Radio Harrow was built on over half a century of service to our community. While our current brand officially launched in 2015, our history represents a deep-seated commitment to the health and happiness of North West London that spans decades. We are a registered Charitable Incorporated Organisation (Charity Number 1161203) run entirely by dedicated volunteers.
A Legacy of Care: Radio Northwick Park
Our deepest roots trace back to a group of volunteers from the Jewish Youth Voluntary Service. In those early days, there was no permanent studio; every Sunday, volunteers would lug equipment into Harrow Hospital on Roxeth Hill, set it up for a few hours of broadcasting, and dismantle it all again.
Everything changed in 1971 when we found a permanent home in the basement of the newly built Northwick Park Hospital. This is the very same site we continue to broadcast from today. Operating as Radio Northwick Park (RNP) for over 40 years, the station became one of the first hospital radio stations in the UK to broadcast 24 hours a day. At our peak in the early 2010s, volunteers were meeting with up to 15,000 patients a year. These visits were about far more than song requests; they provided vital companionship. For many patients who received no other visitors, the volunteers were the only people outside of the hard-working medical staff to keep them company and offer a friendly conversation.
The Voice of the Community: Harrow Community Radio
While RNP focused on the hospital, Harrow Community Radio (HCR) emerged in 2010 to engage with those living and working in the wider community. HCR was founded by Keith Chilvers, who was himself a former volunteer and trustee of Radio Northwick Park. He sought to create a platform for local voices that might otherwise go unheard. HCR quickly became the heartbeat of the borough, hosting summer youth schemes and broadcasting live from local events. In 2014, this impact was officially recognised when Keith was honoured with the “Outstanding Contribution” award at the Harrow Hero Awards.
Three Becomes One: The 2015 Merger
By 2015, the landscape was changing. The traditional bedside entertainment systems in the hospital were being removed, which acted as a catalyst for RNP to reconsider its digital strategy and community reach. We realised we could do even more by working together. Radio Northwick Park and Harrow Community Radio joined forces with Ward Radio, which served Ealing Hospital, to consolidate our resources and expertise.
With guidance from the Hospital Broadcasting Association and the Charity Commission, a new Charitable Incorporated Organisation was formed. Following a massive vote of confidence from our members and strategic support from the NHS Trust, founding members Matt Blank, Keith Chilvers, and Ben Hart officially launched Radio Harrow on 19 April 2015.
It is important to note that while a new name and a bigger charter were adopted, the heart of both organisations remained the same. The station continued to broadcast from the same studios, using the same equipment and facilities, with the same dedicated membership. For all intents and purposes, Radio Harrow is the natural continuation and expansion of the work our combined membership had been doing for nearly 45 years.
Our Mission
Everything we do is guided by the core objectives set out in our constitution. We are here for:
- The relief of sickness, poor health, and old age amongst people living in the London Boroughs of Brent, Harrow, and Ealing. We achieve this by providing a local broadcasting service for hospitals, residential homes, and similar institutions, and for patients receiving community care.
- The advancement of health and prevention or relief of sickness for the public benefit. We use our platform to promote the benefits of living a healthy lifestyle and the importance of maintaining good personal mental and physical health. We do this mainly by broadcasting health education messages to people living in the London Boroughs of Brent, Harrow, and Ealing.
Radio Harrow Today
Beyond the music, we are an active local charity. Our broadcasting is deeply focused on health, well-being, and the local community. We provide a voice for the area by elevating the stories of those who make a real impact, ranging from the Mayor and local politicians to charity leaders, NHS board representatives, and a wide variety of guests including local musicians and creatives.
Whether we are visiting hospital wards to provide a sympathetic ear to isolated patients or taking our mobile studio out to support local events, our goal remains the same. We strive to make our local area a friendlier, healthier, and more enjoyable place to live.
We are 100% volunteer powered and always open to new members. Join us as we continue to prove that Radio Harrow is, and always will be, More Than Just Music.