Online hospital radio station YYFM marks second anniversary

A grassroots hospital radio station has marked two years of broadcasting over the internet.

YYFM was launched on February 15, 2021, offering a range of on-demand programming over the internet.

The project was the idea of hospital admin worker Steven Davies – a familiar face to hospital visitors and patients because of his work on the reception desk.

At the time of the launch, Steven explained: “I came up with the idea because of the hospital’s single-room environment. It’s fair to say the hospital room TV sets were stuck on one channel, and in this day and age we had to do something better to combat the loneliness and isolation felt by some patients.

“Was there a way to bring more entertainment to the patients?”

After successfully putting in a funding bid to health board bosses, Steve then approached Caerphilly County Borough Council and the University of South Wales to get the project started.

YYFM’s success over the past two years has seen it nominated for a health board award.

Speaking about the project reaching its second anniversary, Steve said: “YYFM goes from strength-to-strength. I am so proud that the project is benefiting so many different people; not only our listeners but also the students at USW and local schools. I want to thank all of the organisations we collaborate with.

“This is a great example of community engagement.”

As part of its Operation Christmas Appeal, YYFM recently received more than 120 children’s books.

A tablet and case was also donated for the children’s wards of Aneurin Bevan University Health Board.

Steven thanked Petra publishing, Simone from Ymaginosity, Jess Childs, and Mike Church, in particular for their generosity.