Gold Award for Saturday Drop In!
Highland Radio Show Wins Top Award
Highland Hospital Radio programme ‘The Saturday Drop In’ has won the top Gold Award in the Best Programme with Multiple Presenters category at this year’s National Hospital Radio Awards.
The Saturday Drop is a weekly magazine style show hosted by Shannon Marvell and Tom Nelson who play games and quizzes, music and chat, and welcome guests into the studio from local charities and groups who work to improve the health and well-being of the NHS Highland Community. The show also promotes health messaging from NHS Scotland. Shannon and Tom give listeners a fun distraction from their time in hospital or recovering after an illness but also signpost to the services that can help them get better and stay well.
What the judges had to say . . .
The National Hospital Radio Awards showcase the great quality of hospital radio broadcasting across the whole of the UK. The judging panel is made up of radio professionals from the BBC and Bauer Media as well as staff within the NHS. This sees nominees judged on both the technical abilities and their connection with patients and staff in their programming.
The judges said the show ‘strikes a strong balance between lighthearted entertainment and genuine care, clearly focused on improving wellbeing through connection, laughter and shared experience’. The judges said of the presenting duo ‘The chemistry between the presenters feels natural and inclusive, helping listeners momentarily forget they are in hospital and instead feel part of something positive and engaging. Through games, conversation and gentle humour, the show keeps minds active’
Shannon Marvell
The last place people want to be is hospital, a lot of the time patients at Raigmore are from more rural areas and they may not get visitors on a daily basis. The show is so they’re not alone.
We do this because we love radio; it’s also a great opportunity for non-profits and charities to use us as a beacon for their organisations, they’ll be people out there who may need this support.
We’ve had some proper laughs with everyone, especially the HHR birthday Drop In, it was so chaotic but so rewarding to see how many of our volunteers love our station and charity.Although hospital radio is in the name, we’re not just for hospital. We’re available online and with our new app it’s so much easier to listen
Tom Nelson
For Highland Hospital Radio this recognition is absolutely massive. We’re all immensely proud. As much as Shannon and I are the regular hosts of the show, we have a great team of volunteers who step in from time to time to support and contribute to the programme, so this award is as much for the entire station as it is for the Saturday Drop In. I’d also like to thank all the organisations that have dropped in over the past year. Their enthusiasm for what they do has a positive impact on our listeners, but also us as well.
We put a lot of effort into researching and writing the show, as well as reaching out to local groups and charities to get them into the studio or arrange pre-recorded interviews. All this as volunteers while having full time jobs and family commitments. So, as much as we don’t do the show to win awards, to get some recognition and reward for all the effort we put in is really heartwarming and I’m very grateful to the judges and organisers of the event. This has put a real spring in our step to up our game for this year ahead
The Saturday Drop In is just one programme in a schedule of many. Highland Hospital Radio produces around 30 hours of new programming every week, from request shows every evening, to music and variety programming, live sessions with local bands, spoken word and poetry. There really is something for everyone and you don’t have to be in hospital to listen in.
You can listen live on the free dedicated app for iOS and Android. Just search for ‘HHR Radio’. Or you can listen on your Alexa or by visiting hhr.scot where you can listen live
The station also has a catchup service so you can listen to your favourite shows on demand.
As for the Saturday Drop In, the show is live every Saturday from Midday, is available on the catchup page and also as a podcast. Just go to your preffered podcast place and search ‘The Saturday Drop In’. If you are a charity or group that would like to drop in, email socials@hhr.scot
