Volunteer Spotlight: Anna Whitehead

Volunteer Spotlight – Anna Whitehead

Hello! I’m Anna, and it’s a pleasure to introduce myself as a recent addition to the wonderful family of Radio Maria England’s volunteers. I’m helping out on Fridays with the editorial team in the London Office of Radio Maria while I study for my NCTJ journalism accreditation.

London is a city full of Catholic life, communities, and a rich heritage. I think Radio Maria plays a really joyous role in bringing all of this together, while also reaching those who are perhaps encountering Christ and His Church in a new way or for the first time through the airwaves.

I’ve been involved in various Catholic student communities over the past few years, primarily Fisher House, the Catholic Chaplaincy at the University of Cambridge. When I wasn’t helping out with the feeding (both spiritual and physical) of hungry Catholic students, I could be found studying French and German and writing for student media.

Post-graduation, I was keen to somehow find a way of working in media and in a Catholic context, and through a series of Holy Spirit-led moments found myself at Radio Maria. It’s been great seeing behind the scenes of how the Radio operates, and meeting many of the people who support its mission in various ways, for instance at the recent London volunteers’ evening or after Masses at Farm Street last weekend.

I’ve enjoyed pulling together some weekly ‘English Catholic News’ morning bulletins, covering everything from upcoming events and retreats, reports from recent pilgrimages, and Bishops eating Coronation Quiche. On a recent Just Life episode, I also shared some reflections and stories from my time on the internship programme with the Permanent Observer Mission of the Holy See to the UN in New York – more of a mouthful than that Coronation quiche! I’m also keen to help Radio Maria further reach the 18-35 age demographic, whether through promoting the podcast form of content or programming, so watch this space.

I look forward to more Fridays spent on air and at the ‘Anna desk’ in the London Office, where Anna Fleischer (the London Promoter) and I can be found drinking copious amounts of tea from Marian mugs, telling each other Catholic puns, and confusing people with our shared name. Although we’ve both been called Maria a not insignificant number of times, which is admittedly always a good shout if you’re unsure – I’ve heard there’s a great Catholic Radio Station named after her…