Author: Reform Radio

Here are the links to websites and numbers to contact in case of an emergency:

• Call Samaritans on 116 123 24 hours a day, 365 days a year (UK-wide & free from any phone), visit some branches in person to talk about anything. You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).

• Call Crisis Care Manchester on 0800 9530285, a 24/7 helpline to call if you feel your mental health is beginning to suffer. For urgent NHS mental health crisis care, call 111 and select the mental health option to reach a 24/7 team for support, assessment, and referrals.  If there is immediate danger to life, call 999 or go to A&E.

• If you’re under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (3pm–midnight every day),or find more information about support available here (hyperlink-  https://www.themix.org.uk/ ). The Mix. The Mix can support you with mental health struggles, body image issues, drink and drug use, neurodiversity, money struggles and more!

• If you’re under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINE247 on 0800 068 4141 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Or email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 88247.

• If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, text SHOUT to 85258 (UK-wide), a 24/7 text messaging support service for anyone who is struggling to cope (people who are anxious, stressed, depressed, suicidal or overwhelmed and who need immediate support).

• SANEline is a national out-of-hours mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers. The phone line is open every day of the year from 4pm to 10pm on 0300 304 7000.

• National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK. Offers a supportive listening service to anyone with thoughts of suicide. You can call the National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK on 0800 587 0800 (6pm – midnight everyday).

• You can call the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) if you are struggling and need to talk. Or if you prefer not to speak on the phone, you can contact via the CALM webchat service.

• The Switchboard aims to support those that identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender. Call on 0800 0119 100 (10am–10pm every day), or you can access their webchat service from 5pm each day at  https://switchboard.lgbt/ 

• If you live in Wales, you can call the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) on 0800 132 737 (open 24/7).

• Visit the Helplines Partnership website for a directory of UK helplines. Infoline can also help you find services that can support you.

• Befrienders Worldwide is an international helpline with volunteers and members from all around the world. By heading to their website, you can find the correct support helpline for the country you are living in.

• You can gain help from Mind directly via their website, this also has useful information on how to get help in crisis and ways to help yourself cope in a crisis.

If you are in crisis and feel unable to keep yourself safe then you should attend your local A&E department. You may wish to call an ambulance on 999.

Winter can be a particularly challenging time for individuals and as temperatures drop, cost of living support is necessary more than ever. Please see a detailed list below for support across Greater Manchester through Winter:

• No one should struggle to stay warm this Winter. Manchester has welcoming spaces for everyone to go for a brew, a chat and a warm through the festive season. Find your nearest one here. You can also call 0800 023 2692 for assistance (Monday to Friday, 9AM til 4.30PM).

Shelter: Offers advice and support for housing and homelessness issues. Contact them at 0808 800 4444 or visit their website here.

• Street Support is an independent organisation that is a trusted source of information on homelessness in Manchester. Use their website to source support with accommodation, personal items, food and drop-ins here.

• Coffee 4 Craig is a drop-in centre for the street homeless in Manchester. It is open 7 days a week (Mondays to Fridays, 6-8PM, and weekends 5-7PM) for hot food, showers and support. More information available here or you can simply head to 153 Great Ducie Street, Manchetser, M3 1FB on the times outlined above.

• Lifeshare UK open at Christmas to anyone in need of a warm place to spend the day, a hot shower, dry clothes, a fresh meal, or a friendly face. Anyone in need of support who is 18+ is welcome to join us. Find the full opening times of the centre here. If you require emergency support, please contact the Emergency Duty Team at 0161 234 5001.

• SSO Manchester currently deliver food parcels to those in need in Manchester. For more information, please email info@sikhsewa.org.uk.

• Humans MCR deliver nutritious food parcels to those in need across Greater Manchester. Get in touch to us the food bank here or call 0161 243 0171.

• Manchester has free warm welcoming spaces for you this winter to go for a free brew, a chat, advice and information or staying warm. Find out more here or text 07860 022 876.

• If you’re struggling with low income or feel at risk of homelessness, Mustard Tree offer a range of support options.

• From food banks to drop-in centres and 1-2-1 support for individuals, Barnabus support homeless individuals through a range of challenges. Their support centre is open Monday to Thursday (7.30AM til 8.30AM for breakfast and 9.15AM til 12PM for drop-ins for food, showers and clothing). A nurse or health practitioner is also present on site every Thursday. Find the organisation’s full services here.

• Call Chorlton & Didsbury Food Bank on 0808 2082138 to find the most appropriate help for your situation with help from local agencies to source a food bank voucher.

• Emmeline’s Pantry‘s food pantry is a service aimed at helping women and families that may be struggling to feed or clothe everyone with the rising costs of living and effects of benefit cuts. This is open to all women across Manchester who, for a donation, can access the service either weekly or monthly depending on need. This service is available by referral only – please call 0161 204 3373 to find out how to source a referral.

• The Bread and Butter Thing host mobile food clubs which give you access to nutritious and affordable food in the heart of communities starved of money, food and resources. Find your nearest hub opening times here.

The holidays are here and to celebrate the Christmas and the fast approaching 2022, our residents will be holding down the Reform airwaves with with these shows as we take a break.

So make sure you stay locked and get cosy with a hot drink and tune into these shows to keep you warm over the coming weeks.

Out Since Friday X-Mas Special: Listeners Takeover w/Julie Wills

 18th December | 4PM – 6PM

Join Julie Wills in her Out Since Friday X-Mas Special, treating you to the best of disco, funk, soul, boogie Italo, house and more. This time with the input from listeners.

Audio Acupuncture w/ Lil’ Minx (Eves’Drop Collective) & Pablo Blanquito – Best of 2021

 19th December | 1PM-3PM

Tune into Audio Acupuncture w/ Lil’ Minx and Pablo Blanquito as they reflect on 2021.

Infusion w/ Pintcan Papi b2b Mai Tai

19th December | 7PM – 9PM

Celebrating another year of fantastic music, Infusion host Pintcan Papi invites Good Custard resident Mai Tai for a cheeky B2B. The two will be playing some of their favourite releases, diving into disco & electro with some other treats added for good measure.

Cosmo Vinyl w/ Priceless Bodies (New Year Special) 

20th December | 9PM-10PM

Explore the sonic universe of Priceless Bodies, a new band with vintage taste. Twin sisters inspired by the 70’s and 80’s, PB spins their fave leftfield tracks around those eras.

Sizzlers Best Of 2021 w/ Elrobo

21st December | 2PM – 4PM 

Raise your bpm and jam out with London based Dj Elrobo as we explore a wide range of genres from breaks to techno, dnb to dubstep.

Reform Radio Presents: Xmas Special

24th December | 9PM-10PM

Tune in for an hour of Christmas inspired tracks selected by our very own staff! Xmas classics, the banger by RUN DMC, remixes of festive tracks & more…

De Rumba

25th December | 1PM – 3PM

Experience the sunny diaspora of Latin and West Africa Rhythms. Tune in with Miss Puerto Rico and be ready to shake your moneymaker.

The Takeover w/ La Jeva

25th December | 3PM-4PM

Dj Val, aka la Jeva, has created a show dedicated to those that are not able to celebrate Christmas in Puerto Rico, and to anyone that is curious about Puerto Rican music and culture. Expect an hour of Puerto Rican and Caribbean Christmas music from Latin America and its diaspora, sprinkled in with salsa from Willie Colón, Héctor Lavoe & Yomo Toro in Asalto Navideño, Ismael Rivera, and Cheo Feliciano.

Trout Spout Radio (Eves’Drop Collective) Christmas Special

27th December | 5PM- 7PM

Dive into Andrea’s passionate, open mind with deep house, disco, soul and funk at its core. Buckle up to hear a diversity of sounds from ‘80s soul to Brook Benton, all packaged nicely in a Christmas Special.

Hypnagogia w/ Lewis Johnson-Kellett

27th December | 5PM-7PM

Exploring dreamlike states of consciousness through music and sound. 
“When you dream, do you dream in colour?”

The Takeover w/ Red Owl: Best Of 2021

28TH December | 7PM-8PM

Music that touches body and soul? Melodic and Progressive Afro vibes? A perfectionist and energetic Dj? Experience this and much more in Red Owls Takeover.

Bandcamp Friday was initiated in March 2020, when Bandcamp waived their revenue share in order to help artists and labels impacted by the pandemic.

The initiative is still ongoing and for this month’s Bandcamp Friday we would like to shout about the releases from our residents.

Ad Hoc Records

High Rise / By Day by Hermanito

With ‘High Rise’, Hermanito reworks samples from Werkha (Brownswood; Tru Thoughts) taking us on a crafted journey through his Latin American and Jazz influences, keeping one foot in the past with his sample of live instruments whilst exploring modern lo-fi chillhop beats.

On ‘By Day’ Hermanito blends his contemporary dream-like beats with signature guitar work and world music samples to create a track that stretches across cultures.

Dulcet Panoply by Nymad

With layers upon layers of arpeggiated synth and modulating rhythms reminiscent of Ostgut Ton’s Barker, ‘Some Sun’ makes you picture a utopian world at sunrise – a psychedelic, ambient autumn anthem.

Ruskin by Notchyy

This captivating blend of field recordings and bouncing, elasticated synthesis makes a sonic escape like no other. As the nights begin to draw in, here is contemplative deep house that’ll take you from dark to dawn; its masterful simplicity is the indisputable sound of clouds parting.

Priceless Bodies

Oort Clod / Priceless Bodies – Split EP by Alphaville Records

A-Side – Oort Clod

Oort Clod is a Manchester based five-piece band, whose blend of indie pop/rock, post-punk and kiwi-pop is both timely and timeless.

Rather than anything distinctly Mancunian, Oort Clod sounds more like Australian contemporary indie music.

B-Side – Priceless Bodies

Priceless Bodies are a Manchester based lo-fi project consisting of twin sisters Viv & Bianca Pencz. The duo have created their own musical vision with a multidisciplinary approach, and playing everything from new wave and no wave to post-disco from the ’70s and ’80s..

Their new EP, mastered by Oort Clod’s Matt Fortunati, is an eclectic exploration of working-class & female-forward living, with references to mental health, Soviet heritage, and American New Wave cinema all coalesced into a sound uniquely theirs: guitar, analogue synth, sampling, and idiosyncratic percussion – from sleigh bells to kitchen knives – are all incorporated.

Marco Woolf

Francine, i by Marco Woolf, Phlexx Records

Over the last 3 years, Malawian-born singer-songwriter Marco Woolf has developed a penchant for storytelling, at most of his live performances the audience has come to expect strange and intriguing poetic anecdotes.

Statik (Battlestart Mancunia)

SGMNT by Statik

Statik aka El Statiko is an eclectic DJ from Manchester playing genres including Hip Hop, Bass, Jungle, Funk, Disco and Breaks. Statik is a six-time UK Turntablist champion and has competed in international competitions (IDA and DMC) since 2013. When performing, Statik likes to marry technical skill with musicality and uses a variety of equipment and production softwares to manipulate music live.  

Imaginary Part

Machine Learning

Machine Learning is Imaginary Part debut LP. The Italian producer takes inspiration from a mathematical notion via his alias, as in mathematics complex numbers are made from a real part and an imaginary part. Imaginary Part is an escape from reality, taking inspiration from ambient, downtempo and abstract soundtracks.

Quantum Index

The 4 tracks of Quantum Index are inspired by the contemporary experimental electronic music scene happening in the UK and have a strong sci-fi direction. Using a combination of digital and modular equipment Imaginary Part creates a work of the highest elegance.

Mind EP

Mind EP is an immersive sound experience into three states of the mind : Strike, Pressure and Release.

Jack Duckham (Secret Night Gang)

Mr Mustard

Mr Mustard is the lovechild of Ruben Sheridan (Hunrosa, Lovescene) and Jack Duckham (Secret Night Gang, Lovescene). Together they make experimental noises under the mantra “vibes over quality”, though their jazz, hip-hop and electronic-inspired duo has excelled at delivering both.

Every month we are promoting events hosted by our very own residents. Scroll down to find out what events are taking place this November.

Building: Bridges W/ d. clemente, Mystique, Nusheen & Surface Domingo Sound Kitchen 

If you are up for a daytime dance, head to the Klondyke on the 20th November for an amazing fundraising event. Every penny raised will be going to the Manchester Refugee Support Network (MRSN).

Tickets will be priced at £5 and £10 depending on how much people can give. Additionally, everyone who attends is encouraged to bring food donations for the charity. 

Purchase tickets here.

Mic Check Live!

Mic Check Live is an event showcasing up and coming Rap & RnB artists from in and around Manchester. Taking place at Aatma on Thursday 18th November, every ticket purchased comes with a free download of a song from each artist featured on the event.

With artists like Feeemo, Chiko Stokes and many others, the artists will surely take you on a journey, from trap to grime to drill.
Check the video below to see the rest of the line-up and purchase tickets here.

Reform Radio and BBC 6 Music’s collaboration has finally been announced. Reform’s new BBC 6 show, The People’s Party, will be hitting the airwaves on 29th October from 7PM – 9PM (BST).

Produced by Reform Radio and hosted by composer, producer and DJ Afrodeutsche, the brand new Friday night show promises to be an energetic celebration for the end of the working week. A place for everyone to enjoy, share their passion for music and enter the weekend smoothly. 

The show will reflect Reform’s ethos as a Manchester City Council Cultural Partner, working at the roots to promote and develop new talent.

Please send your music recommendations and ideas regarding possible radio show features to music@reformradio.co.uk.

Raise the Bar is a video series that showcases artists delivering freestyles on Reform Radio’s shows.

The fourth episode of Raise the Bar presents FLISS, an R&B singer who performed an effortless and harmonious freestyle on Jorgy and Cheech’s latest show.

FLISS’s freestyle will be premiering on 30th September at 8PM (BST) on Reform’s Youtube.

Listen to the full episode below.