This July, we're asking community radio stations across the country to celebrate South Asian Heritage Month — to celebrate, educate and commemorate on air by hosting a takeover.
Community radio is an important platform. It is the heartbeat of community, amplifying local voices and promoting inclusivity. It creates a sense of belonging and celebrates the incredible diversity within our local spaces, and the joy this brings.
A community radio takeover is a wonderful reflection of Unity in Diversity, the theme for South Asian Heritage Month this year.
The takeover has been inspired by BCFM (Bristol Community FM), who host a radio takeover to celebrate SAHM on 1 July, the start of South Asian Heritage Month. We have the support of Soundart Radio in South Devon, and would love to connect with more stations across the country.
Celebrate, educate and commemorate on your radio station by hosting a takeover during July.
Whether it's a two-hour show or a full 24 hours, you can create space for South Asian heritage, stories and music on the airwaves.
We want to create a positive national energy to celebrate SAHM together.
For us, this is about representation and connection. It's important that South Asian communities see themselves reflected in local media and feel part of the conversation. Community radio creates space for real stories, shared experiences and new voices to come through. I have been hosting South Asian radio takeovers since 2021 in community radio.
Embrace and bring the joy of SAHM to your community radio station.
Create space and time on your programming schedules to commemorate SAHM during July.
Host a takeover on 1 July, the start of the month, whether a two-hour show or a full 24 hours. If 1 July isn't possible, find an alternative date in the month.
Continue to share information about SAHM throughout the month across your shows.
Introduce programmes, communities and guests to deliver shows about SAHM on your station.
Encourage existing programme makers to dedicate time to shows about South Asian heritage, from conversations to music and more.
Chat to us if you need any further information or ideas. We're here to help.
Whether you're ready to plan a takeover or just want to talk through ideas, we'd love to hear from you and connect with stations across the country.
Premal Bhatt
South West Co-ordinator
Soundart Radio 102.5 FM
