Sad news, but not the end we hope Dear volunteer/friend, please read on for important information regarding the future of Redruth Radio... Redruth Radio, as a station, will be closing its doors and going offline as of the start of next week (31st March). There will be a volunteers meeting this Friday 28th March at The Elms from 5.30pm to discuss this decision in more detail, but please read below to put you in the picture. If you have trouble reading this or would like to discuss anything contained herein, then please contact Stu direct on 07715 995070. Around 3 years ago Redruth Radio was born, a radio station for Redruth and the community of Cornwall as a whole. Driven by a single idea in the early stages, along the way momentum gathered a hard working, dedicated team of volunteers that have made the journey one that would have been impossible otherwise. The majority of this team, especially at the management/caretaking level have given incredible amounts of time to the project, motivated by a passion and energy to make a successful community station for all. Everyone involved has a reason why they are able to commit valuable volunteer time to the radio, whether this is due to being too unwell to work full time, unemployment or other limiting condition meaning they arent out earning a crust from 9 to 5 in a normal job. The key phrase here is limiting and right now, our limitations are becoming apparent, this along with the stations natural growth, has meant it has become unsustainable in its current form. Key factors that have resulted in the close are: Financial - As a community station we havent really been able to make money, despite a handful of successful funding bids in the past and a few donations, the station has never been able to pull in sufficient cash to cover its overheads. It has remained afloat with good will and kind support from individuals and partner organisations so far which cant continue. For those that are aware, a planned move of the studio to a different building and setup to allow a more sustainable financial footing is being planned. At this point in time however, unless a significant amount of money is forthcoming in the next 3 months, then this move will no longer take place and the station, in its current form will be unable to re-open and cease to exist. Volunteers - The station has lots of volunteers, however at a management and back room level there just arent enough skilled and experienced individuals with enough time to spread the increasing workload around. Volunteering is a choice and sometimes when ill health strikes or other conditions effect the amount and level of volunteer input someone can give, then with no no one to support their position, ultimately the station will suffer. There are very few organisations that open their doors for over 60 hours a week to, what is in effect, 60 part-time staff, run by unpaid management with limiting conditions. This is pretty much what the station is, and this structure is no longer sustainable. This may all sound rather negative and depressing, however closing the station and taking a long, hard look at what is happening and hopefully what will happen in the future is essential at this stage in the stations journey. This decision is regrettable and isnt one taken lightly. It by no means diminishes any of the hard work and input that everyone, of every level brings to the station. So what now? We are going to need your input. HOW do we go about raising some cash capital rather quickly? WHO can we get on board with experience in admin, finance procedures, management and other essential roles who can volunteer their time? WHERE does the station go from here, both in its physical location and its future direction? WHAT can we do to get back to delivering a sustainable, supportive station with access open to everyone from the community? If you can make it to the meeting this Friday at 5.30 then maybe we can answer some of these questions then, otherwise, please stay in touch and we will keep you updated with future developments. It would be beneficial at this stage if news of this was kept within the volunteer team until public announcements go out next week. Thanks for reading The Redruth Radio management
Posted on: Tue, 25 Mar 2014 11:40:20 +0000
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