A Youth club is training up young DJs after launching its very own radio station.
i-Macc Youth Club, based at the Fermain Centre, Oxford Road, Macclesfield, launched the station after receiving a £1,000 grant from the Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire John Dwyer. That amount was also matched by a team of volunteers who fundraised for the club.
And Mr Dwyer paid a visit to the centre as the club launched i-Macc Radio and the first batch of DJs begun their training under the stewardship of professional broadcaster Nick Hawkins of Canalside.
The eight youngsters are learning about editing, news gathering, producing and recording in order to make their own radio shows which will then be broadcast by Canalside on their youth radio station PhaseOne.
One of the aspiring broadcasters, All Hallow’s student Jenny Jones, 13, said: “It’s been really fun and interesting learning about making our own show. I have loved getting to choose different music and can’t wait to get the first one finished.” Thirteen-year-old
Sky Banks, of Sherwood Road, said: “We’ve already learned loads of different skills and it has been great. We’re learning things that I never knew before and hopefully can use in the future.”
The club goes through a three monthly cycle, where a new group of budding broadcasters take the place of the experienced ones, which ensures that the project reaches as many young people in the community as possible.
Mr Dwyer said: “It was great listening to the work the young people produced, they were showing creative flare and were extremely enthusiastic, whilst learning new skills.
“I’m sure some of them will become the future voices on our radio stations, and go on to have great careers in media.
“It’s fantastic to see the hard work being put in, not only by the young people but by the volunteers who help the project to run smoothly.”“I want to wish everyone involved in the project best of luck and I look forward to hearing future broadcasts on Canalside Radio.”
