The University of Westminster’s new community radio station Westminster Waves has joined a new initiative which brings together London’s community and not-for-profit broadcasters to strengthen collaboration and secure fairer access to public service and local government advertising campaigns.
The London Community Radio Network (LCRN) will connect community radio stations and not-for-profit audio producers across Greater London, creating a platform for cooperation, shared programming and training of volunteers.
The network is led by Jason Rosam, Managing Director of Riverside Radio and Station Manager at Westminster Waves, the new community radio station at the University of Westminster, and Duncan Martin, Station Manager of Maritime Radio in Greenwich.
The initiative aims to unite stations broadcasting on FM, DAB, online platforms and other community-based audio services, allowing them to work together more effectively and represent the interests of community media across the capital.
A key motivation behind the network is the belief that London’s community broadcasters - many run by volunteers and serving diverse neighbourhoods and communities - should have greater recognition from public bodies such as the Mayor of London, Greater London Authority, Transport for London and local councils, particularly when it comes to advertising and public information campaigns.
One of the first proposed collaborative projects is a London-wide election night programme for the May 2026 London local elections, which participating stations will be able to broadcast simultaneously. The programme would include reporters from stations across the capital covering local election counts, alongside broadcast journalism students from London universities. Riverside Radio, which has produced election night coverage at every election since 2015, would act as the central broadcast hub, coordinating contributions from participating stations.
Westminster Waves is set to launch this year and will be based at the University’s Harrow Campus. The station will provide both physical and creative spaces for colleagues and students to develop content, experiment with new ideas and build professional skills, with each volunteer receiving Ofcom compliance and radio production training. Each show will be created and produced by those within the wider Westminster community, from interviewing academics, alumni and industry guests, to highlighting news and projects taking place at Westminster.
Jason Rosam said: “London has an incredible range of community radio stations doing vital work, training new broadcasters and giving a voice to communities that are often under-represented in mainstream media.
“Yet when major public campaigns are launched, the vast majority of advertising spend still goes to commercial radio groups. By coming together through the London Community Radio Network, we can demonstrate our combined reach and impact and make a much stronger case for community stations to be recognised and included.”
Duncan Martin from Greenwich Media CIC and Maritime Radio added: “Community radio is about participation, creativity and local connection. Across London there are stations run by volunteers and community organisations doing fantastic work, but often in isolation.
“The London Community Radio Network is about bringing those stations together to collaborate, share ideas and create opportunities that simply aren’t possible when we work alone.”
This network directly contributes to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities and 17: Partnerships for the Goals. Since 2019, the University of Westminster has used the SDGs holistically to frame strategic decisions to help students and colleagues fulfil their potential and contribute to a more sustainable, equitable and healthier society.
The organisers are now inviting all not-for-profit radio stations and community audio organisations across Greater London to take part in the network. This includes stations broadcasting on FM, DAB or online, as well as community podcasts, student radio services and other non-profit audio or media providers serving London communities.
Learn more about Media and Communication courses at the University of Westminster.
