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Providing a Covid lifeline


end of a cliff as coronavirus arrived, with others becoming ill or shielding family and many in a complete panic about what to do. It was not just financial assistance. Tose surveyed by the charity last month said they had been emotionally fortified by the compassion and concern shown by union colleagues, officials, reps and the administrators and trustees of the charity. “My freelancing work completely dried up, but my bills still needed to be paid. I was


N C


UJ Extra, the union’s welfare charity, has been a lifeline for members who watched their work fall off the


so grateful to the NUJ Extra fund as it allowed me to setle priority bills. Tank you so much for organising this,” said one member surveyed. Another said: “At a bleak time in


my life and career as a journalist, I fell between the lines in terms of Covid support and my employer was cuting jobs and not offering even freelance work aſter my contract ended. Having moved to a different part of the country for the job I was no longer in, I was leſt at the beginning of lockdown as a sole parent with a small child unable to cover my living expenses. Tankfully, my NUJ rep mentioned NUJ Extra. I can only describe it as a lifeline I will never


forget and always be grateful for. I am now able to move forward and able to apply for new work.” A third said: “I cannot thank the


trustees enough. When I am in a position to give back, I will, and I feel certain all NUJ members and others would do the same.” Tis work of the charity was supported by fund-raising efforts by NUJ branches, and as redundancies across all sectors are kicking in, the charity will need those donations to continue.


Chris Wheal, head of the charity’s


Professional mentoring


ould you do with a helping hand with your career? If so, the M Team can offer many years of experience and a listening ear. Mark Fisher, Jean Rafferty, Elaine Livingstone and Mike Higgins are trained mentors from the media world who can help in


these Covid-19 days or, indeed, any time, offering a wealth of information, sympathetic and insightful support for people making their way in the creative industries. Tey offer packages for individuals and organisations. Trough NUJ Scotland, there are a limited number of funded places available for members in Scotland and the scheme is open to all members and organisations outside Scotland. Go to the website for more information: htps://www.media-mentoring.org.uk/ or email joanm@nuj.org.uk


trustees, said: “NUJ Extra was overawed by donations from branches and individual members. Lay activists and volunteer reps have stepped up and worked tirelessly to put members in touch with us. Leyla, our administrator, has been outstanding and the feedback from the survey shows what a rock she has been to those in need. In my 33 years in the union I have never been prouder to be an NUJ member.”


Donate at: htps://cafdonate.


cafonline.org/433#!/ Apply for aid: htps://www.nuj.org.uk/ work/nuj-extra/application- form/ Te charity’s lawyers, Tompsons, provide a free debt support service to NUJ members, contact: extra@nuj.org.uk


SUPPORT


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