Informed 05


BBC Radio Humberside presenter Andy Comfort on local radio’s role as a friend in times of need


In a 26-year career as a journalist I’ve never seen anything like this. People oſten talk of BBC Local Radio network coming into its own in bad weather such as snow and floods, although those of us who work on local stations know we’re here for the community every day, rain or shine. We are part of the community, we see them every day on the bus, in the cafes and parks and in our receptions and studios. At the moment they are


talking to us on the phone, by text or social media and they’re doing it in large numbers. Many of the people who could be most at risk from Covid-19 are BBC local radio listeners. Now it’s their lifeline. If you tune in to any of the emergency half hourly Make a Difference bulletins going out on local radio stations across the country you’ll know what I mean. “A lady from Hull has been in touch – she’s in a wheelchair, her husband is recovering from a stroke and their daughter is disabled and they can’t get out to get groceries and essentials and they’re worried – can you help?” Within a couple of hours we were able


to put them in touch with somebody who went to get their shopping and delivered it to them. Tere will be examples like this up and down the land, from BBC Radio Cornwall to BBC Radio Cumbria. It’s not just the essential information, local radio is a friend, a companion, and we’re still trying to put a smile on


people’s faces every day. So how is BBC Local Radio rising to its


biggest challenge to date? Te whole network changed its schedule this week with neighbourhood programmes on every station now starting at 6am, 10am, 2pm, 6pm, 10pm and an overnight sustaining service thanks to BBC Radio London. Tis means we have some slack in the system in case staff have to go off work. Only broadcast-critical staff go into the office – most are now working from home and co-ordinating via Skype, phone and emails. We use all the technology available to us and our engineers have worked miracles. We have a presenter self-isolating but presenting from his living room. I work from home in the morning then go in at 1.30pm and straight into the studio for the 2-6pm programme. Staff are following separation rules and my Bectu colleague and I are pleased with the measures now in place. It’s a strange world right now but


we’re adapting to the “new normal”. As recently as six months ago BBC Local Radio staff began fearing imminent restructuring, programme sharing and job cuts. But, as Roger Taylor wrote in Queen’s 1984 song, Radio Gaga, “You’ve yet to have your finest hour.” BBC Local Radio is rising to its biggest challenge and it’s doing so with confidence and pride.


Make a Difference


Local BBC radio stations have launched Make a Difference to help keep communities connected across England during the coronavirus crisis. All 39 BBC stations have joined volunteers making sure people know that help is available in their area and how to get it. News updates are provided every 30 minutes. BBC Radio WM in Birmingham tweeted how a taxi company had offered free pick-ups of shopping for the most vulnerable and delivered 50 parcels for free. BBC Sussex and Surrey managed to get toilet rolls delivered to a 90-year-old man


from Pevensey Bay and BBC Radio Notingham aired a plea for help from Tony who suffers from a terminal lung disease. Tat aſternoon a local food bank supplied him and his family with everything they needed. It appears the listeners have already been appreciative with Anthony calling to Toby Foster’s show on Radio Sheffield saying: “I just want to say it cannot be underestimated over the next few weeks how important local radio is going to be, there’s so many people like me who rely on it for proper information rather than the rubbish that’s put online and on the tele at the moment, it’s going to be a lifeline I think.” Te Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, led the first in a series of weekly church services broadcast on local radio.


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