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Raise The Bar: MILA GRACE

MILA GRACE, brizzy the boss, is a talent not to be reckoned with. Fierce, commanding and assertive. Her power emulates a dark horse that has been set free to charge.

‘First – Freestyle’ has even been selected as track of the week on BBC Manchester and BBC Music Introducing with Roesh. Mila’s capabilities are highlighted by these notable mentions. It’s obvious that this is only the beginning for this talent. Confirming her status and path in her freestyle she spits, “Don’t mind me, I speak on bangers”. MILA’s future aspirations and focus are as sharp as her acrylic nails, and we can’t wait to see it in full flow.

Listen back to the full show to find out more about MILA GRACE and all that went down with Daisy in the studio.

Watch the full performance below.

Listen back to the show here.

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WE ARE HIRING A NEW ENGAGEMENT ASSISTANT

There is an exciting opportunity to join the Reform Radio team in Manchester, as our new Engagement Assistant. We’re a growing community interest company and award-winning online radio station, dedicated to supporting young people to access cultural opportunities and career pathways in the creative industries. As part of our Engagement Team you’ll be a part of engaging with young people and organisations around Greater Manchester to support participants on to our variety of creative programmes and workshops.

Our ideal candidate will have experience of working with young people in an outreach or community environment, with a commitment to the work of Reform Radio, but we are open to considering applications from people with a range of relevant experiences. We’re committed to supporting young people from underrepresented and underserved groups within the creative industries, and therefore encourage applications from individuals from these groups.

ROLE DESCRIPTION:

The role of the Engagement Assistant will be to;

  • Discover, reach and recruit new participants from Greater Manchester / North of England to attend workshops, and to ensure the correct eligibility of participants
  • Develop new community links, build new relationships and networks on behalf of Reform Radio
  • Increase the awareness of the work of Reform Radio within communities and across JCP+ across Greater Manchester
  • Support the journey and smooth transition of a young person starting on a Reform Radio programme
  • Complete all necessary paperwork, and follow all systems relating to the Engagement Assistant’s role on time and to a high standard
  • Follow all safeguarding procedures
  • Attend all training as requested by Reform Radio
  • Correctly log, systemise and organise recruitment for Reform Radio projects
  • Comply with our policies
  • Be flexible to working evening and weekends
  • Deliver taster workshops and presentations

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential skills, knowledge and qualities required:

  • Excellent email and telecommunication skills
  • Excellent organisational skills
  • Experience of work within community settings 
  • Experience of working with young people
  • Confidence in public speaking

Desirable skills, knowledge and qualities required:

  • Experience of running creative workshops
  • Experience of planning and delivering presentations
  • Good use of any of the following Excel, Google Drive or CPOMs (or other data management systems)
  • A good knowledge of Greater Manchester’s geographical areas and agencies 
  • Full UK Drivers Licence

JOB DETAILS:

Hours: 30hrs/week – This role is generally Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm, but some weekend and evening work is required 

Salary: £11.00 per hour

Annual Leave: 21 days + your birthday

Pension: Nest Pension scheme 

Location: This role is mainly office based, with some place based work and some flexibility to work from home when required. Address: Bonded Warehouse, 18 Lower Byrom St, Manchester, M3 4AP

To apply, please send the following to lewys@reformradio.co.uk before 5PM on Friday 10th February:

  • A CV (max 2 pages) and cover letter (max 2 pages)
  • Or a video/audio file (max 5 minutes) telling us about your relevant experience and why you think you’re a good fit for this role

If you have any other access needs/requirements or if you are facing barriers in applying that we can help remove then please get in touch. We look forward to hearing from you.

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blog Featured Projects Projects

Science and Industry Museum X Reform: Sounds of the Industrial City

We have collaborated with the Science and Industry Museum, where a group of young people created soundscapes inspired by the industrial sounds of Manchester. ​

They listened to the sounds of historic machinery, in the Textiles Gallery, which once filled Manchester’s factories. Then they recorded sounds from the city’s current and developing industries. Creating the soundscapes you can listen to below:

Soundscape A

Modern Manchester
by Dale, 2022

The sounds of a workers commute in the present day.

Listen to the weekend walk to work along John Dalton Street in central Manchester. The streets are alive with shoppers, the roads busy with buses and commuters.
 
Soundscape B

Footsteps of Change
by Zuri, 2022
 
This recording was inspired by the Industrial Revolution. It was the first time human behaviour began significantly changing the landscape and ultimately beginning the climate crisis we now live in.
 

The story begins with sounds reminiscent of the nature Manchester was once home to. Then the ominous footsteps of humans signals the start of the Industrial Revolution.
 
Soundscape C

Manchester’s Music Industry
by Jaden, 2022

Inspired by the sounds of creatives repurposing derelict industrial buildings to create the now renowned Manchester music industry.

Listen out for throwbacks to Manchester’s musical past and discover the sounds of its future.

Soundscape D

We are still losing our hearing
by Jesús, 2022
 
Curious about the impact of noise on workers’ health and their rights during the Industrial Revolution. This knowledge drew parallels to problems experienced in present times.
 

This recording highlights workplace caused hearing loss. It’s a problem which occurred in the Industrial Revolution and persists as an issue for workers in the music industry today.
 
Soundscape E

Wheels of Change
by Omar, 2022
 
Focusing on the transport workers used to get to work.

Starting with the sounds of trains in the Industrial Revolution and progressing to the sounds of commuters moving across Manchester in present times.
 
Soundscape F

Machine Made
by Ffion, 2022
 
Interested in the evolution of technological innovations the workers of Manchester have experienced.

Discover the sounds of what would have been cutting edge in the mills. Then progress to some familiar sounds of the technology which fills our workplaces and homes.

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Projects Upcoming Projects

NEXT STEPS: FOR YOUR FUTURE (FUNDED BY MANCHESTER CITY COUNCIL)

A monthly session based on opportunities for the future. The session includes 1-1s, both CV and cover letter support, and invites several speakers who discuss various opportunities available.

The next online session will take place on Thursday 9th February – from 15:30 – 17:30.

Next Steps has been made possible by Manchester City Council.

See the flyer below for further details.

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Blue Monday: How We Navigate Wondrous January

A new year can be exciting for some, daunting for others and a mixed bunch of all kinds of emotions for many. January is a whole melting pot of doubts, aspirations, joggers and reflection.

We asked all our lovely staff to share their January experiences and how they deal with the obstacles that come with a new year.

Cal

Cal – January can feel unusually heavier than other months, but I have used it as a fresh start to re-align with my aspirations for the year ahead. I am doing new things, keeping fit and setting affirmations which has all helped me hit the ground running. 

Lewys – I have set myself some challenges for the new year and feel optimistic about these. I also scheduled in to re-connect with old friends which always helps keep my spirits high.  

Farwa – My birthday is in January, so I always have something to look forward to. This always takes the edge off what can sometimes feel like a slow month. 

Olivia

Olivia – Although it was so nice to catch-up with university friends, I have felt drained of energy and motivation. However, I have been able to turn this around by sleeping earlier and trying a new hobby! I finally tried rock climbing for the first time and although I was nervous, I really enjoyed it and would recommend trying new things to kick January into the shape you need it to be. 

Ciara

Ciara – I find January an alright time of the year. I do feel a bit deflated having just left home after a nice break and getting back into my regular routine. I always take full advantage of January’s discounts at restaurants, a good excuse to try nice food.

Alice

Alice – January was a bit of a rough start. I was so busy with the lead up to it that it felt like a bit of shock crossing the NYE line. I feel like there’s a lot of pressure around re-focusing and reassessing your lifestyle from the get go of the year. I realised that I hadn’t done that in a while, so it felt like a monstrous task and onset a lot of anxiety. This year, I used the start of the year to just stop and relax when I could. I fought the urge of forcing myself to get stuck in straight away and its honesty made me feel so much better! Take your time and don’t feel pressured by the other flows around you!

Jo

Jo – I always feel pretty exhausted in January, and the Christmas holidays never quite do the job of making me feel re-charged as I hope they will. It’s a dark and rainy month. I do love that January is all about new beginnings and fresh-starts, but that comes with the pressure of new healthy habits and feeling like you need to make positive change. As though last year was never good enough. For me, the best way to take on January isn’t to set myself challenging goals, but to focus on doing kind and enjoyable things for myself. The only New Years resolutions I’ve ever kept are ones that bring enjoyment. 

Jemma

Jemma – I navigate it by reminding myself that Jan is a whole month not to be written off, but to be used well and try to remember to be grateful to have the chance to be here.

If you or anyone you know is in need of urgent mental support or help, please check our blog post with plenty of resources.

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Upcoming Residents’ Events (January)

Every month we spotlight our lovely residents’ events. Here are a few ways to get into the new year groove this January.

SIZZLERS AT BORING FESTIVAL

Boring is a vibrant music, theatre and art festival set across multiple unique venues in Haarlem, Netherlands. Curating the Friday night line-up at Schuur, Sizzlers host INA will be joined behind the decks by the Bristol-based producer and dj Cowper.

Boring Festival – 19:00-24:00, 20th January 2023

Venue: Schuur (Haarlem, Netherlands)