In November 2022, Sedgemoor fm made the decision to support young people with work placements. They began with three students from Bridgwater & Taunton College (now UCS).
These first students learnt about the world of radio, marketing and content creation.
Since the first three students the local broadcaster has gone on to make an impact on 57 students in a variety of ways, with further initiatives now on the horizon.
Building Confidence, Skills and Career Direction
The first three students that joined Sedgemoor fm in 2022 were Toby Marsh, Renee Walters and Aerin Ward.
They were all in their first year of college and were completing a course on Digital Production, Design and Development.
As part of their development they were each assigned a project. They agreed the project goals and were given the responsibility to attain them, but encouraged to work together, and as part of the greater Sedgemoor fm team.
Toby’s project was graphics and production for the newly formed football podcast Sliced and Diced. Renee covered graphics and social media, while Aerin worked on written content creation and SEO.
All three worked in a small office nicknamed, dubbed “The Nursery” by Sedgemoor fm directors, Dave Englefield and Neil Fellowes.
At Sedgemoor fm work-placement students are supported but also pushed out of their comfort zones, as they build their personal confidence, competence and future employability.
The designed, created and recorded a radio show about Video Gaming, and they also acted in The Studio, a video series that show the behind-the-scenes in radio. They also attended business networking events, met and interviewed the Mayor and other town officials.
Renee Walters says that working with Sedgemoor fm, “Helped me to push myself and engage in parts of the local community I didn’t know existed.”
Toby Marsh, says of the Sedgemoor fm work-placement, helped him “Get used to being social around new people in a more professional manner”.
Aerin Ward adds, “ Without Sedgemoor fm, I would not have the confidence I do now, nor would I have the job I have now. I am truly grateful to both Neil and Dave for this and for never telling us an idea was too silly to try.”
At the end of their work-placement the three students left the radio station and have gone on to new roles. Toby is currently working in a lighting retailer as a sales assistant and ecommerce, ranging from doing displays to website maintenance.
Aerin took on a Level 3 Apprenticeship with SS&L and returned to Sedgemoor fm as a volunteer to continue, writing, editing and publishing articles on the Sedgemoor fm website.
Following a recommendation by Dave Englefield, she now works with Timeless Images and has started a Level 5 (Foundation Degree) Apprenticeship.
Why Youth Development Sits at the Heart of Sedgemoor fm
In addition to working with T-Level students, over the spring and summers of 2023-2026, Dave Englefield, Sedgemoor fm’s Managing Director, worked with a number of school students, providing anything from a one day work experience, right through to a week.
Meanwhile, Neil Fellowes, Sedgemoor fm’s Marketing Director, also supported the Work-Experience Week run by Somerset Skills Hub, which gave work experience to 23 students in one day.
In 2024 the company also took on two other students from University College of Somerset.
Fellowes says, “At Sedgemoor fm, working with young people isn’t a side project. It’s pretty central to who we are and our desire to add social value.
“Young people bring a fresh perspective and are the future for media. Watching their confidence grow from that first nervous day to leaving with confidence and competence is what it’s all about. We believe the work we do with young people strengthens the whole community. It helps young people learn about working together, share ideas, grounds them in local culture and sends them out into the local economy as a more prepared individual.”
Dave Englefield says, “There’s nothing better than seeing a young person realise they can succeed. We’re not just teaching radio skills; we’re building confidence, teamwork and belief in themselves.”
Developing Creative Leaders: Toby Lee’s Journey into Film
Moving with the times, Sedgemoor fm also launched a YouTube channel. And again they saw the opportunity to involve young people and give them work experience.
Neil Fellowes says, “Today the Sedgemoor fm YouTube channel has a series of tongue in cheek videos about local history, the Executive Commute, interviews and sessions with chart-topping and local musicians. But the catalyst for the content came in the form of a mockumentary series called, The Studio. Its a playful take on what really goes on in local radio.”
For this project Sedgemoor fm again reached out to the college, working with a group of 12 students, headed by young producer, Toby Lee.
Lee says, “Sedgemoor fm first helped me in early 2024 by giving me the incredible opportunity to direct episodes of The Studio, their marketing campaign sitcom. At the time, I really wanted to experience what it was like to be in the director’s chair – leading a crew and cast.
“Sedgemoor fm made that possible by allowing me to work with a team of cinematography, sound, and production students, as well as the wonderful people at the station.
“Together, we brought to life a script co-written by myself, another work experience student, and Neil. The whole experience gave me valuable insight into the creative process and how a project comes together, with Sedgemoor fm acting as the client while I directed for them.”
Lee went on to say, “Since then, I’ve continued to build on the leadership and teamwork skills I developed at Sedgemoor fm. I applied them when directing my short film Expectations, commissioned by Somerset Film last year, and will take them even further as I prepare to direct my next short, Dysplasia, this April. That new project is deeply personal and inspired by real events, but it all traces back to my early experiences with Sedgemoor fm when I was 16. They gave me some of the very first tools that shaped my filmmaker mindset.”
As well as supporting Toby Lee, Sedgemoor fm also brought in Alex, and Hollie Adams, who took over the graphic and article publishing from Toby and Aerin.
Hollie is now in her first of a three year Computing & Digital Technologies course at UCS.”
She says, “My confidence was definitely helped the most. I’ve had to do a few presentations so far on my course, and working with Sedgemoor fm really improved my confidence in communicating ideas”.
From Work Experience to University and Journalism Careers
In 2024 Abi Thomas, then a student at Richard Huish College, approached the station via the volunteer with us page on the website. At the time she was interested in studying media at University, but she wanted to get some experience first.
Abi took on a reporter role, creating video, audio interviews and provided several voice overs.
Abi says, “My time at Sedgemoor fm played a huge part in shaping where I am now, giving me hands-on experience which really built my confidence and made me realise how much I love working in broadcasting. I’m now in my second year studying TV & Radio Production at the University of Salford, and I still draw on so much of what I learned at the station as I continue developing my skills in producing and presenting.” – Salford uni studying TV & Radio production. ”
Meanwhile, Ryan Skone, had moved from Bridgwater to study sports media. He needed 30 days of work experience as part of his course. Ryan’s work with the station included research for the Sliced & Diced podcast, providing live updates from sports fixtures. Today, he still delivers the weekend sports preview, and gained employment with the Bridgwater Mercury.
Ryan says, “ I feel really supported at Sedgemoor fm. They allow me to try new things and develop my skills, and their focus on my personal development has helped my career massively, and it wouldn’t be possible without the help of Sedgemoor fm. They gave me the skills and confidence that I needed to start my career in journalism.”
As with Ryan Skone, Sedgemoor fm have been able to give young people experience in sports reporting. They’ve supported young people at local grassroots football at clubs such as Bridgwater United, Weston Super Mare AFC and Yeovil Town.
Two of these young people are Frankie, an aspiring Sports Commentator, and Teddy, a Work Experience Student.
Frankie, now studying sports media, stated, “”I’m now much clearer on my next steps”
“I knew I wanted to work in sports journalism in some way, but didn’t know what that would look like or how to get started. I also wanted to become more confident with presenting. Sedgemoor fm have given me practical experience of match commentary and helped me develop confidence in my presenting skills. I’ve also met people I didn’t expect to, who have helped me. As a result, I’m now much clearer on my next steps and looking forward to the future.”
Frankie is now studying sports media at college.
Teddy says, “I have gained immeasurable amounts of confidence. As an avid football fan, I wanted to get my foot in the door of sports journalism. So when I heard about the sports team it was perfect for me. Initially I found speaking publicly and on the radio quite nerve wracking. With help from Sedgemoor fm I have gained immeasurable amounts of confidence when speaking to an audience. I’ve got GCSE’s this summer and hopefully they go well and from there who knows, perhaps a career in sports media.”
Changing Lives: The Impact on Students and the Community
The impact this has had on not only the station, but on the students has been remarkable.
Tracy Matthews previously worked for Bridgwater & Taunton College, (now USC) was involved in the early placements with Sedgemoor fm.
Matthews, now with local education provider, SS&L says, “When employers choose to work alongside students, they’re not just offering work experience and placements, they’re investing in talent and shaping future leaders. They open the door for young people to truly understand the world of work.”
Emily Cosgrove at UCS ads, “Employers often tell us how rewarding it is to mentor and guide students, and how much they enjoy seeing their confidence and ability grow over the course of the placement. It can also offer businesses fresh perspectives and the chance to help shape the next generation entering their industry. Neil at Sedgemoor fm has been a fantastic mentor to our students, and it has been wonderful to see the impact of the work they’ve done with him and the experience they’ve gained.
“For our students, the value of these placements is huge – they gain life skills, build professional relationships and begin to see the opportunities that exist for them here in the local area.’
Inspiring the Next Generation of Media Talent
Sedgemoor fm’s current student Dylan Cheetham. Dylan has created a video that explores the career opportunities in media and in marketing. In his video he speaks to Dave Englefield and Neil Fellowes about career opportunities. He also draws on his own experiences and that of past students mentioned in this article.
You can watch it here:
This article was written by Aerin Ward, a previous student, now volunteer.