If you tuned into Hereford Hospital Radio on the evening of Wednesday, April 24th you may have heard me talking about the Ross Gazette and what it’s like to be a journalist in Ross-on-Wye. For the first time, I was interviewed live on air, by presenter, Daniel Lister. He has been volunteering with Hereford Hospital Radio since December, 2018, and has since trained up other new volunteers.

I explored the radio station, which is hidden away in a quiet building near the County Hospital, and was amazed to see the amount of delicate and intricate equipment there which makes the radio station possible. The rooms are decorated with photographs, pieces of artwork and sketches of icons like Freddie Mercury and Bob Marley, and I had fun choosing and scheduling upcoming songs.

Some of Hereford Hospital Radio’s listeners got involved during the evening too, sending in song requests and guessing the answer to the ‘worst joke of the day’. It was nice to hear from somebody who had listened to the station whilst spending time at Hereford Hospital, and now, recovered and well, was continuing to listen and support the station.

At first I thought the listeners would be mostly, if not all, Hereford Hospital patients, or people living in and around the city, so it surprised me when we had listeners texting and calling in from all over the country. Some used to live in Herefordshire and listen in to hear the local news, or perhaps have family living here; others were avid supporters of Hospital Radios across the country, glad to be listening to a feel-good, voluntary station.

I’m really excited about being on Hereford Hospital Radio again soon, whether it’s answering listeners’ questions about the Ross Gazette, local journalism, or just to have fun, learn more about broadcast journalism, and perhaps choose a couple of songs to play.

Hereford Hospital Radio first began broadcasting in 1972, with the intention of providing an entertainment service to the patients, staff and visitors of the three hospitals in Hereford. Since then, it has undergone refurbishments, many changes, and has seen lots of new faces. With two studios and modern systems enabling the station to be on air 24 hours a day, seven days a week, Hereford Hospital Radio is going from strength to strength.

A spokesperson for Hereford Hospital Radio told the Ross Gazette: “I’ve been with Hereford Hospital Radio for over a year now. Lots of people call to say how music has made them feel better. It’s a nice feeling to know you have made someone feel happy though music.

“It’s been great for me too; being part of Hereford Hospital Radio is like being part of a big family now, and music inspires me and makes me feel happy too.”

If you fancy volunteering with an organisation like Hereford Hospital Radio, or would like to find out more, visit http://www.hhr.org.uk/.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.