about StreetLife FM

The name Streetlife was chosen by young people who participated in the second set of training delivered in summer of 2005. As an objective of the training participants were asked from day one to think about a name for the station which was decided upon at the end of the training, and thus StreetlifeFM was born.

The project secured funding from the Leyton Neighbourhood Renewal Funding (NRF) on tow occasions - firstly, for the feasibility study and a second to explore the option derived from the study. In the summer of 2006 the station had it first restricted Service Licence (RSL) funded by the Youth Service, Team Leyton and LBWF as part of that summer’s youth activities. We have since been trying to secure longer term funding from organisations like Jack Petchey, Big Lottery, the Arts Council and most recently Media Box.

Making a difference

Although StreetlifeFM is still in its infancy it has already made a difference to the lives of many of the participants who are now members of the StreetlifeFM Team and the wider community.

StreetlifeFM has grown into Waltham Forest’s community radio station, simply because, as anticipated, it out grew Leyton now serving the one community of the borough. Despite this the objectives remain the same but have been expanded to reflect the fact that it is a community radio station. In the main these are:

• To provide a platform for residents to air their views about where they live.
• To act as a consultation mechanism between residents and service providers.
• To foster community cohesion through appreciation of our rich diversity.
• To act as a pathway to formal education or an alternative via the training it provides.
• To support the borough’s regeneration agenda.
• To encourage residents to take ownership for where they live through civic pride.
• To act as an information portal to residents and visitors.

Recent changes at StreetlifeFM

Most recently Streetlife has been working towards improving the service it provided to the community. We have done this by:-

• Starting a programme of on going training to match the needs of all members of the community
• Secured longer-term funding
• Streetlife Radio will shortly be a registered community interest company
• We currnetly maintain a website broadcast through an interactive and up to date website.

The Future for StreetlifeFM

We are currently in the process of applying to Ofcom for a 5-year licence. The results of our application will be published in summer 2010. Should the application succeed StreetlifeFM will be rebranded as Streetlife Radio.