The Isle of Wight Hospital Broadcasting Association (Charity number 263151) is a UK-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to providing hospital radio services to patients at St. Mary’s Hospital on the Isle of Wight. Established in the early 1970s by radio enthusiasts Mike Cooley and Rob Mannion, the association operates under the brand name Sunshine Radio Isle of Wight, offering a broad mix of programming tailored to the needs and interests of hospital patients[4][5].

History

The organisation was founded around 1971 when two radio hams conceived the idea of a hospital radio station on the Isle of Wight. Early development involved fundraising and planning broadcasts, with guidance from experienced broadcaster Bill Lyon from Radio Solent. In 1972, the station was established in premises located within the grounds of St. Mary’s Hospital, consisting initially of a small studio and record library. Since then, Sunshine Radio has grown to become an integral part of patient care and entertainment at the hospital[4].

Broadcasting

Sunshine Radio broadcasts seven days a week, from 9:30 am until 2:00 am, providing continuous programming for patients at St. Mary’s Hospital. The station’s schedule features a diverse variety of shows including music from the 1950s to the 1980s, comedy segments, drama hours featuring crime classics and Sherlock Holmes, and specialty programmes such as sports stories and musical legends. Notable programmes include "Top 100 Singles of the 1950s," "The Legends Show," "Supersonic Seventies," and "The Sounds of the Sixties." Presenters such as Gordon Cooper, Annabel Locke, and Bill Callow contribute to the station’s varied lineup[2].

Accessibility and Technology

Patients can access Sunshine Radio free of charge through the Hospedia bedside terminals on channel 1 at St. Mary’s Hospital. In addition to hospital bedside access, Sunshine Radio streams live online, making its programmes available beyond the hospital via its website, TuneIn Radio, Amazon Alexa, and dedicated apps for Windows, Apple, Android, and Amazon smart devices[1][5].

Volunteering and Community Role

The Isle of Wight Hospital Broadcasting Association is a registered charity and a member of the national Hospital Broadcasting Association. It relies on a team of volunteers who perform a range of roles including presenting, programming, engineering, administration, and assisting patients with requests and access to the broadcast. This community-driven effort underscores the association’s mission to enhance patient experience through entertainment and companionship during hospital stays[5].

This summary reflects the Isle of Wight Hospital Broadcasting Association’s commitment to supporting patient wellbeing through its established hospital radio service, Sunshine Radio Isle of Wight.

[1] https://www.sunshineradioiow.com [2] https://www.sunshineradioiow.com/index.php/schedule [3] https://sunshineradioiow.com/index.php/contactform [4] https://www.sunshineradioiow.com/index.php/about [5] https://www.iow.nhs.uk/get-involved/sunshine-radio