A Glasgow radio station has won a prestigious award for its outstanding contribution to the local community.
Awaz FM, the voice of the city’s ethnic communities, has become the first community radio station in the UK to win The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service – the MBE for volunteer groups.
The award sets the national benchmark for excellence in volunteering.
Attracting more than 200,000 listeners a week, Awaz, which translates as “voice” in Urdu and Hindi, is the only media platform where information and services are delivered in a multilingual format.
Awaz FM director Ali Malik said: “We are honoured to win this prestigious award and accept it on behalf of our many volunteers, without whose support the voice of Glasgow’s ethnic communities would fall silent.
“In accepting this award, I would like therefore to acknowledge the tremendous support Awaz FM has received from volunteers, local organisations and business and, of course, our many listeners.”
Awaz FM will receive a certificate signed by the Queen and a commemorative crystal, presented by the Lord Provost of Glasgow Bob Winter at a special ceremony.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service main award committee chairman and former broadcast journalist is Martyn Lewis CBE.
He said: “It’s a great pleasure to celebrate the efforts of Awaz FM and help raise awareness of all they do for the benefit of others.”
One of the first community radio stations in the UK to win a licence and operated by more than 50 volunteers ranging in age from 11 to 65, Awaz FM has only three full-time staff.
Among its many community initiatives is a Basic Radio Skills media training course.
It serves Glasgow’s Asian and African community, delivering entertainment, community information, and news in Urdu, Punjabi, Hindi, Swahili and English.
It works with many organisations including Glasgow City Council, Greater Glasgow Health Board, Community Planning Partnership, Cemvo, Glasgow Anti-Racist Alliance and West of Scotland Racial Equality Council.
