YMCA launches in-house radio station to give neighbours new lease of life

MANY of the YMCA's residents arrive with few possessions and little to look forward to.

But one group living at the Hanley centre is hoping to give their neighbours a new lease of life through an in-house radio station.

YMCA residents, from left, Tom Simpson, Dex Osburn and Jay Addis have launched a radio station to help others improve their lives.

And its members have now found themselves up for an award.

Jay Addis, Tom Simpson and Dex Osburn launched NSY Radio over the internet last month.

Tom, originally from West Yorkshire, arrived at the YMCA a year ago. The 25-year-old said: "Everybody loves music. Hopefully this will build up people's confidence.

"We have already had lots of people asking to be involved."

Tom, who arrived at the YMCA following family problems, added: "There's been such a good response."

The trio are planning to run DJ workshops with other residents to bring them up to speed with the basics of mixing music.

Jay, from Kent, has previously worked on hospital and community radio stations.

"Because I have done it before I thought it would be a good idea and it is something for everybody to be involved in," said the 29-year-old.

"Every day we have people coming up to us asking if they can be on the station. We can't meet all the demand at the moment.

"I get a really good feeling from getting people involved and helping them."

The trio have already been approached by other charities asking for help in setting up radio stations.

Dex, from Essex, moved into the YMCA in October.

The 18-year-old said: "As a group we thought it would be a really good idea.

"The reaction has been totally positive and we have a lot of people on board.

"It's great that people are wanting to do shows and the feedback has been great."

The group received a £500 grant from the YMCA's Youth Bank fund, which enabled them to buy the equipment.

Currently the station plays solely music but the trio soon hope to set up discussion programmes.

The station can be heard in the Harding Road venue's social areas and online.

Melanie Clarke, from Stoke-on-Trent City Council's youth services, works with YMCA volunteers and nominated the group in the community group of the year category of The Sentinel's Our Heroes awards.

She said: "When people move in they have nothing to do and nothing to their name.

"Something like this is getting them to engage in a positive way.

"It's one of those projects that will just get bigger and the lads have done a really fantastic job."