Hi, I’m Jacqui and have only been in radio a very short time compared to others that I work alongside. On retiring early from working in finance I set about volunteering for a local hospital radio as a request collector, as I enjoy talking to people and felt this was my forte. However after the first week when I collected far too many requests by getting involved in chatting to the patients and staff for a long period of time, which was classed as going AWOL from the station. I returned to the studio with three pages of requests for a one hour show. Oh dear, far too many, with these having to be spread over several programmes..

On the whole I loved the volunteering, in my second week I was asked my genre of music, which was 60s – mad about the 60s – and asked if I would sit in and present the 60’s show as the guy was on holiday, not to worry about the controls someone would control the desk for me, all I had to do was chat, that was no problem for me.

I went home in deep thought, then came up with the idea of telling the 1963 Profumo Scandal through the said word and music – feeling I didn’t do too badly I was surprised to be asked to come back the following week and present another 60s programme, after which, I was asked if I could present the show permanently as the guy had left the station. My very own show in a matter of three weeks, I had never been elevated to a more superior position so quickly in all my life.

I have now been volunteering seventeen years with Basildon Hospital Radio with fifteen as Chairman. I have been around a bit broadcasting a chat show with Gateway Community Radio Station, managing to chat to some very interesting people in the process. In addition I now work an hour a week with Krystal Radio talking about articles in the newspapers and playing music, sometimes with guests, and sometimes talking to myself, I’m quite good at that!!!!!!

I hope you enjoy the programme and keep listening and supporting my programme.