»Twenty people are sitting in a studio talking about how they have been victims of hate crime.
One woman says she was hit, called names and bullied. She feels angry about it and believes it was not dealt with properly by the police.
Emotions are high and it makes for a great show.
Their views are being recorded for United Friends Radio, based in Beehive Hill, Gants Hill, which is run by and aimed at people with learning disabilities.
Successful
The project will celebrate its second birthday with a party next month, and organisers say they never dreamed it would be so successful.
Dubbed the “voice of people with learning disabilities”, the show explores topics that truly affect its listeners every day.
It questions what it means to feel included in a community, what its listeners would like to change for people with learning disabilities in Redbridge, how people can gain their independence and also deal with independent living, and what love feels like.
For most, it is their first time being recorded for a radio show and an opportunity to be part of a professional setting.
CEO Russell Lerner, who founded the station, says it has been a lifeline for many of those taking part.
He said: “We have seen some people’s confidence build enormously while others have had improved reading skills.
“There have been some really positive results.
“Our members have various degrees of learning disabilities, and some need more support than others, but there is no barrier preventing them from taking part.”
One of those involved is Robert Spill, 37, of Gants Hill, who has helped broadcast since the start and is one of the original co-presenters.
He said: “Russell asked me to join as he thought that it may help build my confidence. By doing this I have become more confident and more outgoing.
“I have learned new skills and I listen to people and will ask them to explain further if I don’t understand what they say.
“I look forward to taking part every month and the radio station is exciting and is something I wouldn’t have done before.”
The project is part of a project by charity Uniting Friends, which has run schemes for adults with learning disabilities for 16 years.
Opportunity
Presenter Jez Essex said: “The radio station has exceeded expectations; now we have more than 30 people involved in each monthly broadcast.
“We wanted to give the learning disabilities community a voice as we felt there wasn’t an opportunity for them to have their say in this kind of way.
“We wanted to set up a radio station that would be fun and give people an opportunity to experience being part of a production team and learn new skills.
“Back then, we were happy to give marginalised people a voice and produce a pilot show and then when we managed to obtain funding, we realised we were on to something very special.”
People with learning disabilities are involved in every aspect of the show, from presenting on air to producing CDs of the show which are sent out to people not able to listen over the internet.
They also hosted local boy band Got the Formula, who belted out their latest single on the airwaves to listeners.
Jez added: “We have grown considerably in two years and we have also got to the stage where we preview new music and entertain celebrities.
“I’m very enthusiastic about our future indeed!”
If you would like to get involved visit www.unitingfriends.org.uk or, to listen to the show, go to www.mixcloud.com/ufradio.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here