Basildon based Gateway 97.8 has been awarded funding by the National Lottery Community Fund.
The funding, which is from the Million Hours Fund, is to help increase working with young people at the station.
Gateway holds a weekly Radio Club youth group on Saturdays and also welcomes young people to the station on weekdays. They are trained in broadcasting and technical skills, including the NCFE Level 1 and Level 2 course in Radio.
The Million Hours Fund is a £22 million jointly funded initiative from the Department for Culture, Media & Sport and The National Lottery Community Fund, the largest community funder in the UK.
It’s for organisations to provide positive activities for young people in areas with high levels of antisocial behaviour.
Gateway Director Danny Lawrence said: “I am delighted we have been awarded this funding to support young people. We are now able to add extra youth work to our schedule to keep training the next generation.”
Gateway Founder & Director Ros Connors added: “It is very refreshing and rewarding to know that Gateway’s commitment to young people here in Basildon has been recognised once again, and that we are to receive funding from the National Lottery Community Fund.
“Gateway’s Saturday Radio Club currently offers free practical experience where young people can come together and build their confidence. Young people are our future, so long may the good work continue.”
Gateway Editor Johnny Jenkins commented: “As somebody who started at Gateway aged 14, I know the importance of training young people in radio production and broadcasting. The skills I learnt at Gateway as a teenager help me in my current work on national commercial radio. This funding will help so many young people to develop skills in media.”
Earlier this year, station members and young people were invited to meet Princess Anne to collect the Princess Royal Training Award.
This story first appeared on radiotoday.co.uk