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NNSE News
NNSE start working with Alchemy VA – February 2024
Our big news here at NNSE is we now have admin and training help for our network for the next year… and hopefully longer.
We are really pleased to welcome Rachel Eccles and Sarah Damani from Alchemy VA who will be providing much-needed support. This will help us build our network and ensure it is answering the needs of local social enterprises.
This boost is thanks to funding from North Northamptonshire Council’s Community Support Funding as part of the government’s UK Shared Prosperity Fund.
Day to day, Rachel will be managing our social media accounts, updating our NNSE website, sending out our regular e-news and basically helping to connect, promote and support social enterprises in the county. Sarah will be supporting us with workshops on areas requested by members such as AI and funding strategy.
One of their first tasks will be to manage the changeover from NNSE being under the wing of Brightwayz social enterprise and to be set up as an independent community organisation.
All current NNSE members will have received an invitation to the meeting on Wednesday 10 April when this will be done – including elections for key roles on the management committee.
If you are a member please look out for this information and get in touch if you would like to be involved in the management committee or stand for election for one of the key roles.
New Governance and Committee – April 2024
The sun streamed through the window as we sat in Kino Lounge for our first NNSE committee meeting this morning. We are really keen to get things organised, policies in place and decisions made so we, the other NNSE members and all our social enterprises can start to benefit from our peer network.
Our new committee members were elected at our recent founding meeting and come from local social enterprises across a wide range of sectors. (Add list of all committee members here and the SEs they rep plus mention Chair, Vice Chair and Treasurer roles)
With a packed agenda and some good Kino coffee two hours flew by but we covered a lot. This included some workshop plans for the year, drafting some dates for network events and a big showcase celebration of all our local social enterprises in November.
There was a lot of interest in NNSE reps taking turns to showcase us as a group as well as highlighting Individual SE opportunities such as at job fairs.
Our ‘friends of NNSE’ concept was discussed and agreed – even if you are not a social enterprise you can be a ‘friend’ as an organisation or an individual – more coming on that soon.
So it’s great that we are making this progress to have good governance and structure with a great team of experienced, passionate local social entrepreneurs – let’s get going!
Member News
Northamptonshire’s Shire Sounds Radio Rebrands to Northants 1
Shire Sounds Radio, a local radio staple in North Northamptonshire, proudly announces “Northants 1” arriving May 27th 2024. With this transformation comes a fresh identity and an unwavering commitment to being Northamptonshire’s own local hit music radio station.
The rebrand signifies a key commitment to local broadcasting, and its dedication to delivering top-tier local entertainment, community representation and engagement. With an emphasis on playing Hit Music for Northamptonshire, Northants 1 promises to continue providing quality programming made for its growing local audience.
Our key commitments remain in line with what we have always believed in. Northants 1 is set to continue the pioneering training initiative, now known as the Northants 1 Academy. This ground-breaking program offers secondary school students from across Northamptonshire a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in the world of radio broadcasting. Over a 12-week training course, aspiring young broadcasters receive comprehensive instruction in the fundamentals of radio production, along with a look into the wider media industry, nurturing the next generation of talent in the industry.
Northants 1 is arriving, fresh with a revamped Weekday lineup, with presenters you already know and love. Charlie Stone wakes up Northamptonshire from 7am with the all-new Northants 1 Breakfast, with Megan Arnold carrying us all through the workday from 11am and the new Northants 1 Homerun with Andrew Haslam from 3pm, including our beloved hour of “Throwbacks at Three”. The trio promise to entertain, inform and get you dancing with a mix of chart-topping hits and some tunes you used to love!
The station’s music selection reflects its diverse audience, blending contemporary chart-toppers with iconic throwbacks spanning back to the 90s. From pop anthems to indie gems and alternative hits, Northants 1 offers a curated musical experience that resonates with all tastes. Additionally, evenings on Northants 1 will feature a broader range of genres, ensuring there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
Rounding off every weekend, Northants 1 welcomes Chris Brooks back to the radio in Northamptonshire, with the biggest songs on the radio right now, on the UK Hot 40! Our brand-new chart show, Sundays from 4pm. With his infectious energy and unparalleled expertise, Chris promises to deliver an electrifying countdown experience that keeps you hooked every week.
Behind the scenes, Northants 1 is run by a dedicatedso team of local volunteers determined to bring a local voice back to the radio in Northamptonshire. As part of this Northants 1 would love to work with you. The station is offering pre-launch discounts for all local businesses who support Northants 1. Interested parties are encouraged to reach out to seniorteam@northants1.co.uk for advertising and sponsorship enquiries.
Northants 1 is arriving, Monday 27th May at 7am.
About Northants 1:
Northants 1 is Northamptonshire’s premier radio station, dedicated to serving the local community with quality programming and engaging content. With a focus on hit music, diverse genres, and empowering young talent through the Northants 1 Academy, Northants 1 is committed to being the ultimate destination for radio enthusiasts across Northamptonshire. Follow Northants 1 on @Northants1Radio for the latest updates and announcements.
