Our volunteer-run station is ready to grow and we want you to be part of it. We're about local radio for social good, made by and for the community. Help us to keep sharing local stories, amplify the local arts and music scene, and empower volunteers and youth groups onto the airwaves.
Derby deserves a truly local radio station for our city, where there have been cutbacks to local BBC radio and specialist music genre shows. Big corporate media companies have bought up local radio stations, often airing regional and national content, overlooking what's happening in Derby and not offering opportunities for people to learn radio skills, as a hobby or new career path. Radio can help keep the community connected, like an audio version of a noticeboard of local news and events, with friendly local voices to keep you company and a place for youngsters to get their first taste of broadcasting.
We want to open up the airwaves and give more people the chance to participate in radio made by and for Derby. We are delighted to be part of the successful Derby DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting) bid to bring a new system to the city by 2024, enabling Derby Sound and other small or specialist stations to be heard on DAB radios, in addition to listening via the internet. This will reach more people and help us to grow, but we need your help to get through these costly times and make it all possible. Did you see our story in the local news?
Your donations can help us to -
* recruit, train, mentor and supervise more volunteer presenters and community reporters (we can't keep up with current demand, but how great is it that so many people want to get involved?!)
* cover running costs (price rises in this economy, hey?) such as broadcasting bills, news and weather report service, studio space and license fees to play music
* get ready to broadcast on the new small-scale Derby DAB+ transmitter, with additional license fees, reaching people without internet access/confidence who can tune in on a DAB+ radio
Longer-term - exciting plans ahead! We are also working on grant applications and raising income via radio advertising and sponsorship so that we can recruit staff to run our station, keep up with demand, fill the 24/7 schedule with great hosts and content, plus investing in mobile / outdoor broadcasting kit to support local events and do more of our youth radio workshops and Love Music Reject Hate roadshows with local artists and venues.
The people of Derby will soon be able to tune in to a wider range of radio stations via their DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting)radios. DAB has increased significantly over the last decade, as a modern, greener, more energy-efficient platform than FM and AM analogue radio.
Ofcom, the radio regulator, considered applications to build a transmission service that could revolutionise local radio and chose Derby DAB to make it happen. Derby Sound is delighted to be part of the successful Derby DAB bid.
Vanessa Boon from Derby Sound said " We are proud to amplify the city's music scene and provide a microphone for local voices by training up volunteers and running youth radio workshops to give more people a chance to get on the airwaves. We were really moved by listeners’ response to us keeping them company, reducing loneliness and lifting spirits during the pandemic. The chance to reach beyond internet broadcasting and also be on people’s DAB radios across Derby, in their homes and on the move, will enable us to connect with more people and grow our grassroots station further. This will help us to keep filling the gap in truly local, diverse radio content that you can't hear anywhere else. The lower energy consumption with DAB supports our aim of radio for social good and will help us to support Derby's ambition to be a modern City of Culture".
Derby Sound contributed efforts to the bid to bring the small-scale DAB transmission service to the city and has a 5% share on the Board of Derby DAB which will also open up opportunities for other broadcasters such as student radio and local specialist language and culture stations too.
Derby Sound Community Radio has seen a 74% increase in listeners as more people stay at home during the lockdown. More and more people are seeking the company of a human voice, good music and keeping a sense of connection to the local community.
Offering companionship, the restorative power of music, entertainment and information on local Corona Virus support groups, food banks, and wellbeing activities, the friendly local hosts are dedicated to keeping the station on air. Volunteers are hosting shows from their own homes using virtual technology.
"I am so proud of the team" says Vanessa Boon, Station Chair & Volunteer Presenter, "Our volunteers are passionate about the vital role that community radio can play at this worrying time. I wish to say a huge thank you to all our volunteers who are keeping the station on air 24/7. Their hard work and dedication to keeping folks company through this crisis, whilst many of our team are dealing with shielding or isolating themselves, and broadcasting from home, shows inspiring community spirit. Thanks to our volunteers both on-air and behind the scenes, our supporters, advertisers and listeners, though we may be social distancing we can still feel socially together over the airwaves".
The station continues to bring a variety of music, news, topical chat and fresh new interviews with Derby characters including community difference-makers via zoom. In the mix are specialist shows spanning rock, Latin, synth, retro, indie, Afrobeats, chart and eclectic music, with something for everyone. And if you miss a show there is also the on demand service via Mixcloud.
To keep lifting people's spirits and be a vehicle for social good the station is sharing local sources of help in regular bulletins, showcasing local artists who have felt the effects of event cancellations and venue closures, and is planning a virtual open mic event to gather people together online.
Always dreamed of being on the radio? Amplifying the voices of Derby, the station is also inviting people to create and send in content for broadcast such as recorded greetings, messages, original poems and songs and interviews. "With smartphones, or a laptop and USB microphone, offering good quality sound recording functions many people can join in and create their own audio content" says Vanessa "and we are adapting our popular radio skills taster workshops to run online offering e-learning opportunities to people keen to gain a new skill such as audio editing or presenting. With our help, participants can develop their ideas for radio features, bulletins or even hosting their own show from home".
Derby Sound is part of the local charity Disability Direct and is also playing its part in helping disabled volunteers and listeners to access local support during isolation.
Listen live via www.derbysound.org.uk and click the Listen button
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