Voices is an exciting new venture being launched across all BBC local radio stations. Using radio, television and new media, Voices will capture the stories, concerns and aspirations of those "unheard" voices, exploring the politics of everyday life through on and off air activity. Its about representing life as it is and people as they are. No gloss, just real life.  | | Claire Williams outside the area at Turnshaws which will be used as a studio. |
But Voices is more that what you hear on air, its about making things happen in communities - from physical transformations to practical workshops, creating new opportunities and a chance for people to shine. The Voices initiative was inspired by a Radio Leeds project - Altogether Now - which became the biggest initiative of its kind ever undertaken by a BBC local radio station. As our part of Voices, BBC Radio Leeds are aiming to give pupils at Turnshaws school in Kirkburton, near Huddersfield, the opportunity to forge links with the community and share ideas, hopes and experiences with them and BBC Radio Leeds listeners. From now until June, well be focusing on Turnshaws, and two high schools from the surrounding community, Almondbury High, and Shelley High. Turnshaws has had links with Almondbury for twelve years, so the pupils at Almondbury will be using their expertise to help make the relationship between Shelley High and Turnshaws just as much of a success! Theres going to be a considerable amount of broadcasting coming from the area, and we aim to create a bond between mainstream and special needs pupils, and to nurture an understanding of this diversity within the community. We hope to do this through a range of exciting projects - including practical makeovers, giving the children the practical skills they need to make radio features about their lives, writing a childrens book and radio play, a photography project and exhibition, and a gala concert at Huddersfield Town Hall! Radio Leeds will start broadcasting Voices on March 24th. The BBC Bradford and West Yorkshire website will also be actively involved. | 
