Torfaen station gets more cash to stay on air (From South Wales Argus)

Torfaen station gets more cash to stay on air

2:22pm Friday 3rd July 2009

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A RADIO station based in Torfaen which is run by and provided for people with disabilities received a £50,000 grant from the Assembly.

Able Radio was set up in October 2008 by Malcolm Cann, from Ridgeway in Newport, who says he set up the station when he realised the difference it could make.

“A few years ago I realised that people with long term medical conditions and disabilities were desperately looking for a community to be part of.

“A group of us decided to set up a radio station produced by and for people with disabilities, which was a pioneering project we set up in partnership with SCOPE."

The grant was used to complete two state-of-the-art studios; the first of which was in the process of being built by the volunteers.

The remainder of the grant was spent on a IT suite and further equipment for the studio.

The station, which is based in Ty Nant Ddu in Pontypool, is now seeking volunteers to expand the project and says it hopes to grow beyond the current six hours a day of live broadcasting.

Ben Jenkins, who has been involved in the project since it was founded, says he originally came in for the work experience but ended up staying full time when he realised just what a difference the station made to people's lives.

“We work with people with a number of disabilities, one of our presenters is blind, another was left wheelchair after an accident at work.

“One lady, Sally, came in and said she found it a life-changing opportunity. As it turns out, she's actually a natural.”

If you would like to get involved with Able Radio, call 08454 090294, or listen at www.ableradio.com.

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