On Saturday 7th May, the Community Media Association will be Celebrating The Power of Inclusion as we head to the University of Bedfordshire’s Postgraduate Centre in Luton for the long-awaited arrival of our Community Media Festival.

The 2022 Festival Programme

09.30am: Registration and refreshments

10.30am: Opening Ceremony with Indian Dancers, Dhol Drummers and a welcome to Luton!

10.45am: Welcome from Dom Chambers - Diversity & Inclusion

10.50am: "Achieve:Believe" with Stephanie Hirst, Hits Radio Presenter

11.15am: Session 1, Community Radio to Radio 1

• Jennifer Keough, BBC Radio 1 Producer
• Robyn Richford, BBC Radio 1 2021 Presenter now at Fun Kids
• Seb Bailey, BBC Radio 1 2022 Presenter from Somer Valley FM
• Bhavotelli, BBC Radio 1 2022 Presenter from Westside Radio

11.35am: Session 2, "The Community Radio Fund" with Mark Jones, Ofcom Community Fund Panel Member

11.55am: Session 3, Diversity in Community Radio

12.15pm: Session 4, "Sound Vision Training" with Fayon Dixon and Wayne Carter of the Riverside Radio Club with 3 young journalists

12.35pm: Session 5, "Mental Health & Community Radio" with Dr Rosena Allin-Khan MP, Shadow Minister for Mental Health and volunteer at Riverside Radio

1.00pm: Lunch with DJ music and the Social Media Team

2.20pm: Welcome back, Musical Act with Natalie Shay - 15-minute set

2.35pm: Session 6, "SSDAB Update" with Dr Lawrie Hallett from Future Digital Norfolk and Jon Heasman from Ofcom. Session sponsored by The Radio Hub

2.55pm: Session 7, "Later Life & Community Radio" with Mervyn Eastman from the Later Life Audio and Radio Cooperative (LLARC) and a recording of Karen Meenan

3.15pm: Session 8, "Celebrating Station Sound" with Matt Fisher Lead Station Sound Producer for BBC Radio 1, Radio 1 Dance, 1Xtra, Radio 2, 6 Music & Asian Network

3.35pm: Session 9, "Community Radio to Commercial" with Darryl Morris from talkRadio and formerly from Bolton FM

3.55pm: Session 10, "Community Radio - the New ILR?" with Kevin Scott from Hot Radio, Mary Dowson from Bradford Community Broadcasting

4.15pm: Session 11, "Community Media and Ukraine" with Steve Buckley from Community Media Solutions

4.35pm: Session 12, "Six Impossible Things to Do Before Breakfast!" with Josh Donlon talking to Richard Wheatley, a visually-impaired community radio journalist (video)

4.45pm: Session 13, "The Future of Community Radio" with Nick Pitts, Vice-Chair of the Radio Academy, and Maxine Stride from Local Radio Day

And in the evening, the celebrations will continue with a new Community Media Champions event to be held at the same venue. The 2022 Community Media Champions will recognise those outstanding individuals who have made a special and significant contribution to community media in the UK.

The ticket price includes admission to the Community Media Festival, the Community Media Champions evening event, lunch, evening meal, and refreshments.

Tickets are on sale now until 6th May. Final programme is subject to minor amendments.