A new radio station dedicated to the UK’s nine million carers is now on air.
Designed with NHS workers, care home employees and at-home carers in mind, Care Radio aims to celebrate the role of carers in society and the incredible sacrifices frontline carers – paid and unpaid – have made during the pandemic.
With a remit to surprise, delight and support those who care, the volunteer Care Radio team will offer a mix of classic hits, interviews, listener stories and advice and support, as well as national and international news on the hour and news stories from the care sector every half hour.
Care Radio will also have input from care providers and carers themselves through the real-life stories they share, and the station’s Young Carers initiative will give young people across the sector the opportunity to shape its programming and learn new skills.
The station also plans promotions, special offers and other incentives to carers as a way of thanking them for their selfless work.
Care Radio is a not for profit Community Interest Company. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, seven days a week, the Care Radio team includes seasoned broadcasters, journalists and producers, backed by finance, fundraising and media professionals, all devoting their time and services for free.
The new station is also supported by Highland based Parklands Care Homes, winner of the Best Smaller Care Home Group award in 2020.
Care Radio CEO John Dash has 40 years experience as a radio producer, presenter, editor and programme director.
He said: “The impact of Covid-19 has been felt right across society but arguably carers have borne the brunt, from our frontline NHS workers to care home staff and at-home carers, both paid and unpaid. We all clapped for them last year and rightly so. With the pandemic easing, it’s important that we continue to celebrate the contribution they make, day in and day out. Care Radio will do just that.
“This will be a radio network for people who care, delivered by people who care. Many of our broadcasters and volunteers have first-hand experience of caring for loved ones or work in the health and social care sector. All of them share a passion for care and the people who work in it. Care Radio will be their friend and companion through good times and bad.”
Care Radio Chairman Hedley Finn OBE is also president of children’s charity Radio Lollipop which broadcasts to 36 hospitals in six countries.
He said: “We have a wonderful array of presenters from across the UK, backed by a team of volunteers who know and understand the challenges that carers face every day. We have a simple mission – to surprise, delight and support Britain’s millions of carers, and remind them that they are not alone. After the year they have endured, and the challenges many carers continue to face every day, the launch of Care Radio could not be more timely.”
Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands Care Homes said: “I know from my own personal experience as a young carer that it can be a lonely and often solitary experience and I think that carers around the UK will really warm to Care Radio. It’s an exciting new concept and one that Parklands is enthusiastic to support.”
The station can be heard through the Care Radio app, available from Apple and Android stores as well as being streamed online at www.careradio.org and will soon be available on DAB multiplexes around the UK.
