

CSR teamed up with the sports sabbatical officers at Canterbury Christ Church Student’s Union and Kent Union to provide in-depth and up to date coverage of the biggest sporting event on the University calendar – Varsity. Broadcasting from 10am-6pm, CSR provided listeners with pre-match interviews, presenter rivalry and varsity history. Throughout the day, reporters phoned into the studio with goal updates and full time results. CSR was the most reliable source across campus for all scores and results and was commended by listeners for its coverage.

CSR teamed up with the University of Kent’s newspaper InQuire to provide 12 hours of charity challenge broadcasting. The event – held across the University’s campus – included live commentary of sumo wrestling, on-air leg and eyebrow waxing and presenter’s being made to eat and drink weird and wonderful surprises. In total – the media outlets raised over £2,500 for the Earthquake and Tsunami relief fund in Japan, and were highly commended at the Kent Union Awards. CSR, Canterbury

DemonFM continues to offer a wide range of programming styles, and reflects well the experience of the volunteers in their experience of listening to radio. Predominantly volunteers have an expectation for format based programming, which provides a bedrock of capability, however, this is augmented in significant ways by one-off and specialist

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programming that demands greater focus and structured production management skills. DemonFM has made great strides in developing and improving the service that it offers. Volunteers are supportive of a full schedule of live programming, running from 6am to 2am during term time, when we have no gaps where automation is used to provide programming, although we still rely on automation on occasions as a useful form of back-up to ensure continuity of service. Demon FM, Leicester

DFM has developed successful partnerships with a range of local agencies and have delivered a number of programmes jointly, which includes one Fresh Start and two What’s Stopping You programmes. These are delivered in partnership with South Anglia Housing, Aldwick Housing, Luton Borough Council, Luton Advice Network, Dallow Business Partnership and The Learning Partnership inviting residents of Luton attend a free event within their respective neighbourhood and to receive free advice and information on benefit & tax credit check, job applications and interview preparation, careers, CV, and housing advice, information on volunteering and training etc.

During 2009/10 season Luton Town Football Club offered Diverse FM as the club’s new broadcast partner following a successful trial. The Diverse FM coverage replaced BBC Three Counties Radio as preferred supplier of the commentary for Hatters Players and supporters. Diverse FM, Luton (Bedfordshire)

We significantly increased the number of outside broadcasts from city centre locations and a wide variety of community groups as well as open air events, within our target area. We cover all home and away matches live, of our senior soccer club which was never done before by any other local radio station. Drive 105, Derry/Londonderry

Producing and broadcasting Edinburgh’s Armed Forces Day live from Edinburgh Castle and Princes Street Gardens with live commentary on the parade, interviews with senior army figures, military charities, veterans, politicians and council officials including The Lord Provost of Edinburgh. We also broadcast the events main speeches. All of which was also broadcast on the wider Garrison FM network. Edinburgh Garrison FM, Edinburgh

Erewash Sound launched a 30 minute programme of material solely from local artists on the internet (only) service before the FM launch. This programme has been allowed to develop and expand into a regular 60 minute programme aired each week on FM in which more and more bands have been and are being given exclusive access to the airwaves, maximum exposure of their music, information about the bands and artists, including contact points, endearing the radio station to the community even further and enhancing social gain. Such exposure is NOT thought to be available to such extent anywhere in the region. The show is allowed to embrace bands from Erewash and immediately outlying areas including Nottingham and Derby. Erewash Sound, Ilkeston (Derbyshire)

The biggest impact on us has undoubtedly been securing the rights to broadcast all matches for Portsmouth Football Club after the demise of the station that had been fulfilling that function over the past 10 years. We pulled off that deal in a week (at no cost to us) and broadcast every home and away game for the season. We also broadcast two midweek shows for the club. As a result of this we have secured the same deal for the new season and invited the club to join our consortium. The profile of the station and therefore the number of listeners has increased dramatically and has also attracted the potential of more sponsorship which in these challenging times is very welcome as well as recruiting new volunteers and spreading our key messages to our target audience. Express FM, Portsmouth

We have provided an accessible platform for the many artists and musicians in our area and a great way for community groups to have their voice heard – over 150 in two years! Glastonbury FM, Glastonbury (Somerset)

Not only remaining on-air, but actually increasing the number of live output hours, against a very challenging operational and financial background. Moving to a point where all regular programmes are presented by volunteers, with no discernable drop in ‘professional’ standards or consistency. GTFM Pontypridd, Pontypridd (south Wales)

Our local authority provides a broadcast team each week to promote culture and leisure for North West Leicestershire. Each day visiting guests take part in our programming and our diary is full weeks ahead of the broadcast dates. Hermitage FM, Coalville (Leicestershire)

A significant increase in the amount of interest and participation by businesses in the ‘Business Show’. This was after we identified our USP as “The Interview” – and determined to start charging for airtime in this manner, as a counter to opposition to traditional forms of commercial advertising. Hope FM, Bournemouth

In a year of considerable global unrest Insight Radio compiled throughout the year specialist shows highlighting how the media handled such events as the Japanese Tsunami, the Egypt and Libya uprisings and the 75th anniversary of the RNIB’s Talking Books service. These shows made accessible information that was not easily consumed by people with sight loss and brought these historic events to our audience. Insight Radio, West Glasgow

We broadcast informative and entertaining live programmes. Audience reaction continues to be excellent. Communication via Facebook is booming, and our presenters still receive a substantial number of texts and emails. Our website has thousands of visits a quarter. Lionheart Radio, Alnwick (Northumberland)

NuSound goes on a monthly basis to Newham General Hospital and records interviews with specialists such as cardiologists, cancer specialists, HIV and other experts for areas which have a high incidence in East London. We have a new programme titled “Movies and Music”. This innovative programme gives a platform for musicians and artists to come live on air and play their unsigned music. We have had bands from Israel, Caribbean, Poland and Spanish groups participating in this show. NuSound Radio, Newham (London)

Oldham Community Radio 99.7fm has always prided itself on it’s coverage of local and national elections. In 2010 there were local and General Elections. We offered to broadcast the election addresses of all candidates in the local election. Prior to the election we featured in-depth interviews with the three main Party Leaders. We broadcast the results live from the count. For the General Election we broadcast lengthy (20 minutes) interviews with all the main candidates for the Oldham constituencies. We also broadcast a hustings event for both Oldham constituencies. We closely followed and broadcast the events that unfolded at the historic “Election Court” in Oldham East and Saddleworth. We were first to broadcast the ruling of the court which nullified the General Election result and triggered a by-election.

Following a period of negotiations with the council in 2010 we were able to commence live broadcasts of all Oldham Council Meetings. From comments received direct from listeners or via councillors these have been well received. Oldham Community Radio, Oldham

Made use of Skype so that we could broadcast approximately 30 different shows from out of the studio. These shows were held in various locations across Pendle such as the town centre. Pendle Community Radio, Nelson (Lancashire)

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The 24 Hour Creative sessions was a highlight of our year. This involved over 100 musicians, volunteers and technical staff and produced 75 original recordings which have featured heavily in Phoenix FM’s programmes since. Phoenix FM, Brentwood (Essex)

The station has continued to champion local live music, with a range of styles covered and output has included in-studio sessions as well as pre-recorded sessions especially recorded for shows. Phonic FM, Exeter

There are so many shows that reflect our desire to provide an alternative experience for local listeners. We also feel that we are developing some of the media stars of the future. Our 'Radio Book Club' (presented by three local schoolgirls) has recently been the subject of a three-page spread in the Sunday Herald and a feature on BBC Scotland; one of our young volunteers (who has an autistic spectrum disorder) has won a Princess Diana Award for her contribution to local community life, while the station itself was nominated for the prestigious ‘Community Champion’ prize at the national Great Scot Awards in September 2010.

Our non-league football show (Nugent 4-nil) has perfectly captured a ‘niche’ market and now has a big online audience composed of non-league football fans from all over Scotland. Under the Radar has showcased more than 40 local artists this year and the show is now being approached by acts from all over Scotland. Our daily ‘School’s Out’ slot has, over the year, featured more than 50 local pupils delivering live shows. Some of these pupils have since graduated to become regular presenters in their own right. Pulse Community Radio, Barrhead (East Renfrewshire)

Raaj FM is the official media partners with Edgbaston Cricket Club for the test match between England and India in August. We are working very close with Edgbaston Cricket Club in promoting this event in the community by talking about it on air and doing competitions to give away tickets. We will also be involved in the opening ceremony having dhol players, bhangra dancers and will be doing live commentary on all five days during the match as well as interviewing the crowd on all days. Edgbaston Cricket Ground has chosen us as the only radio partners in Birmingham. Raaj FM, West Bromwich

The success of the work done on domestic violence last year in partnership with the Harehills Neighbourhoods Police Team and other agencies including NHS,Touchstone and local Primary Schools, (where all Asian mothers regularly visit to drop children off) has been further developed. This work was funded by the NHS Domestic Violence Team in response to the increasing serious DV incidents and fatalities especially amongst the South Asian communities. The funding was to produce a hard hitting drama in the community languages. The drama was based on the Prince Charming theme. Radio Asian Fever, Leeds

We had a programme series with experts from the NHS and volunteers of ‘change maker’ programmes for the well-being of our listeners. These programmes were sponsored by the NHS Nottingham city for the ongoing campaign “Decade of Better Health”. We held live interviews with local and Pakistani politicians and some Pakistani Ministers, the Speaker of the AJK Parliament, Lord Mayor of Nottinghamshire, most of the councillors of local council, the local MP, and two members of House of Lords ( Lord Nazir Ahmed and Lord Qurban Hussain). Radio Dawn, Nottingham

The new studio site has unrestricted access, enabling us to increase our live broadcasting hours later into the evening and on Sundays. New evening programmes are being targeted to more specialist audiences and marketed individually to attract sponsors and this is proving a successful strategy as potential sponsors can readily identify the audiences for those programmes. We have also been proud to organise a pilot monthly ‘Your Questions’ programme pre-recorded at a local theatre where members of the public have been able to

question local politicians and business representatives about current local issues. Radio Verulam, St Albans (Hertfordshire

The Bike Show entered its sixth year of broadcasting and continued to represent the diverse communities associated with cycling. Subject matter included the continuing concerns about road danger, particularly the spate of crashes involving lorries and cyclists on the streets of London. The Mayor of London's various cycling initiatives have been discussed and debated on a number of occasions. The Rob Simone Talk Show is an in-depth interview show that over the last year has featured more than 42 guests. The interviews have included inventors who have innovative ideas that are designed to improve health and increase awareness of wellness issues. They have had an opportunity to express their opinions about the advancement of their ideas on the show which also featured working and aspiring musicians who work in the community in which Resonance FM serves; authors who have books that are not generally featured in mainstream media; and filmmakers who are part of London's growing “independent” genre and who lack the support of large studios and are perusing their vision through alternative media. Resonance FM, Central London

Demonstrating through our weekly radio programme involving people with high support needs to include learning difficulties continues to be one of our most popular programmes with Glasgow listeners. This is demonstrated in our text connect messages to the station, volume increases from the average 8 per hour to over 30 per hour during this weekly, one hour programme. Sunny Govan Radio, Govan (Glasgow) Local Bands – over 200 local bands promoted, all unsigned. Local Sport – all the local non league football teams have volunteer reporters from the grounds. The station receives and broadcasts pre and post match reports from rugby and cricket clubs and is developing these links further in the new season. This is mixed with other sport and IRN feeds to give listeners an excellent sports programme. The station includes, in its sports output, minority sports along with the main activity sports, crown green bowling, curling, hockey, golf and others have featured in the sports output as has youth sport. Tameside Radio, Tameside

Tamworth’s Covenanting Churches hosted a hustings with our local parliamentary candidates in the church which we broadcast in full on air. TCR FM, Tamworth

The station considers that it achieves many things not set out in its key commitments. Although it promised political coverage, this commitment bears little resemblance to the depth of political coverage offered by the station, as epitomised in its round-the-clock General Election coverage in May 2010. The same can be said about sport, which intended to merely include the local football and rugby results – yet now broadcasts more than two-dozen local sports matches live per season. The 'Bridge, Stourbridge (West Midlands)

We transformed the night services from 8 pm to 7 am into UPLAY where the community takes control of our playlist and are able to request their own choice of music. We launched DNG Digital News Gathering System: DNG broadcasts live two way conversation with the studio presenter in high quality digital sound from anywhere in the world. Each broadcast is conducted live during drivetime and lasts around 8 minutes. Unity 101, Southampton

We held a successful live hustings in our studio for the 2010 General Election with the three main political parties being represented and also the Respect party which has significant support within our broadcast area. The hustings were conducted by the producers of an established youth show on our station, and their average age was 17 years. Similar hustings took place prior to the 2011 Local Council elections. UnityFM’s professionally produced drama ‘Breaking The Silence’ was completed in June 2011. This has been a three-year project and has been an immense learning opportunity for all those volunteers that were involved. From the experience gained we have produced another 30 minute drama – this

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time exploring issues around depression in women of the South Asian Community. ‘Speak Up’ was distributed free to other stations. Unity FM, Birmingham

Towards the end of 2010, material gathered over the year formed the basis of a specially-recorded 2-hour documentary about the history, the people and the stars who have appeared at the Pocklington Arts Centre since its inception. We have increased the editorial content of the Sunday Brunch programme to include regular short stories submitted by local writers, and more live interviews, especially current hot topics, such as digital TV switchover, Yorkshire in Bloom, World Book Day and the live coverage of Remembrance Sunday, particularly the exclusive interview with a local soldier who was injured in Afghanistan. The Fox’s Den live music programme on Friday nights gives an opportunity for local musicians to promote their talents by playing live on air or via demo CDs, and interviews with band members in the studio. Local commercial radio services in the area are now mainly networked, with centralised commercial playlists, and ignore new talent. This resulted in a Fox’s Den 10 hour live music event at the Fulford Arms in York - a major music venue. Vixen 101, Market Weighton (Yorkshire)

We were the official radio station for coverage of ‘The Passion’ this year in Port Talbot, when we had an opportunity to work with Michael Sheen and The National Theatre of Wales. XS, Neath and Port Talbot (south Wales)

Projects

ALL FM forms part of the consortium that participates in the Euranet project. This creates content and plays programmes for a pan-European broadcast exploring issues affecting people across the European Union. ALL FM, Levenshulme (Manchester)

We have taken a small part in helping several young people to gain self confidence and take control of their lives through a project which saw young alcohol and drug abusers, and other young people with anger and self-esteem problems produce radio shows for airing on Angel Radio. Angel Radio, Havant (Hampshire)

We completed our project on Basic Radio Skills (funded by Equalities Unit RRRI Fund – Scottish Government) which was due by end of March 2011. We have been given an extension for year 2011/2012 to continue this great work. Awaz FM, Central Glasgow

BANG helped ACLT that promotes and increases awareness about bone marrow and blood donation reach their target of raising £80,000. African – Caribbean Leukaemia Trust (ACLT) was forced to take part in a massive fundraising event to prevent the closure of this very important charity which affects those living within BANG’s local community. Our input to the campaign was successful in helping them to keep open and continue with the important work they do. BANG Radio, Harlesden (London)

BFBS Lisburn is now the official Northern Ireland Recording Centre for “Story Book Soldier” (an organisation that records bed-time stories read by parents who are due to go away on long deployments). This has been particularly worthwhile.. BFBS Lisburn, Lisburn (Northern Ireland)

Winning a lottery-funded bid to start up the Hope 4 Me project. This has provided employment for a volunteer of long standing (two years as volunteer Production Assistant) and has given us the facility & training tools to equip 140 people in the NEET category over the next three years. Hope FM, Bournemouth

In terms of community involvement, the development of the SAM Project has been our proudest achievement. The Project works with mental health service users (supported by volunteers), who now feel free to discuss mental health issues – often from a very personal perspective – on their weekly programme. Ipswich Community Radio (ICR), Ipswich

After a pilot scheme of school shows with Aimhigher we now have a successful project currently on going which sees two schools working with KCC Live every week learning radio skills and putting their own one hour show together which is then broadcast over the weekend across Knowsley. In all over 50 schools will take part, choosing the topics of the show and the music. It has given us the opportunity to put more responsibility onto our young volunteers who help out with the schools and have relished the challenge. Podcasts have also been created for each show and all the schools have given very positive feedback. KCC Live, Knowsley (Merseyside)

One of our big successes this year has been the No Limits project, which saw us working with 14 people with disabilities as well as five support workers who produced and presented a weekly show. The project was funded by North West Together We Can with input from Manchester United Disabled Supporters Club and the Disabled People’s Network. One participant who is blind managed to follow all of the training and excelled to fulfil his personal dream of presenting on the radio. Another participant overcame his own fears and shyness in order to present and conduct interviews. Both of these volunteers now present a show together independently of the wider project. We have also run a number of other successful projects, including our Older People’s project, funded by Awards for All and two Youth projects which were funded by Manchester Leisure and North City Library. North Manchester FM, Manchester

We have engaged with Bedtime reading broadcasting and worked with the local library to support literacy skills and encourage reading within the domestic family unit. Penistone FM, Penistone (South Yorkshire)

Two projects were very successful. The Be Inspired project helped many young people to learn important skills needed for radio work. This also built their self-esteem and helped them learn new skills and gain better knowledge in the field of radio. Radio Ikhlas, Derby

A significant achievement this year was the completion of our 'Generations Together' project which sits at the heart of our remit as a community radio station. This project encompassed what Westside FM is all about crossing cultural divides and bringng young and old together in our community. The project was a huge success and we continue to make strides towards an even bigger HLF project with similar aims. Westside Community Radio, Southall (west London)

Training, workshops and work placements

Negotiated a new service level agreement with North Ayrshire Council to deliver adult learning, youth access to media and literacy, promotion of individual and community capacity building, using media and a community economic development model. 3TFM Community Radio for Health, Saltcoats (Ayrshire)

In January we ran our first training event with the new training equipment. This took place over four days at Somerset College (Taunton) with 19 students from the Childcare and Health and Social Care foundation degrees. 10Radio, Wiveliscombe (Somerset)

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Our volunteer and training programme has gone from strength to strength and we have been able to provide training opportunities to people who would have otherwise not had an opportunity to have such experiences due to age or language barriers. Asian Star, Slough (Berkshire)

157 young people engaged in training activities: 56 moved on to educational activities; 8 progressed into employment; 66 were kept engaged in positive activities after completing training at BANG; 71 young people gained an accredited qualification. BANG Radio, Harlesden (London)

We were able to recommend and provide references for five long-term work experience youngsters which gave them access to college courses for sound engineers, sound production and journalists. Black Diamond FM, Midlothian

Blast Xtra, created as our online and training station for aspirant broadcasters, has proved to be a great success. The station has developed a strong partnership with Belfast Metropolitan College under the auspices of Skillset NI (the Government’s sectoral Skills Council for the audio-visual industries). Under this partnership students from both years of the HND Broadcast Journalism course were required to present three hours of radio programming each day. This practical element of their course was formally assessed and contributed to their academic grade. Blast 106, Belfast

The ongoing development and relationship building with local schools and universities, for them to have confidence in Branch FM and being involved with the ‘work experience’ programme. Branch FM, Dewsbury (Yorkshire)

Set up training initiatives with the KAB (Kent Association of the Blind) and Insight radio, who will mentor people with visual impairment and work alongside the station’s training team. Secured the participation of the unemployed in training courses through working with the ‘Island Partnership’ organisation. BRFM (Bridge FM), Isle of Sheppey

Delivered media, radio production and employability training to 41 unemployed adults aged 18 and over. Trained 43 new volunteers and recruited 27 volunteers that have become actively involved in different areas of running the station including presenting, duty managers, fundraising, promotional street team and event organising. Recruited and trained five work experience students from schools, one from college and two from universities. Burngreave Community Radio, Burngreave (Sheffield)

It is a pleasure to be able to train members of the community to a high standard, so that their programmes are fun, imaginative and demonstrate the volunteer’s talent and professionalism. Volunteers constantly grow and strive to perform to even higher standards. This is what we believe community radio to be about. Castledown Radio, Tidworth (Wiltshire)

The Cheshire-FM Academy was launched and has now been operating since September 2010. The primary aim is to provide a realistic and valuable work experience environment with students performing real roles and contributing to production and presentation of programming for live broadcast. Cheshire FM, Mid-Cheshire

We have trained a healthy number of people with basic radio skills, either on air presentation or production based. In this way we feel like we are building for the future, both for our own station but for the industry as a whole by encouraging and engaging with a new generation of radio practitioners. Cross Rhythms Teesside, Stockton-on-Tees

Conclusion of PEARLS project: this major three year training initiative funded by the London Development Agency came to an end in March 2010. A party was held at The Irish Centre in Hammersmith to mark the end of what has been a major training undertaking, for The Panjabi Centre/Desi Radio. Desi Radio, Southall (west London)

The development of training including a Foundation Learning programme was a hugely significant achievement for Diverse FM. This is achieved through dedicated support from a training coordinator, learning mentors and information, advice and guidance workers and by offering a range of training programmes and workshops i.e. radio broadcasting & presenting, employability skills, health and safety at workplace, sexual health awareness, interpersonal skills, music and film production, drugs & alcohol awareness and volunteering opportunities with a view to help learners develop a range of key life skills and assist them to re-engage with education, further training and/ or work.

Successful delivery of training programmes and workshops in the studio, schools, youth clubs and other community locations delivered to learners, of whom over 80% are either excluded or at risk of exclusion from mainstream education. The accreditation of programmes through Edexcel, OCN and NCFE and successful community engagement projects have made DFM a recognised centre of excellence and created a model of good practice in community cohesion, social regeneration, community capacity building, personal and community development, improving peoples' literacy and numeracy and successful engagement with hard to reach and minority groups. Diverse FM, Luton (Bedfordshire)

We have continued to offer a selection of training courses / workshops for our volunteers, but in addition have sought to improve the ‘hands on’ training new presenters receive. From the beginning of this year we introduced a daily one hour slot into the schedule on weekdays specifically for training purposes. This has meant that despite us still having to train within a live studio, new presenters have had consistent and dedicated one to one training within a manageable slot. This has worked excellently with the first presenters training in this slot having progressed in to covering longer shows, and a second wave of new presenters beginning their training. Gravity FM, Grantham (Lincolnshire)

Work placements: engaging over 20 schools in our work placement programme. Hayes FM, Hayes (west London)

Successful running of the Hope FM/Bournemouth University Summer Journalism programme from May-September which gave 42 journalism and media students hands-on work experience in a live radio environment, and gave us three dedicated local news broadcasts per day over the period. Hope FM, Bournemouth

In 2010 Insight Radio has trained 53 predominantly blind and partially sighted people in basic broadcast skills and has employed three future Jobs Fund trainees for six months – two of whom have moved on to further training and employment and one who is currently exploring employment opportunities with the BBC. Having secured funding from Asda this level of training will be able to continue throughout 2011 and 2012. Insight Radio, West Glasgow

Provision of culturally appropriate work placements and provision of a platform for voluntary service that reaches out to the community is a significant success factor in providing opportunities for a community which was lacking these facilities. Kohinoor FM, Leicester

Leith FM provides regular placements for radio broadcast students and journalism students within Edinburgh. These students gain valuable on-the-job experience which helps them to find employment. This year Leith FM established the Leith Academy Students Programme, which involved pupils coming to the station for work experience. Leith FM, Edinburgh

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This year we have trained more than 80 people in radio and audio skills, ranging from teenagers to the retired and currently have 55 active volunteers. We work with Training Solutions to provide work based training opportunities and have offered work experience programmes to seven young people. Our fully accessible off-air training studio substantially increased our training capability. People who would not have the confidence to train on-air benefited from the comprehensive, low-stress, tailored training that we were able to provide off-air. Lionheart Radio, Alnwick (Northumberland)

Four student placements received radio training as well as working on media production. Radio training and media production for students from various schools across Pendle. Pendle Community Radio, Nelson (Lancashire)

We have a number of schools in the area that do work experience. Children come in and sit in with the presenters and answer phone calls, go live on air, make notes on a day to day running of the station. A teacher comes and visits the students whilst on work experience to ensure they are meeting all requirements. Raaj FM, West Bromwich

Accredited training with volunteers receiving eight certificates. Work experience placements for 48 students. Radio Hartlepool, Hartlepool

We have introduced a new hour-long Lifelong Learning Show hosted by two former show volunteers. The show outlines vocational and leisure learning and skills development opportunities and features weekly interviews with islanders who have benefitted from the locally delivered courses. Radio Scilly, Isles of Scilly

Providing work experience, volunteer experience, skills transfer through mentoring and training which has benefits for the community and individuals beyond the activities of Radio Teesdale and the geographic area of Teesdale. Through these various forms of training approximately 180 individuals received a combined total of 175 “man days” of training facilitated by Radio Teesdale. Radio Teesdale, Teesdale (County Durham)

We developed and launched a new radio production training course – in cooperation with An Ciste Craoltoireacht - The Irish Language Broadcast Fund and NI Screen. Raidió Fáilte, Belfast

The accredited training programme which accredited 87 young people. Redroad FM, Harthill (South Yorkshire)

In terms of training we have an ongoing six week programme which trains people from being a novice presenter to being able to broadcast their own show. Currently seven people from our last Open Day are going through this process. Salford City Radio, Salford

We have been running a IT training course for silver surfers, as we are a UK online centre. Nothing to do with radio, but it shows we can help train the community in different ways. Stroud FM, Stroud (Gloucestershire)

Teaching an accredited radio course through New College at the radio station – three students at university as a result (two of them return when in Swindon to help at the station). Swindon 105.5, Swindon (Wiltshire)

Training and live outside broadcast from the Scouts Jamboree: Held at a local primary school we built a studio in a classroom and offered mini training courses to 36 scouts aged from 13 year olds to the older Explorer Scouts. After each mini training with groups of six we co-ordinated the broadcast of a ten minute segment live on air from the school, with each participant given the chance to demonstrate their new skills. This was an all day event with

six small outside broadcast segments in addition to our regular schedule. TCR FM, Tamworth

Providing Students with properly structured work placement opportunities. Tulip Radio, Spalding (South Holland)

During the year we continued to project manage the Satellite Radio Project. We had built and trained students from local colleges namely Barton Peveril College, Regent’s Park Community College, Taunton’s College and Totton College. Students continue to broadcast a one hour daily live show from their studios with their selection of music, airing local and college events, and a big interview along with current traffic and weather updates. These broadcasts develop students’ skills such as discipline, working as an individual and a team player, time keeping, preparation and voice delivery. Unity 101, Southampton

Offered a range of practical training, from shorter courses to longer course in radio presentation, production and broadcasting stills. We have so far trained 37 people and some have stayed on as presenters and others moved on to mainstream stations including the BBC. Voice of Africa Radio, Newham (East London)

We worked on our training processes and modified them to suit individual volunteers and their role aspirations in an attempt to both maximise the volunteer experience and the minimise volunteer drop outs. We also began to encourage and make use of volunteer mentors in a range of situations and the results are more than encouraging. WCR FM, Wolverhampton

Springboard to employment and further training for various individuals. In addition there is an emerging Community Radio Alliance Further Training consortium to develop training projects in conjunction with The Manchester College. Wythenshawe FM, Wythenshawe (Manchester)

Training provision was once again revised during this period, to involve more practical activities and studio based practise sessions, along with relevant studies of presentation and production skills, Ofcom Broadcast Code, legal and moral obligations, and an editing workshop. The course is accredited by Asdan and students can gain an Expressive Arts Short Course Award of up to six credits. Youthcomm Radio, Worcester

Volunteers and staff

9.75 Kemetfm, in partnership with On Nottingham the local strategic partnership, has delivered a robust volunteers project that is a pathway to the labour market, we have successfully had twelve people into full time employment. 97.5 Kemet FM, Nottingham

The flow of new volunteers has been encouraging and we are supporting aspects of local events through outside broadcasts, coverage of sports events and significant interviews. Alive Radio, Dumfries

We have been inundated with new trainees and since December 2010 we have lots of new presenters and new shows beginning which will increase the variety of music and nostalgia available. Angel Radio Isle of Wight, Newport (Isle of Wight)

At Asian Star we are very proud of the fact that our staff and volunteers are reflective of the larger diverse community of Slough and not just made up of our target audience. Our

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recruitment process is based on merit and not on ethnicity and this is reflected in the fact that some of my team members are non Asian. Asian Star, Slough (Berkshire)

Gullalaii Yousafzai who presents the Pushto program has in the past year become the most accessed of presenters on the website. The top five presenters who have been accessed more on the website are all females. This year we recognised their achievement by acknowledging vote of thanks for their effort. Awaz FM, Central Glasgow

One of the real passions of all the staff is the feeling that we have been playing our own small part in the ongoing normalisation process in Northern Ireland despite the setbacks and the difficult security situation. BFBS Lisburn, Lisburn (Northern Ireland)

During the year is we employed three staff to perform various part-time/temporary roles, including a station manager, sales manager and studio manager. These staff have helped us to improve the station over the year. Bishop FM, Bishop Auckland (County Durham)

Over 50 new people joined BCfm in this year and we continued to broadcast local programming by a core of over 100 volunteers. Bristol Community FM, Bristol

Appointment of a part time development officer funded by the Community Radio Fund, the development officer has definitely assisted in building the capacity and improving the quality of Burngreave Community Radio. Appointed 20 young people aged between 18-25 years old, funded through the Future Jobs Fund on six month placement contracts and paid at national minimum wage, these ‘trainee’ posts included two receptionists, six admin, two development trainees, two youth development trainees, six trainee sound engineers and two sales and marketing trainees. Burngreave Community Radio, Burngreave (Sheffield)

Facilitating new volunteers and young people on air by having flexible programming giving everyone who wants to present live the opportunity to do so. Canalside Radio, Bollington (Cheshire)

The Wellington Academy employs the station manager as a full-time teacher of media and allows 50% of his teaching time to be allocated to the day-to-day running of the station. The Academy has also employed the Castledown Radio morning DJ as a part-time audio technician, it allows him to present a two hour morning show every weekday. The Wellington Academy has expanded its curriculum and introduced a radio element into its media training, this is delivered in the radio studios, based on the skills and expertise of Castledown Radio. Castledown Radio, Tidworth (Wiltshire)

We continue to maintain a steady flow of new volunteers, the old guard who continue to give their time week in week out, and more recently, the return of previous volunteers who have expressed a desire to re-volunteer. Crescent Radio, Rochdale

We managed to secure a Future Jobs Fund placement for an editorial assistant position for six months. Cross Rhythms City Radio, Stoke-on-Trent

While DemonFM draws its membership primarily from the student population of De Montfort University, it also has a high proportion of volunteers who are non-students. Membership is managed through a formal Demon Media scheme operated by De Montfort Students Union, which enables volunteers to join the station as a member, nominate and vote in elections, attend training sessions and submit entries to the Demon Media Awards scheme. As DemonFM does not employ any staff of its own, the station is dependent on all volunteers to provide support for all areas of the station, not only producing on-air content, but also administration, web development, IT services and training provision. Demon FM, Leicester

We began the process of renewing our Investors in People status in March 2010 and were re-awarded IiP status in May 2010. Desi Radio, Southall (west London)

We have supported a seriously disabled young man from a local SCOPE college who has mobility and speech issues. Through pre-programming of his computer communications device he is able to present his own show on Diversity FM. We have supported him in being able to control the studio mixing desk. We have supported a five year old presenter as he runs his own Saturday morning children’s programme. (The local press contacted the Guinness Book of World Records to verify if he was the world’s youngest regular radio show presenter. They said he probably was but couldn’t officially recognise him as he was below the official age to be a GWR record holder.) Our programming has been consistently varied and of a good standard. Volunteers have contributed greatly to our success and once again a number of volunteers have gone on to find employment in the radio industry both in the UK and overseas as a result of their involvement with Diversity FM. Diversity FM, Lancaster (Lancashire)

Significant progress was made in developing a wider body of volunteer presenters and contributors to the broadcast content of the station. This was particularly necessary as the station prepared for the change in ownership. An additional achievement has been the securing of funding for the appointment of a paid co-ordinator. Down FM, Downpatrick

Being able to allow people who may have had the dream of broadcasting for many years, but would never get the opportunity in a commercial radio station and to see how they have grown in skill and confidence. Dunoon Community Radio, Dunoon (Argyll)

The services of a range of passionate and committed volunteers dedicated to restoring localness, trust and community back to radio in the South Lakes area has been the single most notable achievement. IndigoFM, Kirkby Lonsdale (Cumbria)

The participation and achievement of volunteers of all ages, backgrounds, faiths, abilities and increasing the number of opportunities for volunteering amongst disabled people. Iúr FM, Newry (Northern Ireland)

We reached a landmark number of volunteers of 100, and now have over 120 regular volunteers at the station who were rewarded for all their hard work at an awards evening where the Principal of Knowsley College Frank Gill presented awards in a number of different categories. KCC Live, Knowsley (Merseyside)

Kohinoor has embraced a good pool of volunteers over the year. This has allowed the radio to broadcast an excellent range of quality programmes specific to the Panjabi community. Kohinoor FM, Leicester

A number of volunteers have left Leith FM to move on to full and part-time work or college and university courses. Leith FM is key skills development body within its local community. Service users from other organisations are regularly referred to Leith FM to develop skills and confidence to help enter employment. Running the station 24/7 with a 100 per cent volunteer workforce is a major achievement. Leith FM, Edinburgh

We managed to engage 12 volunteers via the Future Jobs Fund scheme and help these individuals back into work. Peace FM, Manchester

Volunteer retention has been improved with many long term volunteers engaged. We also have new interest from volunteers which we are steadily training. This proves the station is popular, and we have now been able to develop journalism and presenter roles. Penistone FM, Penistone (South Yorkshire)

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Perhaps the thing we’re most proud of is the amount of time that our volunteers give to the station. We feel that we've come a long way in a relatively short period of time. We currently have more than one hundred registered volunteers and it is largely their passion and commitment that has driven our success. Pulse Community Radio, Barrhead (East Renfrewshire)

The station has continued to develop the role of volunteers in daytime programming and higher profile roles on air. The Saturday Breakfast Show is now presented by a volunteer, who has progressed through a number of late night and off peak shows. The Guest List has also progressed in promoting live music in the Stockport area. Both these show are presented and produced by volunteers who have also been given experience of presenting a range of daytime shows on a temporary basis to cover for annual leave of staff presenters, giving them wider experience and an opportunity to expand their CV. We have implemented a process of more structured feedback for volunteers to develop their programmes and skills beyond initial training and coaching and give perspective on their future development and possible career options.

There have traditionally been a number of areas where Pure has found it difficult to find volunteers to carry out certain roles which require specific attributes or skills. This year in addition to our development of new and inexperienced individuals we have specifically targeted volunteers to fill more specialist roles. This has been a success which has led to volunteers taking up a number of positions, especially within community show production and research areas, which we had hitherto been unable to fill.

We have continued to build on our record of successfully developing volunteers who have left us to take up full time jobs in radio or gone on to study media related subjects at a higher level. This year five more of our volunteers have taken up paid work in either radio or the media for the first time. The volunteer who left us in 2009 to present Drive Time on local commercial station for Imagine FM, is now also presenting weekend breakfast on Heart North West. Pure Radio, Stockport

We have a disabled lady presenter on our show. She comes in once a week and presents her own show. She is able to use all the equipment required to do the show on her own. Raaj FM, West Bromwich

The organisation boasts one of the biggest volunteer databases, especially in regards to female participants. Radio Ikhlas, Derby

We have built a large team of committed volunteers to produce we believe a near professional radio station. Radio JCom, Leeds

We are working towards creating an environment that will allow our blind presenter to operate the mixer desk and play his music without the assistance of, but still supervised by, a technical operator, We have made great progress on this and hope to have him broadcasting independently very soon. Radio Tircoed, Tircoed Village (Swansea)

We have made a particular effort to diversify our presenters and directors during the year. At 31 March 2011 we had six out of twenty female presenters (30%) and three of our eleven directors are female (27%). Additionally, out of our total of 65 volunteers, 28 were female (43%). The majority of our volunteers are British with five being from other European countries (Eire, France, Poland and Latvia). Radio Verulam, St Albans (Hertfordshire

The inclusion of 80 young people who are NEET or at risk of becoming. The recruitment of 132 volunteers. Redroad FM, Harthill (South Yorkshire)

In terms of employment we have taken on two people on the Future Jobs Fund and given them six months work. Previously we have had five Graduate Gateway students from Salford University working with us for three months to give them an insight into radio and improve their skills and knowledge. We have had some major successes with one volunteer presenting on Radio Manchester and Key 103. Another is now a Children’s TV presenter on C Beebies. Two volunteers are now working on Radio 5 Live in production. Another presenter has done a work placement at 6 Music. Many others have used their experience at Salford City Radio as an addition to their CV to help them move into full time work. Forty volunteers have remained at Salford City Radio since its launch evidencing their commitment to the station. Salford City Radio, Salford

Our most important achievements are the growth in confidence, skills and self respect of the people involved in Sheffield Live and their continuing contribution to the diversity of the local media landscape. Most of our volunteers have not been involved in the media before; many face various forms of social and economic disadvantage, discrimination and exclusion. Volunteer producers from the community have frequent opportunities to interview local decision makers, to showcase local talent, to report on community affairs and to promote local participation. Sheffield Live!, Sheffield

Our significant achievements include the progression of some our presenters to careers in the radio industry in commercial and public (BBC) sectors and engaging with 100+ local volunteers Sine FM, Doncaster (South Yorkshire)

Arranged a Christmas party for Spice FM volunteers where they were able to meet and mingle with people from many backgrounds. Spice FM, Newcastle upon Tyne

A Future Jobs Fund post holder who had not held a job down previously gained full time employment with a local company at the end of her six months with us as a result of her time with the radio station. Swindon 105.5, Swindon (Wiltshire)

Volunteer Week – audio features every day on different aspects of volunteering and different volunteering opportunities, hosting the volunteer awards night inclusive of the entertainment - which was also voluntary – culminating in the broadcasting and roadshow event on Ashton Market celebrating volunteering. Tameside Radio, Tameside

Establishing a group of volunteers having a major and equal role to play in developing the station’s future and who are fully committed in providing high quality, truly local programming for the people of Wetherby and the surrounding villages. As a direct result of the training and experience gained from Tempo FM one member who previously gained a position at a commercial radio station, Radio Aire, based in Leeds, has now secured a full time position with Minster FM in their advertising department. Help was provided in the production of demo recordings to progress towards a night time presenting position with the station. Tempo 107.4 FM, Wetherby, West Yorkshire

The volunteers at 102.5 The ’Bridge are now part of a well-run, well established, professional standard radio station that is at the heart of the local community and is innovative and forward-thinking, while at the same time embracing its roots and the southern Black Country’s heritage. The station’s volunteers continue to surpass expectations, achieving more goals than was thought possible in view of its lack of manpower, facilities and financial resources. The 'Bridge, Stourbridge (West Midlands)

Our main achievement though has been a further five volunteers gaining employment within the media including one who has a full time contract at Heart FM in Cardiff. Tudno FM, Llandudno (north Wales)

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WCR FM also integrated far more strongly with the Voluntary Sector Council during the year; we have always worked closely with voluntary groups but during this period we seemed to turn a corner and now have found a key role in the organisation. WCR FM, Wolverhampton

A number of volunteers have developed a career in radio as a result of their volunteering with us. Notable examples would be one who is working for Bauer Media as a production assistant and presenter, another who has taken employment at a local college teaching radio production, a third who has gone on to present The Breakfast Show on 107.1 The Severn, and a fourth who presents programmes on local AM station Sunshine 855. For others, their time with us has inspired and developed an interest in radio and media, with a number of volunteers going on to college and university to study these subjects in depth – and all demonstrate creativity, enthusiasm, and motivation. Youthcomm Radio, Worcester

Websites, social networking and other IT initiatives

Launch of our online podcast facility funded by the Lottery. 3TFM Community Radio for Health, Saltcoats (Ayrshire)

The station currently has an online “listener club” which boasts over 7,000 members who have signed up through our website. This enables us to do direct audience research and send information about the station to our listeners via e-mail. We also are able to keep our listeners informed of training dates and station events as well as directly inviting them to volunteer at the radio station. 105.3 Zack FM, Forest Heath (Suffolk)

We use our website, social networking to promote brand identity, linking program formats with online streaming sites. Quality of presenters and programmers has inspired the need for women’s, faith and youth programmes. We now know more about residents in far-flung areas of Walsall. Ambur Radio, Walsall

Our internet service is now fully funded through listener donations. Angel Radio, Havant (Hampshire)

We broadcast on the internet and our internet streaming company runs a top 20,000 chart showing the most popular stations. Angel Radio Isle of Wight originally entered the chart at position 12,667. We have now risen to 8,440 which is an amazing achievement considering how many internet radio stations there are all over the world. Angel Radio Isle of Wight, Newport (Isle of Wight)

We are currently implementing IT systems to help with both the time and diary management of the station as well as introducing new tools to help volunteers remotely produce and upload broadcast material without physically having to be at the station premises which will hopefully allow more volunteers to get involved. This will make life easier for the current volunteers as well as help attract new volunteers to the station. Castledown Radio, Tidworth (Wiltshire)

We relaunched our Facebook, Twitter and Myspace pages as well as a specific Facebook page for our Girls Night In programme. We launched a web app so people can listen to the radio on their smart phones. Cross Rhythms City Radio, Stoke-on-Trent

DemonFM continues to develop its ability to interact with listeners, particularly this is managed through social media and the station website. Our website has a high level of volunteer-produced content, with all regular volunteers able to post material to promote their

programming as well as podcasts and interviews. Our partnership with the Leicester Comedy Festival is a particularly encouraging example of the potential of DemonFM. We produced seventeen podcasts in seventeen days for the festival, with an integrated set of programme material that was broadcast on the station. Working with high-profile partners in this way has given the station the confidence to aim to produce content that is of a professional standard and which goes beyond the remit of many commercial or public service broadcasts, in that it is content that is produced by non-professionals, and is integrated in the community in which the station seeks to serve. Demon FM, Leicester

Early in 2011 we started receiving statistics of up to 1,800 weekly interactive posts on Facebook – a significant indicator to us that audience awareness and response to the radio station is increasing exponentially. Hope FM, Bournemouth

We have always broadcast our programmes live on the internet and have received many compliments from around the world from people with an Oldham connection or on holiday. During the year we expanded on this by introducing a ‘listen again’ facility and podcasts on our website. Initially we have trialled this on a low key basis with a selection of our programmes. We have received some positive feedback from users of the service. Oldham Community Radio, Oldham

Further developments with Facebook and Twitter have increased awareness of our station. We have redeveloped our website to make it more interactive and the number of hits monitored to our website has increased significantly following the relaunch. Penistone FM, Penistone (South Yorkshire)

The station’s website continues to be a leader in the provision of local arts news and information, and on-line listening has also increased with some distant pockets of listeners in countries like Turkey, Australia, Hong Kong and especially the United States. Phonic FM, Exeter

Pure has continued to develop our use of social media which are growing in popularity and expanding the opportunity for interaction with listeners and the community. During 2010/11 the number of Facebook followers to our main station page has increased 76% to 861 and podcast downloads totalled 41,591 during the 12 month period up 288%. Pure Radio, Stockport

The launch of the new Tameside Radio website has been instrumental in driving traffic to the site. The site contains news and presenter information but also an events feature where organisers can post their own event onto the website, the site is then a source of information for presenters when constructing local links and community notice guides. Tameside Radio is, according to Google, the second most searched news source for the area on the internet. In conjunction with our website designers we have developed our own Iphone App. It has all the functionality of commercial radio apps but with an added benefit. It allows the user to access the events page of the website to see what local events are taking place and when. Tameside Radio, Tameside

We have set up Facebook and Twitter accounts to inform listeners with those services about or forthcoming activities. TMCR, Thorne & Moorends (South Yorkshire)

We have launched the listen again podcast platform. All shows aired are recorded and can be downloaded at any time. They can be played, paused, stopped, fast forwarded and rewound at any time. The programmes are kept for four weeks for maximum exposure. Unity 101, Southampton

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General

In April we became the first community station in the country to have its original five year licence extended. In November we celebrated our fifth birthday by completely rebuilding our main studio in 32 hours while remaining on the air with our normal schedule of programmes. We have succeeded in running 103 The Eye very economically without compromising on quality of broadcast output and social gain provision to the community. This means that the recession has not impacted on the station as much as it would otherwise have done. 103 The Eye, Vale of Belvoir (Leicestershire)

The largest achievement of the last 12 months was the link Garrison FM supplied between operations and families during the deployment of Catterick soldiers to Afghanistan. During the six month period the station carried a weekly link up where information was gained as to the progress of the operation direct from those in Afghanistan and messages were broadcast from the families who remained within the garrison. The link ups featured Army personnel from all levels and positions including (but not limited to) Press Officers, unit commanders, engineers and communications operatives. Many of the messages broadcast from those who remained came from wives and partners, gained with the assistance of the unit welfare officers, but messages also came from rear party members (those who remained working within the garrison) and from local school children whose parents were part of the deployment. At times messages and interviews were also broadcast from those higher up within the Army talking about the progress the brigade were making. The station also ensured it maintained strong lines of communication with central MoD press officers to ensure it broadcast the news of loss of life during the deployment with accuracy and compassion. 106.9 Garrison FM, Catterick

The very harsh winter in our locality gave us a prime opportunity to serve our community directly in providing frequent local traffic and weather reports on air, and also live-on-location “snow patrol” reports from member volunteers on the current conditions of passable and impassable major and minor roads, and also reports direct from the local shops and supermarkets detailing which were open or closed, and which had food stock issues or not. As roads to our studios were also badly affected, several members were unable to do their regular shows but other members walked significant distances through the snow to maintain a live service from the studio during this period, a tremendous team effort. 107 Meridian FM, East Grinstead

We are proud of a positive commitment to diversity, across a whole range of issues around gender, sexuality, faith, health and welfare and disability. 107 Spark FM, Sunderland

Holywood fm is now the official Recording Centre for “Story Book Soldier” for the local area and we are working hard to ensure that all soldiers due to go on deployment later this year have the opportunity to visit the studio and record a bed time story for their children. Aldergrove & Antrim FM, Aldergrove (Northern Ireland)

Alive Radio is now an active free channel on Dumfries and Galloway Infirmary’s hospital media service, run by Hospedia. Hospital presenters and link people are about to be trained to run a hospital show and liaison with the operational staff in the hospital is being developed to enable healthy interactions with the hospital staff, patients and relatives/loved ones. Alive Radio, Dumfries

We have begun providing programmes for airing on the South Hants DAB Network. Initially this was done to provide people in the whole of the Borough of Havant with a good signal as we have tried everything else, including finding two alternative sites on high ground for FM, both of which were turned down by Ofcom. However within a couple of days of going on digital from 9am to 6pm daily, we discovered many people were listening from far outside of

Havant, the furthest DAB listeners who contacted us were in Burgess Hill, Bournemouth and Salisbury. As we didn’t think our very local community service would be suitable for distant listeners, we switched to providing programmes, with no relevance to location, on the DAB while continuing our usual community programmes on FM. However, many of our ‘new’ digital listeners were our ex-internet listeners and asked to hear our community programmes on DAB. We experimented with simply simulcasting our FM programmes on DAB and found that it doesn’t seem to matter where older people live, even if they are miles away from the Borough of Havant, they still love Angel Radio for its unique output. Angel Radio, Havant (Hampshire)

We have managed to increase on our live transmission by virtue of the numbers of volunteers that we have. We have given an opportunity for local organisations, young bands and the statutory sector to have a larger voice in our community by providing information about themselves and their services. We have become a platform for local debate on issues that affect our community. BRfm, Brynmawr (Blaenau Gwent)

In 2010-11 the station felt the force of the economic downturn, with less advertising revenue coming in and continuing lack of success with all significant funding bids. However the station survived and there are signs that the situation is now improving. The continuing survival of the station should not be underestimated as a major achievement. Chorley FM, Chorley (Lancashire)

Supporting the launch of the tenth Garrison FM location at Rock Barracks, Woodbridge. A close relationship has been formed with personnel at this location which enables the station to broadcast a wider picture of Army life and operations in neighbouring barracks. It is also part of 16 Air Assault Brigade headquartered in the Garrison. Achieving a wider listenership for Garrison FM at Colchester’s Merville Barracks – the Army has now installed a professional speaker system in the cookhouses at Merville Barracks and in the Corporal Budd VC Gymnasium with a permanent feed of the station. Colchester Garrison FM, Colchester (Essex)

A significant achievement this year is the sustained, 24-7 broadcasting. The continued provision of the service in the face of some difficult challenges in resourcing reflects the commitment of the volunteers and trustees. Cross Rhythms Plymouth, Plymouth

The range and variety of our programming has improved considerably. Our pioneering use of open source software applications and playout systems (Rivendell, Drupal & Linux) has allowed us to develop software and IT support skills that are independent from commercial contracts and which are embed in the organisation. DemonFM will soon be in a position to develop this knowledge base for training purposes, with the potential to support other community media organisations. This is a good example where long-term planning and partnership with our stakeholders has the potential to deliver a commercial and collaborative benefit for DemonFM. Demon FM, Leicester

With the recession affecting businesses in the UK we were keen to offer support to west London businesses and job seekers. We have been offering free job announcements to businesses to great effect. Desi Radio, Southall (west London)

Developing our Community Café. Drystone Radio, South Craven (Yorkshire)

Erewash Sound played a key part in ensuring children in the borough remained fit and active during the summer of 2010 with a six week long initiative in which items relating to health and fitness activities for young people were prioritised in a series of packaged live-read and pre-recorded features. Content was also displayed on the Erewash Sound website with each item prefixed by the ‘Kidz Activ’ branding to ensure it could be found easily using the

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site’s news search facility. It included public service information on staying safe and other pieces of general safety advice of use to school pupils who may be using public parks or the local environment significantly more to occupy time. Erewash Sound, Ilkeston (Derbyshire)

We held our 5th birthday celebrations and awards night at the top of Spinnaker Tower in Portsmouth, a fitting venue in the light of our success over the past five years. We gave out ten0 awards including one for the longest standing volunteer. Express FM, Portsmouth

Survival has been the major achievement of the year as it became increasingly difficult to generate income for advertising and sponsorship during the economic downturn. Despite this the station has steadily grown and more importantly become an accepted part of the community. Glastonbury FM, Glastonbury (Somerset)

We are proud to have been the only local media to interview all local candidates in the run up to the General Election last year, thus providing a truly balanced debate for our listeners. Furthermore we also covered the local counts and results live giving complete coverage for the town and surrounding villages. Gravity FM, Grantham (Lincolnshire)

Securing a further five-year broadcasting licence – something which has boosted confidence both within the station and among supporters and potential supporters outside it. By the end of this reporting year several encouraging signs of recovery were becoming evident, even though there is no strong evidence the recession is ending in the South Wales Valleys as yet. GTFM Pontypridd, Pontypridd (south Wales)

Our project may appear slightly different to many community radio stations. Initially, when our business plan was first scripted it was difficult to say whether operating a radio station and combined coffee lounge/community centre in the town centre was a good idea. However, this has proved to be a perfect situation in fulfilling the key commitments and also contributing to the success of the station. Our open approach to engage the community in our broadcasts and our positive outlook on North West Leicestershire has contributed immensely to its success. Hermitage FM, Coalville (Leicestershire)

Given the limited access to funding streams, the most significant single achievement has been the quality, professionalism and publicly acknowledged distinctiveness and range of output. IndigoFM, Kirkby Lonsdale (Cumbria)

Panjabi taxi drivers around the city have created an informal network and now telephone the studio every morning on the breakfast show to inform us about road traffic conditions and congestions. This is incredible as minute by minute updates of traffic around the city can be provided. Health awareness days are very popular with more than 200 people attending in two afternoon sessions for free health checks. The success is based on the fact that the people feel more comfortable in culturally appropriate environment. Kohinoor FM, Leicester

We have achieved up to 12 hours per day live broadcasts. Peace FM, Manchester

It is remarkable that Phonic FM has continued to expand its output, such as the expansion of live programming beyond 12 midnight. Phonic FM has also made good its strapline to be Exeter’s Sound Alternative and the ‘no adverts – no playlist’ policy is appreciated by listeners who frequently comment on the diversity of the programming on offer. It was gratifying to be the subject of an article by Christian Brook in ‘The Times online’ in which he suggested, “a community radio station called Phonic in Exeter, Devon, is ticking all the right boxes and is providing some of the most inspiring broadcasting in the country”. We were delighted to be involved at 2010’s Exeter’s ‘Respect Festival’ attended by over 13,000 people, both by

providing live music from our tent but also having presenters asked to compere on one of the main stages. This was followed by our first outside broadcast from the courtyard of Exeter Castle, where we provided four hours of diverse output as part of the last night of the Exeter Summer Festival. We have been able to implement innovative programming, especially with regard to drama, spoken word and film making. The year also saw a continuation of production of a programme guide, which enabled the station to leaflet drop within the listening area, and also to take an active part in the Fresher’s Week events at both the University and Exeter College. Phonic FM, Exeter

We are all delighted with the way Pulse has developed over the last two years and there are many things that have made us immensely proud. The fact that we are able to broadcast full-time with so much local content is a source of great satisfaction. Rather than maintain a holding position, the thoughts of the Steering Group are focused on how we can expand the station. Pulse Community Radio, Barrhead (East Renfrewshire)

Pure 107.8FM has successfully re-applied / extended its licence to broadcast until 2016. The significant level of support offered by a wide range of individuals and organisations demonstrated the achievements of Pure in its first five years of service and emphasised the on-going benefits of the work the station does in the community. Pure Radio, Stockport

Our most important significant achievement has been the overwhelming popularity of the station. It has been difficult to establish the niche for community radio in the media marketplace in Cardiff in previous years. Having talked to other stations, this seems to be the case for many new stations. Radio Cardiff, Cardiff

We utilised our recording studio facility and recorded more than 318 short lectures and documentaries to play in our pre recorded transmission. Radio Dawn, Nottingham

Prizes for our annual raffle this year have greatly improved, a positive reflection of our impact in the business community. Advertisers and supporters are also donating regular prizes allowing us to offer our listeners monthly free to enter competitions. Radio Tircoed, Tircoed Village (Swansea)

Salford City Radio prides itself on being run professionally. We have not only stayed in business but we are continuing to achieve success at a time when cuts are being made and many community stations are struggling. Salford City Radio is confident that it is progressively moving forward and meeting the challenges of delivering a business and broadcast mix which is welcomed by listeners all over the city. Salford City Radio, Salford

Providing network coverage of the Ideal Home Exhibition’s: Armed Forces Day at Earl’s Court 2011 helping raise money for ABF: The Soldier’s Charity. Salisbury Plain Garrison FM, Salisbury

We are still broadcasting despite substantial economic challenges and have maintained a large volunteer team (around 200) and around 17 hours per day of original locally produced programming. Our regular volunteers are drawn from a very broad range of communities across the city of Sheffield. Sheffield Live is probably the most diverse voluntary sector organisation in the city in terms both of its volunteer base and the audiences that it serves. Many of the individual programmes are highly successful in their own right. The Asian magazine programming strand is very popular with the target community. The programmes encourage phone-in participation and the telephone lines are frequently blocked with callers queuing to speak on air. Some of the programmes, such as Thank Goodness Its Folk and the Eritrean programme have substantial international audiences. During the year we have continued to build on our broadcasting and community base through outreach, open calls for proposals, and training, we have successfully introduced new programmes serving

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otherwise under-represented groups including refugees and asylum seekers. Sheffield Live!, Sheffield

This year for us, as with many other community radio stations, has been a year to survive. To this we are indebted to every single volunteer member of Speysound Radio. Speysound Radio, Badenoch & Strathspey

Development of our registered blind team in producing material, presentation and for one to learn to edit and then teach other team members. Swindon 105.5, Swindon (Wiltshire)

The ‘new’ Board of Directors, appointed in late 2009, has turned the station around to produce a surplus and a credible sales and commercial strategy should ensure this moves forward, whilst ensuring full compliance with the ‘50%’ rules in place. There is now a credible business model behind the station’s operations and the station, although in need of investment through grants, is completely self-sustaining as a commercially viable organisation. 102.5 The ’Bridge is now considered by its members to be a major player in local broadcasting having gradually developed a reputation for high quality, entertaining, informative and unique radio. A newly-launched marketing campaign and the forthcoming relocation of the station’s transmitter should help to grow the station further. The 'Bridge, Stourbridge (West Midlands)

Continuing to develop staff, volunteers, commercial, public and community relationships. Maintaining in resource-scarce times, significant grass-roots relationships within the wider community. The Super Station, Orkney

Dual broadcasts with BBC Radio Bristol – brand awareness, and experience for our presenters. Ujima Radio, Bristol

Our extensive work in the run up to the general and local elections creating awareness about the voting process and the political parties available has equipped many listeners with the information to make informed choices. Voice of Africa Radio, Newham (East London)

The most significant achievement of the year came from something rather simple. We decided to change the station logo in the run up to a series of outdoor events for which we were ordering balloons, t-shirts etc. In doing this we decided to use the phrase ‘Wolverhampton City Radio’ in the place of ‘Wolverhampton Community Radio’ and amazingly this has made a fundamental difference because the use of the word ‘community’ simply erects barriers as people and organisations are confused as to exactly what or which community we might be. It also created a stronger sense of pride amongst active volunteers. WCR FM, Wolverhampton

Difficulties

Advertising and sponsorship

The recession has impacted upon sponsorship with many withdrawing as they seek to control costs. 10Radio, Wiveliscombe (Somerset)

April to December 2010 was the most difficult in terms of financing the station. There was significant consumer resistance to conventional advertising, obviously exacerbated by the fact that scientific research of audience figures is non-existent. Hope FM, Bournemouth

The financial climate has meant that raising funds has been even more difficult. Income from advertising has also been limited and it is difficult to recruit volunteers to focus on advertising sales. Leith FM, Edinburgh

Although we are only permitted to raise 50% of our income from on-air advertising and sponsorship, this was factored in as a significant contribution to our operating costs. Over the past year, advertising sales have plummeted. A number of advertisers who signed up for one-year deals, have not renewed, blaming the recession, but also claiming that our transmission area is not large enough. Vixen 101, Market Weighton (Yorkshire)

Audience research

A challenge that we believe Ofcom and Government needs to face up to is how to implement RAJAR-type research on behalf of community radio that will help sustain the commercially-funded side of our income streams, by providing realistic proof of listenership. Hope FM, Bournemouth

Would like to have more information on our audience but do not have the resources to fund research. Pure Radio, Stockport

An ongoing difficulty is the lack RAJAR statistics which prevents some companies from advertising with us, due to company policy. Radio Cardiff, Cardiff

Funding and finances

Trying to find and secure funding for the station has also become more difficult, with more people seeking to access the same sources of funding. 3TFM Community Radio for Health, Saltcoats (Ayrshire)

The loss of many government grant schemes that benefit rural communities is likely to impact in future years. 10Radio, Wiveliscombe (Somerset)

The higher education funding regime in England will change beyond recognition in 2012. It is therefore beholden upon the university to ensure that 107 Spark FM operates within identified budgets, and maximises funding and other income opportunities, as the financial regime becomes more difficult and harder to anticipate. 107 Spark FM, Sunderland

Significant drop in advertising revenue. Accessing funding has become more difficult. ALL FM, Levenshulme (Manchester)

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Our most significant problem this report period has been very low income and very high outgoings. We suffer some funding problems because of our poor signal coverage. We were approached by Portsmouth City Council and the Queen Alexandra Hospital with funding opportunities, but the funding was for older people in the Portsmouth area. We attempted to find a new transmitter site which would offer a better FM coverage for more listeners, but its suitability was turned down because of possible interference from a station in Southampton. We also put in a strong application for Heritage Lottery Funding and passed the first stage in the process, but had to decline the funder’s attempts to change the project to fit their requirements. Angel Radio, Havant (Hampshire)

Every organisation has difficulties to attend with and this last year has been in trying to secure funding for positions. Thankfully we were given an extension to this funding (Equalities Unit – Scottish Government). Awaz FM, Central Glasgow

As a service running on a very limited income, we are unable to fund any permanent paid employees. This means administrative tasks fall upon volunteers most of whom have presenting roles and therefore limited time to spend on administrative functions. Recruiting off air volunteers as been difficult. The current financial climate has resulted in revenue being more difficult to attract. Blyth Valley Radio, Southwold (Suffolk)

Our financial position, and the current economic climate, is a significant barrier to our continuing development. Funding from the Council has been reduced, following Government spending cuts, and revenue from the private sector is down. This means that finances at the station are significantly squeezed and stretched. Bolton FM, Bolton

As always funding and sustainability is at the top of the list particularly in the current economic climate. However we manage to attract enough income to maintain a high profile and level of output. BRfm, Brynmawr (Blaenau Gwent)

I think like most community stations, funding for key posts and services is difficult despite constant applications. Bro Radio, Barry (Vale of Glamorgan)

It has always been significantly difficulty to generate enough income through advertising to cover all the monthly overheads, this income has increased slightly over the last year but the radio station is still very much dependent upon seeking and securing funding from different sources to deliver different projects. To achieve this, BCR needs people with good ‘bid writing’ skills, BCR has recently recruited some volunteers who are interested in acquiring these skills and will be attending training sessions and shadowing experienced bid writers, who will also act as mentors. This will hopefully enable BCR to access more of the funding that is available in order to achieve long term sustainability. It is still difficult to manage the radio station with little reserves through the periods when there is a gap in funding. BCR is planning to build up a substantial reserve during the next year. Burngreave Community Radio, Burngreave (Sheffield)

Funding, as with all community radio stations, continues to be difficult in the current economic climate. Advertising and sponsorship will always be the lifeblood of the station as grant funding is increasingly competitive and we have worked on keeping overheads low to combat this. Bute FM, Rothesay (Bute)

Available grants are becoming more difficult to source and we see no immediate improvement in that situation, therefore, placing a huge amount of pressure on us to work the 50% funding rule and it may become more difficult in the future. Corby Radio, Corby

DemonFM’s greatest issue is to establish independent and consistent revenue streams that will give the station a higher level of sustainability. While DemonFM is very well supported by

in-kind services provided by De Montfort University and De Montfort Students Union, it is difficult to expect these stakeholders to continue to maintain these levels of support without expecting the station to take more ownership of the financial health of the station. The funding position for all Higher Education Institutions is unclear at present, but it is certain that funding will become more difficult to access, and so a diversification of support through commercial activity, grants and other forms of fundraising, will have to take place. Demon FM, Leicester

Lack of adequate funding. Short-term project funding poses significant restraints, and as the station develops it is difficult to anticipate requirements – and funders are often constrained. Felixstowe Radio, Felixstowe

Raising financial support is difficult in a deprived local area and there are few grant opportunities open to us. Consequently we operate on an extremely tight budget with second hand equipment, simple premises and a high level of in-kind support. Whilst the Community [Radio] Fund has been a lifeline, the limited government allocation of funds (only 10% of that originally in the Everitt Report) limiting finance only to the first year is a great disappointment. A year’s funding for staffing is not sufficient to get us securely off the ground. Flame CCR, Wirral

It’s the same as every year, raising money. There is no longer anyone based at the studio full time to oversee the day to day running of the station due to funding constraints. It is my belief that the community radio fund should be equally divided amongst all the stations that have been awarded a full time licence, furthermore, I believe the application for funds is a farce with only new stations being sure to get some funding. The criteria’s for funding seem to favour those who can afford full time staff that can write creative bids for projects, maybe I’m wrong but I thought the projects were for community station to broadcast to the community it secured the licence to engage with. Gloucester FM, Gloucester

Having to cope with an even more erratic cash-flow situation than the previous year, caused by delayed Assembly Government Communities First funding, together with a further recession-related drop in local advertising revenue despite more resources being devoted to the local sales process for part of the year. As a consequence staff salaries were often paid late and in the case of staff remaining beyond July 2010, only in part. This caused considerable personal financial difficulty for the staff involved and it is a tribute to their dedication that they stayed in post. GTFM Pontypridd, Pontypridd (south Wales)

As with all community stations we have found it increasingly difficult to raise funds with cuts to public sector funding. Although we have support from the college where we are based we need to be raising in excess of 60k a year now to survive. KCC Live, Knowsley (Merseyside)

Local businesses remain reluctant to advertise with us but we remain determined to develop strategies to make all these work in the future. Phoenix FM, Halifax (West Yorkshire)

Whilst Preston FM is relatively successful in terms of funding compared with the situations of some of our friends elsewhere in the sector, funding to secure the continued future of the project is by no means easy to find. Considerable time and effort is spent in developing our work and fundraising to support it – and securing funding for the core overheads associated with the project is particularly challenging. Economic circumstances – particularly uncertainty within the public sector – have had an effect on the success of our new business development project, working with five other stations across Lancashire and part-funded by the CRF. Whilst there has been some success in terms of local spending, cross-county work has been much more difficult to secure than hoped. We believe, though, that the income

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stream provided by this part of the project will grow to provide a more significant contribution to project costs in the coming year. Preston FM, Preston

In common with most voluntary projects, one of the biggest challenges for us is how to consistently raise the necessary revenues. We are pro-active and have an energetic volunteer team, but it will probably always be a big issue. We are now aware that our income in winter is not as healthy as it is during the spring and summer months, when we are regularly asked to do roadshows, galas etc. Our finance and fundraising sub-group now has the task of making sure that some income is generated between November and February. Pulse Community Radio, Barrhead (East Renfrewshire)

We have found it difficult to attract funding into the station. We would like to use funds to develop accredited training resources. We have found this particularly challenging given the current climate where government and/or council funded initiatives are being reduced or withdrawn. Our parent company is reliant on the majority of its income from the public sector. Many of our show sponsors are/were from the public sector too. The recent public sector spending review has put pressure on these areas and has already led directly to the station losing sponsorship revenue. Pure Radio, Stockport

Funding remains a perennial difficulty but we have a new strategic plan for the next three years and working to address this issue in a controlled way this year. We are confident that we will be able to secure the resources we need to continue running an efficient and effective community radio station. Radio Dawn, Nottingham

Finance is always an issue. However, due to the funding for two separate projects, it was a little easier this year, due to extra staff. However, it is always short term funding, so you are always back to having only a couple of members of staff at the end. Radio Ikhlas, Derby

Like all Community Radio stations we are constantly battling for funds and we have received no financial backing other than from communal members and originally from our Local Council. This station is entirely staffed by volunteers and we feel it is necessary to bring in a professional to assist with fundraising in particular. We have twice applied for funding from OFCOM and been turned down. Radio JCom, Leeds

The restriction placed on community radio to a broadcast area of 5 km has proven a difficulty for Raidió Fáilte and a cause of disappointment for our listeners and potential listeners. Many listeners complain that the limitation makes it difficult for them to receive the station, sometimes even within the 5 km radius and we receive complaints from many Irish speakers outside the 5km area that they are unable to receive the service and that, having heard Raidió Fáilte when they are in Belfast, they wish to receive the service in a wider region. Ofcom needs to review this situation particularly on the case of community radio stations which are aimed at dispersed communities, such as the Irish language community rather than specific geographical communities, which might be adequately served by a 5 km broadcast area. Raidió Fáilte, Belfast

The cut in our Arts Council England grant. In common with every other regularly funded organisation, Resonance had an 8 per cent cut to its 2010/11 grant which created financial problems for us. The necessity to spend a considerable amount of time on an entirely new grant application to ACE in December 2010 meant that other pressing fund-raising initiatives had to take a back seat. This resulted in awkward cashflow problems in early 2011 and beyond (although we are pleased to be able to say that our new ACE application was successful and that we will be part of the ACE 'national portfolio' of regularly funded organisations from 2012-15). Resonance FM, Central London

It has been a struggle to keep money coming in. Luckily we have managed to make ends meet and continue to operate and fulfil our commitments to OFCOM and our aims and objectives. Spice FM, Newcastle upon Tyne

Being unable to develop the station due to imposed limitations in raising capital through advertising. Difficulty in tapping into grant money and donations necessary to match advertising revenue. Tempo 107.4 FM, Wetherby, West Yorkshire

As last year our main difficulty is financial. It is a battle to obtain grants, service level agreements and website advertising especially in the current financial climate. Tudno FM, Llandudno (north Wales)

There is a very significant reduction in grant aided funding available to the voluntary sector and this lack of both available funding and funding willingness is beginning to impact us. Having consulted other community radio organisations, it is apparent that we are not alone. Tulip Radio, Spalding (South Holland)

We try very hard to have a working cash flow for at least six months but find it very hard. Funding is an ongoing problem and it is getting even harder with the current climate. Unity 101, Southampton

We continue to experience great difficulty in obtaining funding and we have regrettably come to the conclusion that there is widespread discrimination against Muslims and Muslim-run projects amongst funders. This is most likely because of perceived links to terrorism. We know that other community radio stations receive considerable funds via the National Lottery; however Muslim radio stations are prohibited from accessing this source of funding owing to their faith. With the recession upon us, we fear that our financial difficulties will only get worse. Unity FM, Birmingham

Since the onset of the economic recession, which was not foreseen upon making the original application, funding has become extremely difficult to obtain. Many grant funds have been closed, or have criteria that community radio does not meet. We were refused funding from the Community Radio Fund in the winter 2010 round and summer 2011 round, and refused funds from the recent Red Nose Day grants. Vixen 101, Market Weighton (Yorkshire)

As grants are fewer in number, the competition for them has become greater. In the past our local district council (and other agencies) have been financially supportive, but now there is no money to spare. Cash flow is an on-going issue. Wayland Radio, Ashill (Norfolk)

Community focus

The service has had a lack of physical presence within the community on a day-by-day basis as our main studio is located in a very secluded position. This was overcome when our second studio was opened in March 2011 in a very much more prominent position. Blyth Valley Radio, Southwold (Suffolk)

Balancing community-driven or community-centred outside events and demands with the core business of radio. Hope FM, Bournemouth

Our target community is now spread over a fairly large are around Tyneside but our signal is not strong enough to reach them all. The community that now lives in the outskirts of Newcastle tend to listen when they are in coverage but we get regular complaints that they

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cannot pick up the service in their own residential area. The internet does help but many people do listen in cars and need an FM signal. Spice FM, Newcastle upon Tyne

Coverage

We continue to be disadvantaged by the local topography which means that our signal is not received in some nearby villages. Landlord and regulatory constraints mean that this is unlikely to be overcome in the foreseeable future without the considerable expense of relocating the transmitter. Even then, the problem would be unlikely to be wholly overcome. The internet service therefore continues to be the only means by which some local listeners can tune in. 10Radio, Wiveliscombe (Somerset)

The restrictions placed upon the service by way of its limited power output means that several large communities nearby cannot be reached. If output were increased, the possibility of a much greater listening audience, and consequent attraction to advertisers, is likely to provide significantly greater revenue resulting in opportunities to expand along with a much larger population from which more volunteers may be sought. Even our main target town has poor reception spots. Blyth Valley Radio, Southwold (Suffolk)

A significant difficulty is the topography and twin-centre nature of the town. This means that the current transmitter does not cover the Borough and does not reach one of the major retail areas of the town or Bolton Wanderers’ Reebok Stadium. This inability to reach a third of the town, and its largest retail proposition, has a major impact on our ability to attract advertising revenue. Bolton FM, Bolton

The location of our antenna continues to be a problem as we are unable to cover as much of the island as we would like. It is our intention to investigate alternative sites and we will liaise with Ofcom when we do this, in the next reporting period. Bute FM, Rothesay (Bute)

We have had a long standing coverage problem due to limitations on our chosen transmitter site. Due to the limited power allocated to community radio licensees we have had to find an in-town transmitter site. Whilst other cities are blessed with multi story buildings upon which to mount aerials, Cambridge is lacking in such buildings or masts. Cambridge 105, Cambridge

Medium wave is a disappointment to local listeners who want better quality and greater ease of finding our station and persistently ask us “why aren’t we on FM?” The impossibility of obtaining a medium wave antenna site for a transmission pole (stringent local green belt rules) meant we have had to recourse to “wires in trees” and hence a low efficiency antenna. The difficulty of finding a site for even this meant we have had to set up in a temporary site and now face the additional cost and inconvenience of moving site (to a site that has only recently become available). Flame CCR, Wirral

Coverage is still patchy across the borough of Knowsley and an increase in the output now that we are the only radio station in Knowsley could help with attracting sponsors. KCC Live, Knowsley (Merseyside)

We continue to have a problem reaching all areas of Cardiff due to the low lying location. We frequently receive complaints from residents within the agreed radius who are unable to listen due to reduced or no reception. We would welcome the opportunity to increase output to enable us to overcome this issue. Radio Cardiff, Cardiff

When we first applied for a community radio licence we were advised by OFCOM that we should apply for an AM frequency as no FM frequencies were available in our area. We are struggling to be heard on our MW/AM frequency as the signal is unreliable and we are often ‘drowned out’ by a foreign station. We believe that our output and commitment deserves better recognition by the authorities and accordingly we would urgently request an FM frequency. Radio JCom, Leeds

The lack of funding and resources for the community radio sector continues to be a major difficulty. Community radio needs adequate basic government funding to employ a small permanent core staff to run the service. Raidió Fáilte, Belfast

The very low power level offered with the licence means that the signal reception is patchy even within the licensed area due to topographical reasons. The limited reach has created frustrations for otherwise interested listeners and has negatively impacted on support for the station. For example, listeners in Abronhill, Cumbernauld which is well within the TSA cannot receive a signal while some outside the TSA receive a much better signal. 5 years of broadcasting on a community licence have proven that the licence conditions for our location mitigate against the successful development of a truly viable and professional community radio service as envisaged by the regulatory framework. We would recommend a reconsideration of signal power levels particularly taking into account the undulating terrain across the licenced area. Revival FM, Glasgow

Premises

There continues to be a lack of commercial premises in the town which is a constraint on providing an alternative to our current building which lacks visibility, accessibility and space for growth. It is also a challenge for our growing outside training operations as we have insufficient space for storage of our equipment. 10Radio, Wiveliscombe (Somerset)

CSR is a joint university project and we have struggled to maintain two working studios. We have now begun work on the studio at the city centre university Canterbury Christ Church and plan for it to be ready for the start of the new academic year. Both studios will operate equally when the work is finished. CSR, Canterbury

Although very proud of the premises move, the enforced need to relocate did however come at a large financial cost. Local trades people were generous in donating some of their time, materials and expertise, but many other costs were unavoidable. This has obviously put an increased strain on the financial aspects of the station at a time when all community radio stations are struggling to raise sufficient funding anyway. Harborough FM, Market Harborough (Leicestershire)

Restricted use of the studio during evenings and some weekends due to shared activities of the businesses sharing the premises. Tempo 107.4 FM, Wetherby, West Yorkshire

Source FM made a continued and sustained effort to fit-out and move into new studio premises throughout September – December 2010. This was a slow, steady, prolonged and draining process designed to incur as minimal cost as possible. We utilised all the volunteer power, expertise and time at our disposal and managed to flick the switch on our new studios 24 hours before being evicted from our old studios. However, this period of constant focus, effort and commitment to fitting out the new studios really put a dent in our training schedule and has consequently hampered us in getting new shows to air. The Source, Penryn (Cornwall)

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Programming

DemonFM has had some success developing a reputation as a provider of distinctive broadcast live music and performance that showcases the talents of bands, performers and DJs, from Leicester and beyond. Volunteers recognise that more can be achieved in this field, with a more integrated approach to the showcasing of music throughout the daytime and evening schedules. By collaborating more closely with our existing partners and associates, such as Pedestrian and 2Funky Arts, we are keen to raise DemonFM’s profile as a showcase for creative talent among the young people of Leicester, as well as the creative industries beyond. We are seeking to enhance the quality of our links with the recording and music industries, the online media industries, as well as the festivals and venues of the region. DemonFM aims to be Leicester’s radio-hub for talent and passion in music and creative arts for young people.

DemonFM’s news provision is presently regarded by volunteers as basic and in need of development. Working in partnership with colleagues from De Montfort Universities’ Faculty of Humanities and the Faculty of Technology, we are looking at developing joint modules in broadcasts and community news that will use DemonFM as a platform for skills development for media and journalism undergraduates. This collaboration aims to work closely with Leicester’s Citizens Eye community media news project, and will further innovate and expand the news capability of the station by harnessing the potential of citizen journalism, social media and user-generated content. The aim of this approach is to integrate more closely with community groups across Leicester and to raise the horizon of visibility for students who study in the city and who would benefit from a wider range of choices and opportunities. Demon FM, Leicester

Our market research suggests that, for some listeners, we have yet to forge a coherent identity. The sheer diversity of our shows means that some listeners find it difficult to stick with the station. Perhaps we are disadvantaged by trying to be all things to all men. We have recently decided to bring a modicum of consistency to our daytime music output by introducing a list of ‘recommended’ tracks that we feel help define the flavour of the station. Pulse Community Radio, Barrhead (East Renfrewshire)

Staff and volunteers

During 2010 we contracted a freelance part-time station manager who worked every Friday at the 10Radio studios. This had a significant impact upon our operations but proved impossible to sustain financially, even at the relatively low rates of pay. Since the person stopped we have had to fall back on voluntary management. This leaves us vulnerable if key volunteers depart. 10Radio, Wiveliscombe (Somerset)

Due to lack of funding we have reduced staff numbers significantly. In July 2011 this will result in four p/t staff members. ALL FM, Levenshulme (Manchester)

There has been a gap without a paid part-time position to support the station. Between November and February, the station were without a student media manager and relied primarily on the work of volunteers to maintain the output and general day-to-day running of CSR. CSR, Canterbury

At present volunteers manage all services on an operational level, which is a very positive achievement. However, the level of support that is needed in order to maintain the integrity of the broadcast service, and to expand and develop the role of the station in training, volunteer support and professional administrative services, go well beyond what volunteers

alone can be expected to provide. In order to ensure that DemonFM is compliant with our service commitments and financial commitments, additional funding is now being sought in order employ a full-time station manager, a commercial development manager, and a range of paid volunteer opportunities. This is a high priority for the board of directors. Demon FM, Leicester

Running a community radio station 24x7 only on voluntary effort is very hard. People who can work do, and for long hours. Hence help comes from people unable to work (retired or disabled or carers). Some help comes from unemployed people but they face continual pressure to get back to work or go on training schemes (which do not recognise voluntary work as appropriate). Flame CCR, Wirral

If we had the funds we would definitely advertise for a fundraiser and technician to support the three staff we currently have who manage the station, and plus 100 volunteers on a weekly basis. KCC Live, Knowsley (Merseyside)

Managing any organisation that operates 24 hours a day has logistical problems. Given that Leith FM is 100% volunteers, it is very difficult to maintain organisational effectiveness and reach the high standards we strive to attain. Leith FM, Edinburgh

Difficulties encountered during the year are mostly due to the ever growing number of volunteers and increasing demand for the services that the station provides to individuals. It has been difficult to ensure that volunteers are appropriately supported – especially in a year which has seen the station move premises nine times – whilst still maintaining an offer for those wishing to enter the project for the first time. Some additional temporary staffing – including two Future Jobs Fund posts – has helped somewhat, but demands on the core staff team have been significant during the year. Preston FM, Preston

Because of the number of volunteers using our premises and the number of broadcast hours, we suffer a degree of wear and tear on our equipment and furniture. We now have to factor in replacement costs for headphones, cables, microphones etc. Pulse Community Radio, Barrhead (East Renfrewshire)

It has been difficult attracting volunteers to become involved with all the different aspects of the station. Many approach us with the aim of only wanting to present a simple programme consisting of their own favourite music tracks, and not become involved in other aspects of the station, which as we explain, is not what community radio is about. The small team spend their personal free time training volunteers, and setting up systems for them, only for the volunteer to disappear or resign without notice. Vixen 101, Market Weighton (Yorkshire)

Volunteer availability and retention

Some key volunteers have also had less time to donate as they have to work longer hours in order to sustain household income. 10Radio, Wiveliscombe (Somerset)

Our financial situation has necessitated the removal of all paid posts within the station, so that we are now entirely run by volunteers. This in itself has presented particular challenges, which we are currently tackling. Another difficulty we have experienced in the reporting period is successfully bringing through volunteers from under-represented groups at the station, while initial engagement was good there seems to be reluctance from some to undertake the necessary training to reach the level the station feels it needs to present on

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air. Volunteer retention is also difficult especially with our younger volunteers moving off to college and university. Bolton FM, Bolton

In August 2010 thirteen volunteers departed the station, for a variety of reasons, and the fallout from this impacted somewhat on the service. Bute FM, Rothesay (Bute)

We are facing the real problem of volunteer burn-out after four years on air. The current financial situation, coupled with increasing demands on society in general, has led to the demise of many volunteers along the way – or symptoms of ‘burn out’ with those who have stayed the course. Hope FM, Bournemouth

Although we have many volunteers who take part in a number of activities including, broadcasting, researching, IT work, admin, advert production and programme monitoring, it is always difficult in regards to reliability, especially when they drop out last minute. Radio Ikhlas, Derby

Significant underemployment and living costs on the islands mean that some participants have had to forego volunteering for paid work or just feel that they no longer have time to commit on the regular basis that radio scheduling requires. Radio Scilly, Isles of Scilly

As it grows in popularity and in the demand for its involvement in the community, Revival FM has faced difficulty with the financial strength of the station particularly given the current economic situation. However, the past year has seen improvements in this area. The failure to achieve significant ongoing grant funding, e.g. Ofcom’s Community Radio Fund, has limited the opportunities to improve. The economic model contained within the community licence structure makes it extremely difficult to create the required financial planning culture needed for further development of the service e.g. provision of a professional local news service. Revival FM, Glasgow

Retention of volunteers is a job on its own. It is sometime very difficult to deal with illness in addition to holidays and to top this is emergencies that can occur at any time. This is a task which involves changing the rota sometimes at the last minute, but we cope well with time and experience. The key is to train as many volunteers in radio broadcasting so there is always some sort of standby situation. But there is always going to be a fear that standards may start to slip having many newly trained volunteers, maybe a mixture of experienced and newly trained will be the right way to go forward. Unity 101, Southampton

Other issues

DFM has managed to overcome/ address most of the difficulties it identified last year through the successful outcome of the Big Lottery grant aid and through implementing proactive measures e.g. despite the economic down turn DFM has managed to increase its paid adverts/ sponsors, secure suitable premises with three purpose built studios and a dedicated training area, secure three years funding for three paid members of staff, which includes a project manager, training coordinator and a project administrator. Only significant difficulties DFM is currently experiencing is increased workload/ pressure on Trustees/ Committee members, who are still volunteers, due to huge success of the project and expectation from members of the public to deliver high quality station outputs. Diverse FM, Luton (Bedfordshire)

The management of Erewash Sound remain immensely frustrated at the anti-competitive restrictions on community radio caused by the wording and standing of the Community Radio Act .This is understood to be due to the involvement (unfair interference) of the

Commercial Radio Companies Association in the drafting of the act, which is deemed to be to protect their own ever diminishing interests. These restrictions include those which affect the ability to generate revenue efficiently (only 50% of income permitted through advertising revenue), a frequently referred to ‘5k’ broadcast footprint for community radio (even though each community is unique in build and though signals will naturally travel further) and poor ‘make do’ frequency allocation with the expectancy that we merely put up with it as the best available – making community radio the poor relation to commercial radio despite OFCOM protestations to the contrary. Erewash Sound, Ilkeston (Derbyshire)

Having to endure further equipment thefts, including a hired stand-by generator, from our transmitter site because we lacked the funds to improve security there. GTFM Pontypridd, Pontypridd (south Wales)

The radio station is now into its fifth year. Grants were readily available in the first year and there was probably a naïve assumption by the then Governors that funding would be readily available year on year. This has not been the case. As a result the station has become 100 per cent volunteer run. This creates a challenge in recruiting and retaining enough volunteers to run the station successfully all day every day. In particular administrative areas have suffered, such as the recording of volunteer involvement and development and the ability to carry out audience research surveys. Leith FM, Edinburgh

The Steering Group is currently debating some issues around how we ‘monetise’ certain activities. For example, we are now being asked by local schools on a regular basis to provide volunteers to help facilitate things like Gala Days, Talent Shows etc. Obviously, as a ‘not-for-profit’ community project, we believe in helping out wherever we can. We want to provide a service and build a network of listeners, friends and supporters in the local community, but –at the same time- we have to pay bills. To what extent should we be thinking of introducing rate for this kind of public appearance /performance? That debate will take place over the next few months. Pulse Community Radio, Barrhead (East Renfrewshire)

Pure faces ongoing challenges from new media; developing and expanding use of our website and facebook / twitter and staying ahead of technology. We are helped considerably by a small team of volunteers who weekly contribute to the website and help move forward Pure’s strategy to develop new media. Pure Radio, Stockport

Our main difficulty over this last year has been surviving the move from liquidation of the parent company to setting up the CIC [Community Interest Company] in such difficult financial times. We have, however, managed to stabilise the station and intend to go from strength to strength now the new structures are taking effect. Ujima Radio, Bristol

The station became involved with a proposed Yorkshire Regional Community Radio organisation, aimed at exchanging ideas and experiences in 2010. Several stations met to discuss forming the group, but it did not materialise, mainly due to the amount of volunteer time already taken up with running individual stations, and lack of further communication. Vixen 101, Market Weighton (Yorkshire)

As local Government agencies try to reduce their budgets, through staffing changes and reductions, many previous links have been lost. We are having to work hard to re-establish lines of communication, many of which had been in place for several years. Wayland Radio, Ashill (Norfolk)