Impact Report

1. Executive Summary

A concise overview that captures:

• Who you are

• What you do

• Who you support

• Your headline achievements this year

• Why your work matters

This should stand alone as a one‑page snapshot for busy funders and partners.

Executive Summary

KIC Radio is a youth‑led radio station and media organisation giving young people a platform to express themselves, build confidence, and develop real‑world digital skills. Broadcasting on DAB+ across Walsall and Wolverhampton, through the KIC Radio App, website, and major podcast platforms, KIC Radio reaches a growing audience while providing hands‑on training in radio, podcasting, digital media, and content creation.

In 2025–26, KIC Radio expanded its training offer, delivered accredited qualifications, launched new digital content, and supported young people into creative roles—strengthening community pride and improving life chances.

 

2. The Need: What Young People Are Facing

Explain the challenges in your community using:

• Local statistics (mental health, education, employment, deprivation)

• Insights from young people themselves

• Trends you’ve observed on the ground

• Barriers to engagement (confidence, access, stigma, cost, transport, etc.)

This section sets up why your organisation is essential.

 

The Need: What Young People Are Facing

 

Young people in Walsall face challenges around confidence, employability, mental health, and access to creative opportunities. KIC Radio responds by offering:

• A safe, youth‑led space to develop communication and digital skills

• Free access to industry‑standard equipment and mentoring

• Opportunities to create content on issues that matter to them (e.g., mental health, knife crime, local culture)

This aligns with local priorities around improving life chances, digital inclusion, and youth voice.

 

3. Your Response: What You Do and How You Do It

Describe your programmes, services, and approach:

• Core activities (e.g., volunteering, training, mentoring, creative media, youth work)

• Your model or theory of change

• How young people access your support

• Partnerships (schools, NHS, youth services, community groups)

• Safeguarding, wellbeing, and inclusion practices

Make it clear how your work directly addresses the needs outlined above.

 

3. Our Response: What KIC Radio Does

KIC Radio delivers a wide range of youth‑centred activities:

Broadcasting & Digital Media

• Live shows including KIC Breakfast, KIC Lunchtime, and specialist youth‑led programmes.

• Podcasts such as The South Bank Podcast, Ela’s Film Club, and mental health discussions.

• Multi‑platform broadcasting via DAB+ (Walsall and Wolverhampton), KIC Radio app, website, Alexa, Apple CarPlay, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts.

Youth Training & Volunteering

• Hands‑on roles in presenting, producing, editing, journalism, social media, and digital content creation.

• Accredited training including the Level 1 Award and Level 2 Certificate in Skills for Working in Digital Industries, funded through Walsall Council’s Community Grants Programme.

Community Engagement

• Coverage of local youth achievements, creative projects, and community campaigns.

• Support for young filmmakers and creatives, including coverage of knife‑crime awareness projects.

Innovation

• A renovated 40ft mobile creative studio, funded by the National Lottery, providing radio, TV, and live event space for young people.

 

4. Who You Reached

Use clear, accessible data:

• Number of young people supported

• Demographics (age, gender, background, additional needs)

• Referral sources

• Attendance and engagement levels

• Growth compared to previous years

Visuals (charts, infographics) work well here.

 

4. Who We Reached

Based on publicly available information and programme outputs:

Young People Engaged

• Young people aged 10–25, with open access for beginners and those with no prior experience.

• At least 10 young people completed accredited digital media qualifications in early 2025.

Audience Reach

• Daily listeners via DAB+ across Walsall & Wolverhampton.

• Growing digital audience through app downloads, website traffic, and podcast streams (inferred from multi‑platform presence).

Volunteer Roles Filled

• Presenters, podcasters, producers, editors, reporters, social media managers, and content creators.

 

5. Outcomes and Impact

This is the heart of the report. Include:

• Skills gained (communication, digital, teamwork, leadership)

• Qualifications achieved

• Improvements in confidence, wellbeing, resilience

• Progression into education, training, employment, or further volunteering

• Reduced isolation and increased sense of belonging

• Community contributions (events, campaigns, volunteering hours)

Use mixed evidence:

• Quantitative data (e.g., 85% reported improved confidence)

• Qualitative stories (case studies, quotes, testimonials)

• External validation (partner feedback, awards, accreditations)

 

5. Outcomes & Impact

Skills Development

Young people gained:

• Broadcasting and presenting skills

• Audio editing and production

• Digital marketing and social media management

• Research, planning, and teamwork

• Confidence, communication, and leadership skills

Accredited Achievement

• Completion of the Level 1 Award in Skills for Working in Digital Industries, covering radio production, podcasting, editing, and digital marketing.

Progression & Employability

• Participants built portfolios, showreels, and CV‑ready experience.

• Young people progressed from never having entered a studio to presenting live radio and producing their own podcasts.

Confidence & Wellbeing

• Council leaders highlighted the “energy and passion” of young people and the significant confidence growth observed during training.

Community Impact

• KIC Radio amplifies youth voices on issues such as mental health, knife crime, and local culture.

• Young creatives (e.g., filmmaker Molly Strafford) gained recognition and media exposure through KIC Radio platforms.

 

 

6. Case Studies

Short, powerful stories that show real change. Each should include:

• The young person’s starting point

• What support they received

• The difference it made

• Where they are now

These humanise the data and make the impact tangible.

 

6. Case Studies

Case Study 1: Accredited Training Success

A cohort of 10 young people completed the Level 1 digital industries qualification. Many had never used studio equipment before but progressed to producing podcasts, editing audio, and presenting live shows. Their achievements were celebrated at KIC Studios with Walsall Council leadership.

Case Study 2: Youth Filmmaker Spotlight

Young filmmaker Molly Strafford used KIC Radio’s platform to raise awareness of knife crime through her short film Switchblade. KIC Radio promoted her work, supported her premiere, and amplified her voice on BBC Radio WM.

Case Study 3: Empowered Through Opportunity

Elysa began her work experience at KIC Radio in September 2025 after struggling to find employers who could meet her support needs around Autism, which had knocked her confidence. At KIC Radio she found a supportive, inclusive environment where she developed practical media skills such as using recording equipment, planning content, conducting interviews and editing audio. As her confidence grew, she even led training sessions for other young people, showing them how to use equipment and produce media. The experience helped her build self-belief, recognise her strengths in a professional setting and feel ready to demonstrate her value in the workplace. Elysa’s journey shows how the right support and opportunities can empower young people to grow, gain confidence and move closer to their career goals in the media industry.

 

 

7. Community & Partner Impact

Show how your work strengthens the wider community:

• Increased volunteering

• Positive contributions to local culture or media

• Support for schools, NHS teams, or youth services

• Reduced pressure on statutory services

• New partnerships formed

• How your organisation acts as a safe, trusted space

Funders love to see ripple effects beyond individual outcomes.

 

7. Community & Partner Impact

KIC Radio strengthens the local ecosystem by:

• Supporting schools and youth services through outreach and volunteering

• Providing a platform for community campaigns and youth achievements

• Reducing isolation by offering a safe, creative environment

• Increasing civic pride through youth‑led broadcasting

• Partnering with Walsall Council, National Lottery, and local organisations to deliver funded programmes

 

 

8. Organisational Development

Demonstrate growth and sustainability:

• Staff and volunteer development

• New systems, training, or infrastructure

• Governance improvements

• Financial stability and diversification

• Innovations (apps, digital tools, new programmes)

This reassures funders you’re robust and future‑focused.

 

8. Organisational Development

Recent developments include:

• Launch of the KIC Radio App and expanded digital presence.

• Renovation of the 40ft mobile creative studio with National Lottery funding.

• Growth of podcasting output and DAB+ broadcasting schedule.

 

9. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

Explain how you measure impact:

• Tools used (Outcome Stars, surveys, feedback forms, progression tracking)

• How young people shape your programme

• What you learned this year

• What you changed as a result

This shows you’re reflective and evidence‑driven.

 

 

9. Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

KIC Radio demonstrates impact through:

• Accredited qualification outcomes

• Volunteer progression and retention

• Feedback from young people and partners

• Increased digital engagement and broadcast output

• Public recognition from local authorities and media outlets

 

10. Future Plans & Funding Needs

Set out:

• What you want to achieve next

• How you will scale or deepen impact

• What funding is needed and why

• The difference investment will make

• Opportunities for partners to get involved

This section bridges the report to your funding ask.

 

 

10. Future Plans & Funding Needs

Based on public statements and current trajectory, future priorities likely include:

• Expanding accredited training to more young people

• Continue to build on SEND work placement programmes helping the media industry become more accessible too young people with SEND.

• Increasing outreach through the mobile creative studio

• Growing podcast and digital content production

• Strengthening partnerships with schools, NHS, and community groups

• Sustaining DAB+ broadcasting and app development

• Expanding studio facilities by renovating 40ft container into new KIC Studios; Radio, Podcasting, TV, Performance Lounge and Music Production. 

(These are inferred from current activities and public announcements.)

 

 

11. Financial Overview

A transparent summary:

• Income and expenditure

• Funding sources

• Cost per participant or per outcome

• Value for money

• In‑kind support

Keep it simple and visual.

 

11. Financial Overview

Publicly available information confirms:

• Funding from Walsall Council’s Community Grants Programme (£18,530).

• National Lottery funding for the mobile studio renovation.

A full financial breakdown would require internal organisational data.

 

 

12. Thank You & Acknowledgements

Recognise:

• Young people

• Volunteers

• Staff

• Funders

• Partners

• Community supporters

This reinforces your collaborative ethos.

 

 

12. Thank You & Acknowledgements

KIC Radio thanks:

• Young people and volunteers

• Walsall Council

• National Lottery

• Local schools and youth services

• Community partners and listeners

 

 

Optional Add‑Ons

Depending on your audience:

• Infographics summary page

• Timeline of the year

• Media highlights

• Quotes from partners or parents

• A “By the Numbers” impact spread