Online hospital radio station YYFM getting ready to mark fifth anniversary

Hospital radio station YYFM is getting ready to mark its fifth anniversary of broadcasting over the internet.

The multiple award-winning community-wellbeing platform, is based at Ysbyty Ystrad Fawr, in Ystrad Mynach, and is the brainchild of Hengoed resident and long-time hospital employee Steven Davies.

Steven came up with the idea of sharing information and entertainment, primarily to hospital inpatients, as a means of breaking down any feelings of loneliness. Partnering with BA Journalism students at the University of South Wales and their lecturer, Steve Johnson in 2021, helped to get YYFM up and running, and the platform has continued to expand and widen its remit.

Unlike traditional radio stations, there is no physical studio and YYFM operates on a non-linear, at-point-of-demand basis.  Although its spiritual home is Caerphilly County Borough, its online nature means there are essentially no geographical limitations. This has allowed the station to adopt an outward-facing stance and to share a very broad range of content.

The platform shares original stories, drama, language tuition, health and wellbeing content, updates about local events and interviews with a wide range of guests.

In 2024, Caerphilly Observer’s Richard Gurner had the journalistic tables turned on him when he was interviewed by the late Caerphilly Senedd Member Hefin David as part of a series called Caerffili’s Heroes.

Founder Steven Davies thanked all volunteers for “generously sharing their time and energy on this wonderful project”.

He added: “Our community is stronger because of you.”

Steve Johnson, though now retired from USW, continues to actively participate.

For him, YYFM “epitomises the power of disparate community members to join together, enabling social impact for all”.

YYFM has an open door philosophy and is always looking to make fresh connections with community organisations and local volunteers, whatever age.

To get involved, please send an email to Atriumsteve1@gmail.com, or visit http://itsyyfm.org.