How
to Join
There are many ways to join MDR
Via Email: Membership
By phone: 01444 441350 and leave your name and number
By post:
Mid Downs Radio
The Princess Royal Hospital
Lewes Road
Haywards Heath
West Sussex
RH16 4EX
Or by downloading the forms;
Please don't be put of by the amount of forms required! it's just a formaility
we have to undertake! Application Form ,
Gift Aid Declaration
Occupational Health , Occupational
Health Fitness Department Form
If you experience any problems with downloading the forms please email the webmaster
WHO WE ARE
This is intended to answer most questions but is not a rule book! We are all volunteers with other commitments so time scales etc are worked around individuals.
History
The foundations for Mid Downs Hospital Radio were laid in 1976 with the
creation of Radio Cuckfield, later renamed Hospital Radio Cuckfield. When
that Hospital closed and services moved to the newly opened Princess Royal
Hospital, the station’s name was changed to Mid Downs Hospital Radio.
With the closure of Colwell Radio at St Francis Hospital some of their
members joined us. Since then Mid Downs Hospital Radio has grown and flourished,
now boasting two high tech studios and “live” presenter based
programmes broadcasting 24 hours a day, 365 days of the year, on 1350AM
and via the Patientline bedside entertainment system.
Visit to the Studio
After your completed application form has been received we will invite
you to the Studio to learn more about the Radio Station and the important
contribution the Volunteers make to the Charity and the NHS Trust. There
are various jobs which keep the Charity functioning such as presenting
regular programmes, fund raising, ward visiting and request collecting,
technical support, promotional events & marketing. This visit will
help you make some informed decisions about your future as a volunteer
on the station and to ask any questions.
Interview
The aim of the interview is to assess your suitability for the role of
Volunteer and to determine the most appropriate direction for you. By
this stage your referees will have been approached and the NHS Occupational
Health Unit will have confirmed their approval. You will then be put in
contact with the Committee member who heads up the team(s) you have chosen
to be most involved with. This isn't as scary as it sounds!
Subscription
Annual membership is £20 renewable by 31March. This is reduced to
£15 if you have attended at least 4 fund raising events in the year.
For £10 you can be an associate member – that is for those
who want to continue supporting MDR but no longer have the time to give.
The Organisation
All MDR members are unpaid volunteers.
There is a Committee elected annually from within the Membership consisting
of the Chairman, Secretary, Treasurer and other officers who assume various
responsibilities. These include Vice Chairman, Fund Raising, Membership,
Production, Technical, etc. These officers seek support from the membership
and may create small subcommittees for specific projects.
Communication
The main channel is Email but hardcopy is posted to members without Email.
It is imperative that members feel free to speak to anyone in MDR if they
have questions, concerns and ideas. Never assume that someone else has
said it already or nothing happens! We have a bi-monthly newsletter which
summarises any news and members are encouraged to contribute with any
interesting snippets, jokes, etc.
Presenters
Those aspiring to be a radio presenter will be asked to attend the studio
and link up with an experienced presenter who is an MDR Trainer. Subject
to progress the training will last up to three months. During that time
you will learn about radio presenting and the technical side of the mixing
desk and computers. You will also be expected to visit the wards on at
least four occasions and to attend at least two events. At the end of
this period, and subject to a satisfactory assessment, you will be allocated
a show slot which you will be expected to cover every week.
Outside Broadcast Unit ( OBU )
MDR are the proud owners of an OBU – this is a unit kitted out with
hi-tech equipment which allows us to provide a PA system, to present live
shows and to broadcast to and from the studio. This is available for hire
(manned by MDR members) so is a major source of funds and a good PR tool.
Fund Raising
MDR is totally self-funded.
All members are encouraged to attend MDR’s fund raising events.
Keeping the Radio on air is an expensive task in both time and money.
IDs
Everyone working in the hospital, whether paid or voluntary, must wear
their NHS Trust ID. The process to obtain one will be explained to you
when required.
Parking
MDR Presenters are granted free parking in the Staff Car Parks.
Facilities
There are toilets on the same floor as the Studios and a canteen on the
top floor. Access to the first floor is by stairs or lifts.
