A RADIO station serving Basildon and east Thurrock which offers work experience to young people is now supporting them with their problems with the introduction of a youth worker.

Gateway Community Media welcomes young people to gain experience of working in the media and producing content for a radio station via Gateway 97.8.

The radio station, based in Basildon but broadcast on DAB, also holds a youth group – Radio Club – for young people aged 11 to 18 with an interest in the media.

Now, with a rise in the number of young people wanting to spend time at the station, one of the team are being trained as a youth worker to provide support and further guidance.

Roger Hirst, Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex (PFCC) has contributed £15,000 to Gateway Community Media in the form of a crime and disorder reduction grant from the 2026 Community Safety Development Fund to fund the new role.

Mr Hirst said: "Hobbies are such a positive way for young people to spend their spare time. With today's world lived so extensively online, anything that gets young people off of their phones or screens and into a pastime that inspires them and gives them ambitions and skills for the future can only be a good thing.

"With the addition of a youth worker to provide guidance and support to young people as they navigate what may be a tricky time in their life, Gateway Community Media have spotted vital teachable moments where they can add such value to a person's young life."

Gateway's executive director Danny Lawrence said: "We do a lot of youth provision and over the last year we have had an increase in the number of young people wanting to get involved.

Danny Lawrence

"We are on a database for schools and colleges looking for work placements for those interested in the media and radio stations. We are a springboard for young people who want to work in the industry.

"But, many young people who come to us – about 80 per cent – may not have had the best start in life; they may be young carers, or have special educational needs or be hanging about the streets and on the verge of getting into trouble.

"This funding is about having a youth worker available, so we can cater for the whole range of young people who come to us. It means we can not only offer the media facilities, but also look after and support these young people. It opens things up to even more young people.

"The youth worker can get to know the young people, find out their hobbies and interests and tap into that. One boy came to us whose school had said he was unlikely to attend. But, we found he had an interest in Elvis and so we arranged for him to see a tribute act at the Towngate Theatre and provide a review for the radio station. It's about changing behaviours and helping them to turn their lives around.

"It's about helping young people to find their passion and turning things around. It is so worthwhile."

Young people are taught to how to use a microphone, interview people, edit and produce a radio package.

Of the PFCC funding, Mr Lawrence said: "It is absolutely fantastic. We would not be able to expand and do more without this money. It is so tough out there to get funding; everyone is fighting for the same pot of money.

"To be able to say we can help more people is wonderful."

You can listen to Gateway radio here: Gateway 97.8 | Our Local Radio for Basildon and East Thurrock