SOUTHEND HOSPITAL RADIO SERVICES

Group PhotoAbout us:

 

The key objective of the Radio Service is spelt out in our Constitution. The aim of the Charity is to relieve the effects of sickness, infirmity and old age by providing a local broadcasting service to the patients of Southend Hospital and any similar institutions within the Borough of Southend on Sea with a radius of 30 miles there from. Hopefully, this is translated into enjoyment and relaxation for each and every in-patient across the Hospital.

 

How to listen:

 

Southend Hospital Radio is available free to patients in Southend Hospital.

 

In some parts of the hospital (without bedside TV units), we're on Channels 13 and 14.

 

Our activities:

 

The activities we undertake are centred on a schedule of live broadcasts each evening from 1800 hours to 2200/2230 hours with the main element being the Patients Request Show. This is a 2 hour show commencing at 2000 hours.

 

Other supporting programmes cover a range of different types and style of music plus occasional interviews and chat Supporting and underpinning all of this, we have two channels providing continuous music with the emphasis on "easy listening". Add to this, we have a Sports Show on a Saturday which includes Live Commentary of every Southend United F.C home match.

 

Our Members:

 

The present register of volunteers is between 50 and 60, a few concentrating on technical support and half a dozen being ex members who remain interested but no longer participate. Recruiting is an ongoing activity. All Members are encouraged to perform Ward Liaison work as well as learning to be Presenters. More on membership

 

Our Finances:

 

Our financial position has improved in the last 12 months thanks to a couple of large donations. For the future, we remain very dependant upon subscriptions, new donations, street / store collections and fees from outside broadcasting / PA jobs in the area. None of these are guaranteed annual sums and with our costs rising we have to put sums aside to ensure continuity of broadcasting in the year or two ahead. We need a minimum of £3000 revenue per annum to cover expenditure.

 

Service Standards from a broadcasting viewpoint have been based on similar lines to those of the BBC. Training for our Presenters has been via a Hands-On approach which we recognise has some limitations The content of Music played on the system is monitored and unsuitable pieces removed Ward Liaison personnel are vetted and monitored by senior members of the Management team from the outset of their training.

 

K F Merchant, Chairman

 

Member of HBA

 


More information: Our History , Fundraising , Membership, About our website