Health FM
Health FM is an innovative project that was launched by Radio Regen in 2018. The project’s goals were to enable community radio stations from across the country to develop brand new projects that would engage their audience on health issues. Following a stringent application process, Radio Regen was pleased to be able to offer funding to eight stations from various communities to engage with new health partners and shape their project proposals. The funding was provided in order to achieve the following activity from stations:
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- Commit around six days of staff time to the project during September and October 2018.
- Attend a one day seminar in central Manchester on health partnerships and social prescribing.
- Develop a new health project proposal for delivery by the station.
- Explore new local partnerships.
- Report back to Radio Regen on progress.
The following community radio stations were selected for funding following the application process:
- Academy FM – Folkestone
- Chapel FM – East Leeds
- Crescent Community Radio – Rochdale
- Gaydio – Greater London, Brighton, Portsmouth, Cambridge, North Birmingham, Manchester and Glasgow
- North Manchester FM – North Manchester
- Oldham Community Radio – Oldham
- Salford City Radio
- Somer Valley FM – North East Somerset
The project began with a one day seminar at Regen HQ in Manchester, attended by representatives from each of the stations.
With key presentations from experts in social prescribing and health partnerships, the seminar was designed to equip the stations with the required knowledge to develop their health projects. The presentations, video and audio recordings and transcripts of the recordings are available for any stations wishing to launch their own projects – just click on the links below.
The following table sets out proposals for health projects that have come about as a result of the project:
| Station | Project Title | Health issue/audience |
| Academy FM | TalkKnit | To tackle mental health issues in men and boost motor skills in schoolchildren through knitting and talking and the creation of community art |
| Chapel/East Leeds FM | Being Well | To tackle stigma and misinformation on various health issues by involving members of the community in on-air discussion of those issues |
| Crescent Community Radio | Walk and Talk | For members of the Bangladeshi, Palkistani and African heritage communities who suffer with health issues include obesity and social isolation/loneliness to go walking and record their conversations for broadcast |
| Gaydio | LGBT hate crime reporting | To boost the reporting of hate crimes suffered by LGBT people |
| North Manchester FM | Positive mental health messages | To involve 11-18 years olds who would otherwise not access health services or support in making content and discussing positive messages around mental health |
| Oldham Community Radio | The Funky Fitness and Fun Radio Show | To work with young people with additional needs or who are have a form of autism to create health content for the station, thereby boosting their confidence and communication skills |
| Salford City Radio | Dementia awareness | To tackle stigma and raise awareness of dementia in Salford though on-air discussion with community members affected by dementia and health professionals |
| Somer Valley FM | Six Week Challenge | Working with station volunteers, their networks and audience members to set themselves challenges to be active, keep learning, connect with people, take notice/be mindful or give to charity. |
