Youth radio project receives lottery windfall

Superstar DJ

Pride Media Association has been awarded £135,000 of lotteries money to develop an exciting youth radio project in the borough of Rochdale.

Over the next 2 years the Fusion Radio project will use the airwaves as a tool to encourage cohesion amongst young people living in the town; and across the borough of Rochdale, enabling youth participants from different neighbourhoods and cultures to work together in promoting a positive image of young people, and the opportunities available to them locally.

Fusion Radio will involve young people aged 13 – 19 from all areas of Rochdale, in managing and producing their own FM Radio Station which will broadcast music, information and entertainment live across Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale; and on the internet in 2007.

The broadcast will be a voice for young people, with radio programmes exploring important youth issues such as drugs, relationships and sexual health, stress, depression, bullying etc., as well as being a platform to promote the achievements of young people in Rochdale, e.g. creative achievements of DJ’s, MC’s, local bands, creating a fusion of young people, cultures and different music styles.

The radio project will support local young people in developing interpersonal, communication and leadership skills, alongside skills in Radio Production, Presentation, Marketing and ITC which will form part of a nationally recognised accreditation at NVQ level 2.

Individual projects will be developed in the towns of Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale with the second year of the project enabling young people from all areas of the borough of Rochdale to come together to produce a borough wide Radio Station in 2008.

Almost 200 young people will benefit from the Fusion Radio Project over the next 2 years.

Pride Media Association is not new to radio in the borough of Rochdale, having supported the development of the boroughs only student radio station; Springhill Radio which broadcasts daily to students at Springhill High School, and recently achieved national recognition as winners of the Philip Lawrence Award. Provided training and support to volunteers in Heywood enabling them establish HFM, as well as being the organisation behind regular community radio broadcasts in Middleton.

Fusion Radio is funded by The Big Lottery Young Peoples Fund, which aims to provide young people with new opportunities and empower them to make a positive difference within their own community.

Any young people wishing to get involved in Fusion should contact Pride Media Association on 0161 643 6266, fusion@pridemedia.co.uk or txt 07950 463447

Jonathan Burns – Managing Director said: Fusion Radio is a unique project which will make a huge difference to the lives of young people in Rochdale. The project will offer young people with a fresh approach to learning, providing the opportunity to gain a recognised qualification, and skills for life, in a fun, creative, and practical environment.