The Boss.. Lucy Smith, Chairperson

In February 2010 I came across a leaflet from Southern Brooks Community Partnership advertising free Community Radio Workshops in Bradley Stoke supported by BCfm.  As someone who likes to talk I thought “Why not?” And from that moment on I haven’t looked back.  The workshops sparked an interest in community radio for me and some other like minded Bradley Stoke Residents and I started to think about how I could help create a community radio station in BS32.

A couple of weeks later Winsome Barrett-Muir, Bradley Stoke’s community development worker encouraged a few of those people who attended the workshops to come along to a meeting to see how we could move the project forward.   There had previously been a committee who had begun to set up Bradley Stoke Community Radio Association but for one reason or another the group needed a boost to take the next steps, which is where I came in – along with a new committee.

In a moment of madness I volunteered to be the new Secretary for the group and along with a new chairperson, vice chair, the existing treasurer and a handful of committed volunteers we began to work towards launching our very own community radio station in Bradley Stoke.

After many committee meetings, ideas, discussions, agreements (and only a few disagreements) the new team launched Bradley Stoke Radio live on 87.7fm on 4th June 2011. I personally had no experience in radio, broadcasting, fundraising, grant applications or volunteering but I learnt quickly and used my experience of running a business, teaching and management to help the team reach our goal.   Personally I had always fancied being a breakfast show presenter – and guess what… my dream came true when I co-hosted Bradley Stoke Breakfast with Steve Seaton for 2 whole weeks.

In July 2011 we held our first AGM, where (once again in a moment of madness) I stepped up to become the Chairperson of Bradley Stoke Radio – well more like my husband nominated me on the night!   Just a year earlier I thought it would be good fun to present my own radio show and here I was now – the boss! Crazy!

Being the chairperson is a challenging role.  Having never been involved in radio or a community group before I have had a steep learning curve taking on such a young and exciting group with so much potential.  There is a lot of responsibility and at times it can be quite overwhelming.   Having said that though the role is an ideal opportunity to develop personally and get the chance to gain real life experience in management. So many of the things I do within Bradley Stoke Radio can be transferred to the workplace and put on my CV – such as human resources management, managing volunteers, training, financial planning, networking, change management, business development and strategy, decision making, presentation skills.  Not to mention the fun stuff like presenting a radio show.

One of the best things about being involved with Bradley Stoke Radio is being able to be creative, as a committee member I have the chance to develop creative ideas and see them and  hear them – come to life on the radio and on the website. I have had the chance to meet professionals from the industry from Radio 1, BBC Radio Bristol, Heart FM, BCfm and look forward to developing these contacts for the benefit of our community in 2012.

The most rewarding part of being involved in Bradley Stoke Radio is working with the volunteers. I have been privileged to meet some amazing people from within our community and now class them as my friends.  Seeing how their lives have changed from being involved in the group is just fantastic, listening to their shows, watching friendships grow, helping to train and develop new skills is all extremely rewarding.

2011 has been a bit of whirlwind for me in Bradley Stoke Radio. From launching the station in June to being part of The Willow Brook Centre Christmas Lights Switch on – what an honour.  I am now looking forward to our upcoming FM broadcast in December to round off the year and already planning some exciting things for 2012.

So, if you are thinking about getting involved – don’t think – just do it, you won’t regret it.