Impact Report - MK Community Foundation - Report - Page 8
“As a child,
every time I
listened to the
radio, I dreamt
about becoming
a presenter.
For me, this is a
dream come true.”
11
Giving a Voice to
the Asian Community
with ACR MK
Asian Community Radio MK
(ACR MK) is Milton Keynes’
昀椀rst 24-hour Asian radio
station, amplifying the voices
of the region’s 40,000-strong
Asian community. Originally
launched as Roq Raw Radio
in 2021, it rebranded in 2024
after securing a DAB license.
Entirely volunteer-led and
female-driven, ACR MK fosters
connection across generations,
celebrating culture, music,
and mental health awareness
while equipping volunteers
with broadcasting and
storytelling skills.
13 | MK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION
The station aimed to train volunteers – especially
women – who had no prior experience and who
had perhaps never considered they would be
able to host a radio show, helping them develop
con昀椀dence and practical skills in broadcasting,
voice training, and content creation. To bring the
vision to life, ACR MK needed essential startup
funding to cover volunteer training, compliance,
equipment, and website development.
The MK Community Foundation grant was a
game-changer, helping to buy essential studio
gear, provide training for 17 volunteers, and
complete a rebrand that strengthened its identity.
A radio workshop brought in 10 new presenters,
two administrators, and two voiceover artists,
while a Diwali event at MK Gallery, attended by
200 people, expanded its reach even further.
With a new studio space and a growing, skilled
team, ACR MK is thriving; empowering voices
and deepening community ties.
Female Presenter
Funders:
David Lock Associates Fund
MK Business Leaders Fund
Personal Assurance
Charitable Trust Fund
Thrive Give Fund
Women’s Fund
Vital Signs Area:
Stronger Communities
Giving a voice to
40,000
people in
our community
“It has been
a lifesaver.
This grant has
allowed us to save
lives by inviting
people in and
helping them
feel human again.”
12
Creating a Greener
Future with Newport
Pagnell Baptist Church
Newport Pagnell Baptist
Church is more than a
place of worship, it’s a
cornerstone of the
community. While services
take place on Sundays, the
rest of the week sees over
12,000 people walk through
its doors for baby groups,
dance classes, sports, and
even funerals. It’s a warm,
welcoming space for all
and serves as the town’s
emergency centre,
o昀昀ering shelter and
essential facilities during
crises like 昀氀ooding.
Dedicated to both people and the planet, the
church set out to reduce its carbon footprint
while keeping its facilities a昀昀ordable. With support
from MK Community Foundation, it installed
green energy solutions that saved 3.6 tons of
carbon in just two months, cutting operational
costs and even generating surplus energy for
the national grid.
These changes not only move the church closer
to its net-zero target but also align with its
commitment to keeping the community at the
heart of everything it does, ensuring the church
can continue to be a safe, accessible hub while
also strengthening its ability to support the
community in times of need. Whether o昀昀ering
a warm meal, a place to connect, or vital
emergency assistance, it remains a beacon of
hope in Newport Pagnell – one that now leads
by example in sustainability, too.
Spokesperson for Newport
Pagnell Baptist Church
Funders:
Thrive Give Fund
General Fund
3.6
tonnes of
carbon saved in
just two months
Vital Signs Area:
Environment
Stronger Communities
MK COMMUNITY FOUNDATION | 14
