Community stations, BCfm Radio and Ujima Radio, have been jointly awarded a £20,000 grant from Bristol City Council’s Community Resilience Fund.
This funding will go towards the making of a new audio documentary exploring the causes and impact of last year’s riots, as well as helping to develop a protocol for how community media can respond to public disorder.
The riots last July and August were the most severe in the UK since 2011, affecting 27 towns and cities, including Bristol. The unrest resulted in over 1,280 arrests and nearly 800 charges, with Avon and Somerset Police arresting 14 individuals in connection with the disturbances.
Patrick Hart, CEO of registered charity BCfm Radio, said: “This funding gives us a real opportunity to delve into what happened and why. As community broadcasters, we have a responsibility to tell the whole story, from the streets to the council chambers, and ensure unheard voices are part of the narrative.”
Miranda Rae, Station Manager of Ujima Radio CIC, added: “This is about resilience, not just bouncing back but learning, growing, and leading. Community radio is uniquely placed to support people through crisis, and this project will lay down a roadmap for how we can do that with integrity, care, and impact.”
The initiative will involve community engagement, so that the documentary and protocol are rooted in the lived experiences of Bristol’s diverse populations. Both stations say they are committed to using this opportunity to strengthen community ties and promote constructive dialogue.