Dan does the Bay proud in front of millions on BBC TV

Young radio presenter Dan Boosey did the Bay proud when he sang in front of millions of TV viewers for this year's BBC Children in Need appeal show.

Dan is a presenter with Ocean Youth Radio, Torbay’s very own young people’s radio station, which is run for young people by young people from their radio station HQ in Winner Street, Paignton.

Dan was part of the Children in Need Choir, who performed Take That’s ‘Never Forget’ in Manchester.

Dan says: "I’ve been presenting Ocean Youth Radio shows for nine months now. On the first day there, I planned a radio show, which my dad couldn’t believe.

"It’s a great place to learn media skills and work with other young people. Right from the start, I loved it because all the staff are fun to hang around with, and they’re basically friends as well."

Dan, 15, has cerebral palsy with mild learning difficulties and wears a hearing aid. He has struggled with feeling confident, but Ocean Youth has opened up a world of confidence-building opportunities. 

He is one of 20 young presenters, DJs, and podcasters who run regular shows on the Torbay radio station.

Dan also appeared on BBC Spotlight, sharing his journey with Ocean Youth and the opportunities Children In Need help provide through their funding that supports the radio station. 

Ocean Youth Radio Station Manager Charlie Cuff started as a young presenter five years ago. Charlie has grown into his role as station manager, mentoring a new generation of budding presenters and producers while shaping the station’s future with 33,000 listeners. 

Charlie says: "Ocean Youth is a youth-led radio station by and for young people, broadcasting live from Paignton.

"We’re live every Saturday, with shows running throughout the week, and we're broadcasting 24/7 on DAB, Online and through the Ocean youth radio app. Our mission is to amplify young voices in Torbay and beyond.” 

Charlie added: "When I first joined Ocean Youth back in 2019, I was battling social anxiety and a lack of self-confidence. Being part of the station has helped me manage my anxiety, build confidence, and focus on something I love—radio! Ocean Youth Radio is more than a radio station—it’s a community that builds confidence and empowers young people to discover their potential.”

Ocean Youth are now expanding their schedule with a series of specialist shows, giving older teenagers aged 16-plus the chance to make radio shows and podcasts about music and events that interest them. 

Another young radio presenter, Daisy Lloyd, made the award-winning '300 Seconds' podcast series about mental health with the radio station, for which she and the team won an industry award. Daisy is now the creative producer of this new radio series for 16+ teenagers called ‘Sonar.’ 

She says: "I’ve loved doing shows and have been doing them for about five years, and now I’ve got a new challenge- to help design and create ‘Sonar’ radio for people aged 16+.

"There’s no other radio station that caters for us, so why not do it ourselves? I want to give us the voice to share our hobbies, interests, and talents."

Ocean Youth is part of Sound Communities, an organisation that reaches marginalised young people across the area to engage and create using radio, music, and creative media production.