Award-winning volunteer radio station in the heart of the hospital

Run entirely by a team of committed volunteers, Hospital Radio Glamorgan has been named one of the top three hospital radio stations in the UK for a second consecutive year. The station broadcasts 24/7 from the heart of the University Hospital of Wales.

At the National Hospital Broadcasting Association Awards in April, Hospital Radio Glamorgan received the bronze award in the ‘Station of the Year’ category, with judges remarking, “the entry was full of warm, lovely moments – showcasing all that’s great about hospital radio.”

Chair of Hospital Radio Glamorgan Jamie Pritchard (pictured above) said: "This is an incredible achievement for the whole team and rewards the hard work that’s put into the station every week” 

Jamie has been volunteering with the radio station since he was 12 years old. 21 years later he is leading a team of around 40 volunteers who give their time to entertain and lift the spirits of patients, staff, and the wider community.

“I stayed here through my school years, through my university years, and in 2019 I became Chair of the organisation. I have never left! I love it, I really do!”

Being involved in hospital radio helped Jamie achieve his childhood dream of becoming a presenter on commercial radio stations across the country and presenting Traffic and Travel bulletins for the likes of BBC Radio Wales and Smooth Radio. “If it wasn’t for this wonderful station, I wouldn’t have had the skills to have that career.”

Despite his many years of service, Jamie can’t claim to be the longest-serving volunteer. The late Karlo King spent 41 years at Hospital Radio Glamorgan up until his passing in 2019, and former chair Simon Field has been volunteering for the station for 40 years and counting. Long-time Sunday evening presenter John Webber, who recently celebrated his 95th birthday, is one of another three volunteers who have been with the station for a quarter of a century.

The station boasts around 30 live shows a week with a varied schedule featuring new music to showtunes. In the past two years listening figures have more than doubled, with 65,000 listening hours registered in 2023.

The visibility of the well-equipped, brightly coloured studio situated on the main hospital corridor is one factor for its success. Jamie said: “If people are walking past and see someone in here speaking into the mic with the lights on, they’ll think there is someone on and listen.”

Passing patients and staff often smile in, give a thumbs up or request a song. Recently a mum requested ‘Fight Song’ by Rachel Platten for her young daughter. Jamie recalls, “The girl stood there belting it out in the corridor outside the studio. People were stopping and listening. And we just watched in awe as she sang the words ‘This is my fight song. Take back my life song.’ It finished and everyone clapped, and that was because of us being here and playing that song.”

The location of the studio also influences content. “Our tagline is ‘Your healthy choice’,” he said. “We try to link health and wellbeing into every show. We are in a hospital so we want to be promoting healthy living and be different to other types of radio stations.”

New volunteers are always welcome. There is a 12-week training plan to get volunteers ready for on-air. Training involves around 2-3 hours a week with a full induction in the workings of both the charity and the studio. Ongoing there is a time commitment of around two hours each week to present a regular weekly show plus encouragement to lend a hand with fundraising and promotional opportunities.

Jamie said, “The benefits are making new friends, learning skills, and having fun. I’ve met lifelong friends working here.”

If you are aged 17+ you can apply to volunteer with Hospital Radio Glamorgan here.

To listen to the station, ask your smart speaker to “Play Hospital Radio Glamorgan”, download the Radio Glamorgan app or go to www.radioglamorgan.com/player