My speech on hospital radio and Victoria Radio Network

Last night, I was hounoured to be asked to speak to an audience at St Marie's Church about hospital radio and Kirkcaldy's award winning hospital radio station, Victoria Radio Network.

Have a listen to what I had to say last night - there is a speech from me and a short Q and A session. Plus, you'll get to find out what my wildest broadcasting fantasy is at the end! Enjoy!

The moment of truth in over 24 hours

Well, I cannot believe it. Tomorrow night, I find out if my speech package has clinched the top prize of 'Best Speech Package' at the National Hospital Radio Awards in Bristol - I was nominated for reviewing the hit political play, "The Confessions of Gordon Brown", and interviewing the man who wrote it, Kevin Toolis. I'm too modest for my own good at times, but I cannot keep my own feelings to myself about this weekend and couldn't resist blogging before I start my journey south later tonight.

Earlier today, I started to think deeply about how big things have really become. Admittedly, I'm also beginning to feel a little apprehensive, but I guess that's normal before the outcome of any competition or awards ceremony, is it not? It was only just over a year ago when I started out with my own weekly programme for Victoria Radio Network. If you had said to me back then that I would be looking ahead to a nomination for a nationally recognised award then I would have laughed so hard that my hernia would have been unable to take the strain of my own laughter. And yet, I'm laughing - but for reasons of joy.

I don't want to push expectations up too much, because I know for a fact that the competition will be very intense and the entries for the award will be of a high quality. To even have my speech package nominated for a national award is just an incredible achievement. It is also an achievement that I will treasure for a long time to come and one that is of significant importance in my own professional development of my career in the media.

I only started getting to work this month with my studies for my journalism diploma with the NCTJ (National Council for the Training of Journalists) and, regardless of the outcome tomorrow night, the nomination is a major confidence boost in my own abilities in compiling a high standard of programming to people who listen to me.

Regardless of the result tomorrow evening, this achievement of being in contention for a major award for my work is a celebration and I'll be waving the flag for Victoria Radio Network and for Scotland and hoping to come home with a winning result. You can find out what has happened by following me on Twitter @OfficialAnasSCO or by liking my Facebook page which you can locate here. Wish me luck!

List of organisations and sources of information: dementia

Following on from my interview tonight with dementia campaigner, Tommy Whitelaw, which was broadcast on Victoria Radio Network, I have decided to give a list of organisations and sources of information where more help or information regarding the whole issue of dementia can be located:

ALLIANCE SCOTLAND - http://www.alliance-scotland.org.uk/

ALZHEIMER'S RESEARCH UK - http://www.alzheimersresearchuk.org/

ALZHEIMER'S SOCIETY - http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/

CARER'S TRUST - http://www.carers.org/

DEMENTIA UK - http://www.dementiauk.org/

My special thanks to Tommy Whitelaw for his precious time in coming to speak on VRN in Kirkcaldy for my show tonight and best wishes to him in his important work in raising awareness of dementia.

My interview with dementia campaigner, Tommy Whitelaw, on VRN this Sunday

Tommy Whitelaw and I in the VRN studios.

Join me this Sunday (23rd February) for a specially prepared programme at 8pm on Victoria Radio Network. I will commence my show as normal with the best music and chat from myself.

But the main reason I'm blogging on this entry is that Tommy Whitelaw, who is a campaigner raising the awareness of dementia, will be featuring on my programme at 9pm this Sunday for a special interview. He was up at the Victoria Hospital in Kirkcaldy giving a talk to health professionals and I was absolutely delighted to have him come into the studio to talk about his story and his campaign.

This is an interview I would strongly recommend to listen to, particularly to anyone affected in any way by dementia. You can tune in on 1287 AM in the Kirkcaldy area, in hospital services across Kirkcaldy where there is a facility available to tune in and online at www.vrnkirkcaldy.com (through your smartphone or laptop for instance).

Hassan's delight at HBA award nomination

Anas has a strong insight into Scottish politics

Anas Hassan has hailed the news at the start of 2014 that his speech package on last year's hit political play, "The Confessions of Gordon Brown", is being nominated for a Hospital Broadcasting Association award.

The broadcaster who presents for Victoria Radio Network in Kirkcaldy interviewed the director of the play, Emmy-nominated screenwriter, Kevin Toolis, for his programme on the hospital radio station last year. He also gave his own insight into what he thought of the production after going to see it for himself at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

Anas' speech package entry will be competing with nine other contenders for the title of 'Best Speech Package' this March at the National Hospital Radio Awards in Bristol. Despite only being with the radio station for approximately one year, Anas has expressed his delight at the news announced at the start of the year: "When I heard the news just around an hour after midnight on New Year's Day, I could not believe what I had just learned. I am absolutely thrilled to have my speech package shortlisted."

Anas believes the achievement is a testament to his commitment to deliver quality programming for listeners: "I am very passionate about delivering quality programming and that is what I am all about as a broadcaster. I was actually very humbled and grateful for gaining the opportunity to interview Kevin about his play and I want to thank him once again for his time on air."

He also paid tribute to those who have supported him: "I want to pay tribute to my family, friends and fellow members at Victoria Radio Network for all the superb support they have given me since I joined and I cannot wait to fly the flag for VRN and for Scotland this March."

For a full list of the nominations for the 'Best Speech Package' HBA award 2014, please click here.

This is the news with Anas!

A new portfolio showcasing the broadcast journalist skills of Anas Hassan has been launched.

The demo, which is now available to view above, shows Anas demonstrating his abilities on screen and on radio. Earlier this year, Anas successfully completed two work placements with STV News and Kingdom FM where his broadcasting horizons dramatically expanded and new learning experiences were gained. 

Speaking about the new demo, which has been online since last night, Anas said: "I am absolutely ecstatic about finally making my new demo available for everyone to view. Many people I hope will appreciate how much time and effort has been invested into producing it and it's certainly easier said than done when it comes to fully producing a portfolio, despite it only being just over five minutes long."

Despite being many months on since his time at STV and Kingdom FM, Anas still values both of his experiences at both the television and radio stations: "I had a fantastic time both at STV and Kingdom FM. I loved every second of both work placements. It made me a better broadcaster and has really helped me improve the quality of my programming at Victoria Radio Network, where I still present regularly."

Anas welcomes any constructive comments on his new demo. For more information about Anas Hassan, please see his biography by clicking on the relevant link above on the menu bar. The demo is also available to view through the "Showreel" link.