Save our station

Roch Valley Radio

Local hospital radio service Roch Valley Radio based at Fairfield General Hospital is facing closure if help isn’t found soon.

The station which broadcasts to Fairfield has been broadcasting from the hospital since 2006, before then it was known as Birch Radio but had to move from its premises at Birch Hill Hospital in Littleborough due to the site being closed down.

In order to comply with Charity Commission requirements, the station is appealing for people to come forward and form a new committee to help run the station and ensure that its future is secure.

The current committee, some of whom have been involved for over 30 years, no longer have the time to dedicate to the station due to other commitments. Current station manager Bob Chadwick, who has been with the hospital service since 1980, said: “We are looking for people who can dedicate a small amount of time to help run the station and develop its future. The current committee now have other business and/or family commitments and although we have asked the current volunteers if they want to take over, sadly no one has come forward.”

The station, which is a registered charity, has the latest equipment and broadcasts via the Hospedia television and radio service to each bedside unit. It is a free service for patients, staff and visitors.

Bob went onto say: “Although only a minimum amount of time is needed to run the station, it does need a few new faces who are interested in running the charity to provide the valuable therapeutic service. The ideal person would have a few hours a month to spare and have an interest in the media or radio, though presenting on the station is not an essential requirement of being a committee member. The current committee is more than willing to help a new team take over and wish to leave the radio station in good hands and good health.”

The station is looking for a new chairman, secretary, treasurer and a co-ordinator who can assist with volunteer recruitment, training and the organisation of the current volunteers. Experience in applying for grants, fund raising, etc. would be useful.
An open day is to be arranged for any potential new volunteers wishing to become committee members. If you are interested the initial step is to contact volunteer Darryll Few:

rvr@darryllfew.com 
07776 481 246.

If there is no response by the 15 March the current volunteers will have to look at disbanding the station which will, under Charity Commission rules, mean donating the equipment and funds to a charity with similar aims or to the Hospital Broadcasting Association, the parent body of hospital radio stations.

Bob went onto say: “This is the last thing we want to do as I think the station has a great future and offers a valuable service to the patients. Hospital radio has been proven to aid the recovery of patients, but sadly those who sit on the current committee do not have the time to continue with this important work.”