Students hit the airwaves to join fight against loan sharks

Young people from Birmingham are helping the fight against loan sharks by writing and starring in their own radio ads.

The England Illegal Money Lending Team, known as Stop Loan Sharks, worked with Bauer Media Group to offer a Creation Station workshop for students from BMet College.

The young people were given a tour of the at the Hits Radio Birmingham studios in Hagley Road and learned about the workings of the station and the creative process behind radio ads.

They also heard from the Stop Loan Sharks team about the work that is being done across England to keep people safe from illegal lenders.

They then used their new-found skills to write and record their own ads, raising awareness of the dangers of loan sharks and how to get help.

Five ads were produced, of which three will be aired in the run up to Christmas on the Hits Radio Birmingham network. The other two will be featured on the Stop Loan Sharks social media channels.

Dave Benbow, acting head of the IMLT, a national organisation hosted by Birmingham City Council, said: “We have been blown away by the creativity of these young people. Every single ad was unique and each captured the key messages we want to get across – how dangerous illegal lenders can be and how we can help – perfectly.

“To be able to distil those messages into just a few seconds of attention-grabbing audio shows real skill and talent. Each ad was brilliant, and we want to thank to students for putting so much effort and enthusiasm into this.

“Thanks to the BMet staff who brought them along and to everyone at Bauer Media and Hits Radio Birmingham for letting us take over the studios for the day.”

Suzie Branch-Haddow, Vice Principal for External Development at BMet College, said: “Working with Stop Loan Sharks and Hits Radio Birmingham was a fantastic opportunity for our students.

“Not only did they have the chance to get hands-on experience in creating and recording an ad, but they also learned about the serious dangers of loan sharks.

“It was an insightful day that gave them a real taste of the advertising industry while educating them on an important issue. Our students thoroughly enjoyed the experience and came away with valuable skills and knowledge.”

Emma Russell, Account Director at Bauer Media Group, added: “We had a fantastic day working with Stop Loan Sharks and the students from BMet College.

“It was great to give the students a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the workings of a radio station and to give them some valuable real-life experience of putting an ad together. They were so enthusiastic and engaged and we were very impressed with the ads they came up with. They made it look easy!

“It’s also great to be supporting the work of Stop Loan Sharks and helping to raise awareness about this very real issue that affects so many people.

“Radio advertising is a hugely powerful way to get a message out to the public. The challenge was to create an ad campaign that was targeted and delivered meaningful results. The adverts that the students produced will appeal to their peers and deliver the key messages in a relatable and real way for young people. If these ads help just one person who is suffering at the hands of a loan shark get the support they need, then it has all been worthwhile.”

Stop Loan Sharks was set up 20 years ago to investigate and prosecute loan sharks and support borrowers. Over the past two decades, the team has supported over 32,000 people, and written off over £91.3 million worth of illegal debt, securing over 426 prosecutions for illegal money lending, leading to 609 years in jail.

Loan sharks are often well known in a local community and can target anyone who is vulnerable. They can often pretend to be a friend at first, offering a loan as a favour but then can start charging high interest, and using threats, intimidation or even violence to enforce payments.

Anyone who has been affected by illegal lending can contact the Stop Loan Sharks team in confidence on its 24/7 helpline 0300 555 2222 or visit stoploansharks.co.uk for information and more ways to get in touch. There is a Live Chat facility available on the website 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday.