Katie Ayers Team Leader MondaysClick to Enlarge :-

Katie Ayers Team Leader

Katie Joined Radio Heatherwood in February 2005

Katie joined Radio Heatherwood in February 2005, looking for a new challenge…which is certainly what she got!

On arrival at the station her musical knowledge was limited, due to her less advanced years, but she had bags of enthusiasm and was eager to learn. With encouragement from Big Al and the rest of the team, Katie has since embraced the wonders of vinyl and will choose a 45 over an mp3 any day!

Katie was let loose on the airwaves in September 2005 and later invited to become team leader in April 2006.

Katie accepts the keys to the doorClick to Enlarge :-

The photo shows her proudly receiving the key to the door (though in all honesty, she looks more like a hobbit receiving the rings). She is now on Monday nights and busy helping to train up the new recruits.

This is a big challenge but very rewarding at the same time. She gets to meet some lovely people as they first come in, help them on their way, then stand back proudly as they leave the nest as fully fledged presenters! Katie loves all aspects of Radio Heatherwood and feels quite at home pottering around the station.

Visiting the wards is a highlight each week. Katie endeavours to take a request from every patient that feels up to it, even if this means spending a while going through their musical interests and their many interesting stories.

Members of the team have commented that Katie spends more time “tucking the patients in for the night” than getting requests!

On visiting a special school some years ago, she was told the parable of the starfish: After a terrible hurricane, thousands of starfish were washed up on a beach, unable to get back to the water.

A man walked along the beach, picking up the creatures and tossing them one by one back into the ocean. Another man saw his efforts and asked "Why do you bother? You can't save them all, or even a tiny fraction of them. You can't possibly think you are making a difference."

The first man picked up another starfish and tossed it into the ocean. He turned to the second man and said "I made a difference to that one."

Young KatieClick to Enlarge :-

Young Katie Katie likes to think of the patients as starfish.

At Radio Heatherwood we can’t possibly cure all their ills, but if just one person listens and we manage to brighten their day, then what we do has been worthwhile. Failing that, Radio Heatherwood is a great way to meet, and spend time with, some fantastic people – presenters and patients alike!

Katie

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Jenny Gallagher MondaysClick to Enlarge :-

Jenny Gallagher Presenter

Jenny joined Radio Heatherwood in June 2008

Jenny joined Radio Heatherwood in June 2008...and then promptly went on holiday to Rhodes! But after her sunny break, she came back to the Radio to continue her training and be part of the Monday madness!

In her early 20s, Jenny is ever extending her musical knowledge thanks to the songs patients request and she now knows how to use LPs!

Jenny

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Lisa Barnard TuesdaysClick to Enlarge :-

Lisa Barnard Presenter

Hi I'm Lisa, and I joined the Radio Heatherwood gang in October 2008.

I really enjoy being part of the friendly team and currently present on a Tuesday evening along with Ian 'Butch' Butcher and the lovely Vicky Udell.

I already had a great passion for all music from the 60's to the present day but have discovered other genres of music including jazz, big band and classical due to all the fantastic requests we get from our diverse mix of patients.

We almost always have the requests we are asked for as we have a huge library which is constantly updated and I love exploring and finding something new to my ears!.

My favourite part of the evening is going to the wards to meet the patients, having a little chat and gathering requests, it 's good fun and no two evenings are ever the same!

Lisa

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Sam Bennett MondaysClick to Enlarge :-

Sam Bennett Presenter

Sam joined Radio Heatherwood in June 2008

I joined Radio Heatherwood in June 2008 and have really enjoyed it so far.

I love lots of different types of music so the library of 50,000 tunes is like being a kid in a sweetshop for me!

I've become a bit famous for my knowledge and love of the 80's but I'm learning lots about the 30's and 40's and all the musicals, jazz and classical music we have.

I'd always wanted be involved with hospital radio as a kid but didn't ever get round to it so I'm glad I finally took the plunge.

The gang are really friendly and are always available for advice and support and the training is really detailed so you're all set before you go live.

As well as being great fun, volunteering at the radio is really rewarding. After a tough day at work the smiles and thanks from patients that I chat to makes any day good and it's nice to know I've made their day a little brighter.

I'd encourage anyone to give Radio Heatherwood a go; once you've taken the first step you'll never look back; just forward to your next show and which tunes you'll get to play.

Sam

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Vicky Udell TuesdaysClick to Enlarge :-

Vicky Udell Presenter

Hi, I'm Vicky and I joined Radio Heatherwood in February 2009.

I'm currently rocking tuesday evenings with Ian Butcher and Lisa Barnard.

Before joining the team, I had a brief knowledge of various music as I like to raid my parents CD collection.

One of my favourite things to do, at the station, is pick out random vinyl's and CD's. This has enabled me to become more familiar with the huge collection of records in the library and educate me of the various genres of music.

I have found lots of hidden treasures. The Kinks 'You really got me', The Who 'Who are you' and The Hollies 'Air that I breath' have all joined my top ten of all time favourites.

I would recommend anyone to volunteer at Radio Heatherwood as it is so rewarding. Not only is the team a bundle of laughs, the patients are always there to flash a smile.

Vicky

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