• Output will typically comprise 70% music and 30% speech (‘speech’ excludesadvertising, programme/promotional trails and sponsor credits).

• Music output will mainly be outside the mainstream, a high percentage of this fallingunder the category of alternative or international, and less than 5% will currently be inthe top forty charts. It will include music produced by local artists and musicians, andmusic for displaced communities in additional to specific genres such as soul, rockand indie.

• Speech output will comprise community news and information, interviews anddiscussions, and occasional features on issues of local interest such as health,disability and the environment. Some programmes will be broadcast in communitylanguages addressing local community issues and news from other parts of theworld.

• Output will be broadcast in English as well as other community languages such asTurkish, Kurdish, Polish, Punjabi, Hindi/Urdu, French and African languages.Community languages featured may vary from time to time depending on communitydemand and availability of volunteers.

• The service will typically be live for at least 8 hours per day weekdays. (Liveprogramming may include pre-recorded inserts, if applicable.) The majority of theoutput will be locally produced.

• Hillz FM will target and seek to involve people facing disadvantage, social exclusion and deprivation, people from minority groups, and culturally under-represented; those who consider themselves consumers engaged with and wishing to be informed about these cultures; and persons who live in socially or linguistically isolated communities.The service seeks to provide demand- led relevant media coverage for the large number of people who are currently underserved or excluded by existing media.

• The station will provide regular opportunities for studio discussion, interviews and listener phone-ins on various topics.

• The station will run accredited courses for 10 volunteers per year (subject to funding).

• The station will run informal / unaccredited training for 30 volunteers per year.

• The station will provide training with elements such as basic skills, literacy, numeracy and ICT skills.

• The station will provide work experience placements for students / young people as and when required. (Referrals will come from local educational establishments or Connexions, for example.)

• The station will develop programming that reflects the changing needs in the target community.

• The station will facilitate raising awareness of local and community issues which affect the target audience.

• Hillz FM will occasionally include educational self-help features that will assis tindividuals or groups to manage their work lives and businesses.

• The station will provide information about local services from local statutory and volunteer agencies.

• An open membership scheme will be operated.

• The station will provide opportunities for 30 volunteers per year to work at the station in various roles including producing and presenting programmes.

• Hillz FM will work with a wide range of other agencies to provide signposting and referrals into and from our services, therefore widening access opportunities and providing support for individuals.

• Monthly meetings with the station management will be held to facilitate volunteer input into the running of the station.

• There will be occasional open days when members of the public are invited to dropin. This is also an opportunity to comment and feedback.

• Outreach programmes and taster sessions will be set up for community organisations.

• The station will establish a community action group comprising of members who have been elected from the station’s membership. The function of the group will be to feed recommendations to the station’s board.

• Annual General Meeting with the election of board of directors in addition to open meetings twice a year for station members and members of the public.

• The station will have a formal complaints procedure which will be published.

• The station will encourage feedback on air, via the website etc

• Support young people with their personal development & interpersonal skills
• More young people engaging in education and employment related activities
• Getting more young people to realize/identify their aspirations/potential

This has enabled us to continue the employment of two members of staff and occasional sessional workers who had previously been champion volunteers.

In January 2014 the stations full time broadcasting license was extended for a further five years until June 2019.

In June 2013 we received a grant from Awards for All to support a radio training outreach mentoring and befriending scheme to work with local schools identified and support the young people and help them settle within their school settings addressing language barriers and educational issues. The roles of the workers will not only support the client group in school but also in the community thus ensuring community cohesion.

In the past year we also secured funding grants through Comic Relief and Whitefriars Housing to deliver of Introduction to Radio training sessions to members of the local community and provide volunteers the opportunity to gain nationally recognised qualifications in some of the following; business admin, information advice and guidance and media communications.

Over the past year the station has provided one day work experience placements for a number of students from various schools, colleges and universities. For many this has been their first time experience in radio broadcasting.

During the school holidays we engaged with groups of local primary and secondary school pupils from new communities such as Romania and war torn countries. One group took part also in our workshops supporting the Coventry Peace Festival during Oct/Nov 2013. Learners participated in our “Rap for Peace” workshops and received mentoring support from local MC rapper & artist “Lady Feisty”.

In the past year we have worked in partnership with other local community organisations who support young people and adults with learning difficulties. One learner from the group excelled and has supported us with community outreach events is now a DJ presenter and has a regular weekly show.

In partnership with Positive Youth Foundation and Coventry Youth Service we have provided radio taster sessions for young offenders as an alternative to mainstream provision.   We have developed excellent links with Coventry University and our local F.E. Colleges two of whom operate Radio under RSL’s. Currently, we have recruited D.J’s, mentors and are in discussions about further areas of work.

Over the past 12 months the station has supported a number of local community events including a number of fundraising and talent competitions held at various locations across the city.   This helped to further extend our reach and raise the profile of the station.

• Our 6 month marketing officer placement implemented an online feedback questionnaire which will this year provide demographics, establish audience views and also develop a young people’s focus group for the station

• We continue to work with our local universities and volunteers to establish demographics about our audience e.g. age, ethnicity, popular programmes, key listening times, etc. When available these findings will further develop a marketing strategy for the station