Somer Valley FM, the community radio station that has served the people of the Somer Valley for more than 15 years, has been awarded the prestigious King's Award for Voluntary Service, the highest national honour for volunteer-led organisations.

This prestigious award, often referred to as the "MBE for voluntary groups," recognises the station’s exceptional contributions to local life, particularly its work in training young people, supporting the community, and providing an essential service through its volunteer-driven broadcasts.

The station has been led from the start by its founder and longstanding manager Dom Chambers.

Dom said: "We are incredibly honoured to receive the King’s Award for Voluntary Service. This recognition reflects the extraordinary levels of loyalty, commitment and dedication of our volunteers and supporters.

“Somer Valley FM was a fantastic vision linking educational opportunities with local radio and community development. And 16 years in that vision is now an integral part of the fabric of community life.

“The backbone of our success are the volunteers. I could not be more pleased that everyone at Somer Valley FM has been recognised by our King with this honour. We are proud of what we’ve achieved, but most importantly, we’re excited to continue our work and ensure that Somer Valley FM remains a community asset for years to come."

Launched in 2008 by Somervale School, in Midsomer Norton, Somer Valley FM has grown into a vital resource for the local community. Now part of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, the school continues to send students for media training, offering them real-world broadcasting experience. The station’s commitment to developing local talent has helped countless young people build careers in the media industry, with many students using their time at the station as a springboard for further education and employment.

Alun Williams, executive head of the Midsomer Norton Schools Partnership, expressed his pride in the station’s achievements.

He said: "I am delighted that Somer Valley FM has received this national recognition. Working with the charity Sound Vision in recent years, they have provided such fantastic and bespoke opportunities to so many children across a number of our schools for more than 15 years.

“Both organisations have their roots at Somervale School in the town of Midsomer Norton, where they have helped raise aspiration and ensure success for many pupils who have found secondary school a challenge.

"We know that educational opportunities have been made possible by the dedication and commitment of Somer Valley FM’s volunteers, and we are deeply proud that such an asset to our area has been rightly recognised as they receive a King's Award."

Somer Valley FM’s award-winning success is also due to the strong support of local organisations. Curo, the Bath-based housing association, has been a long-term backer of the station.

Marianne Rawlins, Curo’s communications and media manager, said: “Somer Valley FM has led the way in community radio for the areas served by Curo in North East Somerset.

“We know that much of their success in communicating important information across communities is down to the dedication and commitment of their volunteers. This award is richly deserved. We are proud of our long association with Somer Valley FM and that some of our residents have contributed to their output.”

The station has also benefited from the support of Somer Valley Farms, one of its key sponsors. In a message to the station’s volunteers, a Somer Valley Farms spokesperson said: “Well done to all the hundreds of locals who, over the past years, have continued to make Somer Valley FM such an outstanding local radio station.”

One of the most dedicated volunteers at Somer Valley FM is Jo Davis, who has been contributing to the station for more than 10 years, amassing more than 3,000 hours of volunteer work. For the last five years, Jo has been presenting the station’s popular weekday breakfast show, a role that has become deeply personal to her.

For Jo, volunteering at Somer Valley FM is as much about personal fulfilment as it is about contributing to a community enterprise.

She said: “I love presenting radio, chatting away about life in general, the funny moments, struggles, family arguments, encounters with strangers, teenagers, what you're having for tea, etc. - in a lighthearted, uplifting way.

"The beauty of local radio is about keeping people company, making them smile, and making a difference to their day — even if it's just one person, that's what makes the 5.20am alarm each morning worth it.”

Jo’s passion for radio took on special significance during a difficult period in her life. In January 2020, she lost her mother to cancer, and soon after, the UK went into lockdown due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

She added: “I realised that keeping busy was what I needed to cope with my overwhelming grief. I felt many people must be like me and needed some distraction from the depressing national news and the isolation we were all feeling. When one of the directors suggested I do a breakfast show, I leapt at the chance.

“Radio really saved me in what was a difficult time in my life.”

Jo’s dedication is a perfect example of the power of volunteering — not just as a way to give back, but as a means of personal growth and connection.

“I'm proud to be a volunteer at SVFM, one of many,” Jo said. “It’s not about ‘giving up my free time’ to volunteer on local radio, it's about spending free time doing something you absolutely love and hopefully spreading a little bit of that passion to others at the same time.”

The King's Award for Voluntary Service highlights the efforts of Somer Valley FM’s volunteers, who remain at the heart of the station's success. With over 60 volunteers, the station provides diverse programming that includes everything from local news and events to cultural content and community outreach. Volunteers like Jo are instrumental in keeping the station's programming relevant, engaging, and reflective of the community it serves.

The station also continues to provide valuable training opportunities for young people in the area, offering hands-on experience in broadcasting, journalism, and media production through its partnerships with local schools and organizations like Sound Vision.