03 Jan Radio station’s social action project making change in Basildon
The award-winning community radio station Gateway 97.8 has been working on a social action project with the health and well-being provider – Motivated Minds for over six months.
#iWill has focused on issues such as mental health, autism, democracy and crime around young people. Over 50 students have been involved in the project, which began in the summer of 2018. The station made specialist discussion-based radio shows with the young people of South East Essex, who opened up about their personal experiences with sensitive issues such as mental health.
The #iWill campaign is funded by the Department of Culture, Media and Sport, the Big Lottery Fund and Step Up to Serve. We are extremely grateful to the Office of the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex that provided match-funding for this programme.
It ran in conjunction with the local wellbeing group, Motivated Minds, Southend Youth Council and autism awareness charity, Anna Kennedy Online.
Essex Community Foundation is pleased to be part of a national campaign providing grants that encourage young people to become engaged in their community and increase their learning and understanding of local issues. Organiser of the project, and presenter of three of the shows, Johnny Jenkins said of #iWill: “The project has created many opportunities for young people to share their own life experiences. I was incredibly impressed by the courage and the professionalism of all the young people involved in the project. I have been left feeling inspired.
#iWill has made a huge difference to the people of Basildon and East Thurrock.”
Listeners can hear the specialist discussion shows on air in January 2019: Thursday 3rd January at 3pm, autism awareness, presented by Aston Avery
Friday 4th January at 3pm, community awareness, presented by Danny Lawrence
Monday 7th January at 3pm, crime, presented by Johnny Jenkins Thursday 10th January at 3pm, youth democracy, presented by Johnny Jenkins
Friday 11th January at 3pm, mental health awareness, presented by Johnny Jenkins
Gateway 97.8 can be heard on 97.8fm in Basildon and East Thurrock, on the Gateway 97.8 app or online at: gateway978.com
