About Us

All About Us and Our History

Began broadcasting from and to the West Norwich Hospital [Norwich Community Hospital] in December 1974 as well as the former Norfolk & Norwich Hospital (1976) replaced by the new Norfolk & Norwich University Hospital in 2000

Very shortly in 1975 moved to premises in All Saints Green donated to us by local business man the late Peter Pointer.

After his death in 1984, moved to premises rented from Norwich City Council in Exchange Street, Norwich.

Whilst at Exchange Street eventually negotiated with the West Norwich Hospital to return in 1987 and there stayed until Sept 2007. Moved to Aldwych House, a NHS support office in the heart of Norwich but in 2010 finally, HRN was given a home on the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital site.

Patient visiting takes place in teams of 3-4 and is broadcast to the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital 6 days per week visiting 22 wards on a rota, speaking to approx. 60-70 patients per night.

A computerised music play-out service is on air when live broadcasting stops. This programme was written especially for HRN by their Chairman & Technical Engineer, Mike Sarre with some 3,500 tracks of a variety of music to suit, in the main, the more mature listeners. This service runs non-stop 24 hours. Should circumstances prevent 'live' broadcasting patients will still have music. In 2017 advances in computer technology meant to keep working our purpose built play-out system would need a major rewrite to continue working. The Committee on the advice of the Engineer took the decision to start a fund raising project to purchase a professional system that would carry a full back up service. It was felt that as we were all advancing in years such as system would be future proof. Fund raising went well and the system (Myriad) was duly purchased early 2018 having secured generous discounts from the supplying company.

In two professional broadcasting studios built by Chief Engineer Mike Sarre & Hon. Treasurer, Bob Proudfoot, besides broadcasting, we are also able to produce hospital related/not for profit organisation trails to advise and inform patients of appropriate services. Sponsor-ship messages for programmes from local businesses are also accepted. Studio two is also used as a training and production studio.

Built an excellent relationship with the N&N Foundation Trust and Management, N&N Voluntary Services Dept and front-line medical staff, whom hold HRN in high regard.

The aim of the organisation is to help relieve the stress and distress of hospital life through the medium of broadcasting and befriending whilst on the wards. This in turn keeps patients in touch and provides comfort to them during their stay in hospital.

With a fantastic, caring membership of around 25, and through personal contact with patients, the request programme output is approximately 650-700 requests per 4-weeks.

A Patient magazine is produced, which is published by Chemlsford Company, Hospital Radio Publications. This helps towards generating income for HRN.

Originally in-house designed information leaflet and now with a professional makeover by Naked Marketing, given to patients and also inserted into the patient magazine

The station reaches patients through the bedside media units on Channel 1. The Bedside units are at the N&NUH maintained by an outside company who work with HRN providing headphones to issue to patients and we voluntarily inform patients how to use the communications system and ensure patients who show interest, are tuned in.

All new entrants [applicants] are given full training as well as vetted by the hospital voluntary services through a CRB check and occupational health check. All ward visitors must wear ID badges whilst on NHS/hospital premises.

In 2009 Hospital Radio Norwich was honoured with the prestigious distinction of receiving the Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service.

Patients are able to listen to the religious service on Sunday morning in with input from the hospital Chaplaincy.

HRN members are rewarded for their commitment & loyalty to the organisation. Five, ten and twenty or more year’s service is recognised by the Management Committee with certificates and gifts as well as Special Achievement certificates to mark those members who go the extra mile.

The former Hospital Sports Commentary Service, a separate entity approached HRN with a view to forming an amalgamation. In 1999 agreement was reached. All Norwich City home matches are brought to the patients by HRN’s specially trained commentators. Many patients have remarked on how much they enjoy listening to HRN’s commentary rather than other local stations.

The longest serving members of HRN are founder member Robert Proudfoot Hon. Treasurer, Mike Sarre Hon. Chairman/Technical Engineer and Irenee Batch Hon. Secretary. All 3 have collectively clocked up an amazing 145 years of voluntary service.

During April 2010, HRN was again honoured. This time with the Lord Mayor’s Award for services to charity and the Sheriff’s award for best charity. A wood turned plaque and certificate were received by the Trustees of the organisation.

In 2019 when the Corona Virus Pandemic prevented the visiting of Patients by both HRN and relatives HRN still broadcast to the wards albeit controlled remotely from members homes, it was felt that it should venture into On Line Broadcasting, enabling two way requests and providing a link between patients and their loved ones. A by-product of this has been the fact that listeners have popped up all over the world. See links elsewhere on this web site to be able to hear the current output.

When visiting was re-established our members on their visit promoted our on line service to patients as it provided a better quality of audio through patients own listening device and the fact that friends and relatives at home could also listen,

Like all voluntary organisations we lost members whilst covid prevented involvement but after a slow restart we have now recovered most sessions but still need more people to get to the level were at pre pandemic. If you are interested - Get In Touch.