OUR MEMBERS

Hospital Radio Perth has about 50 members ranging in age from teenagers carrying out their Duke Of Edinburgh Award to pensioners. All started the same way - everyone visits the wards! It ensures that all our members are aware of what the organisation is about and who they are broadcasting to.

Let's show you some of the things we get up to and hear from some of our members...

Linda CruickshankHi - I'm Linda and, as one of Hospital Radio Perth's request presenters, it's my job to tell you a bit about the request shows that are broadcast live every weekday night. These are very busy and musically varied shows with the music being chosen by the patients themselves - we play it all - from Sinatra to Strauss!. We also love a challenge and enjoy it most when a patient says "Well I KNOW you won't have this... but..." We usually manage to get close to the elusive music- so challenge us at your peril!!

Jennifer WatsonI'm Jennifer and once a week I travel up to the wards with several other volunteers, collecting requests and having a chat with the patients. Some patients don't want a request but like having someone to talk to. It is tremendously satisfying, sitting with a patient and enjoying their company. When we arrive back at the studio we help pick out the music for the show have a coffee and a chat. I joined Hospital Radio Perth as a service for my Duke of Edinburgh Award. It is a very rewarding task and I hope to continue with it after my service.
David LowI'm David and I'm part of the team who bring live commentary and nonsense direct from all St Johnstone games, home and away. The commentators provide a valuable service, not only to poorly Saints fans in PRI and Murray Royal, but also to blind supporters inside the ground. For those of you who have been lucky enough to avoid a Saturday in hospital, you're missing an awful lot of fun. The team of half a dozen commentators provide expert analysis of the half-time food, often staging a tremendously difficult balancing act between eating chicken legs and describing a goal; one of these days a steward will cop some pie crust in the face should Saints score, but in fairness, that could be a while away. It's an immense pleasure trying to describe the beautiful game while two grown men fight over a sausage roll, and that's what Super Saintees Live is all about!

Dalene RadinHospital Radio Perth's audience is varied and changes frequently, so our general programmes try to cater for their musical tastes. Specialist programmes, though, can reach out to people in a way that can be hard to imagine. I'm Dalene and my "Classical Collection," has given me the opportunity to introduce our listeners to music that they may have never heard - and thought they wouldn't like! Classical music is very powerful - it can calm fears, lift spirits, promote sleep and even wake you up at times. If any of the music helps someone to stop worrying for a wee while, that alone gives me the incentive for what I do. The other specialist programmes also attract very favourable responses from patients - who are often surprised by the sheer range of music available in our extensive library. (Sometimes I get let loose on the jazz programme and I really enjoy that too!)
John WatsonOver the years Hospital Radio Perth have had some fun events to get all the members together, we've had quiz nights, treasure hunts, dances, barbeques and even a game of rounders! It's an opportunity for members to bring along their family and friends and relax while meeting the other members. I'm John and I must admit that I've made a lot of really good friends both locally and nationally while a member at Perth. These events are always a great laugh and no one takes them too seriously. It's always a challenge to beat Dave and Jamie at the quiz nights or for anyone to eat more than me at barbeques! We have one or two such events each year and they're always eagerly awaited and well supported.

Steven RobbHi, I'm Steven. Here at Hospital Radio Perth we are famous for our Outside Broadcasts, it is an aspect of the organisation that we feel is very important to our listeners. OBs can be entertaining and informative and they bring a little of the outside world to those in hospital. It's amazing how an Outside Broadcast can cheer someone up. We have a wide range of outside broadcasts, Fun Days at the Leisure Pool, concerts from the City Hall and news from the Farmers' Market are just a small part of the live events we cover. Not only do the patients get enjoyment from OB's, but our members get a great deal of satisfaction, knowing that they have made someone's day that little bit brighter.

Rick HanniganMention the word "conference" and the first thing that springs to mind are suit-wearing execs wearily exchanging their wares and ideas. However, the Hospital Broadcasting Association conference is a whole different ball game. My name's Rick and I attended my first conference about 10 years ago. Hull, Bolton, Nottingham, Coventry to name but a few, the location differs but the crack is the same. A bunch of folk casually arranged to get down to the business of fun and laughter. Yes, there is the serious side of negotiating a deal on equipment, attending the business and seminar events and of course the eagerly awaited announcements of this year's award winners, but in between, I can honestly say that the laid back attitude and informal get togethers make it something that I look forward to attending year after year. As for this year, "Here we come……….."

 Diana MacIntyreAs a ward visitor, I am part of a team representing Hospital Radio Perth. The aim is to visit two or three wards, chat to patients and collect - should they wish one - a request for that evening's request show. Hopefully, I will act as a link to the world outside and, for a few minutes, help patients forget the anxiety, stress and loss of independence experienced when in hospital. Sometimes I make recordings as I go. For a patient, hearing themselves "On Air" announcing their own request makes the whole event more personal and can be a great tonic for the whole ward. I enjoy meeting patients, their visitors and the hospital staff - there are so many interesting people with great stories to tell. Obviously, not everyone feels up to a chat, but many do, and I find it satisfying and enjoyable. Nothing beats the felling of a job well done when , from time to time, patients send us notes thanking us for our service.