Upgrading For The Future With
The National Lottery Community Fund

An Award Winning Radio Station

HBA Station of The Year 2019 2023 & 2024

For Birmingham Hospitals and the Community

RADIO DEDICATED TO SERVE
THE QUEEN ELIZABETH, BIRMINGHAM WOMENS, HEARTLANDS, SOLIHULL,
ROYAL ORTHOPAEDIC, GOOD HOPE SUTTON COLDFIELD & MIDLAND METROPOLITAN HOSPITALS

Can you be a friend of BHBN Radio ?

BHBN Radio has operated since 1952 and is managed entirely by volunteers around the clock throughout the year.
Currently, BHBN seeks your support to continue broadcasting to hospitals, care homes, and the wider community.
Individuals can contribute donations via the organization's Go Fund Me account. accessible by clicking on this link https://gofund.me/a25bbf0b or by scanning the Go Fund Me QR code below.

For reference, a donation of £10 supports six hours of broadcasting, £20 covers half a day, and £40 provides for a full day. Taxpayers may add 25% to their donation at no additional cost through Go Fund Me.

Strictly BHBN - Professional Dancer Lauren Oakley Reunited with Old Friend on BHBN Radio

Fans of Strictly Come Dancing are in for a treat this Bank Holiday Monday, August 25th, as Birmingham born professional dancer Lauren Oakley joins BHBN Radio for an exclusive and deeply personal interview with presenter Andy Caddick.

This special broadcast not only offers an intimate look into the world of Strictly and promises a heartwarming reunion between Oakley and Caddick old family friends who lost touch a number of years ago. Listeners can expect candid revelations as Lauren delves into her inspiring journey to becoming a professional dancer, sharing what ignited her passion and led her to the dance floor.

Beyond her personal story, Oakley talks about her time so far on Strictly Come Dancing. Lauren shares insights into her career path and the passion that drives her to perform at the highest level and reveals insights into the demanding rehearsal process with her celebrity partners, highlighting the immense effort and dedication required.

She shares secrets and untold anecdotes about the show, offering a perspective only a professional dancer can provide. Lauren opens up about navigating life in the spotlight and coping with the intense pressures of media attention.

The interview comes at a critical time for BHBN Radio. For over 70 years, since 1952, BHBN has been a comforting voice for hospital patients and care home residents across Birmingham, Solihull, and now Sandwell, placing their wellbeing at the heart of all its programming.

However, in June 2025, BHBN was informed that its long-standing funding was being withdrawn, leaving the station with only three months' notice and a significant loss of its major income source. To ensure its vital work continues and remains on air, BHBN Radio urgently needs to raise £15,000 annually to cover its day-to-day operating costs. Every penny donated directly supports the station’s continued broadcast, allowing it to keep providing comfort, companionship, and entertainment to those in hospital and the wider community.

Every £10 donated enables BHBN Radio to broadcast for 6 hours! Every £40 donated helps BHBN Radio broadcast for an entire day!

Tune in to BHBN Radio on Bank Holiday Monday, August 25^th between 6-8pm to hear this exclusive interview with Lauren Oakley.

How to Listen: Just click on the play button above on the page header, or on the BHBN Radio App, or on hospital bedside radio systems where available.

How to Donate: To contribute to BHBN Radio’s urgent fundraising appeal and help keep this essential service on air, please visit https://www.bhbn.net/ or https://gofund.me/a25bbf0b

Another way to be a Good Friend to BHBN Radio

Find Your Stride - Anytime, Anywhere

Couch to 5k

By Joy Bourne

Let’s face it—getting fit can feel overwhelming. We’ve all had those bursts of motivation: a new season, a fresh start, maybe even a new pair of trainers. But life has a funny way of getting in the way. Work gets busy. The weather turns. That expensive gym membership? It gathers dust faster than your running shoes.

So what if there was a way to move more, feel better, and boost your wellbeing—all without spending a penny?

Enter Couch to 5K. Yes, running! Or, let’s be honest, jogging (or even power walking) for most of us. The beauty of Couch to 5K is that it meets you where you are—literally. You don’t need a gym, a personal trainer, or any fancy equipment. Just a pair of comfortable shoes and a bit of time.

Created by the NHS, this free app is designed for beginners and gently builds you up to run for 30 minutes non-stop in just nine weeks. And it really works—I should know, I road-tested it myself.

What I love about Couch to 5K is that it’s achievable. You start with short bursts of running interspersed with walking, and before you know it, you’re going further, feeling stronger, and actually looking forward to your next session. Plus, the app lets you choose from a range of friendly voices to coach and encourage you—some familiar, some funny, all motivating.

And if you're not quite ready to commit to running just yet, you can even listen to my personal journey through the programme. I recorded three instalments for hospital radio as I went from complete beginner to someone who could run for a full half hour without stopping. It’s not just about fitness—it’s about confidence, headspace, and reclaiming a little bit of time for you.

So whether you’re walking around your local park, jogging through the streets of your neighbourhood, or pacing yourself along hospital corridors on your break—Couch to 5K could be your first step to feeling better in both body and mind.

Because sometimes, the smallest steps lead to the biggest changes

Goodbye to a true friend of BHBN

BHBN Radio are sorry to announce some sad news, Friend & Contributor of BHBN Mary Sandall. died peacefully on Wednesday 12th February at the grand age of 97. Mary had her own hour Bank Holiday shows and she regularly contributed to Donna Joseph's weekly Good Vibrations show with a chat and play a few of Mary's Favourites. Mary was dubbed England's oldest DJ by the local press some years ago, which lead to a cameo on the Jonathon Ross's Saturday Evening TV Show. RIP Mary

Volunteer Role Vacancies

*NEW*

BHBN Radio are looking for a Volunteer Request show Presenters for THE HEARTLANDS HOSPITAL. The Role involves collecting requests from patients & presenting a one hour show on Friday at either 4pm or 5pm
Living local to these hospitals or local to our studios at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and own transport would be an advantage. To apply go to our recruitment page.

BHBN Radio have opportunities for Volunteer Ward Walkers to visit our two largest hospitals; The Queen Elizabeth Hospital and the new Midland Metropolitan University Hospital. Email hello@bhbn.net Ward Walkers visit the hospital wards promoting BHBN Radio distributing magazines and leaflets also encouraging Patients to download our Radio App whilst collecting requests and dedications for our radio shows.

Before applying please read through the Recruitment Page on our website www.bhbn.net For further information please email recruitment@bhbn.net.

Applicants should be over 18 years of age and would be subject to DBS checks and interview with the Hospital Volunteer Department.

Macmillan Cancer Information & Support Centres Launch at UHB Hospitals

Joining us at the studio were Sam Govier & Huma Subhan talking about support available at University Hospital Birmingham for cancer patients, their family, friends, and carers.

Information about the Support Centres can now be heard regularly during BHBN Radio's programmes

We are very fortunate here at UHB to have the Macmillan Cancer Information and Support Centres which are located our four hospital sites. The information on offer covers all aspects of the cancer journey, including pre-diagnosis, diagnosis and treatments, living with and beyond cancer, palliative and end of life care. Our free confidential drop-in service offers emotional support, information, practical and financial advice, and sign posting to self help and support groups.

We’re here to support you at any of our Cancer Information & Support Service centres, Monday -Friday, 8.30am to 4.30pm.

We can be found at the following locations:

• QE – Cancer Centre
• BHH – Oncology/Haematology Day unit, Midru
• Good Hope – Sheldon Unit
• Solihull Hospital – Oncology/Haematology Day unit

We offer:

• Cancer information
• Access to Complementary therapies
• Signpost to Counselling services.
• Financial support

• Telephone helpline
• Self Help & Support Groups
• Signposting to community services

Please remember no appointment is needed call in at your convenience.

If you would like to find out more about what we offer, please come and visit us at the hubs or contact us on 0121 371 3539 or email cancerinfo@uhb.nhs.uk.

Click on the link below to read through our latest magazine

https://heartbeatpublications.co.uk/bhbnradio/

Click here to Subscribe to the latest BHBN Magazine info@heartbeatpublications.co.uk

Current Sponsors

Click on logos for information

The Evening Show

The Golden Hour

Thank BHBN It's Friday

For details of our sponsorship packages email. technical@bhbn.net

BHBN Radio
Associates

Providing Bedside Media in all our Hospedia Hospitals

Philippa Clarkin

Providing Voiceovers and Promos to the sound of
BHBN Radio