Sheffield Hospital Radio marks half a century of service to city patients
Sheffield Hospital Radio commemorated 50 years of continuous broadcasting with a special event honouring volunteers and celebrating its enduring mission to support patients and staff across Sheffield’s hospitals.
Sheffield Hospital Radio celebrated its 50th anniversary with a special evening bringing together around 100 guests including past and present members, NHS colleagues, civic representatives and supporters of the station.
The evening at Tapton Hall celebrated the volunteers who have given their time over five decades to bring music, entertainment and companionship to patients and staff across Sheffield's hospitals.
The station began broadcasting from the Northern General Hospital in 1976 with a small group of volunteers. Fifty years later, the station is based at the Royal Hallamshire Hospital and broadcasts 24 hours a day, 365 days a year via the internet.
While the technology and locations have changed over the years, the station's purpose remains the same, providing music, companionship and a friendly voice to patients and staff across Sheffield.
Neil Saunderson, Chair of Sheffield Hospital Radio, said the 50th anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate everyone who had played a part in the station's history, while also looking towards its future.
“Many things have changed since 1976, but the simple idea of a friendly voice on the radio has remained.”
Hundreds of volunteers have contributed to the station over the years, presenting programmes, selecting music, interviewing guests and maintaining equipment, as well as visiting patients, collecting requests and spending time chatting with them.
The station's programmes can be heard across the internet, with patients, staff and family able to tune in on smartphones, tablets, laptops and PCs.
The event was hosted by Michael Harper, Chief Operating Officer of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, who is also a Sheffield Hospital Radio presenter, hosting the station's Saturday morning programme from 10am until 12pm.
Mahmud Nawaz, Chair of Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, told guests: “What we are celebrating tonight is far more than a radio station. We are celebrating 50 years of kindness, companionship, community and service to patients, communities and staff across Sheffield.”
Adding plenty of fun to the evening was Reverend Canon Kate Bottley, of BBC Radio 2 and Gogglebox, who joined the celebrations.
Five members were given awards for a combined 139 years of service including Steve Flowers - 46 years; Paul Denton - 29 years; Jon Price - 26 years; Neil Saunderson - 21 years; and Tom Egan - 17 years.