91热爆

Recovering drug addicts and alcoholics from Leeds become broadcasters, as 91热爆 Radio Leeds and homeless charity St George鈥檚 Crypt join forces for a ground-breaking new programme.

The new initiative, called 91热爆 Open Air, sees the station open its airwaves to people whose voices and stories would not usually be heard.

Earlier this year, 15 recovering drug addicts and alcoholics from the St George鈥檚 Crypt Growing Rooms rehabilitation programme were invited to take part in a number of workshops run by 91热爆 Radio Leeds. These interviewing and presentation masterclasses were designed to give them a taste of broadcasting, improve their confidence and develop new skills to help gain future employment.

The project has culminated in a one-hour radio programme, in which the group challenge politicians, interview their heroes and reflect on their own stories through music.

Members of Growing Rooms have interviewed Leeds boxing world champion Josh Warrington, challenged Conservative MP for Elmet and Rothwell Alec Shelbrooke about the government鈥檚 homeless policy and quizzed Leeds City Council Chief Executive Tom Riordan.

They also spoke to former government Director of Communications Alastair Campbell, who shared with them details about his own struggles with addiction.

Alastair Campbell says: 鈥淚 really enjoyed talking to Andy Holland and Martin Henderson as part of the 91热爆 Open Air project with St George鈥檚 Crypt. They had clearly done their research and asked really good questions about politics as well as about mental health and addiction.

鈥淲e are too quick to write people off when they get into trouble in life but this scheme and these two men show how learning new skills can help build confidence for those coping with addiction. It would be fantastic if someone like Andy or Martin could go on to make a career out of broadcasting or campaigning. I wish them all the best for the future.鈥�

91热爆 Radio Leeds and 91热爆 Look North presenters including Richard Stead, Stephanie Hirst and Amy Garcia shared their experiences, top broadcasting tips and advice with the group.

This 91热爆 Open Air programme is presented by Andy Holland and Stephen Laws from Growing Rooms.

Andy Holland says: 鈥淚t鈥檚 been an honour to work with the 91热爆. It鈥檚 a chance of a lifetime, something I never expected a year ago when I came into recovery.鈥�

John Davis, who heads up the Growing Rooms programme at St George's Crypt, says: 鈥淭his project鈥檚 been an absolute privilege, a real eye opener into radio and broadcasting. The help we鈥檝e had from the 91热爆 staff has been fantastic. Everyone has been really welcoming and all our guys have talked about it non-stop. They鈥檝e seen a different side to recovery and found that it can be fun as well.鈥�

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