Hospital Radio: Have you considered volunteering?

I know I go on about volunteering often during this column, but quite frankly, without volunteers, a lot of things would not get done; many organisations rely on them.

The National Trust has a remarkable community of over 53,000 volunteers. These dedicated individuals play a crucial role in helping to preserve and maintain the historic sites, gardens, and natural landscapes that the National Trust cares for.

I volunteer within the NHS at the hospital radio station, which has a substantial volunteer workforce, with over 78,000 volunteers contributing their time and skills to support various healthcare services. These volunteers play a vital role in enhancing patient care and supporting NHS staff across different settings.

NHS England has launched a website to help people to find health-related volunteering opportunities in their area. This single-entry point to volunteering across healthcare makes it easier for people to learn about volunteering, give their time, and enjoy the benefits volunteering provides. If this is something that interests you, go to volunteering.england.nhs.uk. Now if Hospital Radio is what you fancy, just go to our website torbayhospitalradio.com/supporters/joinus/

The Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) reported a while ago that the BMA had seen a real benefit to patients in Hospital Radio, and the vital role of hospital, health, and well-being broadcasting was acknowledged in a recent House of Lords debate on the Community Radio Order 2025. A key piece of UK legislation governing the operation of community radio stations. This legislation sets out the rules and regulations that stations must adhere to in order to broadcast legally.

During the debate, Lord Kirkhope of Harrogate shared his personal experiences with hospital broadcasting, drawing upon his more than 50 years of involvement with Radio Tyneside. He highlighted how the station moved from simply serving hospital patients to obtaining a community FM licence, allowing it to expand its reach and support well-being beyond the healthcare location.

Here at Torbay, we have an FM transmitter (95.9 FM), which was funded by the station itself, as are all of the activities. This gives us an opportunity to serve the whole hospital, which is especially important given the demise of the bedside units.

The debate followed a recent meeting where the HBA representatives explained the development and direction of many of their member organisations, which have transitioned from providing bedside companionship in hospitals to becoming hubs for local communities across the UK. Increasingly, stations are expanding into their local communities, with a strong focus on health and well-being.

If you are unsure what a community radio station is, perhaps this will help. It is a type of radio service that is operated, owned, and influenced by the community it serves. These stations are often non-profit (like our own) and aim to provide a platform for local voices, cultures, and issues that might not be represented in mainstream media. Featuring local content, involving volunteers, and featuring a wide range of programming, from talk shows and music to educational and cultural programs. It can be a powerful tool for promoting local culture, fostering community engagement, and providing important information.

It would be wrong of me not to mention Riviera FM. They provide a valuable local service and broadcast on 107.9 FM and serve Torbay and South Devon. Which, like us at Hospital Radio, is a non-profit organisation run entirely by volunteers. This brings me back to my point: where would we be without volunteers?

Many community-run stations are exploring new directions to expand their reach, and for us in particular, with patients spending less time in hospital, it is crucial that hospital radio continues to evolve—not only to reflect and represent our communities but also to deliver meaningful benefits for health and well-being. It’s not an easy thing to do, but we are always looking for new ways to improve and become more accessible to anyone locally receiving healthcare. Let us know if you have any suggestions.