Kane FM’s New Space For Young People Hits The Right Notes

Published on: 25 Nov, 2019
Updated on: 25 Nov, 2019

Guildford-based community radio station Kane FM is moving forward with its support and help for young people.

While the station continues to broadcast from Student Union premises at the University of Surrey, it now has space at the YMCA in Bridge Street, Guildford, with a pre-record studio and a meeting room.

Pictured at the ‘relaunch’ event, the Mayor of Guildford, Richard Billington, with Kane FM’s Jenniann Davies and Andy Stowell, senior commissioning manager – All Age Learning Disabilities at Surrey County Council. The county council also funds Kane FM’s youth projects

A ‘relaunch’ event was held there on Tuesday, November 12, with invited guests that included its supporters and funders.

Jenniann Davies heads up Kane FM’s community participation and is its youth projects director and fundraiser.

She said: “Our MindWave project has been running for six years. In that time we have helped over 400 young people. They are aged between 14 and 25 years old and are mostly ‘neets’ [not in education, employment or training] or have special needs.

“They are taught basic broadcasting and digital music skills, because music is so engaging for them. They receive an Arts Award certificate and the experience gives them confidence and helps improve their social skills.

“We have a 90% success rate and the majority of young people go on to either college, into volunteering or paid work.”

The High Sheriff of Surrey, Bridget Biddell, with Kane FM’s Gid Sedgwick.

Those who take part are referred to Kane FM from agencies who work with young people including the YMCA in Guildford, that is part of the YMCA DownsLink Group.

Jenniann added that it had been difficult running the project with limited space at the studio at the University or Surrey and before that when it was based at Slyfield.

She said: “Now we have a space that we can really call our own thanks to operations director at Guildford YMCA, Paul Napthine. The walls have been decorated by a graffiti artist and it looks great.”

Kane FM’s MindWave project is funded by the NHS Guildford and Waverley Clinical Commissioning Group and Surrey County Council.

More details about Kane FM’s MindWave Project from Jenniann Davies.

Email: jenniann@kanefm.com

Tel: 01483 577340 (between 10am and 3pm) or 07970238004.