IT is the volunteerled radio station that gives Southampton’s diverse communities a voice.

Now those that work to ensure the station reaches as many people in various communities across the city as possible, have made a video on how Awaaz FM has made a difference to their lives.

The video focuses on three volunteers at the station, which is based in Cranbury Terrace, Southampton, who discuss how presenting has benefited them – and the diverse cultures they broadcast to. Rozi Sahki, general manager of the station, tells the viewers that the station’s presenters are multi-language, covering cultures including Persian, Latin, Urdu and Punjabi.

She said: “We aim to keep the community updated as well as keep them entertained.”

Presenter at the station Nalini Lukha joined Awaaz in 2007, and she told the Daily Echo that it has turned her life around.

Ms Lukha, who works on the Vedic Society Committee and received an award for her volunteering at a ceremony last year, said: “Being a radio presenter here, I have learned so much.

“I lost all my confidence after my divorce but joining Awaaz has helped me restore that.

“It’s a valuable station because it is broadcast to the Asian community and some of them are on their own.

“It’s not just for Asian people, it’s for everyone.

“Everyone is friendly and it helps a lot of people listening to their own language.

“To me the station is really special.

“You are there to present your programme and take people’s views and reach out to them.

“I now have more self esteem with meeting people from different cultures and faiths, and interacting with the public.”

As previously reported, the broadcaster has been shortlisted in two categories in the National Diversity Awards, which celebrates the grass-root communities across the country.

It has 20 presenters from ten countries and languages spoken include Romanian, Latin, English, Spanish, Persian and Hungarian.