Dukes creative learning director Guy Christiansen with Shona Thompson
Photo courtesy The Dukes

The Dukes has teamed up with a neighbouring centre for homeless people to produce a special radio programme this Christmas.

DT3, which houses The Dukes Creative Learning Department in Moor Lane, is just across the road from the Edward Street centre run by Lancaster and District Homeless Action Service.

Over the last few weeks, homeless people have been interviewed about how music has affected and inspired their lives, have talked about their typical day on the streets and the staff have explained some of the changes currently taking place at the centre.

The result will be broadcast in a 45-minute show on Lancaster’s community radio station – Diversity FM – some time over Christmas.

The project has been led by Dukes creative learning director, Guy Christiansen and Shona Thompson, 17,who is in the final year of a work placement at DT3.

Guy said: “Shona had to do a project in her final year which she wanted to be about a social issue so she chose to focus on homelessness.”

The Wireless Project where young people can learn about producing radio programmes has been run at DT3 since 2010.

Recently, professional radio and sound producer, Lauren Walker, who has worked for the BBC, has been running the project along with a worker from the county council’s Young People’s Service.

A partnership has been developed with Diversity FM which involves young people producing an hour long programme which is broadcast on the third Monday of every month. They also make a programme for Boom Radio, Rock FM’s internet station.

Among the features they have created include experiences of international travel,such as a work placement in Ethiopia,to interviewing members of the Youth Council.

• If you are aged 16-19 and would like to know more about The Wireless Project which runs every Wednesday from 6.30-8.30pm, contact Guy Christiansen on 01524 598516.