Betar Bangla is Limited Company By Guarantee

                                                  Company reg no. 3994362

BETAR BANGLA

Annual Report

   2008- 09

This has been a busy and productive year. Since setting up seven years ago, we have managed to facilitate training programmes for over 300 local people who would otherwise be unlikely to gain access to media facilities such as ours.

Betar Bangla was established in May 2000 and registered at Companies House as a Company Limited by Guarantee and a non-profit organisation with the aim of:

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…. ‘The establishment of communications, media training and learning network comprising community radio and multimedia dedicated to ethnic minority participation in the wider society’.

Since going live in 2002, Betar Bangla has worked closely with women’s groups, youth groups, young generation and works closely with local community organisations, creative and training providers including partners such as Cultural Industries Development Agency (CIDA) with whom we have facilitated training in Events Management,

 Bishwo Shahitto Kendro (BSK), a voluntary cultural group and the Shadinata Trust heritage group with whom we have facilitated courses in scriptwriting, radio presentation, production and technical skills,

WNF(working neibourhood fund ) and match funded by CMF(corporate match funding of tower hamlets) With whom we have facilitated training programme will lead on to nationally recognised London Open College Network (LOCN) level 1 & 2 qualification with portfolios in the following areas: -

1a) Script writing

1b) Radio equipments handling

1c) Radio and TV presentation skill

1d) Sound engineering

Our employment and career guidance activities will includes

               2a) Introduction to the employment market

   2b) CV writing

               2c) Interview techniques

   2d) 1-2-1 advice and guidance sessions

   3e) Work placement (4 weeks).

Earlier this year, Betar Bangla obtained an RSL License from OFCOM (Office of Communications) to broadcast on the proposed frequency of 87.7 FM. This would host a 24-hour live radio channel, to be run from 31^st March to 27^th April 2009.

The aim of this project was to hold a series of interactive community programmes addressing local, national, and international issues to our listeners living in Tower Hamlets.

With the Tower Hamlets population consisting of ethnic communities – including Bangladeshis, Indians, Pakistanis, Somalis and others, the overall aim is to broadcast programmes as described above in respective languages, in order to engage local people in both community affairs (particularly the services provided by Tower Hamlets Council) and news of a wider perspective.

As we mentioned earlier that Betar Bangla support through promotion to local ethnic minority businesses we received a lot of response from local business organisations. We introduced local ethnic minority businesses in our Radio station through interview and discussion to our listener. Local business support is also a big help towards the organisation.

Over the last three years we have also begun to facilitate video training both for 18+ trainees who have gone on to produce three drama features – On the East which explores the growth of drug culture in East London and its impact on the Bengali community, Onion Peeler, a study of growing gangster cultures and the exploitation of illegal immigrants in the catering industry, purbo porchim natok and Olympic 2012 which highlights cultural opportunities for young people leading up to the Olympic Games due to take place on our doorstep.

Betar Bangla currently employs two full-time and two part time members

 of staff, which include a Project Co-ordinator, and Office Administrator., 1 tutor and 1 tutor assistant in the organisation.

Betar Bangla is working very hard to establish a community radio station in east end for BME groups. Our ultimate goal is to build up a studio for recording and relay programme on air. Currently Betar Bangla is working with 65 volunteers.

During last one-year period Betar Bangla created a cultural organisation DESH CULTURAL GROUP among the presenters. In future we intends to create a multi media production group so that volunteers could involve in more arts and cultural activities. Our training programme will empower the skill and efficiency among the volunteers and Radio station will be the platform for their work experience in media sectors.

I had to thanks all volunteers who are working very hard with the organisation. We are very grateful to the local authority, Cultural industry development agency (CIDA), Community organisation forum (COF), Tower Hamlet College, Local Businesses, CMF (corporate match funding), WIM(windows into media), WNF(working neibourhood fund ) and all other organisations that helped us with funding and other helps. 

"Betar Bangla is the special voice for the special community"

This is our slogan and our promise.

Thanks to everybody again.

M. Rahman (Chair Person)

Golam Chowdhury (Executive Director)

Betar Bangla, Unit 6 10-14 Hollybush Gardens,, London E2 9QP

                        Tel: (0207) 729-4333 Email: betarbangla@gmail.com

                                           www.betarbangla.org.uk