June 2009
Deafblind Awareness Week
From 22 - 28 June, Sense is supporting the international awareness week for the deafblind. During Deafblind Awareness Week, the focus is to give people an understanding of the deafblindness whilst also helping the deafblind.
Find out what Sense events are being planned to mark this week and experience the all-new interactive sensehub. There's information on how you and your organisation can get involved, whether it be by joining the 5km run in Leeds at the weekend or using some of Sense's fundraising suggestions.
In addition, to give those affected a voice, Sense have produced some short films to tell the story of five deafblind people. You can watch the inspiring deafblind videos here.
Jon Snow talks volunteering and charities
Media Trust's deputy chairman Jon Snow has spoken to Third Sector about how getting skilled volunteers can help organisations in the trying economic climate.
In addition to Media Trust, Jon is involved with a number of other charities and at the Charity Trustee Networks annual lecture in London, he recommended hiring volunteers for their specific professional knowledge and expertise as a way of getting them interested in helping out a charity.
Speaking about an architect who has helped with the New Horizon Youth Centre that Jon works with, he said, "He didn't know he was a volunteer, but he comes in for about four minutes once a fortnight and it is like gold dust to us. Most people don't want to volunteer for charities because they think they would only look after old or unemployed people."
He also stressed the importance of having a strong web presence to get charities noticed. Read the full article on the Third Sector website.
Digital Mentors programme renamed Community Voices
Here’s a quick update on the progress of the digital programme so far. The big news is that we will be launching the programme with a new name: Community Voices.
The reason for the name change is that the approach to this project is all about empowering communities to get their voices heard - and this name sums it up well.
We're starting the research into the kind of communities and projects that will be prioritised, and this will provide us with a guide to help us begin appointing projects. It's not too late to register your interest - as a media volunteer or a pilot project - head to the Community Voices section to send us your details.
Speakers confirmed for ...Celebrity Support event
Media Trust's 'Attract and keep celebrity support' training seminar is coming up on Thursday 11 June and we have a stellar panel of speakers lined up to impart their knowledge on all things celebrity.
Chairing proceedings is Julian Beynon who is Breast Cancer Campaign's Celebrity Development Manager. He will be joined by broadcaster, writer and celebrity speaker Edwina Currie Jones, Heat Magazine's Assistant Features Editor Kay Ribeiro, GMTV producer Michelle de Leon, Red Cross's PR Manager David Piner and Wendy Bailey, celebrity agent, publicist and media professional.
The panel will be covering a variety of celebrity-related topics including finding the right celebrity for your charity, what motivates celebrities to get involved with causes, how their support could help you and how to maximise your publicity with the help of a celebrity affiliation.
If you are looking to expand your organisation's media coverage with celebrity support, this seminar could prove invaluable - and there are a few places still available. So to reserve your spot, book the 'Attract and keep celebrity support' online, call Nazan on 020 7217 3779 or email her on nazani@mediatrust.org.
More on the Media Trust event with Google
With belts tightening in tough times and more than 70% of the UK population being online, it’s vital that third sector organisations have a strong presence in the digital space. With 30% of the public’s leisure time spent online in 2008, it’s time to make the most of what the web has to offer.
Using the free tools and technologies available, organisations can increase site traffic and boost campaign donations. And by focusing on getting the basics right, organisations can ensure they are found and heard online.
Following last year’s Online & Inspired event, Media Trust is teaming up with Google again for the Online Insight & Intelligence event. As Google are the leaders in this field, the aim is to equip organisations with the knowledge and tools to gain the online edge.
Taking place on Thursday 4 June in front of an invited audience, speakers will share their expert advice and key tips for developing websites that work and fundraising online.
You’ll be able to follow the Media Trust Twitter during the day and there’ll be video highlights on the Media Trust website after the event.
May 2009
The Guardian Charity Awards 2009 are announced
Details for the 17th annual Guardian Charity Awards have been confirmed. Sponsored by Media Trust and the National Council for Voluntary Organisations (NCVO), the awards seek to recognise the important of small to medium sized charities operating in the UK.
David Brindle, Public Services Editor, The Guardian, said, “Smaller charities are often the backbone of their communities, keeping them engaged with pressing issues and acting as a vital support mechanism. The Charity Awards celebrate the achievements, resourcefulness and courage of hard working organisations that are often overlooked.”
Media Trust’s Chief Executive Caroline Diehl will on the judging panel along with Dame Suzi Leather, the chair of the Charity Commission, David Brindle, Chief Executive of the NCVO Stuart Etherington and charity representatives.
To submit an entry, please visit The Guardian Charity Awards 2009 website. The closing date is July 31 and winners will be announces at an awards ceremony in December. The winning charities receive a cheque for £1,000, a new PC, a half-day consultancy support free of charge (including follow-up support for up to six months) courtesy of NCVO’s consultancy service and a tailored package of media services from Media Trust.
Media Trust team up with Google for online event
Last year Media Trust collaborated with Google for the Online & Inspired event, so following on from the success of that, we're pleased to announce that we are doing another event with Google in June.
The Online Insight & Intelligence will be taking place at on Thursday 4 June where speakers will discuss how organisations can get the edge online with an invited audience.
More information will be announced soon, but find out some additional details and a variety of video, podcasts and guides from last year's event on the Google Online Insight & Intelligence page in our Training section.
Branding guru confirmed for Media Trust event
Branding expert and youth culture commentator, Neil Boorman, will be speaking to charities at the Media Trust ‘Engaging with young people’ training event on Tuesday 9th June.
Following his success with Ctrl.Alt.Shift for Christian Aid - a user-generated, multi-platform activist magazine for disaffected young people - Neil will be advising charities on how they can harness the power of emotional branding to reach young people and engage them with their cause.
A well-informed expert on youth branding, Neil is the former editor-in-chief of youth magazine Sleazenation and writer of the hugely popular ‘Bonfire of the Brands’ book, which took a look at brand addiction in youth culture.
Neil will be sharing his wealth of experience about marketing and how young people interact with media to the ‘Engaging with young people’ event. He will be joined innovations consultant Jonathan Macdonald and Red Foundation’s Jamie Thomas who will be chairing on the session.
Baroness Andrews' Digital Mentors announcement
Here is an extract from Baroness Andrews talking about the launch of Digital Mentors at the NDI09 conference:
"I am really pleased to be able to formally announce a little more detail on a new Digital Mentors programme, a two-year nationwide programme in England jointly funded by my Department (CLG) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).
We will be working with Media Trust to engage, equip and skill up those citizens who feel unheard or voiceless with the digital tools to express and exchange views on issues of relevance to them and to increase individual and community empowerment.
The scheme will provide funding for 26 grassroots groups throughout England from July 2009. It will also provide a further 40 grants to communities and individuals to work on specific digital media projects and provide comprehensive tools and resources for communities and community organisations of all sizes to increase engagement through digital media.
It is an exciting initiative that I would urge you to get involved with."
To learn more about the programme, head to the Digital Mentors section and you can read Baroness Andrews' speech on digital inclusion in its entirety.
Volunteers' Week celebrates 25 years
This year's annual Volunteers' Week marks 25 years of celebrating the hard work of volunteers. Running from 1-7 June, the event recognises the time and commitment of 22 million people across the UK who give up their time to help others.
Throughout Volunteers' Week, there will be events to acknowledge the efforts of volunteers, plus opportunities for those who give up their time to share their stories. To get involved or find out more, see the Volunteers' Week website.
CLG Minister talks about digital inclusion
Communities & Local Government Minister Baroness Andrews gave a speech at the recent National Digital Inclusion 09 conference. Here she discussed the challenges of digital inclusion, why it is so important, social exclusion and good practice when it comes to developing digital initiatives.
In addition, she announced full details of the Digital Mentors programme and how the Media Trust/CLG initiative aims to help empower communities. Baroness Andrews' speech is now available to watch online, along with numerous other keynote speakers from NDI09.
To watch these, head to the NDI09 speeches' archive and scroll down to view Baroness Andrews' speech.
April 2009
New Digital Mentors programme
Digital Mentors aims to inspire, engage and support disadvantaged and isolated communities across England to get their voices heard through digital media.
Led by Media Trust, and running until March 2011, Digital Mentors will provide funding for 26 grassroots groups, alongside one major new initiative and a further 40 small grants for specific digital projects. Digital Mentors will also provide comprehensive tools and resources for communities and community organisations of all sizes to increase engagement through digital media.
Digital Communities is funded by the Department for Communities and Local Government (CLG) and the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS).
Digital Inclusion Conference 2009: Cross-government team to meet challenge of digital inclusion
Ministers from across Government will gather together at today (27 April 2009)’s national Digital Inclusion Conference 2009, to meet the challenge of digital inclusion head on.
Last week’s budget announced more money for broadband penetration and digital take-up as two key building blocks to take Britain out of recession. This week, Ministers will meet with delegates from across the public, private and third sectors to discuss how their departments – and Government as a whole – intend to make Britain digital, and ensure everyone gets the chance to make the most of new technologies at home, at work, at school, and in their everyday lives.
At last year’s Conference Paul Murphy MP made one of his first official speeches in his new role as Minister for Digital Inclusion. Since then this emerging policy area has changed significantly, alongside the technological, environmental and political landscape.
Paul Murphy explains: “Digital inclusion is now more than ever an economic imperative, and a key driver of 21st Century social justice. It has an important role to play in propelling businesses big and small through the slump, in creating a competitive economy for the future, in helping workers work, communities flourish and families thrive. Digital inclusion is about employment, about enabling enterprise, about education, culture, social policy and even health. It cuts across sectors, across government departments, and across politics.
“The Cabinet Committee on Digital Inclusion, which I chair, has been meeting regularly to help us formulate and plan joint action on this issue, and I’m delighted so many of my Ministerial colleagues will be part of this very important Conference. There have been some key developments since last year, both including and rounded up in our Delivering Digital Inclusion, an Action Plan for Consultation document. We had an enormous response to this thinking, and the results of the consultation are being published today. Notably, there was great support for the idea of an independent ‘Champion’ for Digital Inclusion, and while I can’t yet reveal who that will be, I look forward to doing so very shortly. This person, alongside a taskforce of experts, will help us across government and across sectors drive awareness of this issue, build a charter of actions, and rise to meet the challenge that digital inclusion now presents. We have to work together to make things happen and happen quickly, because as a nation we simply can’t afford to leave anyone on the wrong side of the digital divide.”
That notion is seconded by Lord Carter, whose Digital Britain interim report set out the Government’s vision of an economy and society where everyone has the opportunity to benefit from the opportunities of the digital age and no one is left behind. Speaking on the same platform for the first time, Lord Carter said: “For a truly digital Britain we need high-quality, wide-reaching networks; high-quality digital services and creative content; universal availability, and a population equipped with the skills and tools that enable them to make the most of the content and services available.
He added: “It’s vital we ensure that those who are currently digitally excluded do not become the new socially excluded. Which is why last week, the Budget confirmed our commitment to deliver a universal broadband service of 2Mbps to communities and businesses right across the UK. And this universality will be backed-up with support to improve citizens’ basic digital skills and promote take-up, to ensure that broadband adoption continues to grow along with the opportunities it offers.”
Digital inclusion is now very much a cross-government issue, and Communities and Local Government Minister Baroness Andrews is due to speak at the second day of the Conference tomorrow. She’ll talking about how digital inclusion is being addressed at a local level, and announcing details on the new Digital Mentors project.
Speaking ahead of the conference Baroness Andrews said: “Digital inclusion effects real people in real places, and often the only way to reach and engage the truly excluded is through local action, in local communities. This will be incredibly important as Government seeks to tackle this issue holistically, and at CLG we have already made considerable progress. We have developed of a number of delivery tools and initiatives that are already live and being put to good effect, and we continue to build on that work in order to better understand what we’re dealing with, better engage citizens, and make sure they have best digital tools and skills to work, socialise, discover and create.
“I’m particularly excited about the new two year Digital Mentors scheme I’ll be talking about in more detail tomorrow. This two year programme will focus on giving people a voice through new technologies, encouraging them to exchange views, express themselves, and engage with their communities. I’ve seen with my own eyes that this really works. And when it does so, it changes lives. That’s what I - and my colleagues across Government - want to ensure we see more of.”
The National Digital Inclusion Conference 2009 is a Civic Agenda Conference in association with UK online centres, DC10 Plus, supported by Communities and Local Government, NHS Choices, Regenerateit, Yorkshire Forward, Intel, Ofcom, BT, Directgov, and Simply Digital.
Other Ministerial speakers include Schools Minister Jim Knight who will be giving an update on Home Access, Skills Minister Sion Simon will be discussing the Learning Revolution White Paper and Lord Bach from the Ministry of Justice discussing technology and the democratic process.
More information – including a full programme - can be found on the official site; and plenary speeches will be broadcast live at live.nationadigitalinclusionconference.co.uk.
March 2009
Media Trust has been awarded Digital Mentors contract
We are delighted to confirm that Media Trust has been awarded the contract to deliver Digital Mentors on behalf of the Department of Communities and Local Government (CLG). We will be formally launching details of the proposal with CLG shortly, however we are keen to hear from anyone who is interested in working with us. If you'd like to get involved, please email felicityl@mediatrust.org marking the subject of the email Digital Mentors and we'll keep you in touch with the progress!
Engaging ‘Hard-to-Reach’ Communities – One Day Conference led by Government, Third Sector, Media and Communications Professionals
Media Trust’s 2009 Spring Conference will open this year with a keynote speech by Kevin Brennan MP, Minister for Third Sector, as charities, public sector and corporate professionals gather to explore and share best practice around the issue of engaging ‘hard to reach’ communities and minority audiences.
Joining the Minister will be Lord Herman Ouseley, Jonathan MacDonald, Ogilvy, One Worldwide and Caroline Diehl MBE, Chief Executive, Media Trust, who will all deliver keynote speeches on the topic and challenge some of the traditional thinking on this subject.
Chaired by BBC Breakfast’s Susanna Reid, the conference will provide practical information and explore a range of communication strategies, tools and best practices that can help charities, public sector and corporate organisations looking to reach specific communities or under represented audiences.
Delegates will also have the opportunity to take part in workshops led by community, government and media professionals, who will explore best practice and guidance around topics including Digital Divide - What is the impact of digital media engagement with people in ‘hard to reach’ communities.
The conference will feature a panel debate examining the notion of ‘There’s no such thing as a ‘hard-to-reach’ community’ and questioning the tactics and thinking behind this concept.
Chaired by Esther Rantzen CBE, the panel will comprise of Peter Picton, Editor The Sun Online, Sandra Kerr, National Director of the Race for Opportunity Campaign, Business in the Community, James Bevan, Fairbridge and Patricia Macauley, Head of Cultural Diversity and COI.
Gavin Sheppard, Development Director, Media Trust, comments: "Against the current economic downturn, with tighter resources and a higher demand for services, there is enormous pressure on organisations across all sectors, to effectively target and reach certain priority groups.
"Media Trust’s conference will hear from a diverse range of organisations from The Co-operative Group, to Mencap, Scope and Learning and Skills Council, who have all employed a range of tactics and strategies to reach certain minority groups.
"The panel debate will take the very concept of ‘hard-to-reach’ and question whether this terminology is a valid or useful way of targeting and reaching certain communities or just the jargon of communication professionals."
Note to editors
Media Trust works in partnership with the media industry to build effective communications for the charity and voluntary sectors. It does this through media training seminars and workshops, film and TV production (Media Trust Productions), broadcasting (Community Channel), news distribution (Community Newswire), Media Matching and campaigns. Media Trust corporate members are BBC, BSkyB, Channel 4, Daily Mail and General Trust, Discovery Networks Europe, Disney Channel UK, Emap plc, Guardian Media Group, IPC Media, ITV, MTV Networks UK & Ireland, News International, Newsquest Media Group, OMD, Turner Broadcasting, Warner Bros, WPP Group.
About Engaging ‘Hard-to-Reach’ Communities
The conference is funded by the Office of the Third Sector (OTS). As part of the Cabinet Office, the OTS leads work across government to support the environment for a thriving third sector. The conference marks the end of the OTS Volunteering for All programme, which is focused on increasing volunteering amongst those at risk of social exclusion.
February 2009
Media Trust, Society of Editors and Joseph Rowntree Foundation partnership: Reporting Poverty in the UK tailored events
Media Trust's Bespoke training team
has successfully delivered strategic events in the nations to launch the Joseph Rowntree Foundation's (JRF) Reporting poverty in the UK practical guide for journalists.
Download Reporting poverty in the UK,
A practical guide for journalists.(PDF, 2.7Mb)
The Bespoke training team, who deliver tailored events and workshops to meet the needs of individuals and organisation, used their extensive contacts to bring together influential figures across the press, film, community media, academia, local government and the third sector.
Some prominent figures who were involved included Mark Easton (BBC Home Editor), Martin Wainwright (Guardian), and Liz Barclay (BBC Radio 4), William Crawley (BBC Northern Ireland) and Ruth Sully (BBC Cymru).
Liz Barclay, BBC Radio 4 who chaired the London launch said: "I know it probably sounds like a strange thing to say about an event at which we are discussing poverty but it really was an extremely exciting meeting. I think that was because we had a lot of people who were extremely committed to the whole issue of poverty from the media and from the third sector."
Third sector representatives who attended these events commented on the valuable opportunity to discuss their work and ideas with journalists and broadcasters directly. Each event featured working group sessions for the delegates which uncovered areas in which charities need help to improve their communications and raise awareness.
Lydia Frempong, Media Trust Business Development Manager who heads the Bespoke training services said: “Organising the Reporting Poverty events has been really exciting opportunity for Media Trust. It was a worthwhile event for the charities we work to help and an excellent chance for journalists and broadcasters to gain a better understanding of the third sector and how they can work better together to report important subjects such as poverty in the UK.
Frempong continues: "Facilitating the working groups has really highlighted the communication needs of the third sector for us. Many people who attended the events have since completed our training seminars and workshops to assist them in areas including New Media, press release writing and Media Interview Training.”
Teresa Hanley, Manager of Public Interest in Poverty Issues for Joseph Rowntree Foundation praised Media Trust and said: “The team has been a pleasure to work with and met the needs of the events. Lydia's good leadership and cheerful can-do attitude was outstanding."
For further information contact the Bespoke training team by phone 0207 217 3776 or email tailoredtraining@mediatrust.org.
January 2009
Mediabox, The Daily Mirror and Bebo's film competition workshops on 24th January
workshop where they can be mentored by top media experts on Saturday 24th January 2009.
The 10 successful entrants to the YourFilm09 competition (that closed on 5th January) will also receive grants to create their films. When finished their work will be showcased on Charge on Community Channel, Mirror.co.uk and social networking site Bebo.
The Choice FM presenter, actor and Mediabox ambassador Richard Blackwood said: "This competition gives young people the chance to work with media experts; people who have been in the industry, know the pitfalls and are best placed to give guidance and encouragement. The media industry can be a complicated place at times, YourFilm09 gives young people rare access, advice and insight into how to make media work for you."
Conor Hanna, Daily Mirror deputy editor, said: "This competition represents a fantastic opportunity for young, undiscovered and talented filmmakers to come to the fore and fulfill their potential."
More information can be found at www.mirror.co.uk/yourfilm09 and fans of Richard Blackwood can watch him in a special vodcast about the competition.
Completed films will be broadcast on Charge on Community Channel Sky 539, Virgin TV 233 and Freeview 87.