A BURNHAM-ON-SEA resident is hoping to launch an online radio station for the LGBTQ+ community.

Steve Mellor launched a podcast - Steve’s LGBTQ+ Domestic Abuse Awareness – in 2019 to help raise awareness of domestic abuse across the country.

After the success of the podcast, Mr Mellor is hoping to take his work to the next level and create a country-wide radio station based in Burnham-on-Sea.

“In 2019, I left my abusive partner after 10 years because I was being abused psychologically, physically, emotionally and financially,” said Mr Mellor.

“So I started a podcast to help raise awareness.

“Unfortunately Covid-19 happened, which meant that I couldn’t run the events I had planned for hate crime and domestic abuse.

“But with the help of technology I have been able to launch weekly podcasts, Facebook Live posts as well as being invited to guest speak at nine online pride events.

“This year hasn’t really gone to the way I hoped, but I have been able to reach out with my podcasts to over four million people.

“And I was given a letter from the House of Commons congratulating my work.

“Now I am taking my work to the next level and in late November 2020, I am hoping to launch an online radio station for people in the LGBTQ+ Community.

“This isn’t an easy job and has taken a lot of thinking and sorting out.

“I want to reach out to the local community as well as the UK prides to offer something a little different to the listening experience.

“I use to be an entertainer for ten years before I found out I had ME. Now I do the work to keep my mind going.”

At the moment Mr Mellor does not have name for his radio station, so he is inviting readers to come up with some names by the end of October.

To suggest a name, contact Mr Mellor by emailing steve.domesticabuselgbtq@gmail.com