Liverpool John Moores University delivers NCTJ-funded ‘Into Journalism’ outreach initiative focused on climate journalism

Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU) has delivered a four-day multimedia programme as part of the NCTJ’s ‘Into Journalism’ outreach project, an initiative designed to encourage young people from disadvantaged backgrounds to consider careers in journalism.

Using grant funding from the NCTJ, LJMU’s programme introduced participants to journalism by encouraging them to explore stories rooted in their personal and local connections. Centred around the theme ‘Liverpool, a world leader on climate action’, the project reflected the city’s recent recognition as the world’s first UN Accelerator City for climate action.

Young people aged 15–19 collaborated to produce content for a TV bulletin, social media channels, and a podcast, exploring a wide range of climate-related stories across Merseyside — from music and sport to fashion and politics. Guided by academics and journalism student mentors, they experienced the full journalistic process, from finding and pitching stories to producing them across multiple platforms.

Dr Sarah Haynes, subject leader at LJMU, said: “We were so impressed with the young people that we worked with. They were passionate and committed to finding good stories to tell.

“The experience they had convinced most of them of the importance of journalism and they described the role of journalist as enjoyable, exciting, and fun.

“They appreciated talking to journalists and hearing about what the job entailed, the challenges and the opportunities. They enjoyed meeting other like-minded and motivated young people and said it boosted their confidence.”

The NCTJ’s ‘Into Journalism’ initiative, initially launched in 2023, aims to address the social mobility challenges highlighted by its recent research. The 2024 Journalists at Work report revealed that 67 per cent of journalists have a parent in one of the top three occupational groups, compared to just 45 per cent of all UK workers.

Sarah Rix, head of marketing and communications at the NCTJ, said: “Ensuring journalism is open to everyone, regardless of background, is a key priority for the NCTJ. Through this outreach project, we want to introduce more young people to the industry, giving them the opportunity to develop key skills and an understanding of what a journalism career could offer.

“By focusing on climate journalism, Liverpool John Moores University has demonstrated how journalism can have meaningful impact on important issues, while giving participants hands-on experience in essential journalistic skills.”

To celebrate the work produced across the outreach project, the NCTJ will award a prize for the best piece of journalism created across all participating centres: City of Liverpool College, Darlington College, Liverpool John Moores University, University of Lincoln, University of Portsmouth and University of Sunderland.