I have been thinking about lending a hand Dj`ing at a local hospital near me, As i been a mobile jock now for a while it would be nice to give something back has anyone done this before If so whats involed with this i know there isnt any pay I just thought what it would be like

Hi,

I did this for 7 years (untill I got into real radio)

It is a really good laugh and you get to do alot of good work. At our Hospital Radio we had a proper studio's and it was also a good learning curve. I started out working on the Request Show and going up to the wards and getting requests then going on air with 3 other people and playing them. Eventually I got my own show and it was great.

It is worth doing!!!!!!!

Gav

I used to be a Presenter / Engineer on one for seveal years. It was good fun, and I met lots of interesting people and made useful contacts.

Don't have this vision that you will get 100's of people listening and phoning in for requests, becuase it just doesn't happen, unless you have teams of other volunteers "Request Running" around the wards and getting people to "tune" in . Unfortunately Satellite Tele, and the introduction of Personal CD / Minidisc / MP3 players have virtually stopped Hospital Radio in its tracks .but don't let this put you off, it is good fun and practice!.

If you are looking for a career in Broadcasting then Hospital Radio is a MUST. If you intend to work as a presenter, Tech op, Com-prod etc in radio then you need at least a few years experience on H.R to gain a good chance of getting into the industry. The same applies really for any media related occupation.

Have Fun!

I would really love to get involved with Hospital Radio - but you have to be over 18!!

Not sure that is strictly true mate you may have to cast your net a little wider, certainly our local hospital will have ward runners to get requests etc under 18 and you can do all sorts of helping out until that birthday arrives!!!

QUOTE (Chris_Pointon @ May 4 2003, 03:13 AM)

If you are looking for a career in Broadcasting then Hospital Radio is a MUST.

I have never worked in Hospital Radio, and at the station where I work not one of the presenters have either.

QUOTE

I would really love to get involved with Hospital Radio - but you have to be over 18!!

No This isn't True JJ - check around all of the Hospitals in your area! - rules for one may not be rules for another!.

The one I worked at in Macclesfield allowed young people over 13 to help out and broadcast, providing that they got a letter of permission from their parents, and were accompanied at all times on the Hospital and Studio Premises by an adult volunteer, who often was also assigned to provide their on-air "training".

Don't give up , keep looking I am sure that you will find a station local to you who will allow you to join.

BTW:- I have a friend who now works for Radio City in Liverpool, he is very knowlegable about radio work and has worked on Atlantic 252 and many of the UK commercial stations. Would you like his email address? - I am sure that he'd be happy to offer you some advice. I will have to ask him first obviously, but I doubt he'd have any objections.

QUOTE

have never worked in Hospital Radio, and at the station where I work not one of the presenters have either

That could be true at perhaps your station, but certainly even the restricted licence community station in this area insists that their D.J's have either prior experience in Radio, or at least experience in Hospital Radio.

Where it may now not be essential for EVERY station, certainly the majority of Commercial Stations do require this criteria, check out your local stations website, or drop them an email to find out their requirements.

Here is the BBC's advice about breaking into a career in Radio:-

QUOTE

There aren't any rules to becoming a DJ, and you often find that people have just fallen into it! The best advice is to get experience at hospital stations by doing voluntary work, and when you have more experience, offer your services to other local stations to see if they have any jobs. After a few years experience, move up the ladder to bigger stations - regional radio, then national radio. If you want to work behind the scenes, another option is to try studying a course in radio production which will give you the skills you need. Whichever route you take, after a few years experience in each field, try moving up the ladder to the next step. Be warned though - it can take a long time to get to the top at Radio 1, so be prepared to work hard. People don't come to Radio 1 with no experience!

If you also check out some of the big name T.V / Radio Presenter's - you'll find that most began their career on H.R - Chris Evans, Chris Tarrant, Jonathon Ross, Chris Moyles, Steve Penk, Neil Fox etc to name but a few.

whilst we are all in the process of Name Dropping - I once worked with Chris Moyles, when he was a little known D.J working on Signal 102.6 just a few miles away, and I can honestly say that I've never met, such an hilarious, down to earth guy as he was. Unlike some of the Ego Driven back stabbers in the Radio Industry!.

Hospital radio is also rewarding.

When you have the opportunity to play a track for a patient or staff (rare) and the person THANKS you in person - either on the day or days later - it's great!

Do it for the experience!!!