pic: Radio Reprezent
Sick already at the thought of mince pies and endless hours of Christmas TV? For young people from Lewisham aged between 13 and 20 there will be the chance to take to the airwaves over the festive period in a one-off opportunity at community radio Reprezent FM.
The youth-led radio station has announced 30 places on training days for youngsters during the Christmas holidays on December 28, 29 and 30.
The scheme will give participants a foothold in interviewing skills, script writing and microphone presentation – as well as being broadcast to around 350,000 listeners across London. No prior experience or qualifications are required in what organisers hope will be an enjoyable and relaxed taster of working on radio.
Clare Coyne, who works at the station, told EastLondonLines that the aim of the short programme is to give young people from the area “the opportunity to do something creative and spontaneous.”
She said: “Over the holidays many young people will have no money left and nothing to do. The training days are a fun way to meet new people, share skills and learn from each other – as many of the young people bring abilities they already have.
“We hope they will take away a passion for radio and discover another way to express themselves.”
Launched in August 2008, Radio Reprezent broadcasts 24 hours a day, 7 days a week on FM bandwidth 107.3FM from Heathrow to Essex with a live service on Monday to Friday from 12pm.
One of the station’s missions is to engage young people on social issues affecting their generation. They regularly hold panel discussions with social partners such as the police and community groups on wide-ranging topics including knife crime, post-code gang wars and domestic violence.
With Lewisham named as the local authority with the highest youth unemployment earlier this year, the stations core projects involve reaching out to young people who are not in employment, education or training by offering media training, alongside volunteering and internships.
The station also runs a Volunteer Progression Programme aimed at young people in college, part-time work or seeking work.
For more information contact Clare Coyne on 020 8320 0880 or email clare@eclectic-productions.co.uk.
