Disability on the airwaves

We are proud to be part of the charity Disability Direct and with the aim of increasing the participation of disabled people in radio we were delighted to be featured on the charity's new Derbyshire Disability News website; this new site is a hub for sharing and discovering local disability-related clubs, news, events and stereotype-busting articles as an alternative to the mainstream media.

Visit the website at: https://derbyshiredisabilitynews.co.uk/2019/06/05/disability-on-the-airwaves-have-you-ever-thought-about-presenting-your-own-show/

Here is the article text:

Derby has its own grassroots volunteer-run radio station aiming to amplify diversity on-air.

Derby Sound Community Radio joined Disability Direct in April this year with the goal to increase the participation of disabled people. The project trains up local volunteers and community groups in radio skills to create ‘by the community for the community’ radio content. The station amplifies local projects and recent features have included success stories from Accessible Belper, support available for cancer patients from Annabel’s Angels, Beyond The Box highlighting inspiring neurodivergent women, the Disability Direct Plot To Plate accessible allotment project, the CredAccess Card and opening up conversations with men for Mental Health Awareness Week with The Men’s Mind Gym Derby.

The station keeps people company, broadcasting a wide range of music, talk and specialist shows with a local flavour 24/7 online via www.derbysound.org.uk and is seeking more disabled people to get involved; volunteering opportunities include presenting, recording voice-overs and What’s On bulletins about local events, recording interviews, production, helping out with outdoor broadcasts, marketing, fundraising, social media and admin support.

“You don’t need any past experience in radio” says Vanessa Boon, Chair of Derby Sound and presenter of The V Show, “we provide training and mentoring to help each individual learn how to create radio content and support them to learn in their own style and at their own pace to work towards their radio goals. We have accessible technology that enables people to make radio shows from our studio or even from their own home over the internet. It’s a lovely, diverse, welcoming team to join, with lots of encouragement to give radio a try and we have a lot of fun showcasing local artists, events, good causes, interviewing local characters and of course playing great music! I am passionate about diversity on the airwaves and I really want to encourage disabled people in Derby and Derbyshire to get involved”.

The Derby Sound team already includes fourteen volunteers who are disabled or living with long-term orfluctuating health conditions; stereotype-busting radio show hosts include volunteers with a visual impairment, partial mobility, recovering from treatment, learning difficulties and presenters on the Autistic spectrum. Feedback from the team highlights the positive effects of radio volunteering on their wellbeing, recovery, mental health, motivation, building up confidence and reduced isolation by feeling a sense of belonging and empowerment with the team. The learning & development gain in digital, radio and public speaking skills has also been valuable and for some volunteers it has even proved a helpful stepping stone towards employment.

Dean Ormond, the station’s Vice-Chair and weekday Lunchbox show presenter, brings over twenty years’ radio experience to the team. He told us “I fell in love with radio from an early age listening to radio Luxembourg under the bed cover. I’ve been in and out of mainstream radio since the late 80s as a freelance researcher and Producer, but it wasn’t until 2012 that I first got in front of the microphone on Internet Radio and I haven’t looked back!” Dean explains “I love presenting shows, talking to folks, keeping them company and interacting, especially disabled listeners and people who are shy, lonely or just need a friend behind the speaker. It’s important to connect to our community and to show support for those who need it or those who have always dreamed of being on the radio, or involved in radio, but who have never had the opportunity. I love what I do and I have great fun and satisfaction, not only as a presenter but also as Vice Chair of Derby Sound, helping to run the station and train up new volunteers”.

Derby Sound runs community radio taster workshops which have proved popular. “I attended the November 2018 radio workshop at Sinfin Community Centre with my children Luke and Isobel after having had a period away from the station due to illness” says Vince “It was an excellent taster session which we thought we would participate in for an hour or so but was so interesting and lots of fun that we ended up staying for the entire day! I had previously been a presenter and my children had knowledge of what I did but not necessarily the technical aspects of how a show is produced. To this effect the sessions opened up their eyes to the possibilities within radio and how important a contribution to society it can be. Particularly, Luke and Isobel enjoyed creating their own content so much that Isobel has participated with me in several shows, including two whole hours we have produced together. This time we have spent creating our own content has been especially poignant for me. We have had such a devastating time in our family with my illness that it is so wonderful to be able to find something that we can both participate in and that feels so worthwhile”.

“Derby Sound has exceeded all of my own expectations with what can be achieved. This came across well in the workshop and also how important inclusivity is and how we all have a responsibility to each other in society. We can and should spread positivity at all times, no matter what. The workshops have shown us that anything is possible no matter what the adversity we face and that the technology is so easy to use. The community values that we hold so dear are mirrored with that of the station and it was a pleasure to be a part of the session. I still remain a presenter on Derby Sound having returned in February. No matter how difficult sometimes things seem, I always want to produce my show. Radio is a pleasure and a constant in my life that I hope will always be there”.

To find out more visit the website at www.derbysound.org.uk or e-mail info@derbysound.org.uk with any questions and register your interest in the next free community radio workshops which are run every few months.

If you already work or volunteer for a charity or community group you can also book on the free training in radio skills with Community Action Derby on 2nd July: https://www.communityactionderby.org.uk/events/free-community-radio-training