Thornbury FM is delighted to team up with a number of local sponsors, voluntary sector organisations and schools in its Are You Listening? youth project. The project aims to stimulate young people in the locality to volunteer and to produce radio programmes for broadcast live on air and online. The Are You Listening? project is funded jointly by Aldi, Oldbury Power Station and by GCAP (the parent of GWR) through its v-Project.

The project has two branches: young and youth. The Young AYL project aims to attract children of 10-14, mainly through their schools, to work with Thornbury FM on producing radio programmes. Our goal is for schools to integrate radio production – and the associated skills of writing, editing and presenting – into their everyday practice. This will help us ensure that our schools are heard regularly on Thornbury FM.

The Youth AYL project aims to increase the amount of volunteering done by young people aged 16-25. Initially this is done through involvement in Thornbury FM, but funders of the scheme, the v-Project, aim that many of the young people engaged by the radio station will go on to volunteer in other arenas. We are delighted to be working with many local organisations on this project, including: Thornbury Volunteer Centre, Thornbury Youth Club, Young Bristol and the local secondary schools. Links are also being forged with Leonard Cheshire Disability group, as well as the local Scouting and Guiding groups. Involvement can range from producing a single broadcast, to having a regular slot on Thornbury FM, or getting involved with the technical aspects of running a radio station. Training will be given, as well as access to any specialist equipment required.

If you would like to know more about how to get involved with Thornbury FM and the Youth AYL project, either for yourself, or a local youth-focussed organisation, please contact Helen Harrison (schools and youth coordinator for Thornbury FM)