The First and Only 50+ Forum Radio Show in Wales!

Summary

The Vale 50+ Strategy Forum has broken new ground in Wales becoming the first and currently the only 50+ Forum in the country to host its own regular radio show on a community station, Bro Radio (98.1 – 106.1FM – DAB – Online)

This pioneering initiative was championed by Mark, an Executive Board Member with a deep passion for both music and community engagement. Working closely with the Age Friendly Vale Lead and the Operations Director at Bro Radio, the Forum launched a 12-month pilot programme dedicated to giving a voice to older people across the Vale of Glamorgan.

Broadcast monthly, the show provides a lively and informative platform to share the Forum’s work, promote meetings and community events, and feature interviews with local leaders, fellow Forum members, and even the Older People’s Commissioner for Wales. Alongside meaningful conversation, listeners enjoy a carefully curated mix of classic tracks, bringing together information, entertainment, and connection.

Community radio is a vital lifeline for many older people, particularly those who are housebound or socially isolated. With Bro Radio reaching thousands of listeners across the Vale each week, the programme ensures that older residents stay informed, heard, and included in local life.

Following its strong reception, the pilot was extended and the show has now been running successfully for over two years. Two Executive Members have undertaken professional production training with Bro Radio, allowing them to record, edit, and present the programme with growing confidence and independence.

The Vale 50+ Forum’s radio partnership stands as a model of innovation and inclusion, demonstrating how local voices, community media, and age-friendly action can come together to make a lasting difference.

Website: https://www.broradio.fm/

Key facts

Main target group: Older people in general

Other target group(s): Housebound older people, people not online, radio listeners

Sector(s): Education, Health, Housing, Information and communication, Social protection, Transportation

Other sector(s): Dementia, Isolated

Desired outcome for older people:
Learn, grow and make decisions

Other issues the Age-friendly practice aims to address:

Ageism
Accessibility
Ageing in place
Dementia
Disasters and emergencies
Elder abuse
Healthy behaviours (e.g. physical activity)
Intergenerational activities
Inequities
Inclusion
Participation
Technologies

Contact details

Name: Sian Clemett-Davies

Email address: snclemett-davies@valeofglamorgan.gov.uk

Age-friendly practice in detail (click to expand):

Engaging the wider community

Project lead: Local authorities

Others involved in the project:

Local authorities
Volunteers

How collaboration worked: The Age Friendly Lead facilitated the initial meeting between the Forum Member and the Radio Station and this was possible due to the Local Authority’s existing working relationship with Bro Radio who also receive Local Authority funding. During this meeting, the Forum Member pitched his idea and the radio station manager agreed to pilot the show for for 1 year. All Forum Members are volunteers and there was no financial cost involved. Members undertook production training in their own time and produce shows and interviews in their own time. Local partners that support older people are keen to share information about the support and services they offer so have been contibuting voice recordings which are played on the show.

Older people’s involvement: Older people were involved in the age-friendly practice at multiple or all stages

Details on older people’s involvement: The Forum’s radio show is designed by and for older people. Forum members and older people have played an active role by suggesting topics and contributing interviews. By taking ownership of the project from concept to production, the Forum has demonstrated how older people can lead innovative, modern approaches to communication. They are the creators, presenters, and decision makers, using local radio as a powerful tool to amplify the voices of older people.

Moving forward

Has the impact of this age-friendly practice been analysed: Yes

Was the impact positive or negative:
Positive

Please share with us what you found in detail:
The radio show has been highly successful and required minimal time or resources from the Age Friendly Lead. Forum members have taken full ownership of the initiative, investing their time and creativity, with support and check-ins from the Age Friendly Lead as needed. The only limitation has been the inability to measure monthly listener numbers, a common challenge for community radio due to the high cost of audience analytics. However, Bro Radio is known to attract thousands of listeners across the Vale and remains a well-loved local station. To help more residents access the show, Forum members organised a community event at the radio station, offering tours of the studios and practical guidance on how to tune in. This hands-on approach helped strengthen engagement and ensured even more older people can benefit from the programme.

Feedback:
Feedback has been positive from older people and partners and the extension of the 12 month pilot is evidence of the show’s success. The Older People’s Commissioner for Wales found her interview very enjoyable and has agreed to come back and be interviewed again. It is extremely important and valuable to have the support of the Commisioner who gave insight into her work and personal life during her interview which was aired in full on the programme in October 2025.

Expansion plans:
The Forum plan to continue the show and two Executive Members are contributing to the production which ensures the resource invested doesn’t rest solely on one Forum member.

Looking back

Reflections:
During the initial phase of the initiative, the Age Friendly Lead identified an opportunity access and distribute pre-tuned radios. Unfortunately, the attempt to access free radios was unsuccessful due to a lack of response from the prospective donating organisation. We will continue to explore alternative avenues and partnerships to acquire and distribute radios, and welcome any future opportunities or collaborations that could help us realise this important goal.

Challenges:
The production of the monthly program demands a substantial commitment of time and effort from Forum members. The recurring nature of the program means that tasks such as recording, editing, interviewing, and music selection require continuous dedication and energy, often with tight deadlines. This intensive workload can be challenging for volunteer based initiatives. More recently, the Forum has significantly benefited from the involvement of Martyn, a colleague attracted by Mark. Martyn’s contribution is invaluable, as his technical skills and expertise have streamlined the production process. This collaboration not only enhances the quality of the program but also effectively distributes the workload and taps into other Member’s skills and knowledge.