Star Stories: Awaaz FM Community Radio

As part of our Stars for Stars initiative, we are delighted to share our latest Star Story celebrating Awaaz FM Community Radio, an organisation that goes far beyond the role of a traditional radio station to actively champion mental health and wellbeing across Southampton.

Empowering spaces

Awaaz FM Community Radio was nominated for the inclusive, compassionate and empowering spaces it creates – both on air and within the community. At the heart of this recognition is the station’s commitment to ensuring people feel heard, represented and connected. By providing safe physical and virtual spaces, Awaaz FM enables individuals to talk openly about their experiences, reducing isolation and fostering a sense of belonging.

Emotional connection

Its nomination highlighted the station’s informal community groups and its vital role during lockdowns, when online platforms and broadcasts helped maintain emotional connection at a time of heightened anxiety and separation. Through open discussion and accessible programming, Awaaz FM continues to promote mental health awareness while challenging stigma, making conversations about wellbeing visible and normal.

Underrepresented

Awaaz FM is also recognised for its dedication to serving underrepresented communities. Its multilingual programming and culturally relevant content ensure that mental health messages reach people who may otherwise feel excluded from mainstream services. By encouraging shared conversations around health, identity and wellbeing, the station plays an important role in strengthening social cohesion across Southampton.

Happy place

The positive culture within Awaaz FM itself further reflects its values, reinforced by the station being voted ‘Happiest Place to Work’ on The Independent newspaper’s ‘Happy List’ – an acknowledgement of a workplace that supports wellbeing from within.

We’re highlighting Awaaz FM Community Radio as a shining example of how creativity, inclusion and connection can transform mental wellbeing.

This Star Story recognises an organisation that empowers voices, nurtures community and reminds us all that mental health thrives where people feel they belong.

Like to nominate your star or stars?

Put forward your star, or stars, today and help us make Southampton a brighter, kinder place for all. Please nominate them here! Nominations for our current quarter can be made until the end of June 2026.

You can also find out more about the scheme here.

From April 2026, we’ve made a small update to our Stars for Stars nomination guidelines. We ask that individuals don’t nominate themselves, or the organisation or place where they work.

Nominators may remain anonymous, but we do request contact details so nominations can be verified if needed. We warmly encourage service users, friends, family members, supporters and community members to submit nominations – your voices are what make this people-powered and meaningful.

Photo taken with thanks to Tim Kenyon Photography.