Elliot Isaacson, 23 is bringing fresh ideas to the committee of Radio Northwick Park after taking on the role of Volunteers Coordinator.
I remember when I was first joining, I was apprehensive. Would I be good enough? Will people like me? Will I enjoy myself? The answer to all those questions was yes and I found that out really early on.
I think back then, I would never have thought about being able to carry my own show, or run the request show, and even less be the Volunteer’s Coordinator for the entire station.
In my new role I am responsible for studio managers and taking care of new and old members. I’m really excited as I’ve always wanted to join the committee. I love spending time with everyone and to know that we are all here for the same cause is great. Thus I am very committed to my role and my full attention will go into it. With a few tricks and surprises in store, I believe the way my friends would describe me as a cup half-full kind of guy will come in useful for my new position.
Interacting with patients is not only the main role of the station based in North-West London, but taken with great care by all the members. It makes me feel really good. I mean you wouldn’t be much of a person if cheering up a patient didn’t make you happy. I feel that we’re doing something really worthwhile at RNP, in my mind, making someone smile is one of the most important things you can do in life.
Although dreaming of being professional footballer I think I’m little too old for that and my singing voice is that of a mutilated puffin, so my aspiration is to be a TV presenter. Studying TV Production at University of Westminster, I found being front of the camera whilst also on air at RNP I’ve now become more confident in both my abilities and my personal attitude towards life. Hosting The Vocal Platform, a talk show on Wednesday evenings it’s pretty much a collection of random thoughts and ideas that Ben and I have in our heads that we then talk about for an hour on radio. It’s like a little version of the Ricky Gervais podcasts. I think Ben sometimes writes down what he wants to talk about in the show, but I never do and always go into it with no idea what I’m going to talk about. I’d advise anyone who wants to learn about ad-libbing and off-the-cuff conversations to come down one evening and take part in the show, it’s an experience!
With the diverse mix of shows, from Bollywood to country most shows wouldn’t look out of place in professional radio. I think a lot of that has to do with Matt Blank’s time as Programme Controller, he brought the station into a new age and brought about a standard that is extremely high, and I think all our shows match it. Something important to remember though is that volunteers come and go all the time, but the core of the station still remains.
Participating in fundraising events within the station I was 1 of 3 who hosted a 24 hour broadcast, which I don’t seem to remember very well. Maybe I was so tired by the end of it that I threw it out of my mind! I’m kidding, the 24 hour show was fantastic, such an experience and I’m delighted I took part. With Ben and Lauren, we had such a laugh and I genuinely believe the show wasn’t just a fund-raising event, but also entertaining to listen to. Raising £1600, we became the highest fundraising event in RNP history!
Being able to contribute something to the world in a way that interests me is a privilege and I believe anyone can make a good volunteer. Some people may not feel they have the confidence to be on radio, but not only do we help build confidence here, but there is more to it than just talking on the air. Visiting the patients and giving them just 5 minutes of our time may not seem like much to us, but to them it may be the only company they get so you have the chance to make someone who is unwell happy for 5 minutes. That itself is a good reason to join. We’re a family and a community at RNP, and if you want to be part of that, you just have to contact me: volunteering@radionorthwickpark.org
