Torbay teen joins Children in Need choir

Torbay’s very own young people’s radio station Ocean Youth Radio has another star to mark Children in Need. Ocean Youth is run by young people for young people from their radio station HQ in Winner Street, Paignton. One of the O cean Youth presenters, Dan Boosey, is taking part in the Children in Need Choir, performing Take That’s ‘Never Forget’ in Manchester on Friday, 15th November during the big appeal show.

Dan says, “I’ve been presenting Ocean Youth Radio shows for nine months now. On the first day there I planned a radio show - which my dad couldn’t believe! It’s a great place to learn media skills and work with other young people. Right from the start I loved it because all the staff are fun to hang around with and they’re basically friends as well.” 15 year old Dan has cerebral palsy with mild learning difficulties and wears a hearing aid. He has struggled with feeling confident – but Ocean Youth has opened up a world of confidence building opportunities.

Dan is one of 20 young presenters, DJs and podcasters who run regular shows on the Torbay radio station.

“Rehearsing by myself was a bit weird to start off with but I’m getting good at it now," Dan said. "I’m really looking forward to going to Salford to sing in the Children In Need choir and hopefully meeting some famous people, especially Pudsey.”

This week Dan appeared showcased his journey with Ocean Youth and the opportunities Children In Need help provide through their funding that supports the radio station.

Ocean Youth Radio station manager, Charlie Cuff, started as a young presenter five years ago. Charlie has grown into his role as Station Manager, mentoring a new generation of budding presenters and producers while shaping the station’s future with 33,000 listeners.

“Ocean Youth is a youth-led radio station by and for young people, broadcasting live from Paignton," says Charlie. "We’re live every Saturday, with shows running throughout the week and were broadcasting 24/7 on DAB, Online and through the Ocean youth radio app. Our mission is to amplify young voices in Torbay and beyond.”

Reflecting on his own transformation, Charlie shares: “When I first joined Ocean Youth back in 2019, I was battling social anxiety and a lack of self-confidence. Being part of the station has helped me manage my anxiety, build confidence, and focus on something I love - radio. Ocean Youth Radio is more than a radio station—it’s a community that builds confidence and empowers young people to discover their potential.”

Ocean Youth are now expanding their schedule with a series of specialist shows giving older teenagers aged 16+ the chance to make radio shows and podcasts about music and events that interest them.

Another young radio presenter, Ocean Youth’s Daisy Lloyd, made the award-winning ‘300 Seconds’ podcast series about mental health with the radio station for which she and the team won an industry award. Daisy is now the creative producer of this new radio series for 16+ teenagers called ‘Sonar.’

Daisy says: "I’ve loved doing shows and have been doing them for about five years and now I’ve got a new challenge- to help design and create ‘Sonar’ radio for people aged 16+. There’s no other radio station that caters for us so why not do it ourselves? I want to give us the voice to share our hobbies, interests and talents. To get involved or find out about it DM us on Instagram. I’m excited for all the things in the pipeline including Sonar live events, and I can’t wait to see what Sonar has in store."

Ocean Youth Radio can be listened to on DAB or by downloading the free App, available via Apple App Store or Google Play. The Ocean Youth App delivers radio, events, opportunities, and information on how to become a part of the radio station. The App also gives young people mental health support resources and podcasts direct from their phone and mobile devices.

Ocean Youth is part of Sound Communities, an organisation that reaches marginalised young people across the area to engage and create using radio, music and creative media production. They have worked directly with over 2115 children and young people in Torbay and South Devon in 2023. In 2023 Ocean Youth Radio reached over 33,000 young listeners online, on DAB and through the Ocean Youth App.