Matt Spill – Bro Radio Volunteer

While I was growing up I developed an interest in drama and media, which led me to do a BA Honours qualification in Theatre and Media. Not long after I left University in 2009, I heard about a new radio station, Bro Radio, coming to the Vale of Glamorgan and the Vale Volunteer Bureau were involved in recruiting volunteers for their voluntary opportunities.
I telephoned the Bureau and spoke to an adviser who was very helpful. She put me in touch with Bro Radio, based in Barry YMCA Hub and I was invited to a recruitment evening. I went along and spoke to the Station Manager, who offered me training sessions for news reading. I jumped at the chance as I thought this was a great opportunity for me to start a career in media. I was fortunate to be trained by a retired BBC Wales News Reader and benefited from her expertise.
This gave me the confidence and skills I needed to go live on air and read the news. After a while, I progressed to Head of News and my role involves researching local and sometimes National stories as well as editing and packaging audio.
I need to keep up to date with news throughout the day as we also receive news alerts by email or telephone. My role is also to present the weather forecast and be as accurate as possible! Some highlights have included attending the Live Count of the last General Election and to announce breaking news of the National Eisteddfod coming to the Vale. I have also met Connie Fisher, who came to our studio to talk about her charitable work. From time to time I have been offered the chance to host my own show, so I am getting experience in that area as well.
I really enjoy my volunteering with Bro Radio and a bonus is to enjoy working alongside friendly colleagues. I am grateful to the Vale Volunteer Bureau, who have helped me along the way in my chosen career.

For more information about the volunteering Matt is involved in or any of the other 850 roles across the Vale contact the VVB on 01446 421782 or at info@vvb.org.uk

The evaluation looked at the service provided through the ABM University NHS Trust Volunteer Centre. It sought to look at the benefits that the scheme had introduced to the service of the Trust and concentrated in particular on the work of the volunteers and the benefits of introducing volunteers alongside Trust staff, the patients and their families and the Community.

The effects of volunteering on the self reported health of people aged 50 or over in the Vale of Glamorgan

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