Radio Platfform, a youth-led radio station and creative training hub, is gearing up to celebrate its 10th anniversary with a free public event at the Wales Millennium Centre on Saturday, May 30, 2026. This event marks the beginning of a summer-long celebration, empowering young people across Wales to find their voice, build digital skills, and pursue careers in the creative industries. The station, based at the Wales Millennium Centre and Porth’s Pop Factory, has become a thriving platform for young presenters, producers, DJs, photographers, and creatives aged 11-25.
The event, running from 12 pm to 4 pm in the Glanfa foyer, will feature a live DJ takeover with past and present presenters, the Radio Platfform Studio Experience, a retrospective panel discussion with original team members, and a creative hub showcasing photography exhibitions, collaborative artwork, and limited-edition merchandise from south Wales artists. This celebration is a testament to the station's evolution from a grassroots initiative into an award-winning youth media platform, receiving Silver for Community Station of the Year at the 2024 ARIAs.
One of the key highlights of the event is the opportunity for aspiring creatives to engage with industry professionals. The station has become a springboard for emerging talent, with former members progressing into careers across the media industry. Notable alumni include Molly Palmer, a presenter at BBC Wales with her own show, producer Dylan Clarke, and Katie Hill, a producer at Overcoat Media. Agathe Dijoud, who worked with Radio Platfform, now contributes to The Audio Academy.
Bablu Shikdar, who began his broadcasting journey with Radio Platfform, is set to become the first Welsh presenter to host on BBC Asian Network Represents this June. He expressed his gratitude, stating that Radio Platfform provided him with his first real opportunity to step into broadcasting and build confidence in his own voice. Shikdar's journey exemplifies the transformative power of the platform, as he never imagined presenting on BBC Asian Network while growing up in Cardiff.
Jason Camilleri, a Senior Manager at Platfform and one of the organization’s founders, emphasized the station's mission when it was launched in 2016. The goal was to create a space where young people could tell their own stories, develop creative skills, and feel ownership over something meaningful. Ten years later, the station's success is evident in the careers of young people in broadcasting, music, media, and the wider creative industries.
The celebrations will extend throughout June, with former presenters and producers returning to the airwaves to revive classic shows and reflect on the station's journey. Later this year, Radio Platfform will also return to the Llais Festival with a dedicated industry talk to support young people looking to break into the radio and music sectors. The event on May 30 is free, with limited spaces for workshops. Interested participants can book via Eventbrite.
This celebration is not just about the past; it's a testament to the future of youth-led media in Wales. Radio Platfform's impact extends beyond the airwaves, fostering a community of young people who are not only creative but also confident and capable. As the station continues to evolve, it will undoubtedly remain a pivotal platform for young people to express themselves and shape their creative destinies.
