NLive Radio wins GOLD at national radio awards for its local elections coverage

Northampton’s local radio NLive Radio has been recognised at the 2025 Community Radio Awards.

The Gold award for Elections & Political Coverage of the Year was presented to a team of student journalists from the University of Northampton who were representing the station at the awards.

The award-winning ‘VOTE WNC’ entry was for the coverage of the West Northamptonshire local elections count back in May which saw Multimedia Journalism and Multimedia Sports Journalism students from the University of Northampton produce and present a 6 hour show that was broadcast on NLive Radio alongside rolling social media coverage which declared when Reform UK had taken control of the council.

BA Multimedia Journalism student Justine Sawford said: “On the train journey over, the six of us were constantly hoping that we were going to win gold. Even in the five minutes before heading into the venue, we all had our fingers crossed. But when it was announced, we sat for a couple of seconds in shock because it felt very surreal.

“Covering the election was a lot of hard work. We sat in small groups doing as much research on different wards, councillors and political parties as possible, so we had everything covered. And we were so glad we did. It was so much fun. I cannot wait to do more live coverages.”

Working under the guidance of University of Northampton Senior Lecturers in Journalism, Kate Ironside, Hilary Scott, Adrian Warner and Station Manager Rebecca Steers, the student team split roles to ensure full coverage. Some reporters were based at the count itself, while others supported the council’s media team during one of their busiest times of the year.

The broadcast featured live interviews with candidates, including former West Northamptonshire Council leader Adam Brown, candid conversations with both winning and losing politicians as they reflected on the results.

Senior Lecturer Kate Ironside said: “This was a fabulous opportunity for the students to put their learning into practice. By delivering a comprehensive, engaging live programme of the results of this extraordinary election they also performed a major public service to the local audience. This award was well deserved”

Station Manager Rebecca Steers said: “This is a prime example of the partnership work we do with the University of Northampton, providing opportunities for students to get involved in real world radio broadcasting and journalism experiences, especially at a time of momentous political change in the UK”

Anna Earnshaw, Returning Officer for West Northamptonshire’s elections and WNC chief executive said: “I’d like to congratulate all the students on winning this well-deserved national award. Their hard work at the elections count was apparent to everyone who attended, not just their excellent reporting on the results as they came in but also in lending their support to our media team on what proved to be an extremely busy day and eventful day and evening.”

The awards ceremony was held in Bradford, alongside the UK Community Radio Network conference, and the award was presented by representatives from the national Radio News Hub

The Community Radio Awards were setup to celebrate, promote, and champion all the work of the Community Radio Sector, it’s hundreds of stations serving local, diverse and communities of interest or identity and the thousands of volunteers who give up hours and hours a week to serve their audiences.

Maxine Jones, awards director, said: “The recognition for Vote WNC is well deserved, and we hope it recognises their success, and encourages others to engage, represent and support their communities.”

“We’ve had a surge in entries this year, so for a station to be recognised is a real achievement. Organisations like NLive Radio have proven their value at the heart of their local areas.”

NLive Radio continues its coverage of local politics with a weekly politics show on Sundays from 9am, as well as regular news on it’s website.