Funding boost for award-winning Kettering hospital radio station
Fresh on the heels of a prestigious regional award, Kettering General Hospital Radio has received a welcome cash boost. The volunteer-led charity has announced a significant new funding injection courtesy of the Northants and Hunts Freemasons.
KGH Radio aims to use the funds to help scale up its innovative broadcasting model to reach more corners of the county’s healthcare community.
The donation comes during a landmark year for the station, which was recently honoured with a Small and Medium-Sized Enterprise (SME) Midlands Award.
Presented by SME News, the award recognizes KGH Radio’s "outstanding contribution to healthcare and the wider community." The funding from the Freemasons represents a critical vote of confidence in the station’s mission to use technology as a tool for healing and connection.
A Community Partnership: From Raffle to Result
The funds were generated through a dedicated raffle organised by members of the Rushden Lodge, Sartoris. Recognizing the vital service KGH Radio provides to local patients, the Provincial Grand Charity agreed to match and enhance the amount raised, significantly increasing the total contribution to the station.
The cheque was presented by Mark Waples, who serves as both a member of the Sartoris Lodge and a volunteer presenter at KGH Radio.
"It is especially meaningful for me to be involved in both organisations," said Mark Waples.
"Hospital radio plays such an important role in lifting patients’ spirits and providing comfort during what can often be a difficult time. It also provides a welcome boost for staff working long and demanding shifts.
"We are very pleased to be able to support the service, and we are grateful to everyone who supported the raffle and helped make this donation possible."
Innovation Born of Resilience
This funding marks the latest chapter in what has been described as a "remarkable turnaround" for the station. After years of closure, KGH Radio was relaunched in 2019, pivoting away from traditional, aging infrastructure toward a cutting-edge, internet-based system.
The station’s current model—which utilizes a network of dedicated Amazon Alexa smart speakers and web-based broadcasting—is regarded as a ground-breaking blueprint for modern hospital radio. This system allows the station to broadcast 24/7, reaching an estimated 7,000 listeners across wards and departments throughout Northamptonshire.
The station’s journey has not been without its trials. In 2025, KGH Radio survived a catastrophic flood that threatened its very existence. However, the team of dedicated volunteers used the disaster as a catalyst for growth, rebuilding a newly fitted-out, state-of-the-art studio.
Today, the station operates a sophisticated computer-based playlist system, seamlessly blended with live programming hosted by its volunteer team.
Expanding the horizon: Reaching more patients
Steve Bellamy, Station Manager at KGH Radio, emphasised that the generosity of the Freemasons will be used to refine their broadcasting technology and explore ways to export their model to other healthcare providers.
"As a volunteer-run service, we rely heavily on fundraising and community support," he said.
"Donations like this make a real difference and help us continue broadcasting to patients and staff across the hospital. We are extremely grateful for the generosity shown by Sartoris Lodge and the Provincial Grand Charity.
"Our goal is to ensure that no patient feels isolated, and this funding allows us to look toward boosting our service to the healthcare community across the county."
The station’s "smart speaker" approach is particularly effective because it bypasses the need for expensive, hard-wired bedside units, which are often prone to breakage. By leveraging the ubiquity of the internet and voice-activated technology, KGH Radio provides an accessible, high-fidelity service that can be replicated in clinics, hospices, and care homes nationwide.
The Power of Volunteerism
KGH Radio remains a registered charity, operated entirely by volunteers who believe in the therapeutic power of music and conversation. From students looking to enter the media industry to retirees giving back to the NHS, the station’s roster of presenters reflects the diverse community it serves.
Beyond music, the station plays a vital role in:
- Supporting Patient Wellbeing: Reducing the anxiety and boredom often associated with long hospital stays.
- Boosting Staff Morale: Providing a cheerful, professional soundtrack for NHS staff working high-pressure shifts.
- Strengthening Community Connections: Linking the hospital to the wider public via its web-based stream, allowing families to feel connected to their loved ones during treatment.
As KGH Radio looks to the future, the SME Midlands Award and this latest donation serve as reminders that even the smallest volunteer organisations can have a massive impact through innovation and heart.