Prescap Ltd, 5a Walton's Parade, Preston PR1 8QT | Email: prescap@prescap.co.uk | Tel: 01772 88 77 85 | Fax: 01772 55 8805
PrestonFM
Our community radio station has directly served the PR1 and PR2 areas of Preston since its inception in 2005.
During this time, we have worked pro-actively with 7 other community media organisations across Lancashire and Cumbria. To do this we founded the Community Media Forum and also provide technical expertise to set up radio facilities in other areas for communities wishing to explore the medium of community radio.
PrestonFM delivers a level 2 qualification in Skills for Community Radio which has been accredited by and is delivered for Lancashire College.
Prescap's Community Radio Project - get involved at www.preston.fm
If your a local business or organisation and would like further details on sponsorship opportunties on Preston FM contact: John@prescap.co.uk
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LATEST NEWS:
Training available
Wednesday 27th August at 6:30pm at the studios. All welcome - whether or not you've been involved in Chat City previously, and whether you want to present or be involved with production and interviews behind the scenes.
Feature making (including how to use portable recorders and edit audio on Audacity) - two courses, running for three weeks on Tuesday afternoons from 19th Aug or Saturday afternoons from 13th Sep.
Showreel (how to put together a 1-2 minute compilation of your presenting to demonstrate how great you are!) - courses will run according to demand, so let us know if you're interested.
Programme feedback (get together with a few other volunteers, listen to each other's shows and then give each other some constructive feedback) - will run on demand, so let us know if you're interested.
Young people's taster sessions (including DJing, MCing, Audio Production and Radio Journalism) - running every Friday over the summer and open to anyone aged 16-25 (including those new to Preston FM).
First Aid - Open to Volunteer Studio Managers only - 21st August, 9am-4pm. -
"Welcome to Full-time" - compulsory 2-hour session for everyone presenting a show during the full-time broadcast - will run at various times in mid-September - more details to follow.
We'll be launching full-time later in 2008
To date, Preston FM has achieved significant success: in its work with individual beneficiaries; local organisations; and the listening public as whole. Preston FM now employs four full-time staff, has engaged and trained over 250 volunteers and assisted 400 local organisations with their work. The successful operation of 4 month-long broadcasts, as well as internet radio has attracted an estimated 45,000 listeners.
Using community radio as a tool, the broad aim of the project is to contribute to regeneration and improved community cohesion and capacity. Preston FM provides training and development opportunities for local people, based on radio and media skills but also building a wide range of other skills including literacy, numeracy, ICT, self-confidence, self-esteem, communication and team working.
One of the great strengths of the Preston FM to date has been its success in reaching individuals who are otherwise disengaged from learning. The “hook” of involvement in radio production and broadcasting is a powerful way of engaging people in informal learning, and the project has had considerable success in acting as a stepping stone for beneficiaries moving on to employment or to further, more formal, training.
Preston FM has recently achieved accreditation of the training delivered to volunteers new to the project, through a unit of the NCFE Level 2 qualification in Radio Production delivered in association with Lancashire Adult Learning. Further, unaccredited, training is also delivered to beneficiaries covering a range of topics, with sessions tailored to the needs of those individuals engaging with the project. Full support, guidance and signposting to further opportunities is provided to all volunteers.
Preston FM is in the unique position of being able to attract some of the “harder-to-reach” members of the community, and the informal and friendly setting is particularly suitable to those disengaged from formal education or with low levels of academic achievement. Currently, approximately 25% of Preston FM volunteers are from BME communities and 10% are people with disabilities. Preston FM concentrates its marketing and outreach activities on those from more deprived areas within the city and those without an existing level 2 qualification.
As well as individuals, Preston FM also works with a vast range of community, voluntary and statutory organisations in Preston, assisting them to promote themselves and their work as well as offering experiential learning opportunities for their members and users.
Preston FM secured it’s full time license in February 2008, we will be going on air full time later this year.
The station is attractive to young and old alike, providing unique opportunity for intergenerational working, whilst the medium of community radio creates opportunity for community members to comment upon issues of local concern, thereby fulfilling their need for contribution in regard to creating a stronger, safer and more coherent community in Preston and the surrounding area.
