Journalism jobs and news from Holdthefrontpage.co.uk

Regional press news - this story published 14 February 2003

Can you help grab the headlines?

by Nikki Sargeson

National volunteering charity Community Service Volunteers is challenging journalists to help grab the headlines for charities during 2003.

The charity is currently looking for people who are willing to lend their PR and communications skills and expertise to a charity free of charge, to join its Journalist Network.

Volunteers can be working journalists with a few hours to spare, retired journalists, or anyone considering taking a year out.

The network currently has 160 members, made up of both current and former print and broadcast journalists, working on one-off projects or providing longer-term assistance to charities.

But there are currently around 30 volunteer vacancies which the charity are desperate to fill, including providing PR support for:

The Only Foals and Horses Sanctuary in Lancashire;

Write-Away - a national pen-friend campaign for people with learning disabilities, London;

The Trust for Chernobyl Children, Kent;

The Women's Centre, Accrington;

The People's Kitchen, which befriends homeless people in Newcastle.

Journalist Network co-ordinator Matthew Thomas said: "We know that there is a real demand for communications expertise out there from small charities with the best intentions but no budget and no PR experience.

"At the same time, in an industry where many people retire at an age when they still have the energy and skills to make a difference to local campaigns, it makes sense to put the two together.

"Volunteering, amongst many benefits, can give people an opportunity to feel renewed and refreshed.

"Those taking part in voluntary work often have an opportunity to meet new people and to face new personal challenges, effectively adding weight to the saying that 'change is a good as a rest' - even for those still working in busy careers."

For more information on the CSV Journalist Network, call Matthew Thomas on 020 7643 1371 or email journonetwork@csv.org.uk.

For more information about Community Service Volunteers visit www.csv.org.uk.

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