Station House Media Unit

What Station House Media Unit does

Station House Media Unit (shmu) is a registered Scottish charity (SC034211), founded in 2003 and headquartered at Station Road, Woodside, Aberdeen, with 51-100 employees. It operates as a community anchor organisation delivering an integrated cross-platform media portfolio — shmuFM community radio (broadcasting at 99.8 FM), shmuTV video production, shmuPRESS (seven community magazines covering Aberdeen's regeneration areas including Tilly Tattle, Middlefield Mirror, Torry's Vision, Seaton Scene, Cumming North, Woodside Free Press, and Mastrick Matters), shmuSOUND/57 North music production with a hireable commercial recording studio, and shmuTRADE commercial design, sound, TV and digital services. Built on top of this media infrastructure are social programmes targeting three primary cohorts: young people aged 12-19 in Aberdeen's seven regeneration areas (Youth Media, BFI Film Academy, Young Filmmakers, DJ & Music Tech, Summer Sessions); prisoners at HMP & YOI Grampian (the MAP Media Access Project and Creative Media Unit, which broadcast prison radio Conair to all cells and represent the first cross-platform media programme inside a UK prison); and adults facing challenges including ex-prisoners, asylum seekers and refugees (ADJUST throughcare service, employability training via shmuTRAIN).

The organisation is funded primarily by grants from the Scottish Government (including CashBack for Communities and the Fairer Scotland Fund), Creative Scotland, The Robertson Trust, BBC Children in Need, Paul Hamlyn Foundation, Aberdeen City Council, Screen Scotland, the British Film Institute and the Sean Connery Foundation, supplemented by a small commercial arm (shmuTRADE design/sound/TV/digital services and studio hire) that operates at sub-grant scale. Programmes are free to participants; the commercial trading arm provides the only transactional revenue stream and is described as ancillary. Go-to-market is community-led rather than sales-led: outreach runs through 200+ partner organisations, schools, community venues, and the prison estate, with marketing via shmu.org.uk and social channels (@stationhousemediaunit, @shmuORG, ShmuTVOnline).

Operational footprint is regional, concentrated in North East Scotland, with delivery sites at Aberdeen headquarters, a Union Street video-conferencing facility used for prison family visits, and an embedded Creative Media Unit inside HMP & YOI Grampian in Peterhead. In 2024-25 the organisation reported 520 programme participants, 280+ young people engaged, 192 school pupils, 92 adults on wellbeing programmes, 30,000+ volunteer hours, and an 84% non-reconviction rate among MAP participants. Reported outcome metrics include 79 SQA Level 5 qualifications achieved by prisoners, 32 Koestler Awards across five years, and 79 employability beneficiaries moving into positive destinations in the most recent annual cycle.

Name

Station House Media Unit

Legal name

Station House Media Unit

Website

https://shmu.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

2003

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Station House Media Unit is an Aberdeen-based Scottish charity operating community radio (99.8 FM), TV, seven community magazines, a recording studio, and youth, prison and adult media programmes across North East Scotland, serving regeneration-area residents, prisoners at HMP & YOI Grampian, and disadvantaged adults.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Community Media Services

NAICS

Radio Broadcasting Stations (516110), Television Broadcasting Stations (516120), Other Sound Recording Industries (512290), Radio and Television Broadcasting Stations (5161)

SIC

Radio Broadcasting Stations (4832), Television Broadcasting Stations (4833), Services-Social Services (8300)

akta.pro primary industry

Public Broadcasting Production Units & Studios (In-house/Member) (MPABADAF)

akta.pro secondary industries

Local Radio Station Groups (Owned & Operated/Station Chains) (MPABACAC), Media Center & Audiovisual Lending Operations (Equipment Checkout, Production Support) (EDAEAGAG)

Keywords

• Community media production
• Community radio broadcasting
• Youth media training
• Prison rehabilitation media
• Digital inclusion services

Headquarters

HQ city

Aberdeen

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: Primary revenue from grants and funding from government bodies and foundations including Scottish Government, Creative Scotland, The Robertson Trust, and others
2. Studio Hire: Commercial recording studio available for hire to external clients with flexible pricing
3. Professional Services: Design, sound, TV, and digital services offered under shmuTRADE commercial arm

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Station House Media Unit (shmu) operates an integrated community media platform spanning community radio (shmuFM 99.8 FM), television production (shmuTV), print publications (shmuPRESS with seven community magazines), music production (shmuSOUND/57 North with a commercial recording studio), employability training (shmuTRAIN), and digital inclusion services. The organisation also delivers youth media programmes for ages 12-19, the MAP prison media programme at HMP & YOI Grampian, and the ADJUST adult reintegration service, alongside commercial design, sound, TV and digital services offered through shmuTRADE.

Product overview

Station House Media Unit (shmu) operates as a community anchor organisation offering an integrated portfolio of media products and programmes. The core offering spans radio (shmuFM 99.8 FM), television (shmuTV), press (shmuPRESS with seven community magazines), music production (shmuSOUND/57 North with a commercial recording studio), and commercial services (shmuTRADE). Supporting programmes include Youth Media for 12-19 year olds, the MAP prison media programme, and the ADJUST prisoner reintegration service. Additional offerings include the BFI Film Academy, Northern Lens Youth Film Festival, and Summer Sessions creative holiday programmes.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• shmuPRESS: Community magazine production across seven regeneration areas of Aberdeen including Tilly Tattle, Middlefield Mirror, Torry's Vision, Seaton Scene, Cumming North, Woodside Free Press, and Mastrick Matters.
• shmuFM
• shmuTV
• shmuTRAIN
• shmuSOUND
• shmuTRADE
• shmu Youth Media
• MAP (Media Access Project)
• ADJUST
• Connected Torry

Products and services

• shmuFM Community Radio Community radio station broadcasting on 99.8 FM and online, featuring news, shows, and presenter content for residents of Aberdeen.
• shmuTV Video Production Video production platform offering news, films, YouthTV content, and commercial video work for the Aberdeen community.
• shmuPRESS Community Magazines Programme delivering seven community magazines across Aberdeen's regeneration areas including Tilly Tattle, Middlefield Mirror, Torry's Vision, Seaton Scene, Cumming North, Woodside Free Press, and Mastrick Matters.
• shmuTRAIN Employability Training Employability and training programmes including Early Interventions and Positive Transitions courses for individuals in disadvantaged communities.
• shmuSOUND / 57 North Music Production Music production service featuring a professional recording studio, the 57 North music platform, local music shows, and commercial audio work.
• shmuTRADE Commercial Services Commercial media services division offering design, sound, TV, and digital services to external clients.
• shmu Youth Media Youth media programme providing creative opportunities for young people aged 12-19 to participate in radio, TV, film, press, and music production across all platforms.
• MAP (Media Access Project) Prison media programme supporting prisoners in HMP & YOI Grampian to develop media skills through radio broadcasting, filmmaking, music production, and magazine production, with pre and post-release community support.
• ADJUST Prisoner Reintegration Programme Throughcare support programme for adult male prisoners from Aberdeen, facilitating continuity of support from custody into the community to reduce reoffending.
• shmu Recording Studio Hire Industry-standard recording studio available for hire, equipped with professional sound engineering and mastering services including DDP and Red Book CD mastering.
• Northern Lens Youth Film Festival Annual youth film festival delivered in partnership with Aberdeen Performing Arts, celebrating youth filmmaking across Scotland with screenings, workshops, and industry networking.
• BFI Film Academy Aberdeen Film education programme for 16-19 year olds delivering NCFE Level 5 qualification in film industry preparation, with masterclasses, practical filmmaking, and BFI alumni network access.
• Summer Sessions Creative Programme School holiday creative programme offering film, music, radio, and podcast production workshops for young people, including week-long Summer Film School and one-day challenges.
• Connected Torry Community Website Community website platform providing a digital hub for Torry residents to access news, events, and local media content.

Quantifiable outcome

• 84% non-reconviction rate for MAP participants
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• YouthLink ScotlandcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunder and supporter of youth programmes including CashBack for Communities initiatives
• Aberdeen City CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMain local government funder and partner for community regeneration initiatives
• Scottish Prison ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKey operational partner for MAP and ADJUST programmes operating within HMP & YOI Grampian
• Northern Community Justice AuthoritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOversees criminal justice services in north Scotland, involved since ADJUST inception
• NHS GrampiansupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerHealth partnership supporting wellbeing activities and health-related media content
• Apex ScotlandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSpecialist organisation working with ex-offenders providing additional support for ADJUST participants
• Aberdeen FoyersupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable organisation working with homeless and at-risk young people
• SacrosupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerOrganisation promoting community safety through conflict resolution and restorative justice services
• Aberdeen CyrenianssupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupport services for those affected by homelessness in Aberdeen area
• Police ScotlandsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerLaw enforcement partnership for ADJUST operational group participation
• Jobcentre PlussupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerEmployment support services component of ADJUST toolkit
• ACVOsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerAberdeen Council of Voluntary Organisations representing voluntary sector
• Aberdeen Performing ArtscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner in hosting Northern Lens Youth Film Festival as part of Light the Blue Festival
• British Film InstitutecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLead funder for BFI Film Academy Short Courses for young people aged 16-19
• PitchPlay MusicsupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerMusic publishing service partnered for Pitching Up project with 57 North strand

Scale indicators14 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Regional players

• Apex Scotland: Scottish charity supporting ex-offenders into employment, training and education. Directly comparable to shmu's ADJUST programme as a Scotland-only prisoner-reintegration charity; the two partner on ADJUST referrals.

Direct peers

• Celtic Music Radio: Scottish community radio station broadcasting music and cultural programming. Closely comparable to shmuFM as a community-anchored, non-commercial Scottish radio operator with charitable objectives, though more music-specialist than shmu's multi-platform mix.
• ALL FM: Manchester community radio station and charity broadcasting across south Manchester. Comparable to shmuFM as a non-profit, community-licensed radio station focused on social-purpose programming for disadvantaged audiences.
• Ujima Radio: Bristol community radio station run by a community interest company, serving Black and minority ethnic communities in the city. Comparable to shmu in serving regeneration/disadvantaged communities via radio as a vehicle for skills and voice.
• Prison Radio Association (National Prison Radio): UK charity that operates National Prison Radio, the UK's national prison radio station. Directly comparable to shmu's Conair prison radio broadcasting inside HMP & YOI Grampian, both serving incarcerated audiences with media-based rehabilitation content.
• Koestler Trust: UK charity that rewards arts by people in prison, awarding annual Koestler Awards. Directly comparable as a UK criminal-justice arts/creative-charity peer; shmu MAP participants have won 32 Koestler awards to date.
• Resonance FM: London community radio station operating as a charitable foundation, providing access to broadcasting for arts, culture and under-represented communities. Comparable in non-profit community-radio model and audience-development mission to shmuFM.
• Music in Prisons: Charity delivering music workshops in UK prisons and the community. Directly comparable to shmu's prison music strand (shmuSOUND/57 North inside HMP & YOI Grampian), both using creative production inside prisons for rehabilitation.
• Takeover Radio: Youth-led community radio station in Leicester run as a charity, training under-25s in broadcasting. Directly comparable to shmu's Youth Media strand, both operating community radio with young presenters as a skills-development vehicle.

Others

• Community Media Association: UK membership body supporting community radio, TV and online media. Related as the sector umbrella for organisations like shmu; not a direct operator but a comparable ecosystem participant and policy voice for the same non-profit community broadcasting niche.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/shmuORG
• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/ShmuTVOnline
• Facebookfacebook.com/stationhousemediaunit

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Station House Media Unit