CULTURA CREATIVE / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO


mentoring


10-session course, which is run for free by journalists for budding local journalists. In the past, he has been involved in the MediaWise Refugees,


Asylum-Seekers and the Media Project, which includes training and mentoring exiled journalists. This led to the creation of the Exiled Journalists’ Network, and enabled some to work in the media or PR or as writers and human rights activists. Mike adds: “Perhaps I benefit most from the satisfaction


that the 40 plus years in the trade is not going to waste and the pleasure I derive from the success of new generations of thoughtful journalists.” Passing on experience is something older NUJ members


seem keen to do. Responses to a 60+ Council survey on what they wanted from the union and how they could be more involved included ‘engagement with younger members’, ‘use the skills of elders who have lots to offer’ and ‘mentoring – all that experience should be better used’. The 60+ Council will be looking at how this could be done in the near future. The union has 7,000 members aged over 60 – a considerable number. It may be that younger members could also mentor older ones – perhaps in digital skills and social media.


elders Listen up, lead on


Half an hour early and the first to arrive, I sat next to the dalek in the corner of the foyer at BBC Wales’ HQ in Cardiff, watched and waited, writes Jenny Sims. Eleven others had


signed up for NUJ Training Wales’ coaching and mentoring course. Would I know any of them? Only one, as it turned


out. Five were Bectu members (including a film editor and two women stand-up comics), and one FEU member. NUJ members included a photo journalist, two lecturers and a PR.


With such an eclectic mix, the course – held on two days two weeks apart with homework in between – was fun and challenging. However, the follow-up


month of real-life mentoring and coaching sessions was no easy ride. Completing the


coursework needed for a


certificate endorsed by the Institute of Leadership & Management was hard graft, but rewarding. Seeing how even a few


sessions of coaching or mentoring could significantly help people on the path to achieve their aims was revelatory. I coached/mentored


three people including a freelance journalist aiming to set up a hyperlocal newspaper and a person made redundant from the BBC. Bottom line: the key is


being a good listener and knowing how to ask open/ non-directional questions. It’s not as easy as it sounds, as tutor Pam Heneberry, made us realise.


HUGH THRELFALL / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO theJournalist | 17


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