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Radio station needs cash to continue work scheme

Kane FM says money is needed to help deal with the 'huge demand' for work experience placements

TMS
Kane FM's Fin Evans, Ellen Wright & Charlotte Hopkins in the studio

The management of a community radio station that has helped dozens of young people gain valuable work experience, claim more funding is needed to continue its programme.

Guildford’s Kane FM started life as a pirate radio station but was granted a licence in 2011 and now has an audience spanning 180 countries. It has also grown its community programme and is a registered Arts Award Centre.

The station provides work experience for both school pupils and college students taking media courses.

Funding has been received from Surrey Youth Focus and the Community Foundation for Surrey, but a recent bid for £9,190 from Guildford Borough Council was unsuccessful.

Community participation director and fundraiser, Jenniann Davies said there has been a huge demand for placements at the station, which can be adapted to the students’ needs.

The pupils can work at the station for a week as a block or once a week – it is entirely bespoke – but Mrs Davies said funding is needed to continue operating.

“Mostly I haven’t needed to advertise that we do because I get emails from all sorts,” she said.

“I try not to turn anybody away, but if we don’t get more money we will have to because how can we go on without being paid? I pay my employee more than myself.”

Former Academy of Contemporary Music (ACM) student Gideon Sedgwick is now employed to help the students at the station during their work placement.

“It is not only working with young people but trying to create jobs for older people to work with the younger people,” added Mrs Davies.

Last year 22 young people passed through Kane FM’s work experience and arts awards programmes.

The station has seen students go on to find jobs as a result, taking on regular shows and moving on to further entertainment roles.

This week, Kensa Togwell, 16, from St John the Baptist school, in Woking was working in the studio.

“We learn all the basics of how things work and get to take part in the shows,” she said. “It’s very good considering what some of my friends do. I got a call from a friend and she said she’s stacking shelves.”

Kensa said the week-long placement allows her to actually see what it is like running the station.

Joe Hall, 15, who goes to The Abbey School, in Farnham, has made remix videos before and said he has enjoyed the work.

“It’s really good fun,” he said. “We’ve learned a whole lot and we chat to a lot of the DJs.”

As well as regular shows hosted by house DJs, media students can go along to gain experience and exposure to help them get paid gigs.

“What we are trying to do at the moment is get more young people at the station,” said Mrs Davies.

“One DJ who’s a bit older, like me, has just left and we want another young person to take his place.

“We’ll all be using walking sticks, but this is the next generation really.”

 

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Nick Edmondson
Chief Reporter - Surrey Advertiser/Surrey Times
Richard Spiller
Sport Editor - Surrey Advertiser/Woking Advertiser/Surrey Times
Amy De-Keyzer
Chief Online Reporter
Jenny Stanton
Acting News Editor - Woking Advertiser/Surrey Advertiser Elmbridge/Woking Informer
Guy Martin
Acting Chief Reporter - Woking Advertiser/Surrey Advertiser Elmbridge/Woking Informer
Clive Youlton
Sport Editor - Surrey Herald & News/Staines Informer
Oliver Florence
News Editor - Surrey Herald & News/Staines Informer
Charlotte Talbot
Chief Reporter - Surrey Herald & News/Staines Informer
Jon Couch
Sport Editor - News & Mail/Star Courier
Fergus McEwan
Community & Schools Editor
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