Radio station wins Rose of Northamptonshire Award for supporting the community during the pandemic

A Northampton radio station has been presented with a Rose of Northamptonshire Award after it was nominated in the Unsung Heroes of Northamptonshire initiative.

The initiative, which was launched by the Lord-Lieutenant of Northamptonshire, The High Sheriff of Northamptonshire and Northamptonshire County Council, invites the public to nominate individuals or organisations deserving of recognition.

NLive Radio is run in partnership with the University of Northampton and it has now been recognised for the vital role the radio station played in supporting the community during the coronavirus pandemic.

Station Manager, Martin Steers, said: “Since the first lockdown, NLive Radio has raised awareness of how local businesses, community groups, charities and individuals have responded to what’s going on across Northampton, and how everyone has come together to support each other.

“We’ve increased the number of hours presenters are on air to try and make sure there is always a friendly voice on the radio, to keep people company, entertained and engaged with Northampton. This is especially important for those who are isolated and lonely, with more hours from Northampton, for all of the people of Northampton than any other radio station.

“All our presenters are volunteers, who currently broadcast from home in and around Northampton, and are all passionate about the town.”

The radio station ran a series of free on-air messages of support from local businesses and organisations to wish their customers, users and supporters well, to encourage them to stay safe as well as thank key workers for all that they are doing.

NLive additionally launched a Covid advertising package, with 12 weeks for the price of four, to support struggling businesses during this time.

Funding provided by the Northamptonshire Community Foundation and the Postcode Community trust enabled the radio station to purchase 300 radios. They gave most of these away for free through local organisations to those who were lonely, isolated and in need.