Cheryl Buggy  reports:   There was no shortage of enthusiasm or ideas from those who attended the first meeting meeting of the IW Community Radio Project in February.

People seemed able to appreciate the bigger picture of what a community station could offer the Island as well as how their particular organisation could benefit.

We began by reviewing the whole initial idea underpinning the need for a community station on the Island.
  
It was felt that a community station could help to –
• Raise aspirations, and build confidence and self esteem
• Inform listeners about the many events happening on the Island
• Celebrate success stories
• Showcase talent and creativity
• Encourage a sense of pride of place  
• Help local people of all ages make their own programmes and get on air
• Connect people and help enhance social cohesion
• Be an independent voice for local people
• Be a supportive, constructive positive communication vehicle for the Island

I shared the story of the journey of Express FM community station in Portsmouth which could serve as a template for the Island station if necessary.  Please have a look at the Express site to get a flavour of what is being done, and in particular where we are getting our funding from click  HERE:   

In order to move from the idea/concept to a real live radio station it was felt the following needs to happen –
• Identify a lead champion or champions
• Network and build relationships with organisations or groups who are prepared to form part of the consortium that would apply to Ofcom for a licence
• Showcase what was possible with some pilots or joint ventures, for example -
• Run radio workshops with young people leading to programme broadcast. These to happen using the YMCA facilities.
• A joint venture via a special events licence covering an event such as the Bestival.
• Run a ‘virtual’ station via the internet
• Get a lead school or the IOW College to set up their own station that could be accessed by the wider community in order to showcase what is possible.
• Find the necessary funding to kickstart the consortium and then establish the station.

Thank you to Mick for hosting the meeting at Quay Arts, and thank you to all who managed to attend.  I will arrange a meeting for some time in the summer if you require further information please email Cheryl Buggy

Isle of Wight Community News @Island Pulse.

: Thursday : March 27th, 2008 at 1:00 am.