Mentoring is seeing a revival, not just as a way to share expertise but also to bridge the generation gap. Jenny Sims reports
W
hy, what, where and when? In the search for solutions to some of the profession’s pressing problems, the wide-ranging benefits of mentoring are undergoing a new appraisal and appreciation by the NUJ and its members.
These include complementing training and development (professionally and personally), helping safeguard and promote high-quality journalism, supporting hyperlocal and cooperative titles and possibly aiding recruitment. It is being seen in many media sectors in the UK as a way to
help close the widening generation gap. In the spring, mentoring got a boost at the NUJ’s delegate meeting with the approval of several motions instructing the National Executive Council (NEC) to campaign or act. For example, the Freelance Industrial Council instructed the NEC
freelance office, it is clear that many members could benefit from mentoring. We will consider in detail how to set up a mentoring programme and training, and encourage members to take part in and benefit from it.” Seven years ago, Anna Wynn-Roberts, NUJ Training Wales’ former project manager, launched a coaching and mentoring programme. She says: “Not only would we be giving people the tools to pass on their skills in a more empowering and effective way, but also it could form part of leadership development.” She approached Pam Heneberry of the Professional
Development Centre to develop ‘a qualification-carrying course’ to suit working journalists’ schedules. The result was a certificate in mentoring and coaching endorsed by the Institute of Leadership and Management, which has received Welsh Government funding and enabled NUJ members from a range of sectors, including broadcasting, newspapers, freelance and hyperlocals, to obtain a mentoring qualification. To cut costs, courses have been organised jointly with the Bectu union for the past two years. Quarterly evening refresher sessions have also been held. Anna believes ‘mentoring might well be replacing training with some organisations’.
Return of the “
to ‘investigate and evaluate the possibility of a mentoring scheme for all freelance members’. Around 9,000 freelances belong to the NUJ, making up
about a third its membership, so this will be no mean task. A motion from the Wales Executive Council calling for a
strategy aimed at ‘securing strong union membership’ in the hyperlocal news outlets included ‘encouraging branches to provide mentoring to those involved in hyperlocal projects’. Mentoring is also likely to be considered as one way to fulfil an Edinburgh motion on supporting cooperative ownership models in the media. This instructed the NEC to start a programme of work including: • The provision of support and information to groups of members exploring the possibilities of forming cooperatives to take over threatened titles or to launch new ones • Consideration of the designation of an employee with
experience and knowledge of cooperative structures to work with members interested in pursuing cooperative options, and to promote the idea among NUJ members. But even before the delegates’ meeting, the NUJ was on the case. Pam Morton, NUJ freelance and Wales organiser, says: “Because of the way in which freelance journalists’ and NUJ members’ work is changing, we need to continue looking at how we organise, and the support services provided to members. As part of this, we shall be looking at mentoring.” She added: “NUJ members have a wealth of expertise and
experience that they could share with newer and less experienced freelances. From the enquiries we receive in the
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I benefit from the satisfaction that 40 plus years in the trade is not going to waste and pleasure derived from the success of new generations of thoughtful journalists
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She adds: “It offers more flexibility, in that employees can fit in the odd hour here and there for mentoring sessions rather than taking someone off rota for a whole day,” she says. Mentoring is music to the ears of young journalists, such as
Estel Farell-Roig, a senior reporter at WalesOnline. She says: “When you are at university, you receive a lot of
support and guidance. However, once you start working, all that disappears and you are left to make all these big choices on your own. That is how I felt, at least. Starting your career is very daunting and you worry about making the wrong decisions.” Mentors can help with job applications and CVs, she points
out, as well as providing advice on whether to apply for a job. “If the union were to offer mentoring, it would encourage
young members to join. It would be a clear benefit,” she adds. Mentoring can benefit not only mentees but also mentors – something journalist, editor and trainer Mike Jempson, honorary director of charity MediaWise Trust, can confirm. He has been providing training and mentoring for
‘community journalists’ and the voluntary sector for more than 30 years.
“Sometimes it takes the form of introducing people to basic
journalism techniques – at other times, it involves a more forensic introduction to media law and ethics,” says Jempson, who is also a board member of successful hyperlocal The Bristol Cable. He advises the editorial team on story angles, accessible language and legal issues. He is involved with delivering the media law and ethics part of the Bristol Cable Media Lab’s
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