In the ground floor unit of Portadown’s second oldest building beats a small but ever-growing pulse and – behind that pulse – are huge ambitions to reshape the mental health discussion not just locally… but across the globe!
At the end of a quiet, unassuming alleyway on Portadown’s Church Street is a revamped and repurposed studio space which has now become home to Portadown’s newest online radio channel.
Known as Pulse Online Radio, the channel has been built by a team of ten, led by co-founders James Totten and Phil Nicholson, who all share the unique ambition of taking the mental health discussion onto open air.
And it all started with a little birthday money and a wild idea!
Speaking to Armagh I, Phil said: “On August 1, which was my birthday, James and I were heading out somewhere and my mum had given me a few quid and she asked what I was going to do with it and I just said to James, ‘Do you know what? Will we just start a radio station?”
It might sound a little out of the blue, but prior to this catalytic moment the discussion to open a music studio of sorts had been bandied about between the pair.
Phil has a extensive background as a DJ and entertainer and for several years James had become involved with local musicians, writing, recording and mastering singles.
They knew they wanted to work with music but they also knew there was greater potential, so, their initial plans to develop a recording studio for hire were repurposed and the radio station was born.
Added Phil: “The radio was never a thing in question we were just going to build a studio and recording suite and give people a space where they could come and make as much noise as they wanted to without annoying anyone.
“I said leave it with me I’ll see what the ins and outs of radio are and we will give it a go – and we launched that Friday!”
Left to right: Pulse Online Radio hosts, Raymie, Phil and James
Together with a friend, Raymie, the men have since been constantly renovating their workspace, putting to use every bit of “scrap” they could get their hands on.
The walls of the studio are made from repurposed shop-front signage and pallets, they have a social space with a coffee bar, benches and stools; all second hand and given a new lease of life.
Like their entire business ethos; it’s about fixing what’s there, making the most of what they have and being proud of what they have achieved.
The temporary, makeshift, internal door has an open-door policy – everyone is welcome, for any reason and no one will be discouraged from taking part in a show.
“We won’t take it away from anyone if they want to have a go on radio, if they are serious and want to take an interest in it,” added Phil.
In many ways, the station is about opportunity – and all are encouraged to seize it.
Among the team at Pulse is FALLUP NI’s Andrew Curry – a specialised addiction and trauma counsellor – who has been an instrumental force in helping Pulse Radio’s founder, Phil Nicholson in his own mental health journey.
Mental health expert, Andrew is now set to host a routine show once a fortnight where listeners will be invited to participate.
“We will play a bit of music and have a bit of a chat in between and people can text in and ask Andy for help or advice if they are struggling with things or don’t know what to do.
“We want to run a Q&A sort of show. If people want to reach out to us, we can put a list of questions together and Andy can give us something back. It will be like Radio One’s old ‘Sunday Surgery’ on a smaller scale,” explained Phil.
Their hashtag (#mentalhealthawareness) is not just a tag, it has been a huge part of their story. It’s in everything they do, and it’s why they do it.
Largely self-taught, radio hosts James, Raymie and Phil all described their experience in broadcast as “therapeutic” and Phil, in particular, stressed the importance of talking as therapy.
In relation to his own struggles, Phil said: “I originally dealt with Atlas in Lisburn and they were great on my first phase and the I felt fine for a while.
“But then I ended up losing seven family members inside 14 months and then on top I had the break-up of a relationship and everything just went to pot.
“Then I went to Compass Counselling in Lisburn and they were fantastic with me but I had another slip up a while back and Andy [FALLUP NI] was straight on the phone with me, spent a bit of time with me and just dropped everything.
“When we moved into this we had a platform to explain to people that it is ok not to be alright and it is alright to talk about it and to seek counselling, or feel free to come onboard and chat to us.
“Normally conversations about mental health are behind closed doors, but this is happening in the open where anyone can listen in from all over the world.
“The running joke at the minute is that we have listeners in the Faroe Islands. That’s the brilliant thing about online radio because you are able to broadcast worldwide and it’s a good platform for it!”
Listeners are of course encouraged to speak candidly with the knowledge that they are doing so in a judgement free safe space, but those who do not wish to divulge in detail can remain anonymous and send queries across via email or text.
Over the Christmas period the team decided to take a little step back from live shows and broadcasting to spend with family and friends.
They haven’t been resting on their laurels, however. They are preparing to relaunch their live shows and bring a host of exciting new ideas to air on January 28.
You can listen to Pulse Online Radio here or alternatively ask Alexa for “Pulse Online Radio”.
Follow Pulse Online Radio on Facebook here.
