Aim: To help you develop the knowledge and skills to work well with your local media at a time of austerity and rapidly-changing media.

Learning outcomes

The workshop will help you to:

• Understand how local media works (local press emphasis)
• Identify elements of a good story
• Write a strong press release
• Approach journalists (timings)
• Get your stories and pictures picked up by the media
• Use local media to help boost your web traffic

Who it’s aimed at: People who work within the local voluntary sector (charities, community groups) who want to use the power of local media to help them raise their profile, fund-raise, campaign and increase volunteer numbers.

Trainers

Sofija Opacic has over 20 years experience working in the Third Sector. She has worked with the National Union of Students and the Royal Voluntary Services (as their media and public affairs manager, England). She has successfully secured page spreads in the Independent and the Guardian as well as a 6-minute slot on BBC News. For the last five years she has been running Creative Public Affairs which helps people work with the media more effectively to create social good.

Alan Bunce has been a local journalist for 21 years including as the Business Editor for the Reading Chronicle and Community Editor for the Reading Post. He has worked with local radio and been press officer at Wokingham Borough Council. He is currently freelancing in PR and journalism.