A Chance To Get On Air

People in North West Leicestershire can learn about being a radio presenter – thanks to a £10,000 Community Forum Grant.

The grant has enabled Hermitage FM to increase its studio space and train up to 300 volunteers to improve their job prospects and develop their interest in broadcasting.

Jon Sketchley, Hermitage FM, Station Manager, said: Hermitage FM is the new community radio station serving North West Leicestershire.

Our transmissions have served the community for almost a year and this has resulted in a high level of interest in training to be a presenter. Our new studio located in Hotel Street provides the perfect opportunity for up and coming presenters to learn on-air skills.

Training courses are being held on Monday and Wednesday evenings with groups of four to five trainees. This opportunity is available to all age groups and can result in being part of the on-air team broadcasting on 99.2 FM to North West Leicestershire.

Without the help of the Community Forum it would not have been possible to have this facility.”

As well as the training facility, Hermitage can now also provide a comfortable meeting space,with refreshments,for individuals and local groups. Hermitage FM pitched the idea for the training facility to local residents at the Coalville Community Forum as a part of the Participatory Budgeting process. The residents liked the idea enough to give it the largest allocation of the money available.

Danny Massingham, trainee, said: The training facility at Hotel Street is excellent and has given me the opportunity to work in an area which was previously unavailable. I hope to be a volunteer and work with the on-air team at Hermitage FM presenting my own programme.”

Since they started in 2007, more than 2,500 people have taken part and picked up the latest on services for older people, anti-social behaviour, eco-town proposals, grants, development plans, lorry routes, tackling crime, transport, housing, jobs, loan sharks, roads, community hospitals plus much more

Community forums are a great opportunity for people to find out what is happening on their doorstep, give views, get answers to queries and influence local decision-making.

This Forum is for people who live, work or play, in Coalville, Greenhill, Snibston, Whitwick, Hugglescote and the Parishes of Charley and Bardon and surrounding areas providing a unique opportunity where all three tiers of local government come together.

More details from Victoria Bowers, Community Engagement Manager, Leicestershire County Council, 0116 30 58169