We take pride in sharing the stories of our people and the passions they enjoy outside of work. At RiskSTOP Group, we are lucky to have a diverse and talented team, each with their own unique skills and interests. From artists and athletes to musicians and community workers, our colleagues bring a wealth of experiences that enrich our workplace.
Our latest People at the Heart podcast episode features Craig Andrews, who balances his career in risk management with his love for community radio.
A Passion for Broadcasting
Craig first got into radio during his school years, and his passion for broadcasting has stayed with him ever since. After a three-year break, he returned to Air 107.2, a community radio station in Weymouth and Portland, where he again found himself drawn to the excitement of live broadcasting. In the podcast, he shares what brought him back and what makes radio such a fulfilling part of his life.
But what exactly makes live radio so enticing? Listen now to find out:
The transcript for this podcast is available below.
Stepping back into radio wasn’t something Craig planned, but the opportunity arose, and he found himself drawn back in. He encourages others to revisit old passions and embrace new experiences. Could there be something waiting for you to rediscover?
If you’ve ever wanted to get involved in community radio, Air 107.2 is always looking for new volunteers. Whether you want to present, help with social media, or support behind the scenes, there’s a place for you. You can contact Craig directly via email here.
Transcript
Jo Camp 00:00
Hi everyone, I'm Jo Camp, and welcome to another episode of people at the heart, the podcast where we dive into serious and light hearted conversations with our team here at RiskSTOP Group. Today, I'm thrilled to welcome Craig from RiskSTOP. He's here to share his inspiring story about rediscovering his love for radio presenting. After stepping away for 3 years in 2020, Craig has been back on the airways for nearly a year now, and has some great insights to share on how things have changed and what keeps him motivated. Craig, thanks so much for joining us. It's a pleasure to have you here. Can you tell me, how did it all start?
Craig Andrews 00:35
Yeah, I've always been interested in radio, and I don't really know why. I think we've all done it when, when the top 40 was on on a Sunday, on our little tape desk recorder. We've always done that. Then when I was at school, I helped set up the school radio. And then the guy who was doing that then moved, and then he saw me in a previous job and said, are you still interested? I'm setting another one up. And yeah, the rest, as they say.
Jo Camp 00:58
So why, radio?
Craig Andrews 01:00
I don't know, and I knew you were going to ask me that. And I've be trying to work it out. I don't really know. I wish I had some backstory, like, 'oh, when I was a boy, I listened to this'. I just always enjoyed, just always enjoyed it. And like I said, I've never really thought too much about it. But obviously, when we were at school and I helped out in school radio, I was like, 'Okay, this is alright'. And then again, didn't really think much more of it, because it's probably one of the most difficult fields to get into if you want to do it professionally. It's not really something I pursued that hard, but I've just always sort of had a nice interest in being in a room on a microphone talking.
Jo Camp 01:36
Handy that you've come on the podcast today, then! So what is it that you get from presenting radio that keeps you coming back?
Craig Andrews 01:44
I enjoy the adrenaline rush of live radio because you have to, you've got several things going on at the same time. You've got to keep an eye on timings. What's going on, what you're saying, what you're going to say next, your voice is, you're kind of talking as you're thinking the next thing to say. So there's a little bit of jeopardy in that. I think there's a bit of a buzz from it, like everything you do, I suppose, some people play football, they get the adrenaline. Some people dance, they get adrenaline. And it's just a bit of a rush, the jeopardy of what's gonna happen, I suppose.
Jo Camp 01:45
So is it something you teach yourself in your own personal time?
Craig Andrews 02:07
I'm one of the trainers at the station because [of my] experience and, yeah, it's usually because I just kind of know how to work everything. Yeah, I'm quite good at training. I don't know why. People just have, I have this weird calming ability on people, apparently.
Jo Camp 02:27
So did you do this at college?
Craig Andrews 02:30
I did media, and it wasn't really much.
Jo Camp 02:33
But you've just picked it up as you've gone along?
Craig Andrews 02:35
A lot of it, we've sort of learned the basics. It's all self sufficient, you're your own presenter, producer, editor. You get your own news and, you get your own stuff to talk about. It's not like going to Radio 1 and they go, here's a producer, you just shut up and talk. Here's it all for you. You know, we've learned how to edit, we've learned news, how to mic craft, if you will. What to say, what not to say, how to say it, roller coasters and all that nonsense.
Jo Camp 03:03
With the taking the break. Was there any time that you felt that you were missing out from that? How did you feel within that break, was there something that then reignited in you to want to come back?
Craig Andrews 03:14
It was the director, Sharon. She sort of joined the station. She knew I'd been involved considerably before she joined. So she just reached out. And she was just chatting to me about, here's kind of what I'm trying to do. And I was like, 'Yeah, alright', the station's always had, obviously, because I've been involved since the start, it's always had a bit of a, it's my station. It's like, my baby. So it's always had a little bit of that. And I was just like, 'You know what? Yeah, let's get it back to where it was'.
Jo Camp 03:22
So can you tell us more about the station, what its purpose is? And what it's there for?
Craig Andrews 03:46
Yeah, I mean, it's on FM in Weymouth and Portland. It is a community station, which means it's run by volunteers. We've all got day jobs. Hence this conversation. And it's just basically, the whole purpose of community radio station, and obviously Air in particular, it's just a focus on the community. So this just allows us to broadcast local content for Weymouth and Portland and its interest to them and get them involved. And yeah, to be almost like a little sounding board for the local community, almost just like a big notice board that you pin events on, or this is happening, and we're just sort of the voice of the community. So really, we appeal to everyone, but Air is all inclusive radio, so that covers every every age group, every gender, every thing, really. Whatever you would, whatever box you want to put yourself in, we try and cater for you.
Jo Camp 04:35
So what does it involve the radio station?
Craig Andrews 04:39
There's music, lots of music. We've got some specialist shows, which perhaps focus on certain types of music, or certain eras of music. Obviously, you've got me with sports, you've got just got some sort of general shows. We've got a drive time show, breakfast show, it's just a lot of the shows are just general. It's like a voice-in-the-background-while-you're-working type vibe. Music playing. Just interject it with some chit-chat and some local news and events to keep people up to date on what's going on locally. But yeah, we cover lots of things. I'm always looking for more as well, because I know not everyone's into sport. Weymouth and Portland is such a diverse area in terms of people and what's going on really, that even we're not on top of all of it. So yeah, we cover all sorts and always looking for more.
Jo Camp 05:23
Yeah, more volunteers for the radio station and content?
Craig Andrews 05:26
Yeah more volunteers. More content. No, it's not just presenting. I think we've, I've said this loads of times, all the time when I'm on air, if anyone's ever had the pleasure of hearing when I bang on about all the time, it's not just presenting. Because I know everyone, some people get a microphone in their face and panic, and I've seen it. I've been in the room.
Jo Camp 05:43
Especially live as well!
Craig Andrews 05:44
Yeah, that's what I mean, the liveness as well. But I mean, yeah, there's always, it's the same as any business almost. You always need social media people, events people. That's a big one, because we're trying to get out and be a bit more visible in events, brand, marketing, social media, you know, all the usual stuff. So if you've got anything like that, or if you think you might have a skill set that might help us, even stuff like finance, maybe, if anyone's got any sort of accountancy background, that'd be ideal.
Jo Camp 06:11
And would you have a like, a favorite moment or experience that you've had over your years of volunteering at the station that you can maybe inspire someone to join.
Craig Andrews 06:26
That is a question that is. I think our launch day back in 2013 that was a nice one, because we had a big thing on the beach, and a lot of people were there, and it was kind of like, hi, look at us. That was quite fun.
Jo Camp 06:37
To see the faces of the community.
Craig Andrews 06:38
Yeah, yeah. Exactly, I like being out and about. To be fair, it's quite nice because I'm down at the Weymouth football stadium a lot at the moment when they're home, and it's just nice being visible and out in there and sort of seeing the people that we're essentially talking to, I suppose.
Jo Camp 06:53
How do you feel that the impact of the radio station has on the community?
Craig Andrews 06:59
I think it's positive. I do think it's a positive thing, and I think people do appreciate the localness of it. That's the general feedback, because it's very specific. Which you don't always get anywhere on the news or on the internet and TV and stuff. So I think being able to have that impact in the community, here's what's going on, here's what we're doing. We're broadcasting from live. You know, if you see us, say hello, kind of thing.
Jo Camp 07:23
We've spoken in the office before of how you volunteer and the radio station and how your role has developed over time. And how is that now, and what does the radio station run on and need to make sure that it keeps supporting the community?
Craig Andrews 07:45
I would actually say the volunteers will keep it going as best we can. Whether that's just being on air, whether that's just behind the scenes trying to keep things moving, it's dedicated volunteers. Because, like I say, we all do it in our spare time. Local people getting involved, crew, especially businesses like I say, to keep the money always money, because it's self funding. That's a big one, because that's another reason. That's another difference between us and someone like Wessex FM or Greatest Hits. We are self funded. We're not for profit. So obviously, none of us get paid and any advertising or sponsorship or even donations, if people are feeling really generous, that's a big one. We're always needing, you know, adverts and stuff. If people want 30 seconds of fame on the radio every couple of hours, and the community still wanting us.
Jo Camp 08:32
How many volunteers are at the radio station?
Craig Andrews 08:34
It's around about 20 to 25 ish in all varying guises. There's a few newbies that we're waiting to train. There's some old heads. But yeah, about 20 to 25 at the moment.
Jo Camp 08:45
And it's varied for all ages?
Craig Andrews 08:47
Yeah, exactly all inclusive radio at the moment. So, you know, ideally 18 plus, because it's a bit easier for obviously, safeguarding and stuff like that. But equally, if you're interested or you know somebody who might be, or you've got a child that's interested, come and speak to me. Or if you've got a grandparent or a parent that's interested, well, just apply. Or come and speak to me on how to apply. And yeah, we'll get you in for an interview, and take it from there.
Jo Camp 09:11
Nice. So having a break and then going back to it. Has it made you realise that you've been missing it?
Craig Andrews 09:18
I think I did miss it. I don't know if I realised it, because, like I said, it just got a bit, it had become, 'oh, I'm just doing it. I've done it, this is just another radio'. And I think I just got to that point after COVID, I was like, this is just what, you know, I just needed to, I'd run my course for that bit, took a step back and just did events. And then I was still involved. And then, like I said, the more Sharon was in my ear. And I was like, You know what? Yeah, let's do it.
Jo Camp 09:20
So there's a lot of personal growth and satisfaction that you get?
Craig Andrews 09:41
Yeah, I enjoy it. I'm not the best at it, but I'm certainly not the worst. It's difficult to explain it unless you do it, but you've got so many things going on. You're looking at screens. What's next? What you're going to say, trying to sort of structure it as you're talking, quite a lot. Because it's live like I say, things happen. To the best of your ability, things go wrong, or something goes a little bit weird, or, you know, your brain kind of goes and then, yeah, so I think I did kind of miss that.
Jo Camp 10:12
It's a challenge. This will give you a different challenge.
Craig Andrews 10:14
Yeah, yeah. It's just the adrenaline, I think, because I know it's, it's quite important, because we're Ofcom regulated as well. So we've always got one eye on what you're saying, what you're talking about. Can I say this? Probably not. I'll shut up. That's quite a lot, quite a lot of what happens.
Jo Camp 10:31
I could never do live!
Craig Andrews 10:32
Yeah, no, it's a different beast. Lives different, completely different. I love it.
Jo Camp 10:36
Would your message be to people to, if there's something that you find challenging and scary, still put yourself out there and give it a go. What's the worst [that can happen]?
Craig Andrews 10:47
Yeah, I mean, I would say so, because like I say, anything like, or anything you do, there's going to be people that are more experienced at it who aren't going to let you fail, if that makes sense. I think, push yourself, because chances are, especially if you've done it before and you've done it before, and you've taken a break from it for a while, you've done it, the mental hurdle is different. I agree that was a tough one for me as well. That mental [block], like, I can do it. And then I was like, well, but I've done it, did it for 10 years. Just, shut up and get on with it kind of thing. Just push yourself, you know, go, You know what? I'm going to give it a go again. I enjoyed that and just life in general, if you've done something. Pre-COVID especially, because that killed it for a lot of people, a lot of people I know that stopped doing things because it all closed down and haven't gone back to it, just go back to it. Set aside a day. I'm gonna do it that day. Just go and do it.
Jo Camp 11:36
That's excellent advice, definitely. And I suppose like you say, where it's community you've all got each other's support.
Craig Andrews 11:42
Yeah, we're not gonna, we're all in it together. You know, where we support each other. We jump in and help if we need, if someone's struggling. You know, life happens. We all try and help each other and cover shows if we need to, because life happens.
Jo Camp 11:55
And what would you say to any colleague here at RiskSTOP that has a story like you have come on and talk about.
Craig Andrews 12:03
Come and do it, just do it, don't worry about it. Just come and do it. Jo's lovely. But, yeah, there's no pressure. I would, I would just do it. Because you never know somebody else might think 'Oh, that's a great thing'.
Jo Camp 12:16
Spark something else.
Craig Andrews 12:19
You might spark something. Yeah, exactly. Yeah, for sure, for sure.
Jo Camp 12:20
We've got so many people here with great interest and hobbies and knowledge. That don't even know until you start asking them to come out and talk about it.
Craig Andrews 12:31
There's lots of people you just chat to and you're like, 'Oh, okay, that's the talking point'. It's a conversation starter at the very least. And like you say, you might inspire somebody to do it as well.
Jo Camp 12:40
Well thank you very much for joining us, Craig, and inspiring us to not necessarily, maybe do radio necessarily, butsomething else that you've been thinking about picking up again. Amazing. Thank you so much again, Craig for sharing your story. If you've been inspired by Craig's story and want to get involved in radio, Air 107.2 is always looking for new talent. Whether you're local to Weymouth and Portland areas or even further afield, they'd love to hear from you. Follow us on our socials, stay updated with new episodes, stories and opportunities to get involved. We'll be back soon with all kinds of things to talk about and a variety of guests. And remember, here at RiskSTOP Group, it's all about keeping people safe and secure and believing in our social responsibility and sustainability. Thank you, everyone for listening and goodbye for now.
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