Riverside Radio’s ambitious 40 part community audio drama The Wandsworth Way has been nominated for a national Community Radio Award, recognising a project which brought together more than 100 writers and performers from across Wandsworth.

The Wandsworth Way has been nominated for Arts and Creative Radio of the Year at the 2026 Community Radio Awards, celebrating the very best of community broadcasting from across the UK.

Created as part of Wandsworth’s year as London Borough of Culture, the series was produced by Riverside Radio in partnership with Theatre503 and Wandsworth Council.

Across 40 original episodes, 31 first time writers and 84 community performers were given the opportunity to take part in creating a major piece of radio drama about the borough.

Rather than telling one continuous story, The Wandsworth Way became a collection of different voices and experiences, reflecting communities which make up Wandsworth.

The series was curated by award-winning playwright James Fritz, working alongside Riverside Radio and Theatre503 to give people who may never previously have considered writing for radio the opportunity to have their work developed and broadcast.

For Riverside Radio, which has been broadcasting to South West London since 2015, the project represented one of the station’s biggest community collaborations to date.

Jason Rosam, Founder and Managing Director of Riverside Radio, said:

“We are absolutely delighted that The Wandsworth Way has been recognised by the Community Radio Awards.

“What makes this nomination particularly special is the number of people from our community who were part of making it happen. We had 31 first time writers and 84 community performers involved across 40 episodes. For many of them, this was their first opportunity to write, act or perform for radio.

“That is exactly what Riverside Radio should be doing. We want to give people opportunities they might not otherwise have and to discover new talent.

“I’m incredibly proud of everyone who took part and of our partnership with Theatre503 and Wandsworth Council. Being nominated for a national award is a wonderful recognition of everything they achieved.”

A radio drama made by Wandsworth

Writers from across Wandsworth were encouraged to create short dramas inspired by the borough, its people and its places.

Those scripts were then brought to life by community performers, creating a series which showcased not only established creative talent but people taking their first steps into writing and performance.

The result was 40 individual pieces of radio drama, building into an audio portrait of Wandsworth during its year as London Borough of Culture.

The project also demonstrated the role community radio can play beyond traditional broadcasting; providing training and opportunities for people whose voices may not normally be heard on air.

Celebrating community broadcasting

The Community Radio Awards celebrate the work of community radio stations from across the UK.

For Riverside Radio, the nomination comes during an important period for the station as it continues to expand its local broadcasting across South West London.

Jason added:

“Community radio is at its best when the community isn't simply listening to the station but is actually part of making it.

“That was The Wandsworth Way. It wasn't just a programme about Wandsworth. It was created with Wandsworth.

“Whatever happens at the awards, that is something we will always be enormously proud of.”