CHBN, Truro's Community and Hospital Radio Station, held its Annual General Meeting (AGM) in February, and chairman Mark Sanders had many achievements to record, writes Jean Maine-Reade.

Last year was the first since lockdown when members had full access to their studios in the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro. Although the broadcasting programme continued remotely during the pandemic, most CHBN activities ceased, leading to an inevitable decline in volunteer numbers.

Priority was therefore given to recruitment and training. Thanks in part to the updated application process on CHBN's website, 18 new members joined us: some as presenters, adding welcome variety to the schedule; others helping with anonymous but essential behind-the-scenes work.

There was also greater community contact during 2024. Volunteers gave outside broadcasts and recorded interviews at community events, as well as providing music and PA at third-party occasions such as Truro’s firework displays.

There is always more to be done, and this includes improving access for listeners both in hospital and in the outside community.

CHBN can be accessed by connecting a smartphone or tablet to the free NHS Wi-Fi system, but not everyone has these devices, and those with poor eyesight or other health issues can struggle. One proposal is to sell small radio sets for patients to keep (a set can only be used by one patient due to infection control). Research into pricing and availability continues.

CHBN's Ofcom FM licence covers the area within a five-mile radius of the hospital, but volunteer investigations and community feedback reveal the signal is poor or even absent in places. Truro's uneven geography does not help.

We are in consultation with Ofcom about the possibility of a power increase to the transmitter at the top of the hospital's Tower Block. There are technical and financial concerns, but the station has overcome greater obstacles. Onwards and upwards!