Bee Hive Radio is a live show created by Reform Radio’s digital Traineeship done in partnership with the Salford City College.
Expect a selection of spoken word, interviews and music edited, presented and produced by a group of 16 – 18 year olds.
In the summer of 2014, the Rio Ferdinand Foundation commissioned us to help with their summer programme held at the University of Salford in Media City.
Reform worked with a group of young people between the ages of eight and 16 to develop new skills and create this one off show, based around the theme of an alien invasion in Media City.
This is an edited version of a creative consultation Reform Radio Director Sam was involved with as part of his secondment with The Rio Ferdinand Foundation.
The idea was to use the format of a Radio Show to discover what kind of activities young people from the local area would like to see in the future.
The drive of the young people involved was breathtaking and the issues they raised so passionately, especially when interviewing local councillor Richard Critchley, seemed to arise from widespread lack of provision.
Reform Radio in collaboration with Radio Regen conducted a 4-week project working with young people with little or no experience in the radio environment. The project culminated into this live 1-hour radio show that was planned, presented, produced, marketed and edited by the young people.
The show features a variety of tracks and spoken word from artists in and around Manchester.
Broken Biscuits was a project made to help young people to both express their political opinions and learn more about the political landscapes, and then to turn this new familiarity with politics into a podcast. The participants took on different roles creating the podcast, such as being a host, a member on a game show or helping to write the show.
This project was funded by the Young People’s Support Foundation, Royal Brewery Fund, and Forever Manchester.
Reform were commissioned by the Everyman & Playhouse in Liverpool to work with a group of elderly residents to create an audio soundscape that encapsulated some of their favourite people and places.
Using sounds to compliment the stories, the idea was to evoke a sense of nostalgia and get the people of Liverpool thinking about their own favourite people and places.
The piece was played in the foyer of the Everyman & Playhouse during the run of Bright Phoenix, a play which revealed the magic of forgotten places and dreaming beneath the stars.
Every episode of High Rise will be released on Podfollow and Spotify one by one every Thursday. The rollout of the episodes started on Thursday 12th August.
High Rise is a European Social Fund funded 12 week creative writing radio drama project.
During these 12 weeks, MBE appointed Louise Wallwein guided each participant to create their own episode. All 11 episodes explored Greater Manchester’s gentrification.
So far 3 episodes have been released. Read on to learn more about each episode.
Written and produced by Farwa Naseer.
Hong Kong to Manchester explores themes of race, class and cultural differences. It showcases how humans connect regardless of this and celebrates Manchester’s diversity and evolving skyline.
Written by Connor Forsyth.
An argument over the changing city, brought about by an artwork depicting it aflame. The High Rise buildings divide the past and future of the city. A story of sorrow, conflict, and passion.
Written and produced by Jonathan Williams.
As the echoes of a compulsory order from the past linger, a teenager struggles with the uncertainty looming over his family with history threatening to repeat itself.
The next Online Work Club session is on Thursday 30th September from 3:30PM – 5:30PM.
Work Club runs on the last Thursday of every month with a full session based on opportunities for the future. It includes a number of speakers who discuss various opportunities available, as well as 1-1s and pastoral sessions, are also available.
If you want to get involved, please send an email to projects@reformradio.co.uk.
High Rise is a 12 week creative writing radio drama project.
During these 12 weeks, MBE appointed Louise Wallwein guided each participant to create their own episode. All 11 episodes explored Greater Manchester’s gentrification.
The episodes will be released on Podfollow and Spotify one by one every Thursday. The rollout of the episodes will start on Thursday 12th August.
European Social Fund funded this project.
Reform Radio have collaborated with Manchester independent beer company ShinDigger and venue Kampus to host Little David Street Party on Saturday 4th September.
There will be two stages of curated DJ talent for this canal side day party in the Kampus tropical garden, alongside the ShinDigger Beer & Le Social Wine bar with some delicious food pop-ups.
Join us on Saturday 4th September from 2PM-10 PM at Kampus.
On Thursday 9th September, Reform are set to host an exclusive Northern launch of the cult acid house novel Trip City and soundtrack reissue by Velocity Press with author Trevor Miller and pioneering producer & DJ, A Guy Called Gerald.
Hosted by legendary Hacienda resident & broadcaster DJ Paulette, audiences can watch the in-depth discussion exclusively on the revamped reformradio.co.uk launching the same day. The event will conclude with the first DJ set performed by A Guy Called Gerald on his home turf in over two years.
The event, delivered in partnership with Manchester independent beer company ShinDigger, will also be open to attendance at Reform’s studios for 10 randomly-selected audience memebers.
To enter the competition head to Reform Radio’s Instagram and share, like and comment on the Trip City post, tagging the person who you’d like to share the experience with.
Attend the 4 day Creative Leadership course and explore all elements of being a freelancer and setting up a creative social enterprise. The course includes learning about how to file taxes, plan projects and draw down funding.
Creative Leadership will run on the 23rd, 24th, 30th September & 1st October, from 10am – 4pm.
See flyer below for more details & to get involved.
Positive frequencies is a week long workshop focusing on wellbeing, creative writing and self-expression. The workshop will cover many topics including Imposter Syndrome, Self-Compassion, Vulnerability and Adjusting to Working Life post-covid.
To ensure accessibility for all, the course will be split between online and face to face sessions.
Positive frequencies will run from Monday 16th August – Friday 20th August, 10am – 4pm.
See flyer below for more details & to get involved.
HERchester is a Manchester based female rap collective creating a community for female emcees at all levels.
HERchester Up North is a creative writing workshop focusing on MCing and lyrical writing techniques. Following the successful taster workshop that took place in Morecambe on the 22nd July, HERchester Up North workshops will be also taking place in 3 other Northern cities; Manchester, Blackpool and Sheffield.
In Morecambe, the workshop will be taking place 5:30PM – 7:30PM every Thursday from the 5th August to the 16th September at More Music.
Manchester’s HERchester workshops will be an 8 week course starting on the 10th August. The 2 hour workshop will start at 6:30, and will be held at Reform Radio.
Taking place every Thursday from the 5th August to the 16th September from 1:30PM – 3:30PM, Blackpool’s HERchester workshop’s will be held at House of Wings.
Sheffield’s HERchester workshops will be taking place 3PM – 5PM every Tuesday from the 10th August to the 28th September at Plot 22.
Lead by Reform’s Well-Being Manager Dan, Life Lounge is an online open conversation about all things life. From ‘you live and you learn’ to ‘current topics’, everything is open for discussion and everyone is welcome. Dan provides a safe and open space for all to share or simply just listen.
The next Life Lounge will be taking place on the 3rd August from 1PM – 3PM (BST).
The session will focus on how we worry about what other’s are thinking, and whether these worries are impacting you negatively.
See flyer below for further details & to get involved.
HERchester is a Manchester based female rap collective creating a community for female emcees at all levels.
HERchester Up North is a creative writing workshop focusing on MCing and lyrical writing techniques. The taster workshop is taking place this Thursday 22nd July from 1PM – 4PM at More Music in Morecambe.
The workshop is open to women, non-binary people, transgender women and those that identify as women.
See flyer below for details and contact to get involved.
Feel Write is an online creative writing workshop that aims to improve well-being and positive self expression.
The next session will be taking place online on the 12TH August from 1PM – 3PM (BST).
On the 5th August from 1PM – 3PM, Reform is hosting an online round table discussion on climate change driven by debate, live music and spoken word.
See flyer below for ore details and how to get involved.
Tough Talks was Podcasting With Purpose‘s first first full production. On the 10th of July, Tough Talks won Best Sex & Relationships Podcast at the British Podcast Awards.
Tough Talks was produced by Reform for Hits Radio & Hits Radio Pride. The series was supported by the Audio Content Fund.
In the series, people from the LGBTQ+ community relive and reflect on a tough talk from their past, covering topics such as gender, sexuality, and identity.
Listen back to all episodes here.
The Podcasting With Purpose scheme has accommodated many podcast productions.
Podcasting With Purpose provides you with end-to-end production and coaching services from trained, BBC standard producers, as well as editing, upload and podcast promotion, and the chance to record in Reform’s Studio.
If you’re interested in having a podcast produced for your organisation then please email podcasts@reformradio.co.uk or call 0161 806 0879 .
In partnership with Manchester International Festival, Reform Radio has invited MIF’s Festival Square producer Rivca Burns to discuss what this years programme has in store.
The new COVID-19 safe seated format in Cathedral Gardens will offer a free daily programme of Greater Manchester talent. This will include appearances from Trees.R.Good and King of our current Soundcamp cohort, who will be performing at Festival Square amongst over 100 other local acts between 2-18th of July.
Hosted by Reform Radio’s Resident Aisha Williams, the show will be airing on Reform Radio at 4:00PM on 30th June 2020.