Uskside Amateur Breaks Barriers with Radio Project for Visually Impaired Residents
- Dan Coast
- 5 hours ago
- 1 min read
Uskside Amateur Radio are a Newport community group that uses amateur radio technology to support visually impaired people—and their journey began with guidance from GAVO.
The group had long been passionate about radio communication and wanted to create an accessible, confidence‑building activity for people with sight loss. However, they were unsure where to find the right funding or how to develop the idea into a structured project.
Through GAVO’s community development support, the group were introduced to new funding opportunities and received help in developing a clear vision for their work. This included signposting to grants, discussing project outcomes, and shaping their proposal to demonstrate community benefit.
With this support, the group successfully secured money through the GAVO administered Regional Integration Fund (RIF) allowing them to launch an innovative programme where visually impaired participants learn to build, operate, and communicate using amateur radio equipment.
The project has already made a huge difference, participants describe gaining new skills, confidence, and social connections, while discovering a hobby that is accessible, empowering, and rooted in teamwork. Volunteers involved in the programme highlight how radio communication offers a level playing field, where voices and ideas take centre stage.
The group now hopes to expand the project further, offering more training sessions and sharing their model with other communities across Gwent.
Interested in developing a community project of your own? GAVO’s team can help you explore opportunities, develop ideas, and connect with available funding. Reach out to our team by emailing Newport@GAVO.org.uk or click here to find the teams contact details.
