"We are Community Builders, Part of The Fabric": A Review of Community Radio

5 FINDINGS - VOLUNTEERS

Introduction

5.1 The second survey in phase two was designed to elicit views from volunteers on their experience of volunteering at a community radio or small scale independent radio station in Scotland. The survey looked at volunteer roles and experience, benefits, training, good practice and further support. The survey received 91 responses. There were thirteen participants in the volunteer focus group. The focus group enquired in more detail about participant's involvement as volunteers, training experiences, challenges for the sector and the SCBN.

Context - volunteer roles and recruitment

5.2 It is clear from responses that community radio volunteers often take on a number of different roles within their station, the most prominent of which is presenting. Relatively few of the high number of presenters appear to be engaged with journalistic tasks which perhaps reflects a balance of programming in favour of content of a spontaneous rather than informed nature. Table four summarises volunteer roles in community radio as declared in the volunteer survey.

Table three: Volunteer roles

Volunteer roles	Number of individuals fulfilling these roles (as a % of 91 responses)
Presenting	96
Producing	40
General volunteering	24
Fundraising	17
Journalism	14
Other	12
Engineering	10
Administration	9
Marketing	8
HR (human resources)	3

5.3 Fundraising activities register slightly above journalism, and interestingly, fundraising effort also involves more volunteers than marketing work. Other activities undertaken by volunteers included board membership, web development, trainee mentor, audio editing, supporting youth and pensioner work and co-presenting.

5.4 The majority of volunteers give up between one to six hours of their time to community radio per week. Understandably the number of volunteers undertaking more hours than this drops considerably (see below).

Table four: Volunteer hours per week

Hours volunteered	Number of individuals (out of a possible 91 responses)
1-2	22
3-4	28
5-6	17
7-8	5
9-10	5
11-12	4
13-14	0
15-16	1
17-18	0
19-20	4
30+	2

Responses indicate the number of voluntary hours individual respondents undertake per week

5.5 Length of service is similarly weighted towards the lower end of the spectrum with over 70 of the 91 survey respondents indicating that they have volunteered for up to 4 years.

Getting involved

5.6 The majority (65%) of respondents to the survey did not have any broadcasting experience when they first became a community radio volunteer. Word of mouth is the most common means (54%) by which individuals become involved as a community radio volunteer. While 13% of volunteers become involved as a result of listening to the station, a lesser number 4% did so having taken a related education/training course. Other forms of introduction such as being a guest on a show, through the church and community jobs, or as a result of looking for a job in radio, accounted for how 34% of volunteers got involved in community radio. There was some discussion in the focus groups about how to involve more volunteers, and it was found that while some stations had a lot of volunteers, others struggled to recruit enough of them. It was also felt that too many volunteers want to be presenters which results in other roles being underrepresented.

The difference volunteering makes to volunteer's lives

5.7 When asked what they liked about being involved in community radio, focus group participants said that they enjoyed giving people a voice, bringing people together, getting involved for the community, giving something back and helping vulnerable and less able people. One respondent felt there was "a lot of glamour attached to radio" which he liked. Others said becoming a focal point and having your finger on the pulse of the community were of benefit. The appeal of community radio across all ages was also appreciated, particularly in terms of the ways in which young people are able to develop new skills and build confidence. Dislikes included board meetings and internal politics/governance issues.

5.8 The volunteer survey revealed considerable convergence of opinion about the benefits of volunteering for those involved. In approximate order of priority, benefits included: satisfaction resulting from contributing to one's local community; being a part of something and developing new friendships; gaining confidence; developing new skills and learning; the pleasure of taking part and the hope this brings; being given something constructive to do; increasing professional, communication and public speaking skills; providing specialist music programmes; gaining and sharing knowledge; improved mental and physical health; enabling creative expression; providing opportunities for ex-professionals to maintain involvement in broadcasting and; enabling career development.

5.9 As with the focus groups, satisfaction gained from making a contribution and giving something back to the local community was very apparent in the survey responses. Volunteers talked of having "A big satisfaction that I am doing something for our community". Others remarked that; "I enjoy it and it gives something back to the community" and "I get to be involved in a worthwhile community project, and I love it!".

5.10 Although their engagement is clearly altruistic, volunteers also acknowledged that they gain a lot personally from taking part, particularly through the development of new friendships. The importance of meeting like minded people, being part of something and sharing their music was consistently for-grounded. Involvement in community radio is seen to enrich personal involvement with volunteers' communities.

5.11 Volunteers testified that being involved with community radio has made them feel more self assured:

"It has boosted my confidence immensely"

"It has given me self-confidence, provided me with new skills and challenged me to push the boundaries back"

"Since joining the station I feel more confident about myself, giving me the ability to believe in myself"

"Has really gave me focus and confidence back into my life and helped so much with talking to/with others, i.e. has gave me a voice, a great sense of self worth is experienced from doing the volunteering at [station] and I can honestly say has made me an all round better person".

5.12 An unemployed volunteer testified that:

"From complete technophobe to highly proficient computer user; including editing, research and downloading/uploading, and in general, an easiness with computer technology. Becoming comfortable with a mike has increased my presentation skills, and volunteering for community radio 'gets me out of the house' and meeting people. Finally, it gives me the feeling that I am contributing to the community"

5.13 Volunteers also value the skills they have gained and regard community radio as an educational enterprise which tests and draws out previously unrecognised abilities:

"It involves planning, preparation and delivery in an intense short space of time. It's a rewarding discipline. It is educational"

"it has made me learn to value and discover skills that I have and didn't realise"

5.14 For some participants, community radio seems to provide a sanctuary from their ordinary lives, providing valuable space to pursue their own interests and passions and to simply have fun. Community radio:

"... gives me something to look forward to each week"

"[is] a great outlet to follow my passion in broadcasting and playing good music that I can share with others"

"Gives me a bit of Me time"

"I love it, it's great fun"

"Allows me to enjoy good music"

5.15 Community radio also provides structure and purpose to the lives of volunteers. As one volunteer said, "It has given a focus, something with goals in retirement". In the words of another, "it gives me something to do in my spare time". A number of ex professional broadcasters highlighted how their involvement has enabled them to keep in touch with former colleagues and enjoy taking part as a hobby.

5.16 Increased communication and public speaking skills were mentioned as benefits resulting from volunteering. The central role played by music as a way of communicating with listeners and colleagues was repeatedly highlighted, particularly in relation to how community radio nurtures specialist music tastes:

"the main difference is meeting other singers I hadn't seen for years who come in for interviews, which has led to working together again. Also, I love interviewing and of course, enjoy the music. It is also great to hear how healthy the singer/songwriter fraternity has become and to work for a station which gives every encouragement"

5.17 It is apparent that taking part in community radio production has had a profound significance for some volunteers, helping them to cope with difficult personal circumstances:

"At the time my friend got me involved, I was suffering from depression and panic attacks. I also care for my disabled son 24/7. So volunteering got me out of the house, gave me something to do and a new circle of friends. I felt it was something for ME [respondent's emphasis]".

"Being involved at [station name] is like a life line to me. I had a bad accident and can't get full time work, and my mood was so low. I became a volunteer and bang I now feel I have more confidence and a bit more get up and go". [Station name] is one of my saviours of my sanity"

5.18 The value placed on being involved is well summarised by the comment from one, presumably young, volunteer that "I might keep the radio on in later life". The testimonies above eloquently illustrate the point made in the literature review that community radio should be recognised for the contribution it makes to the lives of those who participate as well as for the pleasure it brings to listeners.

Listener benefits

5.19 Focus groups participants were asked how they think listeners benefit from the service and they discussed how community members could hear themselves represented, the radio could bring communities and their music together and promote local culture and events. This local rather than Scotland wide focus was seen as being beneficial, for example with the coverage of local sport and recording of school concerts.

Volunteer training, involvement and support

5.20 Volunteer training provision varies considerably between stations, with some survey volunteers testifying that their stations provided them with none or minimal training. Others said they had received "thorough" training and a "whole host of training". One volunteer had undergone a 12 week training course, for example. Volunteer training needs also vary depending on previous experience. A number of individuals indicated that they did not need any training as they had sufficient previous experience. One volunteer had undertaken radio studies at college, for example. Appendix three details the training participants have received as community radio volunteers.

5.21 Survey results indicate that the quality of training is also inconsistent across the sector. It is apparent that a number of volunteers have had to use their own initiative and pick up skills 'on the job' and also that training is delivered by other volunteers:

"School of hard knocks! Learning on the job"

"I am very good at picking things up, am technical minded and therefore have taught myself a lot about the stations"

"… in many ways we were the station's pioneers, learning as we went along through trial and error"

"… Most of it has been self taught"

"Some help with on-air and recording from other volunteers".

5.22 A focus group participant explained that managers were doing as much as they could, however. One survey volunteer received training from other providers and at events such as the Highlands and Islands Community Broadcasting Annual Conference. One other had trained at another radio station.

5.23 Other survey volunteers had much more positive experiences:

"The training is first class. If you are a complete novice you would be expecting to be actively involved in broadcasting shortly after signing up. I have been there two years and still get coached on different and changing aspects of the station. There is always room for improvement".

"… many other skills too numerous to mention. A very thorough course"

"Extensive training in most aspects of production and control of broadcasts"

"… Help is always at hand if required".

5.24 Refresher courses were available to some volunteers to ensure skills levels are maintained. However, it was also acknowledged that improvements could be made to volunteer training:

"As a station we need to develop better training for new volunteers"

5.25 Even when training is available, time restraints can inhibit the ability to take up opportunities - "Plenty [of training] is offered, however, time constraints have made this impossible to take up".

5.26 When asked about the quality of the training they have received, 51% of volunteers surveyed said it had been excellent and 29% thought their training had been good. Consistent with this approval, over half of volunteers (59%) would like to receive more training at their radio station. A further 18%, however, felt their training had been okay or not very good and a minority (2%) confirmed it had been poor. Only 9% testified that they would not like to have any more training, whereas a significant number indicated they would like to receive some training from another station (30%) and/or take part in broadcast training provided by another education/training institution (38%).

5.27 Volunteer respondents were most interested in gaining more skills around broadcast delivery and engineering: interviewing (68 %); producing (60%); presenting (60%); engineering (38%) and; journalism (26%). Learning how to train volunteers was also a popular training need (29%). This was followed by gaining marketing skills (21%), fundraising (19%), administration (11%), staff management (10%) and human resource skills (7%). A small number (4%) of other areas such as writing for radio, editing and youth work training were also mentioned.

5.28 In order to ascertain what significance volunteers may apply to their training in terms of any wider potential career ambitions, we asked respondents whether they would like the training they receive to be accredited as part of a qualification of some kind. Just over half (53%) indicated they would like this and around a quarter (26%) were not interested in gaining qualifications as a result of volunteer training. There was a general consensus within the focus groups that volunteering would be improved by the introduction of in-house qualifications and accredited training. One suggestion was for community radio to promote access to Independent Learning Accounts. Another was for the sector itself to award certificates of completion for volunteers undertaking training in community radio.

5.29 According to volunteer survey respondents, a high proportion (around 80%) of community radio stations offer induction training and have volunteer guidelines and procedures. About half of respondents said their stations also have a standardised approach to dealing with volunteers. The availability of human resource support is low (16%), and under half of stations have a complaints procedure, however. This may be due to lack of capacity and knowledge about how to set up such procedures and practices. Although low interest in developing human resource skills imply these functions are not seen as a priority among the volunteer community. Around a quarter of stations provide volunteer expenses which could mean that such subsidies are not necessary for most, or that stations are not able to accommodate this expense within their overall running costs. There is scope to improve the strategic, longer term and developmental support given to volunteers.

5.30 Whilst around 60% of volunteers report that their stations have regular staff/volunteer meetings, under half (42%) of volunteers have access to structured opportunities to be involved in decision making at their station. This implies there may be scope for improving how volunteers are involved in decision making within individual stations. Just over half of stations provide management support to volunteers, a situation which may be exacerbated by the fact that only 45% have a volunteer manager/coordinator. Again this could be due to lack of time and resources rather than poor organisational planning.

5.31 Similarly, attention could be given to ensuring more stations develop volunteer management programmes with aims and objectives for the entire volunteer resource and also individual volunteer plans. Survey respondents indicated that 36% and 29% of their stations (respectively) engaging in such work. The effective monitoring and evaluation of volunteering activities could benefit from further development (33% of respondents indicated their station did not undertake this).

5.32 The above findings suggest that community radio stations are functioning very well in relation to volunteer induction, guidelines and procedures, but that they either lack the motivation, resources and/or skills to provide further volunteer support in some other areas. Provision of volunteer expenses and structured opportunities for volunteers to be involved in decision making could be improved upon. Just under half of respondents said their station has a volunteer manager/coordinator and perhaps as a result of this, around two thirds thought their stations did not have volunteer management programmes in place. A similar number stated their stations do not effectively monitor and evaluate volunteering activities.

Volunteers' aims and priorities

5.33 In the survey we also asked volunteers whether they regarded their overall involvement with community radio as an end in itself or as a way of progressing onto further things. Just under half of survey respondents (49%) saw their involvement as an end in itself and were not interested in it leading to anything else in career or educational terms. A significant proportion of volunteers would like their involvement to be a way of progressing a career in broadcasting (43%) and/or a career outside broadcasting (21%), however. This implies that whilst volunteering may be altruistic in many ways, it also has a strategic career oriented function for the majority (64%) of volunteers. A further 16% would like their involvement to contribute to movement into more education/training. Community radio was regarded by focus group participants as one of the only avenues available for getting into wider broadcasting.

5.34 When asked to comment on what they think works well for them as volunteers, respondents most commonly cited the freedom they are given to select and present their own material as being most valuable. They also appreciated the freedom to express their own ideas, and suggested that these conditions were not available in commercial radio. Their comments confirm observations by Elson (2007: 32) and Cammaerts (2009:3) on how community radio in the West creates space free from commercial interests and provides a local alternative to commercial broadcasting. Relatedly, a number of volunteers noted how they felt trusted and appreciated and said that this was important to them.

"All staff members seem to value your input and the shows I am involved with are not restricted or strictly structured. You are allowed to pretty much be yourself, not just a voice and a playlist".

5.35 The second priority for volunteers was the sense of camaraderie and togetherness which prevails in many community radio stations. Working in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and the sheer enjoyment of producing the shows were valued highly. Volunteers cited their relationships with management and other volunteers and support and guidance they were given as following on from this in importance.

5.36 Having the opportunity to contribute new ideas, being listened to, voting on decisions and engaging with a breadth of issues through their shows were all mentioned as priorities. The variety of people they meet, their involvement with members of the community and how inclusive their stations were highlighted as being significant to them.

5.37 Flexibility in terms of programming and the demands placed on volunteers were mentioned by a number of respondents. This enabled volunteers to develop their own programming style and structure their engagement around other work commitments. The provision of training, the wide range of opportunities and ability to learn new skills were also widely appreciated. The sense of achievement and improved confidence resulting from this was noted.

5.38 A number of management approaches were mentioned as being effective. These included: the provision of regular staff/volunteer meetings; an ongoing support programme; monitoring (not specified) and; a standardised approach to dealing with volunteers. Finally, individual volunteers cited funding, having something to do, interviewing guests and presenting, and having the space to develop one's own skills as being significant to them.

What could be improved to make volunteering more successful?

5.39 Volunteers highlighted a wide range of practical measures which they thought would help to improve the effectiveness of volunteering practice at their individual radio stations. It is worth noting that 11 respondents (out of 91) indicated that they could not think of any improvements their station could introduce to make volunteering more successful. Of those who made suggestions, a significant number outlined how they thought the volume, resourcing and organising of training could be improved. In addition to specific kinds of training they would like to receive, volunteers also thought there should be more and regular training, more trainers, formalised training structures, better support with training and improved training resources. The need to provide accredited training was also mentioned, as was the establishment of a clear line of progression from volunteering to professional broadcasting.

5.40 Although the adequacy of facilities and equipment were mentioned, less comment was received on these areas than might have been expected. Not so for funding, where a number of volunteers identified specific areas where more funding was required, namely in relation to expenses, programme content, studio improvements and equipment, and purchase of CDs.

5.41 A number of volunteers thought that they would benefit from increased support from management and directors. Frequent meetings were raised as one possible mechanism in this regard, as was improved volunteer involvement with management. The potential to improve internal communications as well as marketing were also identified as a priority. Similarly, Clayton and McDonald (2006: 17) highlighted how poor marketing among UK stations results in poor visibility. More decisive leadership was also highlighted by volunteers. Regular feedback, appreciation and recognition were seen as lacking by other volunteers.

5.42 Attention was drawn to whether the institutional structures and procedures which underpin individual stations are professional and coherent enough. It was felt by some that a more business-like approach should be adopted and that specific improvements could be made to the range of procedures available, accountability processes and roles and responsibilities. Similar concerns about governance and management skills were identified in the literature review. In addition to this, the lack of administration resources, particularly in relation to staff time, were also mentioned. It was felt by some volunteers that additional staff are also required to ease workload and co-ordinate volunteers.

5.43 Respondents also suggested ways in which relationships with other volunteers could potentially be improved. Ideas included holding more volunteer meetings, establishing a volunteer group, increasing the number of volunteers working on back office functions, and devising off-air schedules to structure volunteer time. Others felt that increased interaction between presenters would improve volunteering experience, as would additional help with managing and securing guests.

5.44 Programme output could be improved by having more defined programme plans and increased assistance with programme content. One volunteer called for hourly news and weather updates as a specific content recommendation. It was suggested by others that community involvement could be increased by holding more road shows. Doubt was cast on whether stations have a clear enough understanding of their listeners numbers and profile.

What external support is required?

5.45 Although the survey question on external support requirements invited respondents to think of potential areas of support which did not include funding, a significant number of them felt that funding was so important that it could not be excluded from their response. Similarly, focus group participants also emphasised how central they felt funding is to the future of community radio. One participant said that "We are living month to month. Volunteers are dipping into their pockets".

5.46 It was suggested that something could be done to alleviate start up costs and the burden of licence fees (estimated at £6,000 per year), utility bills and transmission fees. The 50% cap on advertising revenue was regarded as arbitrary and it was suggested that this could be removed. Focus group participants suggested that assistance from either the Scottish Government or local councils with accessing other sources of national and local funding would be beneficial. They felt that they were not aware of what funding opportunities were out there, how to access these or who to get assistance from.

5.47 A number of focus group participants and survey respondents raised concerns about signal allocation and requested larger coverage as well as the opportunity to broadcast on FM rather than AM/MED. However, while one focus group participant said that FM with a sensible power would resolve these difficulties, another pointed out that young people now listen through a plethora of different platforms such as mobile phones rather than automatically using FM. Access to emerging platforms such as Freeview and mobile phones were also raised, as was switching to digital radio (DAB). There were concerns about how regulatory decisions affect Scotland, for example in relation to spectrum allocations.

5.48 Survey respondents voiced concern about definition and profile and thought that community radio would benefit from more publicity in order to increase awareness within local communities, with local businesses, and among national and local politicians. Local businesses could, for example, play community radio on their premises in order to increase their involvement with the sector. It was felt that local politicians and local authorities could also assist with raising the profile of community radio.

5.49 Concern was expressed by respondents about the need to increase support from local communities and encourage them to become more involved. Specific attention was drawn to the need to involve young people in decision making within stations. Better links with community groups was seen as one possible way of engaging local people, as was more active promotion of community radio by local bodies such as the council. Assistance from local press to provide local content and undertake cross-promotion was also put forward.

5.50 Attention was drawn to the lack of awareness of the community radio sector among advertisers and it was suggested the sector would benefit from support with securing commercial advertising revenues. Survey respondents would like greater flexibility in relation to advertising levels and also for bigger more established radio stations to advertise community radio. It was felt that consistent paid for public service messaging would be beneficial. Volunteers also called for input from external marketing experts.

5.51 A number of suggestions from survey respondents focussed on ways of promoting more effective interchange between community radio stations. A forum or base for community radio stations to interact with each other was suggested. Further ideas included; an improved networking system to allow sharing of materials and shows; a database with information and help; a skills exchange system whereby volunteer skills can to recruited to assist other stations and; a common event.

5.52 Volunteers were also concerned to improve links with and access to professional broadcasters in order to benefit from programme production, engineering, journalism and presenting expertise. It was suggested by respondents that such assistance could be in the form of workshops or other training sessions or by highly experienced individuals helping to monitor community radio provision and provide constructive support. A number of practical suggestions were also put forward in relation to the wider public broadcast sector. These included: help to integrate with other forms of broadcasting; increased coverage in other media passing free air time over to community radio programmes; a hand-down of redundant equipment; access to local news feeds; links to public broadcast material and; permission to run repeats of BBC Scotland archive material. The support required from the profit based sector consisted of celebrity promotions and free CDs from major record labels and programme listings in newspapers. A plea was also made for other media outlets to support community radio rather than regard it as a competitor.

5.53 Training provision was cited as a leading priority by focus group participants and survey respondents, and it was felt that more could be done to monitor training and provide training in presenting, management and governance skills. It was suggested in the survey responses that this could be delivered using peripatetic trainers running evening classes, or through training days and mentoring programmes, for example. Concern was expressed to improve links with colleges and universities in order to secure further training options for volunteers. Specific ideas from the survey were to offer free media training at college level, to provide places at university for bright students to progress careers in radio and journalism. A particular priority was to certify volunteer training in order to ensure learning is linked to recognised qualifications. Support with training from professional broadcasters was also mentioned as a priority.

5.54 A number of survey volunteers were interested in opening up opportunities to progress from volunteering into paid employment in the broadcasting sector. It was felt that this could in part be achieved by building active migration routes with public sector and commercial broadcasting institutions. Increased support from these two sectors would need to be secured in order to establish these links. This may be an area where national and local government could provide assistance.

5.55 Volunteer respondents thought that community radio would benefit from more support from MSPs and the Scottish Parliament as well as national and local Government. This would help to increase the visibility of the sector. More hands-on support from the Scottish Government was requested, for example through provision of a broadcasting champion in Government. Local councillors were also called on to do their bit in practical ways by ensuring stations are invited to local events and providing content for local public service based programmes.

5.56 The current balance of programme content was questioned by a few survey respondents who felt that output could be improved by achieving a better balance between chat/pop and drama/comedy. An increase in local news and 'What's on' shows would also ensure a more satisfactory balance of material. One suggestion was to establish a content exchange which would operate as a platform for volunteers to meet, exchange content and co-present programmes with their regional counterparts. Volunteers would also like more feedback from listeners and those who provide information for the shows.

5.57 A number of ideas focussed on improving the status and rights of volunteers within the sector. A community radio volunteer union and/or volunteer forum were proposed which would help to address the balance of power and mediate potential disputes between volunteers and paid workers/management.

What community radio can do for itself

5.58 Volunteers were asked what they thought the sector could do to improve the situation for itself. A number of these points echo those raised in the section above. Again the issue of funding was pushed to the fore, as represented by the following quote where the respondent highlights how difficult it is for the station to function without funding support.

"We try constantly to do as much as we can with other stations and with the local community. There is a feeling that there is no real support externally no matter how hard we try. All we can do is keep going and deal with as much as we can without outside help., particularly external grant support which would be the single thing which would make the biggest difference. It is impossible to deal with this survey properly without bringing funding into play. It is all consuming in a small station".

5.59 Volunteer respondents highlighted fundraising events, more effective lobbying, improved input from advertisers and better take-up of education and employability funding as actions which would all help to improve the financial outlook for the sector.

5.60 In addition to abiding concerns around funding, survey respondents also had suggestions around broadcast regulation. Running a campaign for relaxation of the regulations in favour of local programming as opposed to national networking priorities and corporate interests was raised by one individual. Support for also expressed for devolving licensing and the media to the Scottish Government. Switching to DAB and increasing transmission power were also voiced.

5.61 Survey respondents also called for an increased sense of self-belief within the sector and for volunteers to aspire to achieve professional standards. This view is consistent with the literature review which found that while reasonable production standards should apply to community radio output, the aspiration should also exist to be as professional as possible. One suggestion was to have a national award for the sector. A number of self-promotion ideas were put forward including a monthly magazine, a national promotion campaign and publicising the service more widely in schools.

5.62 Respondents were keen to promote more collaboration between community stations, possibly by setting up a forum or committee for sharing knowledge, programming and successful approaches. Holding an annual community radio broadcast conference was also put forward. It was suggested improved pathways between community radio and a career in professional broadcasting could be created. It was felt that the sector could provide more training and qualifications for those who want this. Others looked to fostering better relationships with the music industry and the 'big' labels. Volunteers emphasised the need to maintain their identity in relation to commercial radio output by, for example, increasing the number of local discussion programmes and political debates. Programmes, it was suggested could be linked with other community stations. One volunteer speculated about whether it would be possible to provide Scottish news bulletins on the hour by linking with other media providers.

5.63 A plea was also made to provide more varied and creative programming and cater for a wide spectrum of music tastes. Such efforts could help stations to relate more closely to their immediate communities. Concern was expressed to improve involvement from people of all ages and create more interest locally. As one respondent said, the sector should "focus more on 'community' rather than on 'radio'", so becoming invaluable to local communities. Listener feedback should be valued and one idea was to develop a challenging agenda to increase audience participation across the sector. This would assist with the wider aspiration to provide potential advertising subscribers with a better idea of listener numbers. Overall, it was felt that the SCBN could be utilised more effectively by the sector to provide support for the aspirations outlined above. It was also said that the organisation could benefit from more support from the sector.

The Scottish Community Broadcasting Network

5.64 Although one respondent suggested the sector should support the SCBN, the survey suggests that the network could also improve recognition among community radio volunteers in line with the stronger recognition it had among station managers who were surveyed. Focus group participants did, however, acknowledge that it is difficult for the SCBN to create a climate of cooperation when stations are effectively chasing the same funding. Participants were keen on working with the SCBN to ensure the sector is more coherent and has a common voice and it was felt that the organisation could do with more support from the sector to achieve this.

5.65 Survey respondents were unsure about whether the community radio sector has a network at all - "Isn't there a network in Scotland? I can't find info anywhere on the internet about that". Despite the existence of an SCBN internet site, there was also concern that any possible network did not appear to have a web presence - "The sector doesn't even have a website". Volunteers repeatedly noted the need for stations to work more effectively together and build an infrastructure which could actively facilitate practical collaborations. This aspiration clearly chimes with the overall remit of the

SCBN and consequently given a higher profile the organisation could be key to achieving this aim. As one survey respondent said, there is a need to:

"Create a 'tighter knitted' community with the various regional community stations, building infrastructure between them. You may claim this already exists, but if it does, I am not aware of it and that surely shows that more can be done!".

5.66 It was felt by focus group participants that the SCBN should aspire towards becoming a single, accessible structured forum for the sector and that it could set out a framework for community radio stations in Scotland to collectively work towards as part of this process. Participants were committed to the SCBN functioning as a common body which acts on behalf of the whole sector and represents its interests to Ofcom and the Scottish Government. It was, however, acknowledged that the organisation is still in its infancy and that it may also be difficult to arrive at a single structured aim across all stations. Participants would like more communication within the sector to be conducted through the SCBN, and for the network to involve and communicate more with presenters and volunteers rather than just managers.