Radio & Podcasts
Hear the creative voice of people with a learning disability on the radio and online
“Wonderfully inclusive... the project identifies, nurtures and mentors new and diverse talent.” - Audio Production Awards
Carousel’s radio shows and podcasts reach listeners in over 50 countries and are produced and presented entirely by learning disabled people.
Winning a gold British Podcast Award in 2018, silver in The Lovie Awards in 2020, and a silver Audio production Award in 2022, the team produced their 130th show in August 2023. Since 2015, shows have featured spoken word poetry and storytelling, music and interviews from learning disabled musicians, Foley FX and sound design, radio plays and guest presenter takeovers.
Meet Me In Five
In Carousel’s radio show, called Meet Me In Five, presenters Fran Reynolds and Claire Offley interview learning disabled guests about their most-loved five songs.
We hear about the key personal and creative events in their lives, each song telling the next step in their life journeys.
Following Rules Apply
Carousel’s new podcast project, Following Rules Apply, is entering an exciting new period of development in 2024.
In Following Rules Apply, the production and presenting team of Joel, Paggy and Jason set their guests daft and tricky made-up challenges, which have to be answered according to the fiendish rules the team have made.
With support from radio professional Paul Dutnall, the team are developing radio skills including audio editing, production and location recording.
They will receive advice from podcast industry professionals, and from a focus group of listeners to help them to refine the show over the course of 2024, ready to launch a new monthly podcast to the world in 2025.
Meet the team
Fran Reynolds
What do you like listening to on the radio?
“Frankly it’s got to be Carousel Radio as I love doing it every month on a Friday at home or in Carousel. But apart from that, my favourite radio show is Ken Bruce. I only listen to Pop Master.”
Claire Offley
What do you like listening to on the radio?
“I listen to Paul Miller on BBC Radio Sussex. He plays Pop music, listeners ring in with jokes and he does a quiz.”
“A podcast that platforms voices we genuinely feel have been filtered out of UK media. Refreshing and totally unpredictable, this is a highly original listen.” - British Podcast Awards Judging Panel
Fran’s Radio Story
Hear all about the things Fran has done with Carousel Radio over the years.