GOLD and BRONZE

Local station recognised in national Community Radio Awards during landmark 10th anniversary year

Local community radio Vectis Radio has been recognised at the 2026 Community Radio Awards, which this year celebrated a decade of recognising excellence in community broadcasting across the UK.

The GOLD award for Championing and Supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion was presented to Vectis Radio following a rigorous judging process designed to recognise outstanding programming, community engagement, innovation and impact.

The awards were presented during a ceremony held in Birmingham, alongside the national community radio conference organised by the UK Community Radio Network, bringing together community broadcasters from across the country.

Ian Mac said: "The awards were a huge achievement for a station of Vectis Radio’s size. “We have grown, we have challenged ourselves, and we have put our Island and our community on the national stage. Once again, we have shown exactly what Vectis Radio can do. “We may be a small community radio station, but we have an enormous amount of passion, commitment and belief behind us. These awards are recognition of the incredible people who give their time to make Vectis Radio what it is. “Community radio in the UK is stronger than ever, and we are incredibly proud to be part of that. To take home Gold and Bronze against such strong competition is a fantastic achievement for everyone connected with Vectis Radio.”

Rebecca Steers, Chair of the Community Radio Awards, said: "As we celebrate ten years of the Community Radio Awards, it's fantastic to recognise the people and stations who continue to make a real difference in their communities. This award is a testament to the dedication, creativity and commitment shown byVectis Radio, and to the impact community radio has across the UK." She added: "The standard of entries this year was exceptionally high, making recognition even more significant. For ten years these awards have showcased the very best of community broadcasting, and organisations like Vectis Radio demonstrate why community radio remains such an important part of local life."

The Community Radio Awards were established in 2016 and have spent the last decade celebrating the achievements of volunteers, presenters, producers, managers and stations serving communities across the United Kingdom.

The Community Radio Awards is a national awards programme open to all Ofcom-licensed community radio stations in the UK.

The awards celebrated their 10th anniversary in 2026 and recognise excellence across a wide range of categories including programming, speech content, specialist music, community engagement, volunteer achievement and station development.