Release Date: 12/08/2008
The yearly highlight of Richmond upon Thames’ airwaves that trains wanna-be DJs of the future is back for the third year running.
Change FM, which gives a voice to and is run by young people from the Ham Estate and the surrounding areas, provides local youth with the skills to build a career in broadcasting, training them in journalism, broadcasting regulations, production and editing skills.
Every day between 12pm and 6pm, the young programme makers explore local issues ranging from sport and music to local history, housing, community development, employment, training and education.
Since its launch two years ago, Change FM has involved over 70 young people between the ages of 13 and 18 in training and broadcast.
This year, about 30 young people are training to become DJ/Presenters. All successful trainees will be awarded an Open College Network (OCN) Level 2 certificate in Radio Broadcast.
Listeners in the Ham and Richmond areas will be able to tune into the community radio station on 87.7 FM until the end of August.
The station is part of the “Richmond Summer University” (RSU) wider holiday participation scheme and is coordinated by Connexions South London. It is run by the charity BANG Edutainment with the aim of engaging local youngsters and community groups in radio, music and broadcast training.
Cllr Liz Jaeger, Richmond Council Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure on Richmond Council, said:
“Change FM has been a very exciting project since its launch two years ago. Youngsters from the Ham Estate traditionally have less social opportunities than many other young people in the borough. Thanks to Change FM, these young people are able to channel their energies into constructive and positive activity that is also very enjoyable.
“We want young people who might not be spending their time productively to learn valuable skills that will help them realise their full potential.”
Dele Ryder, Manager for Connexions South London, said:
“Change FM is a great opportunity for the borough to engage young people in activity that will provide them with useful skills as well as inspire them to think about their future.
“Change FM stands for a change for young people in Ham, who can address the issues that concern them in their everyday life.”
For more information about the station, please contact Helen Poole at BANG Edutainment Ltd on 0208 963 9563.