Community Radio Awards celebrate ten years

Community radio stations across the UK have been recognised at the 2026 Community Radio Awards, marking ten years since the first ceremony.

Gold, Silver and Bronze awards were presented across 20 categories at the event in Birmingham on Saturday 24 October, recognising the work of volunteers, presenters and staff involved in community radio.

The ceremony returned to Birmingham, where the awards were first held in 2016, and took place following the UK Community Radio Network conference earlier in the day.

Priya Matharu and Stephen Higgs hosted the evening, bringing together people from across the community radio sector to celebrate the achievements of stations and individuals.

Awards chair Rebecca Steers said the anniversary made Birmingham an appropriate location for the ceremony.

“Ten years ago the very first awards were held in the middle of the country, and it felt right to be back here to celebrate our tenth year.”

Rebecca also acknowledged the contribution of volunteers and station staff, along with the judges who spent time listening to entries and providing feedback.

The awards were supported by headline sponsor Aiir and a number of individual category sponsors.

Rebecca thanked everyone involved in the event and congratulated those recognised during the evening.

“Well done to all the winners and finalists. Ten years on, the sector is as creative, committed and community-minded as ever. Here’s to the next ten.”

The annual awards recognise the work taking place at Ofcom licensed community radio stations across the UK, with this year’s ceremony marking a decade since the initiative began.

Next year’s event will also be in Birmingham, as the event attempts to find a permanent base going forward.

 

The winners

Elections & Political Coverage of the Year, sponsored by Radio NewsHub

• Gold – Wales Community Radio Network Election Coverage – WCRN & Bro Radio
• Silver – Stalemate reforming control of Oldham Council – Oldham Community Radio
• Bronze – No overall control at Huntingdonshire District Council – Black Cat Radio

Celebrating & Championing Community Radio of the Year, sponsored by Community Radio Week

• Gold – Celebrating their 5th Birthday – Rutland & Stamford Sound
• Silver – Every Day is Local Radio Day – K107FM
• Bronze – 25 Years of WFM Documentary – Wythenshawe FM

Digital Content of the Year, sponsored by Optimux

• Gold – Hope FM Player – Hope FM
• Silver – Radio Skye Facebook – Radio Skye
• Bronze – Digital Storytelling – BFBS Brize Norton

Newcomer of the Year, sponsored by Be Broadcast

• Gold – Charley Greatrix – Bro Radio
• Silver – Paul Glenn – Erewash Sound
• Bronze – Val Issacs – Erewash Sound

Sage Person of the Year (Over 60), sponsored by Hippynet

• Gold – Moz Walsh – ALL FM
• Silver – Ian Rothwell – Salford City Radio
• Bronze – Steve Whitley – Radio Tyneside

Young Person or People of the Year (Under 25), sponsored by Aiir

• Gold – Amy Boyd – Chelmsford Community Radio
• Silver – Josh Holmes-Bright – Caroline Coastal FM
• Bronze – Albert Lutkin – Humber Wave Radio

Volunteer of the Year, sponsored by Radioplayer

• Gold – Elfyn Pritchard – MônFM
• Silver – Michelle Durant – Chelmsford Community Radio
• Bronze – Dr Sarah Waqquas – Awaz FM

Sports Show of the Year, sponsored by Viamux

• Gold – Match Night Live – Drive 105
• Silver – Saturday Afternoon Sport – Mix 92.6
• Bronze – The Rapha Report – Radio Skye

Arts & Creative Radio of the Year, sponsored by Devaweb

• Gold – The Wandsworth Way – Riverside Radio
• Silver – Club Plastique – Wythenshawe FM
• Bronze – Yacht Rock – Caroline Coastal FM

News, Journalism & Factual Storytelling of the Year, sponsored by RadioToday

• Gold – We Don’t Do That Here – BCfm & Ujima Radio
• Silver – Jamie McDonald – Radio Skye
• Bronze – Women in Wargaming – BFBS Salisbury Plain

Specialist Content Show of the Year, sponsored by Fix Radio

• Gold – The Departure Lounge – Academy FM
• Silver – Tech Talk – RNIB Connect Radio
• Bronze – Read On – The Audiobook Show – RNIB Connect Radio

Specialist Music Show of the Year, sponsored by Promo Only

• Gold – The Jazz Club – RNIB Connect Radio
• Silver – Additions To My Collection – BCfm
• Bronze – South Coast Music Show – Voice FM

Entertainment Show of the Year, sponsored by Broadcast Radio

• Gold – Christmas with the Children of Hertfordshire – Mix 92.6
• Silver – Rise and Shine – Hive FM
• Bronze – Mix Brunch – Mix 92.6

Live Event or Outside Broadcast of the Year, sponsored by CreatorNODE from Broadcast Bionics

• Gold – Live At The Open Royal Portrush – River Radio
• Silver – 26.2 Hour Live Music Marathon – ALL FM
• Bronze – Short Breaks Across The Solent – Vectis Radio

Presenter of the Year: Man, sponsored by Xperi

• Gold – Iain Meadows – Radio Wester Ross
• Silver – John Reen – Maritime Radio
• Bronze – Jonny Seabrook – Mix 92.6

Presenter of the Year: Woman, sponsored by Xperi

• Gold – Siva Gold – BCfm
• Silver – Natasha Reneaux – BFBS Aldershot
• Bronze – Amy Gray – Cambridge Radio

Voices of the Community Award, sponsored by PPL

• Gold – The Coeliac Shack – Radio LaB
• Silver – St. Neots’ Prostate Cancer Campaign – Black Cat Radio
• Bronze – Youth Club Radio – Sunny Govan Radio

Championing and Supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, sponsored by UK Community Radio Network

• Gold – Championing and supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion – Vectis Radio
• Silver – The Rainbow Road – Etta Helfrich Interview – ALL FM
• Bronze – African Vibe with Richy Bongo – CHBN Radio

Community Impact Project of the Year, sponsored by Be Broadcast

• Gold – Bro Radio Academy – Bro Radio
• Silver – Stronger Routes to Better Health – Wythenshawe FM
• Bronze – YouthSPACE – Radio Skye

Station of the Year, sponsored by Aiir

• Gold – Radio LaB
• Silver – RNIB Connect Radio
• Bronze – Express FM

Honours Award

This year’s Honours Award recipients are David Treharne, Jenny Campbell and Ali Beg.

The Community Radio Awards return in 2027, in Birmingham on Saturday 23 October.