Community reporters enhance multimedia skills at NCTJ bootcamp

Six trainee community reporters have sharpened their multimedia journalism skills during an intensive three-day bootcamp at Darlington College as part of the NCTJ’s Community News Project (CNP). 

Trainees Grace and Evie practicing their mobile journalism skills

The in-person training sessions provided the reporters with sessions focusing on mobile journalism, media law, podcasting and shorthand – skills essential for telling their communities’ stories effectively. 

The bootcamp enhances the reporters’ usual weekly remote learning with Darlington College, bringing them together for three days of extended face-to-face training and valuable opportunities to hear from qualified reporters and editors about making an impact as a community journalist. 

Jennifer Cartwright from the Yorkshire Evening Post, Evie Flynn from Southwark News, Emily Gray from Newcastle Chronicle, Dorota (Dee) Lukasik from Kent Messenger, Grace Price from Monmouthshire Beacon and Safiyyah Tayyeb from Lancashire Telegraph all participated in the programme. 

The reporters were selected from over 500 applicants for the current phase of the CNP, which is designed to strengthen local journalism and improve newsroom diversity across the UK. Each is employed on a two-year contract, working towards their NCTJ Diploma in Journalism while serving their local communities. 

CNP trainees recording a podcast

Sue Calvert, programme lead at Darlington College, said: “It is again a privilege for the journalism team at Darlington to be working with talented trainees as part of the Community News Project. In a podcast session the six community reporters have told how they are putting their training into action at work and are already making a difference to their communities.”

The Community News Project, initially funded by Meta and now supported by £450,000 from the NCTJ’s charitable reserves through the Community Reporting Fund, has supported more than 250 journalists from diverse backgrounds since 2019. The NCTJ is actively seeking additional funding partners to secure the project’s long-term future.  

Joanne Forbes, chief executive of the NCTJ, said: “Bringing these reporters together in person, beyond their regular remote training, is a valuable investment in their development.  

“While our charitable reserves have enabled this important work, we’re actively seeking government recognition within the local media strategy and new funding partners to ensure the Community Reporting Fund’s long-term sustainability.”