Community reporter Grace Price reflects on training, community journalism and finding her voice

Community News Project reporter Grace Price has reflected on a busy few months balancing NCTJ exams with full-time reporting, while continuing to build connections with the communities she serves in Monmouthshire.  

Working for the Monmouthshire Beacon, Grace has spent the summer covering everything from GCSE and A-level results days to community events and local business stories, alongside completing her studies. 

“It was a really busy period and quite stressful at times,” she said. “Working full time and then trying to do exams on top of that was really hard. 

“But I persevered, I was determined and I managed to get through them one by one. I was really happy because I passed all of my exams.”  

Among the stories that stand out is the reopening of a historic bridge that Grace has followed throughout her time with the Beacon. Earlier this year she reported on the bridge as repairs were being carried out. More recently, she returned to cover a community picnic celebrating its reopening.  

“The turnout was amazing,” she said. “It really felt like what community reporting is all about because I was right in amongst it with everybody.”  

For Grace, that continuity is one of the most rewarding aspects of community journalism. 

“I think it’s so important to go straight to the person and hear directly from them,” she said. “You can capture things that you might not be able to capture from a press release. 

“One story can literally lead on to your next idea.”  

Alongside her reporting, Grace has continued to develop the Beacon’s social media presence through video journalism, helping her reach audiences in new ways and build relationships with local people. 

“I’ve had more people come up to me and say they’ve seen my videos,” she said. “I like building that connection with the community and making people feel like they can speak to me. At the end of the day, that’s what I’m there for.”  

The experience has reinforced her belief in the value of local journalism and the importance of reporters being visible within the communities they serve. 

“It’s so diverse and open,” she said. “People feel like they can come to me whenever they need. That’s what I really like.”  

Grace has also been sharing more of her journalism journey on social media, offering an honest look at the challenges as well as the successes. 

“My favourite quote is ‘don’t lose sight of the journey’,” she said. 

“I want people to feel like they’re on the journey with me and that doesn’t just mean the positives. It means the things that don’t go as well too.”  

Her advice to aspiring journalists is to focus on progress rather than perfection. 

“It’s important to be proud of all the little steps along the way,” she said. “It’s so easy to focus on the final goal that you forget everything you’ve already achieved.”  

Looking ahead, Grace hopes to continue developing her video journalism skills and pursue more entertainment and culture reporting. For now, she remains focused on telling local stories and serving the community that has embraced her.