A group of Islington youngsters are broadcasting their own radio station into homes in the borough thanks to Islington Council's Listen Up project.Residents can now tune into North Area Network Radio Station to listen to music and views from young DJs and presenters as well as being able to find out what's happening in Islington's adventure playgrounds and other youth projects. Produced and run by children and young people from Timbuktu and Cornwallis Adventure Playgrounds and Cape Play and Youth Project the station aims to give them a voice through radio and to encourage learning through the media and the running and organisation of the station. It will give children and young people a forum to discuss and hear more about what's important to them. The radio station is aired from Cornwallis Adventure Playground and programmes include music and DJs (young people who attend the various playgrounds), news reports, interviews and adverts about what is going in their area and in playgrounds for children and young people. 22 year old Nayjay Jospeh, the only girl at the station said: I’m the only girl in the station, so I’m representing. It is hard work, but I think this station is good, especially for young people. We’re keeping it real.""Getting young people involved in projects like this is an excellent way of giving them a voice and encouraging them to get involved in something different. I'm delighted that through Listen Up we are giving young people a way to find out more about what's happening in their area. "I'm looking forward to listening or even being invited as a guest. We might even have one of the next big DJs or newsreaders broadcasting from this station!" says Councillor James Kempton, executive member for children.The playgrounds ran workshops throughout the summer so that children and young people could develop the programmes and the content. The station is aired through a web site. The web site will also contain information on the three playgrounds as well as information on the stations DJs and latest news.EndsNotes to editorsListen Up is a children and young people's involvement project that aims to find out what young people in Islington think about the borough they live in, so that their ideas can be involved when the council makes decisions about things that affect young people. It also aims to make sure that young people are as involved as much as possible in decision making, and to empower them to be able to do something about issues affecting them.
Page Last Updated: 29 July 2008