Great Places was delighted to attend and support a special celebration hosted by ALL FM, Manchester’s award-winning community radio station, in honour of their recognition as ‘Community Radio Station of the Year’, an accolade they’ve now proudly received twice.
Held at ALL FM’s vibrant studio in Levenshulme, the event brought together a wide range of guests including volunteers, supporters, funders, and representatives from Great Places and Manchester City Council. The celebration was a heartfelt tribute to the station’s role in amplifying diverse voices and empowering individuals through radio training and community engagement.
“The true inspiration today was hearing directly from the volunteers,” said Daniel Mountford, Funding Partnerships Lead at Great Places. “Their stories show how ALL FM is more than just a radio station, but a life changing opportunity for their participants. We’re proud to support an organisation that gives a voice to those who might otherwise go unheard.”
The event spotlighted five volunteers whose journeys with ALL FM reflect the station’s ethos of inclusion, growth and creativity. From Mark, who joined just six months ago, to Vicky, a presenter for 25 years, each story illustrated how ALL FM helps individuals overcome self-doubt, build confidence and develop new skills.
Volunteers like Frankie and Louise represent Manchester’s Latin American and Chinese communities, while Lornnah, who joined during lockdown, now hosts the popular Friday Drivetime show. Their reflections were powerful:
“I never thought I could be on the radio. I thought you had to be important. So, does that make me important?”
“I thought I’d come for the first day and then leave. That was three years ago.”
“It’s so important what ALL FM does—giving a platform for communities to speak is vital.”
ALL FM’s training programmes are designed to be inclusive and supportive, with each participant guided by a professional Radio Trainer and a Support Worker. The training covers everything from designing a show and conducting interviews to operating the studio desk and software. But the benefits go far beyond technical skills, participants gain confidence and communication abilities.
“We provide an atmosphere where we encourage you to make mistakes,” said Ed Connole, Director at ALL FM. “The training is informal, friendly and supportive. We want to hear your voice on ALL FM.”
Each year, around 100 new individuals are trained, with many of them going on to host their own shows. The average cost of a training project is around £4,000 and donations and sponsorships play a vital role in sustaining this work.
Great Places support
Great Places is proud to be working with ALL FM to explore new ways of attracting donations and sponsorships that will help expand the station’s reach and deepen its impact. These funds support not only the training programmes but also contribute to the station’s running costs, ensuring it remains a vital resource for Manchester’s communities.
“It was a truly uplifting way to end the week” said Alison Dean, Chief Executive of Great Places, who also attended the event. “So inspiring to hear the stories of the volunteer presenters and the difference that ALL FM has made in their lives. It was really good to hear from Ed as well that having partners collaborate to co-create projects in addition to providing funding makes a meaningful difference”.
ALL FM is open to building flexible, long-term partnerships with organisations that share its values. Whether through joint delivery of services, commissioned engagement, or using radio to amplify events and consultations, the station is eager to collaborate in ways that benefit the wider community.
As ALL FM continues to grow, its mission remains clear: to be a platform for diverse voices, a training ground for future broadcasters and a catalyst for positive change. Great Places is proud to stand alongside ALL FM in this journey, supporting their work and celebrating their well-deserved recognition.
Learn more about ALL FM programmes at:
