A valleys radio station has secured over £94,000 to continue broadcasting across Rhondda Cynon Taf thanks to a grant from the Welsh Assembly Government.
GTFM has secured £94,495 of Communities First funding to help with the running costs of the station and to generate greater marketing revenue. The money will also help staff to continue the successful volunteer programme, helping potential presenters to learn broadcasting skills and gain on-air experience.
The community station has been broadcasting from its base in Rhydyfelin since 2002 and is the only full-time station in Rhondda Cynon Taf. Listeners can tune in 24 hours a day from Pontypridd to the Taff and Rhondda Valleys.
Announcing the funding, Wales’ Social Justice Minister Carl Sargeant said:
“Community radio stations such as GTFM offer local information for local people. The programmes are often up to date, current and relevant, keeping listeners up to speed on exactly what’s happening and where on a very local level.
“The local radio station can also be a foot-in-the-door for wannabe presenters or anyone interested in a broadcasting career, and I am delighted to see that around 80 volunteers are taking advantage of the opportunities at GTFM.
“GTFM is a great example of Communities First funding delivering for local people.”
Communities First is a Welsh Assembly Government initiative to improve the living conditions and prospects for people in the most disadvantaged communities across Wales.
