Trustees’ Annual Report & Accounts 2024/25
Radio Tyneside is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales – No 1174808 Principal Address: Floor 2, Newcastle University Students Union, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 8QB
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
Chair’s Report
Once again over the past 12 months we have supported our community in a number of ways. Being a radio station that promotes health and wellbeing, many organisations have been given the opportunity to get their message across. As always, we have worked with both the Newcastle and Gateshead Health Trusts.
We currently have 45 volunteers working for us which allows us to broadcast 24 hours a day both to the hospital wards and to the community and I thank them all for their continued support. I would like to thank the Newcastle and Gateshead NHS Trusts for their continued support. Thanks also go to the local businesses in the area who have supported us financially which has helped us enormously in the continuing of our service.
The big change this year is that we have had to move out of our building on Claremont Road as the Trust, who own the property, are having to sell it. We have been there for over 15 years. Fortunately, we have found new premises in the Students Union of Newcastle University. They have kindly converted 3 rooms into two studios and a technical area and our engineers have installed state of the art equipment which will allow us to continue broadcasting on FM, DAB, Online and to the patients on the wards of the hospitals in Newcastle and Gateshead.
Radio Tyneside prides itself with the training the volunteers receive which for some of our past members has led to them making a career in the media. Currently we have many now working for both the BBC and ITV in news, sport and entertainment. Talking of sport, I am pleased to say that we still bring our hospital patients commentary on all of Newcastle United’s home games from St James Park, something we have done since 1951, when the station was set up. Next year we will celebrate 75 years of broadcasting.
Finally, after being involved with Radio Tyneside for over 50 years, I am proud to be part of Radio Tyneside and the dedication from our volunteers that has made the station the success that it is and we thank the listeners who continue listen.
Dave Nicholson OBE Chair, Radio Tyneside
Page 2 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
Introduction
The Trustees of Radio Tyneside are pleased to present their Report and Accounts for the year ending 31[st] March 2025.
The Trustees have considered their duties in accordance with the Charity Commission's regulations. The review of activities and achievements is presented below, and the Trustees believe that it gives a true record of the work the charity has done in fulfilling its charitable purposes for public benefit.
Organisation
Radio Tyneside is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered in England and Wales on 25[th] September 2017 and governed by a constitution last amended on 16[th] December 2020. The constitution is based on model wording agreed between the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) and the Charity Commission.
Radio Tyneside merged with ‘Radio Tyneside – The Tyneside Hospitals Broadcasting Service’, registered number 500451, in March 2018, and took over the provision of the hospital radio service at the RVI and Freeman hospitals in Newcastle upon Tyne and the Queen Elizabeth hospital in Gateshead. In June 2018, the charity launched its new health and wellbeing community radio service, specifically for older people living in and around the Newcastle and Gateshead area, broadcasting on 93.6 FM, and online via its website. This service was extended to broadcast on DAB across the Newcastle & Gateshead and Tynemouth & South Shields multiplexes during 2022.
Radio Tyneside is managed by the charity trustees. In the period covered by this review, all of the charity trustees were elected by the membership in accordance with the rules and procedures set out in the published constitution. Two of the trustees, Yvonne Bell and Richard Finch were re-elected by the membership at the 2024 AGM.
Throughout the period under review, Radio Tyneside continued to operate with no paid staff, being run entirely by a membership of volunteers.
This Report and the attached Accounts have been produced in accordance with the guidance provided by the Charity Commission.
Charitable Objects
Radio Tyneside has two charitable objects:
-
the relief of sickness, poor health and old age amongst people living in Newcastle and Gateshead by providing a local broadcasting service for hospitals, residential homes and similar institutions, and for patients receiving community care; and
-
the advancement of health and prevention or relief of sickness for the public benefit through the promotion of the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle, and the importance of maintaining good personal mental and physical health by (mainly, but not exclusively) the
Page 3 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
means of broadcasting health education messages to people living in Newcastle and Gateshead.
These charitable objects use the model wording agreed between the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA) and the Charity Commission.
In furtherance of the first object, Radio Tyneside provides a hospital radio service to patients at the Royal Victoria Infirmary, Freeman and Queen Elizabeth Hospitals via the bedside entertainment system, delivered by Spark TSL.
Radio Tyneside also streams its service online via the internet and downloadable iOS and Android Apps such as TuneIn Radio and RadioPlayer. This allows hospital patients and listeners in residential homes and similar institutions to listen to the service.
The second of these objects is a localised version of the second model object agreed between the HBA and the Charity Commission, and allows Radio Tyneside to target its services at the local population outside the hospital with the intent of helping and encouraging them to live a healthy and active life in the local community, and thus requiring to make less use of the health services.
To further this object, Radio Tyneside operates a community radio service, broadcasting on 93.6FM and DAB to listeners in Newcastle upon Tyne and Gateshead and also through online channels. In addition, Radio Tyneside uses its online and social media presence to disseminate information and messages in support of this object.
In managing the charity, the Trustees have, at all relevant times, had regard to the charity's charitable objects, and the Charity Commission's public benefit guidance.
Key Commitments
The Trustees are responsible for ensuring that Key Commitments agreed with the telecommunications regulator, Ofcom, are met.
Delivery against these Commitments is monitored by the Compliance Officer and an annual summary report is presented to the Trustees for review. This summary is attached as an annex to this report.
The Trustees consider that the Key Commitments have been met during the period under review.
Page 4 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
Memberships
Radio Tyneside is proud to be a member of a number of community and support organisations, and the Trustees wish to extend their thanks and appreciation for the information and advice they offer throughout the year.
Radio Tyneside is a member of the Hospital Broadcasting Association (HBA), the national charity that supports and promotes hospital broadcasting in the UK. It is also a member of the Community Media Association (CMA), being the UK representative body for the community broadcasting sector, committed to promoting access to the media for people and communities, and the UK Community Radio Network. Our members regularly attend national conferences and events organised by these organisations.
Radio Tyneside is also a member of the Community Foundation, a philanthropic organisation that supports good causes and makes grants to hundreds of small charities across North East England, and is a member of Connected Voice, supporting voluntary and community action in the North East of England.
We are also a founding Corporate Sponsor of the Gateshead Health Charity.
In furtherance of the charitable objects and Ofcom Key Commitments, Radio Tyneside also maintains membership of the Gateshead VCSE Alliance.
We work closely with and regularly showcase the great work of many local support organisations, including InformationNOW, the advice and information service provided by Newcastle City Council, the Newcastle and Gateshead Volunteer Centres, Our Gateshead, Age UK Gateshead, Healthwatch Newcastle and Healthwatch Gateshead, the Elders Council of Newcastle upon Tyne, the Newcastle Hospitals Charity and the Gateshead Health Charity. We also maintain a good working relationship with both Newcastle and Northumbria Universities. Radio Tyneside has provided volunteer opportunities to a steady number of students from both universities over the years.
Page 5 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
Review of Activities and Achievements
In this section we cover some of the achievements and highlights since the TAR for 2023/24 was published in Q3 2024.
During the latter part of 2024 we were advised by the Newcastle Hospitals Trust that our tenancy at 3 North Terrace-owned building was to end and we would need to find new accommodation for our studios. A notice was put out on social media and through contacts and happily within a matter of weeks we were offered a number of new homes. After much leg-work and deliberation we decided to take up an offer from Newcastle University Student’s Union who had space office space in their beautiful old building
on the campus. Centrally placed in Newcastle we see it as a very positive move.
Work started in June and, at the end of August, we had completed the move and were able to start
broadcasting from the new studio premises.
The trustees would like to extend their thanks to all of those members who have worked tirelessly to ensure that the move went ahead smoothly.
Specific mention goes to Tony Crosby for conducting a very effective due diligence process and to David McSparron and Neal Younger for developing and implementing some very complex technical arrangements.
Page 6 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
During the period under review we undertook some major live outside broadcasts, providing the opportunity to meet some of our listeners and to showcase some great events. In September 2024, we once again provided live coverage from the start of the Great North Run. More recently, we broadcast live from the North East Wool Show at Gosforth Park and from the Ouseburn Festival over a weekend in July.
We are very proud of our heritage as a hospital radio service, and this is still at the core of what we do. We first broadcast football commentaries from St James’ Park in 1951, and continue to do that to the present day.
The annual Hospital Radio awards were held in March 2025 and Radio Tyneside was once again recognised, achieving a Gold award for ‘Station of the Year’. This is a tremendous achievement and reflects the excellent standard of service which we always aim to deliver.
Following receipt of the second tranche of grant funding awarded last year by the Newcastle Hospitals Charity, we have now also completed the second phase of the studio upgrade, by upgrading our computer network to support the latest studio broadcast software. This work has been completed in conjunction with planning for our studio move.
The last 12 months have been very challenging due to the requirement to move studio premises, however, we have maintained our high standards throughout this time. Radio Tyneside will be 75 years old in October 2026 and we are able to look forward to the future with confidence.
Acknowledgements
Radio Tyneside’s activities to help patients, and in providing a community radio service, are only possible through the contribution of the time and energy of the charity’s team of volunteers. Volunteers provide their time in a range of roles to help Radio Tyneside deliver its service to patients and the public, including presenting radio shows, providing technical and engineering support and in fundraising.
The Trustees wish to record their thanks to all those volunteering at the charity for their ongoing support and commitment. We estimate that the volunteer team has given over 10,000 hours of their time to the charity during the year.
The Trustees also extend their gratitude to Newcastle Upon Tyne Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust for providing us with support over the years and look forward to continuing to maintain a fruitful relationship going forward.
Page 7 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
We also wish to thank the Newcastle University Students Union staff who have been instrumental in making our move to new premises a smooth one.
The Trustees would also like to thank the many businesses and organisations that continue to support us:
To the Newcastle Hospitals Charity and to Gateshead Health Charity for their continued encouragement and financial support.
To local businesses: Bliss in the Sticks and Fish Electricals for their continuing on-air sponsorship.
And finally, thanks are due to the many listeners and supporters that made individual donations throughout the year.
Page 8 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
Going Forward
We will reach an important milestone next year when we reach our 75[th] anniversary. Following our studio move, we look to the future with renewed confidence and intend to celebrate with a number of events and activities, both on-air and off-air.
With around 40 volunteers at Radio Tyneside, whether that be as a presenter, IT/technical support, in media, or in an administrative role, they have all played their part in the organisation to maintain its core mission and objectives.
However, as times change and listeners tastes and habits change we are mindful that we need to move with them to make sure that we keep pace and ensure that we are providing them with what they want from a community radio station.
With this in, mind we plan to get out in the community more in the future and encourage engagement from the various groups and organisations, thereby delivering and extending our social gain objectives.
We aim to strengthen our management team and to invite new volunteers to join us.
Page 9 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
Financial Management
Radio Tyneside manages its finances to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 and the Charity Commission guidelines "Internal Financial Controls for Charities (CC8)".
Accounts for the year ended 31[st] March 2025 have been prepared on a Receipts and Payments basis.
Radio Tyneside aims to maintain a credit balance of unrestricted funds at all times that equates to at least one year’s forecasted revenue expenditure, currently set at £12k.
At the end of the year under review, Radio Tyneside is financially stable and has adequate cash reserves. Radio Tyneside managed unrestricted funds totalling £17,947, having raised £25,481 (including an exceptional income item of £10,000) and has spent £23,082 during the year.
Income
The final £10,000 tranche of our grant award from the Newcastle Hospitals Charity was made available. This allowed us to complete a major upgrade of our studio and transmission equipment which has significantly increased the breadth and quality of our output and facilitated the studio move.
The Trustees consider that a diverse and broad selection of income streams is important to avoid over-reliance on any one source. In the year under review a good spread of funding sources was maintained and operational income totalled £15.5k.
Corporate donations remained steady at £1.2k (previous year £1.4k). Two individual personal donations boosted this income stream to £7.7k (£0.4k).
Sales income of £2.0k was generated through the sale of surplus studio equipment, made redundant as a result of the studio upgrade
Finally, fundraising efforts generated £1.9k (£1.4k), due in part to sponsorship of a cycle ride undertaken by one of our members. The trustees would like to thank Tony Crosby for his sterling efforts in raising this money.
Expenditure
The Trustees maintained close control on expenditure during 2024/25.
Expenditure during the year totalled £23.1k. Excluding costs associated with the studio upgrade, operational expenditure of £13.1k was consistent with previous years.
Major recurring expenditure items included music royalties, at £3.6k (£3.4k). Other licence, subscription and membership costs were £3.5k (£3.2k). This figure includes the cost of Ofcom
Page 10 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
broadcasting licences for our FM and DAB channels, the provision of news content, television licences and memberships of the Hospital Broadcasting Association and Community Media Association.
Other major items of expenditure include Insurance at £1.8k (£1.4k), covered in part by a restricted grant from the Newcastle Hospitals Charity made in a previous year. The increase was due to the additional premium associated with the increased value of our studio equipment, following the studio upgrade.
Travel, meals and accommodation at £0.9k included expenses incurred in the delivery of the studio upgrade and catering for a one off event, which was covered by a personal donation made for this purpose.
Management of Major Risks
Ensuring that we generate income to cover the running costs of providing a community and hospital radio service is considered a key risk to Radio Tyneside. Historically, our main income streams have been grant funding, personal donations and fundraising, however, the current environment in these areas is challenging and we supplement these sources with some programme sponsorship. Going forward, annual outgoings are expected to increase by £5k, reflecting the additional costs of rental and telecommunications due to the studio move. Whilst current reserves provide a financial buffer, the Trustees recognise the need to increase income streams to cover increased expenses and this will be a priority in the coming months.
As a community radio broadcaster, Radio Tyneside must meet the agreed Key Commitments and must comply with the requirements of the Broadcasting Act and the Ofcom Broadcasting Code.
- https://static.ofcom.org.uk/static/radiolicensing/html/radio stations/community/cr102238ba2radiotyneside.htm
Failure to meet these commitments or other breaches of the Ofcom code could result in fines or other sanctions against the charity.
Operating as a community radio station, with programming being available to listeners across Tyneside, brings the risk of the potential for complaints or the causing of offence.
The Trustees consider that satisfactory arrangements are in place to minimise these risks, through a careful recruitment policy, presenter training and the monitoring of station output against the key commitments and rules.
A major risk associated with the community radio service is technical equipment failure, taking the station off-air for a significant period of time, and in breach of its obligations under the Ofcom Broadcasting Act licence. This is compounded by the charity having a small technical team of volunteers, all of whom have full time work commitments. We have completed a project to replace our studio and transmission facilities with a digital platform. Amongst other things, this will mitigate the risk of equipment failure, reduce the overhead and costs associated with ongoing maintenance and repair and allow remote maintenance and fault
Page 11 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
correction. Our transmission facilities include the availability of ‘standby’ equipment, including spares so that, as far as possible, we are able to automatically switch over in case of failure. The transmitter and antenna were installed professionally, ensuring that the transmissions are technically compliant with the relevant engineering codes.
Finally, the Trustees recognise the risk associated with reliance on key individuals with the necessary knowledge and skills to manage the charity and its obligations. As a result, the Trustees keep this under continual review. It is expected that this will result in changes going forward, predominantly though the creation of a Management Team and the approach to succession planning.
Page 12 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
Charity Details
Radio Tyneside A Charitable Incorporated Organisation, Reg Number 1174808
Trustees Dave Nicholson OBE (Chairman) Richard Finch (Treasurer) Professor Chris Eggett (Secretary) Yvonne Bell Geoff Lisle
Principal Address Floor 2, Newcastle University Students Union University of Newcastle upon Tyne Kings Walk NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE NE1 8QB
Bankers The Co-operative Bank P O Box 101 1 Balloon Street Manchester M60 4EP
Approved by members at AGM held 25[th] September 2025
Signed on behalf of the Trustees:
Dave Nicholson Richard Finch Chairman Treasurer
Page 13 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
Receipts and Payments Account For the year ended 31st March 2025
| Receipts and Payments Account For the year ended 31st March 2025 |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024/25 | 2023/24 | ||||||
| Unrestricted | Restricted | Total | |||||
| INCOME | Note | £ | £ | £ | £ | ||
| Corporate Donations | 1,200 | - | 1,200 | 1,400 | |||
| Personal Donations | 7,685 | - | 7,685 | 369 | |||
| Grants | 397 | 11,000 | 11,397 | 40,312 | |||
| On-air Sponsorship | 1,125 | - | 1,125 | 1,925 | |||
| Fundraising Activities | 1,927 | - | 1,927 | 1,449 | |||
| Sales | 2,021 | - | 2,021 | - | |||
| Interest | 126 | - | 126 | 52 | |||
| 14,481 | 11,000 | 25,481 | 45,507 | ||||
| EXPENDITURE | |||||||
| Telecommunications | 655 | - | 655 | 854 | |||
| Postage | 30 | - | 30 | - | |||
| Equipment/maintenance | 442 | 11,563 | 12,005 | 40,722 | |||
| Insurance | 827 | 1,021 | 1,848 | 1,379 | |||
| Stationery and Consumables | 35 | - | 35 | 238 | |||
| Music purchases | 48 | - | 48 | 96 | |||
| Music royalties | 3,633 | - | 3,633 | 3,432 | |||
| Licences and memberships | 3,542 | - | 3,542 | 3,151 | |||
| Internet | 43 | - | 43 | 360 | |||
| Marketing | 90 | - | 90 | 58 | |||
| Travel, meals, accommodation | 571 | - | 872 | - | |||
| Miscellaneous | 582 | - | 281 | 362 | |||
| 10,498 | 12,584 | 23,082 | 50,652 | ||||
| Surplus of Income over expenditure | 3,983 | - | 1,584 - |
2,399 | - | 5,145 - |
|
| Funds brought forward | 13,964 | 1,584 | 15,548 | 20,693 | |||
| Funds carried forward | 17,947 | - | 17,947 | 15,548 | |||
| Notes: | |||||||
| Note 1-Movement in Restricted Funds | Bal B/ Fwd | Receipts | Payments | Bal C/ Fwd | |||
| Studio Equipment | 563 | 11,000 | 11,563 | - | |||
| Telecommunications | - | - | - | ||||
| Insurance | 1,021 | - | 1,021 | - | |||
| 1,584 | 11,000 | 12,584 | - | ||||
| Note 2-Summary of Bank Accounts | Funds C/Fwd | Funds B/Fwd | Funds B/Fwd | ||||
| Deposit Account | 9,393 | 9,267 | |||||
| Current Account | 8,554 | 6,281 | |||||
| 17,947 | 15,548 |
Assets Retained for the Charity's Own Use
IT Equipment
Studio Equipment
Outside Broadcast Equipment Away from premises
10 personal computers, laptops, accessories and required software
2 replacement ( in use digital studio desks), microphones, cables, tv sets, amplifiers, and various equipment required to process and distribute audio Comrex OB unit, small mixing desk, microphones and FM Transmitter, antenna and cabling
Page 14 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
Independent Examiner’s Report to the Trustees of Radio Tyneside
Page 15 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
Radio Tyneside – Review of Key Commitments for the period 2024/5
Description of character of service
Radio Tyneside offers a service primarily for listeners aged over 50 in the Newcastle and Gateshead area and aims to improve their health and wellbeing. The station encourages lifestyle improvements amongst listeners and supports the people and organisations that provide relevant services. The studio is located within the licensed coverage area. The service provides a range of community benefits (social gain objectives mandated by statute) for the target community, both on-air and off-air, and in doing so, achieves the following objectives:
• the facilitation of discussion and the expression of opinion
• the provision (whether by means of programmes included in the service or otherwise) of education or training to individuals not employed by the person providing the service, and
• the better understanding of the particular community and the strengthening of links within it.
Members of the target community contribute to the operation and management of the service. The service has mechanisms in place to ensure it is accountable to its target community.
[July 2018. Revised March 2025]
Radio Tyneside offers a service primarily for listeners aged over 50 in the Newcastle and Gateshead area and aims to improve their health and wellbeing. The station encourages lifestyle improvements amongst listeners and supports the people and organisations that provide relevant services.
Our current programme schedule allows us to engage with our community across the day. Music policy ensures an ‘easy listening’ mix of music to attract an audience of mainly over 50s and reflects the character of the service..
Our advice on health, wellbeing and lifestyle issues continues to be produced and presented in an accessible and engaging way and in a subtle manner, encouraging listeners into living a healthier and fulfilling life. We signpost recreational activities and events in the area which encourage people to attend and participate. Relevant features were included in daily programmes and presenters have included lifestyle and wellbeing items in their shows, including the Event Guide We broadcast hourly pre-recorded ‘Public Service Information’ promotions which highlight important services available to our listeners as well as items provided by Radio Fillers, Charity Fillers and Public Health England.
An hourly news bulletin is broadcast from Sky/IRN. Local news features included within general programming between 6am and 6pm weekdays and at weekends.
We also maintain our social media as important channels for us to promote our service and to signpost the work of the organisations and people that we are promoting.
The studio is located within the licensed coverage area.
This is confirmed.
Page 16 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025
Radio Tyneside Trustees’ Annual Report and Accounts
The service provides a range of community benefits (social gain objectives mandated by statute) for the target community, both on-air and off-air, and in doing so, achieves the following objectives:
• the facilitation of discussion and the expression of opinion,
• the provision (whether by means of programmes included in the service or otherwise) of education or training to individuals not employed by the person providing the service, and
• the better understanding of the particular community and the strengthening of links within it.
Regular contributions from members of the community made via on-air interviews and contributions plus acting on feedback received.
We have engaged with a wide range of local organisations and agencies, to support our programming – including InformationNOW, Age UK Gateshead, Newcastle Volunteer Centre, Our Gateshead.
Local organisations have written and presented their own short messages for inclusion in our programmes, with our guidance and assistance (PSAs) – examples include: InformationNOW, Healthwatch Newcastle and Gateshead, the Newcastle Hospitals Charity and the Gateshead Health Charity.
Members of the target community contribute to the operation and management of the service.
Radio Tyneside continues to be 100% volunteer-operated. As such, there is a large variety of roles open to members of the target community (and others), including on-air presentation, production, programme scheduling, journalism, fundraising, engineering and technical, membership management, administration, finance, and promotion. Volunteering is open to all individuals aged 18 or over, subject to satisfactory completion of standard volunteer recruitment checks, induction processes and appropriate training.
Volunteer roles provide opportunities for members to develop technical skills and experience, build confidence and improve interpersonal skills, enhance skills in management, customer services and communication.
Average number of Volunteer hours per week in 2024 was 135
Total number of volunteers involved, for the year 2024 was 44
Total number of new people trained during the year 2024 was 18
The service has mechanisms in place to ensure it is accountable to its target community.
Regular feedback has been received by telephone, SMS, email and social media. Most has been positive, however, a small number of negative feedback messages were investigated and actioned by the Programme Director.
Geoff Lisle
Compliance Officer – Radio Tyneside March 2025
Page 17 of 17
Radio Tyneside 2025