Buddies on the Airwaves

Young Voices Share the Impact of Friendship

Two young voices are bringing the heart of the Presbyterian Support Otago Buddy Programme to life through a new radio ad.

Recently, one of our young buddies stepped into the world of broadcasting to share just how much the Buddy Programme means to them and others like them.

The Buddy Programme has a simple but powerful purpose – to connect a young person with an adult mentor in a supportive, friendship-based relationship. These friendships help children grow in confidence, feel valued, and discover new interests and opportunities. For many young buddies, the experience of having an adult buddy is life-changing: having someone to listen, encourage, and believe in them can open doors to a brighter future.

Leading up to the recording, the pair, both with connections to the programme, had been practicing their scripts with excitement and anticipation. By the time they arrived at the MediaWorks studio, they were ready – and just a bit nervous – to step into the recording booth. They were fascinated by the soft foam panel walls, all the screens, and the microphone. There were lots of questions and excited energy!

With encouragement from MediaWorks staff member Gerald, the children soon found their confidence. After a few run-throughs, they aced their recordings, smiling from ear to ear. The highlight came when they listened back to the finished ad – hearing their voices with the backing music made it feel even more real! Everyone left the studio buzzing, proud of their efforts and thrilled to know their message would be on the radio for everyone to hear.

Through their radio debut, these two young people have shared not just their voices, but also a glimpse of the joy, connection, and confidence that the Buddy Programme inspires. And now, when the ad plays, they’ll know their story is helping others understand the difference having a buddy can make.

Recording the buddy radio ad, two children in a recording booth. Editing the radio ad