Building Voices, Sharing Stories: Communications Training at Drive105 Radio

We were delighted to welcome members from Kabalikat in North West, the African Caribbean Community Network, and the North West Islamic Association to our Drive105 Radio studios recently as part of an exciting communications training initiative.​

Led by experienced journalist Suzanne Rodgers, the training day focused on helping community groups from minority ethnic backgrounds develop the skills and confidence to share their stories effectively through broadcast and digital media. For many participants, it was their first time stepping into a working radio station, and the energy in the studio was fantastic.​

The hands-on session gave everyone the chance to experience what it's like to be on air, practising radio interview techniques and learning how to communicate key messages clearly and authentically. Participants got to sit behind the mic, understand how a live broadcast runs, and develop practical skills they can take back to their communities and organisations.

This training day is part of a wider project coordinated by NWCN, Kabalikat in North West, and ACCN to provide tailored, practical support to community groups across the North West. The aim is simple: to amplify voices that deserve to be heard and ensure these communities have the tools to tell their own stories on their own terms.​

It's partnerships like these that remind us why community radio matters. Drive105 isn't just about playing great country music; it's about being a platform for our community, supporting local voices, and creating opportunities for people to connect, learn, and grow.

This project is supported by Dormant Assets NI through The National Lottery Community Fund, helping to build capacity and skills in community organizations right across Northern Ireland.​

We're proud to have played a small part in this important work, and we can't wait to hear the stories these groups will share.