Tamar Millen works for the Community Media Association, a platform that aims to empower communities through their arts and media. She got in touch with us over Twitter about her love and commitment to community radio. Here she tells us about her five favourite stations.

Have you ever shouted at the radio? Ever thought that you could do better than the sounds rolling into your room? Do you find yourself pressing the buttons, switching stations looking for something that isn't the same old pop playlist, or the same old arguments?

There's a whole swathe of people out there remedying just this.

There's a station out there for everyone, whether it's one of the 250+ FM community stations in the UK or one of the new wave of online broadcasters, and they’re creating exciting audio content (the best bit is that you can join in too).

Here's a few of my favourite community radio stations from around the country:

Soundart Radio. Based in Totnes (home of the Totnes Pound), Soundart can be found broadcasting from the Dartington Estate. Imagine a patchwork of arts stitched together for your ears - listen closely and you can even hear the birds. You can never predict what you’ll hear from month to month; it’s beautifully eclectic.

Basic FM. Brings an art gallery into your living room with a monthly exhibition. My particular favourites have been the 744-hour broadcast of Radio Boredcast by Vicki Bennett, and The Absinth Hour on Saturdays with Lady Koo.

Two Valleys Radio. This station brings the arts of the Colne Valley to their listeners, with regular programming from a barn. They play with exceptionally creative programming (as does its Leeds-based sister station www.elfm.co.uk). Outdoor broadcasts from the Caravan of Love, an 1980s caravan set up as a portable studio, mean that all aspects of valley life can be covered from Slaithwaite Moonraking Festival to Marsden Jazz Festival.

Resonance FM. Broadcasting to Central London, I dip in and out of this station regularly. I love the access it gives to contemporary art. The station has a worldwide reputation for developing arts broadcasting, and long may it continue! My favourite programme which I listen to regularly is Six Pillars to Persia.

Bradford Community Broadcasting (BCB). When the Tyke in me needs a bit of comfort, I tune in to hear great stories in familiar accents. Based in the city centre, BCB is at the heart of Bradford and you can hear this reflected in all their programmes, from the football to the Ukranian show. A particular hightlight for me is the Sound Art Show by Claire Kearns.

Photos from top: Postbear, Two Valleys Radio