Membership

Radio Cherwell has a team of about 60 dedicated unpaid volunteers who give many valuable hours to help provide a service for the patients in Oxford's Hospitals.

Our station is a member of the Hospital Broadcasting Association, a national organisation which oversees the hundreds of hospital radio stations across the country. It is through this that our members are recognised with certificates for their long service and we have a number of members who have been with us for over 30 years.

We are always keen to recruit new volunteers from the age of 16 years who share our commitment to making patients' stay in hospital a little easier.

Ward Visitors

For those who prefer to spend time on the hospital wards talking to patients rather than talking into a microphone a Ward Visitor role may be what you are looking for. To find out more click here

We also have voluntary opportunities for people interested in offering, acquiring or developing their skills in the following areas:

• Presenting patient-participation programmes
• Presenting/Producing programmes of interest to our listeners
• Outside Broadcast
• Non broadcasting support role
• Promotion/publicity/fund raising
• Public address at local events
• Sound Engineering

New volunteers are under the supervision and guidance of experienced members during a training period of up to 6 months (depending on volunteer role). Occasionally we are able to welcome short-term voluntary help.

Training is given to enable a vacancy to be filled and can cover many aspects of Hospital Broadcasting including; ward based programmes, presenting studio based programmes, technical operation of studio equipment, audio editing.

If you are looking for a fun and rewarding experience, and have the interests of hospital patients at heart, then please read "How to become a Member" below.

How To Become A Member

(Please read these notes before completing the on line application form at the foot of this page)

How to apply

1. We ask all applicants to fill out and return the online application form.
2. The Membership Secretary will invite you to attend an informal meeting, normally held on the 3rd Sunday of the month at our studios. You will be ask to pick at least one vacancy from our vacancy list. We are also happy to discuss any proposals you might have. From this we would hope to establish a role for you in Radio Cherwell.

If accepted you will be asked to:

1. CRB - Fill in a CRB (Criminal Records Bureau) form that will be provided. Please refer to the CRB web site for further information: http://www.crb.gov.uk/
2. Health Declaration - The hospital authorities also ask all volunteers to fill in a health declaration form, one will be provided at the interview.
3. Registration Fee - Pay the Prospective Membership registration fee of £30 along with the completed forms. (Please note this is not refundable)

Getting Started

Once we get satisfactory CRB clearance, the Membership Secretary will invite you to the studio for an induction session, and make arrangements for you to work with one or more of our members. However, there may be circumstances where applicants will be allowed to start before CRB clearance is received, but in a supervised capacity with another full member of the station.

Prospective Membership

Prospective Membership is for a 6-month period during which you will have the opportunity to get to know us, meet our listeners and find out all there is to know about hospital radio. Training and support will be given to enable you to complete one or more key assignments that will involve time spent on the hospital wards.

Full Membership

Full membership will be offered to all Prospective Members who satisfactorily complete their assignment(s) within 6 months. As a full member you will have the opportunity to develop your own programmes, vote at meetings and stand on the committee. You decide on the level of commitment you are able to make.

How much of my time do I need to commit?

The amount of time you commit should be consistent with making a meaningful contribution to Radio Cherwell. Examples: Help with our public address system at events, outside broadcasts, produce a series of programmes, fill one of our vacancies etc. All of these require regular or irregular ad hock time commitments. Once full membership is attained the level of commitment is down to you.

If you require any more information please contact:
Membership Secretary,
Radio Cherwell, Churchill Hospital,
Old Road, Headington, Oxford. OX3 7LJ

Tel: 01865 225522
E-mail: membership@radiocherwell.com