East Suffolk Council

Posted by on 7 March 2022 | Comments

A local radio station has received a funding boost thanks to a donation from East Suffolk Council.

Rendlesham Community Radio provides opportunities for local young people to gain experience as presenters or producers, while supporting local musical talent and offering life-skills training to those in need of assistance.

Deben ward councillor, James Mallinder recently dropped by the station to present a donation of Community Partnership grant funding. 

The station originated as a way of connecting the community during the Covid-19 pandemic – broadcasting for Rendlesham Youth Group’s room in the local community centre – but has since grown substantially.

As well as supporting undiscovered local talent by offering the chance to perform in the studio ‘live lounge’, the parish council-backed initiative aims to encourage young people to explore their potential in performing arts – expressing the challenges they face and telling their stories through a chosen artform.

The team strive to reach those with additional behavioural and educational needs, engaging with schools to identify who would benefit most from the project, and providing access to vocational training without the need to enrol in larger and less easily accessible institutions.

It also offers training in basic IT skills for younger and older people looking for work, making a claim for Universal Credit, booking NHS appointments and shopping online.

Last May, the station marked its first birthday with a marathon 52-hour live broadcast to raise more than £1,000 for the Rendlesham Youth Group and new skate park.

James Mallinder, chairman of the Melton, Woodbridge and Deben Peninsula Community Partnership, said: "I was delighted to have presented a cheque to such a worthy local community cause.

"I've been so impressed by the rise of Rendlesham Community Radio, from a means of connecting the community during lockdown, to a buzzing local broadcaster offering vital vocational and creative opportunities to people in the area.

"The Community Partnership scheme is all about supporting projects, like this, aimed at improving locally available opportunities and services."

The East Suffolk Council-run Community Partnership grant scheme supports the delivery of projects aimed at addressing local priorities and benefitting the wider community.

There are eight Community Partnerships, based on natural groupings of communities, including Melton, Woodbridge and the Deben Peninsula.

Each has an annual budget of £25,000, funded from the New Homes Bonus, to be spent against agreed priorities.

Rendlesham Community Radio's £1,443.17 grant will be put towards further supporting its work around youth engagement, community cohesion, work-related learning and social isolation.

Using a studio in a cabin at Jubilee Park, provided by the parish council, it will be introducing additional services to help younger and older people face the challenges of life after Covid.

The station’s Malcolm Clark said: "Rendlesham Community Radio has been a great asset to the local community during the pandemic; bringing a friendly voice to the isolated.

"It has entertained and lifted spirits. It has given a purpose and new skills to many volunteers who have worked on the station.

"As life for many gets back to normal, Rendlesham Community Radio will use this grant to increase services for the benefit of the whole community, with the radio station at its heart."

Find out more about the Community Partnerships and available grant funding.