A COMMUNITY radio station at the heart of the Highlands is set to launch a special regular show to inform and assist listeners during the long-lasting Covid-19 pandemic.
Despite its studio voluntarily being closed off during the national lockdown, North Highland Radio, which is based on Dingwall High Street, has continued to air around-the-clock, with several of its presenters using technology from home to produce current content.
The charity organisation, which was established in January 2014, is an internet station that prides itself on providing a voice to its immediate community.
And as the coronavirus continues to keep folk at home, the new programme – called ‘Life in Lockdown’ – has been set up to react to the many new, often difficult, situations that individuals and businesses are dealing with as a result of the lockdown.
The programme, which starts at 10am this Monday (April 27), aims to offer key details about where and how people can access the goods, services or information they need while being urged to stay at home apart from essential journeys. Experts, such as accountants and travel agents, will be on hand to guide listeners.
It is also going to have a special donation page online to help raise funds for charities so that they can buy what they need rather than simply asking for supplies, in other words an alternative option.
Operational director, Lorraine Chisholm, who also presents topical local information-packed show Chisholm’s Chatter, explained why Monday’s latest addition to an ever-growing schedule is so important in its role as a voice for so many in and around the region.
She said: “The new show can offer the missing link in a range of ways. The crisis has changed lives and we want to help make it simpler for our listeners. For example, food banks were sadly already stretched to the limit, but there’s now even more pressure on their resources.
“We can help direct people to provide for such lifelines and tell folk who are perhaps struggling to get hold of food or goods where they can get help as quickly as possible.
“Covid-19 has affected everyone, so we aim to help at this extremely trying time. Straight away, we’re going to be finding out how businesses go about accessing government funding if they’re struggling and get professional advice on our rights regarding holidays that are no longer happening as a result of the pandemic.”
Lorraine added that programmes have hit the airwaves since the studio temporarily locked its doors much down to the technical expertise of the station’s Andy Drew and Ally Young.
She explained: “It really highlights the power of team effort. To make the station work so successfully, it’s vital to have people able to give up their time, sometimes at short notice, to ensure our shows go on air. The latest addition could well be our most important programme yet due to the importance radio is playing in all our lives right now.”
Information will also be posted daily on the North Highland Radio Facebook and Twitter pages, with presenters’ own social media platforms used further to share details and inform listeners.
Before the pandemic struck, North Highland Radio got the year off to a flying start with exclusive first-access coverage of the Snowman Rally, which was round one of the now cancelled Scottish Rally Championship.
North Highland Radio can be accessed any time via the station’s website, the Tune In app or through listeners’ smart speakers.
To contact the NHR team with any information or questions, simply email studio@northhighlandradio.co.uk
ENDS
For further details, please contact Lorraine Chisholm on 07971 425799.
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Contact: Lorraine Chisholm
