Balhousie Care Group residents in Perthshire have their own radio show, thanks to a partnership with Hospital Radio Perth.
The award-winning station, based at Perth Royal Infirmary, has launched weekly request shows aimed at 12 Perth and Kinross Balhousie Care Group homes. From Pitlochry to Rumbling Bridge, Perth to Coupar Angus, residents will be able to select their favourite music and hear it broadcast on the station especially for them.
The programmes will be presented by experienced broadcaster Peter Hay who went along to Balhousie North Inch care home to launch the service. Peter told the residents how this development was something the station had wanted to do for some time, but recent technical developments had, at last, made it possible.
Diane Cain, Home Manager at Balhousie North Inch, said: “Meaningful, stimulating and individualised activities are a crucial part of our care at Balhousie, as are community partnerships, and you don’t get any better than your own local radio show!”
Peter added: “Music is a fabulous way of sparking memories and if previous care home shows are anything to go by it will encourage residents to sing along, to dance or to participate in their exercises.”
Mima Hird, Balhousie North Inch Activities Co-ordinator, said, “We’re all really looking forward to it. It will be a lot of fun.”
This is the latest in a tranche of community partnerships for the award-winning Balhousie Care Group, which is ramping up its local connections again following the restrictions of the COVID pandemic. Currently finalists in the Scottish Care Awards and Courier Business Awards, Balhousie’s 26 homes across six regions of Scotland are renowned for their heavy community involvement, including sponsorship and support of everything from football teams to events.
Hospital Radio Perth have returned to full live broadcasting following the pandemic and are now looking for volunteers to be trained as presenters for evening or daytime shows.
Pictured are North Inch House residents Jan Burns and Alan Moffat, listening in, while Trish Steedman chats to Hospital Radio Perth presenter Peter Hay.
