UK

The BBC has celebrated more than 300 people and groups across the UK in this year’s Make a Difference Awards.

Forty award ceremonies took place throughout September, with all 39 local BBC radio stations in England joining BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio Wales, BBC Radio Cymru, BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle, and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal to recognise remarkable acts of kindness, resilience and community spirit.
Winners included volunteers, community leaders and individuals who have supported others in extraordinary ways. For the first time, 20 animals were also recognised, ranging from birds of prey and a tortoise to mountain rescue and assistance dogs.
Among those honoured was Janet Willoner from Boroughbridge, North Yorkshire, who won the Green Award from BBC Radio York after growing and donating more than 4,000 trees from her garden. Shani Stephens from Swansea received the Volunteer Award from BBC Radio Wales and BBC Radio Cymru for her work at the Ty Fforest Resource Hub, which provides food and essential support to local residents.
In Scotland, Pauline Moriarty was presented with the Fundraiser Award by BBC Radio Scotland and BBC Radio nan Gàidheal for her dedication to the charity Beautiful Inside and Out, set up after the loss of her daughter Jenna. The charity now supports those affected by suicide through counselling and therapy.
Support2Gether, a project in Northern Ireland founded by two mothers with lived experience of anxiety and postnatal depression, received the Community Award from BBC Radio Ulster/Foyle. Mountain rescue dog Morag was recognised by BBC Radio Cumbria for her role in helping save stranded walkers and climbers in the Lake District.
Chris Burns, Controller of Local Audio Commissioning, said: “The BBC Make a Difference Awards are a powerful reminder of the compassion and generosity that exists in every corner of the UK. These stories of selflessness and community spirit are truly inspiring.”
Now in their fourth year, the awards continue to highlight the contributions of people and organisations working tirelessly to improve lives and strengthen communities across the UK.
For more information about the awards and this year’s winners, visit bbc.co.uk/makeadifference.

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Seven more areas will soon benefit from small-scale DAB digital radio following Ofcom’s latest round of licence awards.

The regulator has confirmed that licences have been awarded for Banbury and Bicester, Enniskillen, Rugby and Daventry, Stockton-on-Tees, the Western Isles, Weston-super-Mare, and Worcester.
To date, seventy-five multiplexes are already on air across the UK, with more than one hundred expected as the programme continues to roll out.
Each licence was awarded after a competitive process where applicants were assessed against set criteria. The successful organisations are:
* Banbury and Bicester: Maxxwave Limited* Enniskillen: UlsterMUX Limited* Rugby and Daventry: Maxxwave Limited* Stockton-on-Tees: Red Army Group* Western Isles: Craoladh Digiteach Ionadail Limited* Weston-super-Mare: North Somerset Digital Radio Limited* Worcester: Murfin Digital Limited

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BFBS Radio has unveiled a brand-new station sound, with jingles and themes produced by TM Studios.

The new package includes 10 music themes covering the mix of genres played across BFBS channels worldwide. It also features beds and sounders for music shows, news and information programmes, plus a refreshed chart show theme.
Sam Bailey, Deputy Director at BFBS, said the broadcaster wanted to evolve its sound after a competitive pitch process: “We were confident that TM Studios were the right partner.
“They not only created a fantastic set of music tracks but also worked with us on selecting new station voices and integrating them with the themes.”
The new station voices are Debbie Mac and Rio Attoh-Wood, now on air across BFBS Radio’s network in 16 countries.
Chris Stevens, Chief Production Officer at TM Studios, said it was a full-circle moment for the company: “TM produced iconic jingle packages for BFBS back in the early 90s. When Sam and his team shared their brief with us, we were excited to bring it to life.”
The new sound can already be heard on BFBS stations and online, with audio demos available on Soundcloud and YouTube.
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The Times and The Sunday Times have launched a new weekly political podcast, The State of It, hosted by four Westminster journalists.

Patrick Maguire, Gabriel Pogrund, Steven Swinford and Caroline Wheeler will combine their reporting experience to bring listeners insider conversations, tip offs and analysis from the centre of British politics.
The first episode will be recorded live at the Labour Party Conference and released on Tuesday 30 September, with the second episode following from the Conservative Party Conference. Episodes will then be available weekly.
Patrick, chief political commentator at The Times, said: “At The Times and The Sunday Times we hear every conversation that matters in British politics – including the ones they don’t want you to know about. With The State of It, you can hear them too.”
Gabriel, Whitehall editor at The Sunday Times and recent Press Awards political journalist of the year, added: “Patrick and I decided it was time to do something other than talk all day. We’re now going to do so publicly, and in the company of two finest political editors in Britain.”
Steven, political editor of The Times, said the podcast would provide the inside track: “We are going to give listeners the accumulated knowledge of our many conversations and meetings with politicians from all sides of the political spectrum, providing a unique insight into life in Westminster.”
Caroline, political editor of The Sunday Times, said: “We want to bring Westminster to life by providing listeners with an insider’s view of what’s happening in the corridors of power, as well as the gossip, plotting and intrigue that has come to define SW1.”
Episodes of *The State of It* will be available on all major podcast platforms and through The Times podcasts.

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Heart Xmas officially switched on today across the UK, joined by the return of Smooth Christmas on London DAB.

Heart Breakfast’s Amanda Holden, described as the station’s ultimate Christmas enthusiast, left co-host Jamie Theakston live on-air this morning to press the button next door in the Heart Xmas studio.
The station will now play Christmas hits around the clock, including songs by Mariah Carey, Wham! and Michael Bublé. Heart says it will broadcast non-stop festive music until Christmas Day on radio, smart speaker and via Global Player.
Smooth Christmas is also back, with the station promising listeners “always the best Christmas music” from artists such as Elton John, Whitney Houston and Slade.
Amanda said she goes “completely over the top” for Christmas and was delighted to launch Heart’s seasonal output. Sally Ardis, Senior Managing Editor of Heart and Smooth, said both stations were about giving listeners an early start to the season.
Heart Xmas and Smooth Christmas are both on air from today, Monday 29th September.
Last month, Bauer launched its own festive service, Magic Christmas, playing the best variety of Christmas favourites, also across the UK.

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The finalists for this year’s Community Radio Awards have been announced as the event marks its 10th ceremony.
The awards coincide with 20 years since community radio first launched in the UK.
This year has seen the highest number of entries in recent years, with stations from across the UK recognised for storytelling, journalism, creative programming and local engagement.
Rebecca Steers, Chair of the Community Radio Awards, said: “This year is not just about recognising the outstanding work across our sector over the past year it’s also a time to reflect on two decades of community radio in the UK.
“The quality and diversity of entries this year have been truly inspiring, and we’re thrilled to celebrate the dedication and creativity of our finalists.”
The ceremony takes place on Saturday 25 October in Bradford, following the National Community Radio Conference, organised by the UK Community Radio Network. Volunteers, presenters, producers and supporters will gather for what is set to be a major celebration of the sector.
The Community Radio Awards continue to be supported by headline sponsor Aiir, who are returning for their sixth year. Grab your ticket here.

The finalists for the 2025 Community Radio Awards are:

Elections & Political Coverage of the Year
Your Voice Matters: St Austell Speaks – CHAOS Radio
Gateway 97.8 Election Hustings – Gateway 97.8
Charles Fletcher – 60 Seconds Scotland – K107FM
Vote WNC – NLive Radio
Election 2024 – Oldham Community Radio

Celebrating & Championing Community Radio of the Year
K107FM Community Space – K107FM
Championing The 4Ps Radio Training School – Vectis Radio

Digital Content of the Year
@K107FM – Facebook – K107FM
Radio LaB’s New Digital Content Strategy – Radio LaB 97.1fm
Radio Tamworth on TikTok – Radio Tamworth
Riverside Broadcasting Digital Team – Riverside Radio
Accessibility and Community are at the Heart of What We Do – RNIB Connect Radio

Newcomer of the Year
Amy Boyd – Chelmsford Community Radio
Kirsty Corbett – Erewash Sound
Oli Mac – Maritime Radio
Rob Singleton – Riverside Radio
Seb Grant – Spark

Sage Person of the Year (Over 60)
Paul James – Academy fm Thanet
Terry Snowden – ALL FM
Pat Reading – Marlow FM
Steve Whitley – Radio Tyneside
Ian Barclay – Riverside Radio

Young Person or people of the Year (under 25)
Honor Mant – BFBS Salisbury Plain
Daisy Barker – Chelmsford Community Radio
Amy Boyd – Chelmsford Community Radio
Harrison RB – Express FM
Radio LaB Student Managers – Radio LaB 97.1FM

Volunteer of the Year
Richard Belle – Andover Radio
Ste Greenall – Black Cat Radio
Mike Butterworth – K107fm
David Neal – Mix 92.6
Nick Mundy – Radio Winchcombe

Sports Show of the Year
Women’s Sports Mix Show – Cambridge Radio
Daniel Baker – Cambridge Radio
Drive 105 Match Night Live – Drive 105
Rapha Report – Radio Skye
Switch Radio Sport – Switch Radio

Arts & Creative Radio of the Year
Treasure Island – Chelmsford Community Radio
Radio LaB’s Halloween Murder Mystery – Radio LaB 97.1FM
Choices: Deluxe Edition – Radio LaB 97.1FM
ArtyParti – Spark
Murder on the Mersey: Ghost in the Post – Wythenshawe FM

News, Journalism & Factual Storytelling of the Year
Natasha Reneaux – BFBS Aldershot
Jason Herbert – BFBS Blandford
The Saxonvale Saga – Frome FM
Adam Gordon – Radio Skye
Riverside Reports Team – Riverside Radio

Specialist Content Show of the Year
Historic Bedford: VE Day 80 – Bedford Radio
Month of the Military Child – BFBS Aldershot
Bro Radio Juniors – Bro Radio
The Voice of Business with Nell Op de Beeck – Radio Woking
The Mid Morning Show – Vectis Radio

Specialist Music Show of the Year
Dance Anthems with Matt Price – Radio Woking
The Jazz Club – Jake Hart – RNIB Connect Radio
The Indie Club – Spark
The Midweek Mosh – Switch Radio
Priya Matharu’s Desi Beats – Switch Radio

Entertainment Show of the Year
Wednesday Drivetime – Academy fm Thanet
The Full English Breakfast Show – Black Cat Radio
Bro Radio Juniors – Bro Radio
House of Fun – PCRFM
Riverside Breakfast with Jason Rosam – Riverside Radio

Live Event or Outside Broadcast of the Year
Cambridge Folk Festival 2024 – Cambridge Radio
Eisteddfod in Rhondda Cynon Taf – GTFM
Live from Gŵyl Cefni 2025 – MônFM
The Northern Pride Festival – Pride Radio
RNIB Connect Radio at the Paralympics 2024 – RNIB Connect Radio

Presenter of the Year: Man
Neil Kefford – Academy fm Thanet
Patrick Foster – Academy fm Thanet
Chris Kaye – BFBS Catterick
Gavin Richards – Cambridge Radio
Dan Draper – Riverside Radio

Presenter of the Year: Woman
Dishali Asrani – Awaz FM
Amy Gray – Cambridge Radio
Lizzie Sentance – Marlow FM
Daryl Jenkins – Spark
Priya Matharu – Switch Radio

Voices of the Community Award
Mark McKenzie & Major Karen Tate – BFBS Scotland
The Coeliac Shack – Radio LaB 97.1FM
Older Voices – Radio Tyneside
The Ukraine Hour – Somer Valley FM
In Her Element, supporting women and girls in the North East – Spark

Voices for all Award
Me Time Podcast on the Joy Ethic Show – ALL FM
Rainbow Mums – Chelmsford Community Radio
Alex Airnes – K107FM Community Space – K107FM
The Ukraine Hour – Somer Valley FM
Glocal – Ujima Radio

Community Impact Project of the Year
Finding Your Voice – Colne Radio
Work Experience For ALL – Sheppey FM 92.2
Music in Mind – Sheppey FM 92.2
Hear Our Voices – Ujima Radio
The 4Ps Radio Training School – Vectis Radio

Station of the Year
Academy fm Thanet
Radio Skye
Riverside Radio
RNIB Connect Radio
Vectis Radio

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