SCIP train up community reporters

We catch up with the latest batch of students to have finished SCIP’s innovative Community Reporting training programme with flying colours. Cast into a world of reporting opportunities, the graduates feel positive and equipped with the skills to grab a story by the neck using an array of mediums and outlets. Read on to find out what they learned, from interview techniques to setting up an online news blog.

With input from professionals from the world of media including The Argus, SCIP has been leading a new project centred on helping to grow the voices of people from communities across Brighton and Hove. Taking inspiration from the pioneering Peoples Voice Media in Manchester, we have been creating a range of learning opportunities that equip people with the skills and tools necessary for reporting in the digital age. What’s more, we are exploring the impact of hyperlocal news. This is news that is created by and for the community has wide-reaching social and economic impact. Sharing information, making the invisible visible and the inaudible audible is what it’s all about. You may have a community campaign on the go that needs amplification or an event in you community that you’re keen to publicise. Which avenue and medium you choose to raise the profile of your cause is down to you.

Over the last few months we have been running free training sessions for all kinds of people interested in growing their own voice and that of their community. Industry tutors delivered practical hands-on sessions, which dealt with interview techniques, using video and audio recording to report and publishing content online. Students set up WordPress accounts to post their stories onto and were given the low-down on libel in all its grit and glory.

Saskia Wesnick, a course graduate reflects on the part of the course delivered by David Guthrie, Training manager at SCIP who also tutors on SCIP’s courses for building and running a local community website and E-newsletters.

“This course has many aspects to it: there are questions that need to be asked first of all. Who are you writing for? How do you address your audience? What is your budget? If you find that the people you are writing for all have regular access to the Internet and like to read short articles about local issues but your budget does not stretch to a printed 8-page newspaper, you might well consider an E-Newsletter.”

Saskia further points out:

“David can get you started on WordPress, a great place to get going for free and create your web presence by uploading text, pictures and even sound and films.”

With plenty of free website building software and blogs out there, you can easily set up your own online patch in minutes. SCIP can help you to design your website using WordPress and manage the content in a way that is sustainable to your needs.

We are gaining exposure in the city as the first community reporters' initiative and are helping to establish a national community reporters network. Watch this space!

To find out more about community reporting visit http://bhcr.scip.org.uk