charity Connect for free and help raise the profile of your charity, says Ellen Bramley


you can do your bit. By signing up to our newsletter as a free supporter and encouraging your colleagues and friends to do the same, you can stay up to date with industry news and services. Fundamentally, connecting with a


greater number of journalists will help us all to keep in touch, allowing us to offer you the most effective help and support as you continue your career. Since the pandemic began, the


Charity offers a ‘huge lifeline’ in a crisis


B


ack in April, when the UK was in the early stages of the coronavirus crisis, culture secretary Oliver


Dowden dubbed the news industry ‘Britain’s fourth emergency service’. He was paying homage to journalists


up and down the country as they worked tirelessly to keep the nation informed at a time of great uncertainty. In the ensuing months, the industry


continued to perform an essential service for a nation in crisis, providing scrutiny and critical insight. During a national lockdown, with curbs on most aspects of everyday life and working practices turned upside down, journalists stepped up to the challenge – helping to keep communities together, inspiring heroes and, in some cases, saving lives. The stories that ran across news outlets up


22 | theJournalist


and down the country underlined the importance of journalism. Journalists have gone above and


beyond the call of duty, campaigning on behalf of readers for the provision of everything from PPE to government grant schemes, free school meals and newspaper deliveries for the elderly. It was therefore no surprise that the


World Without News report, published in October, revealed that 66 per cent of Brits appreciate and value journalism more since the pandemic began. Journalism is still being tested.


Advertising revenues are likely to plummet further, while social distancing is making it hard for readers to access print media. News teams are likely to become even smaller and resources further stretched, adding to the pressure on staff and freelancers alike. At this difficult time, it is vital that the Journalists’ Charity


increases its visibility and gets its message across – and


“


Connecting will help us all to keep in touch, allowing us to offer you the most effective help and support


Journalists’ Charity has prevented 15 journalists and their families from losing their homes. Hundreds of others affected by the crisis have received emergency assistance as part of a rapid response aimed at minimising stress and preserving mental health. To ensure we cater for a range of needs, we have extended our support by providing free online skills sessions on various themes relating to the industry. Additionally, we have some new grant opportunities coming up, including a support package for those who are new to journalism. Joan, a freelance journalist who


received support from us when her income dried up in July, described the long-term impact of our support. Aside from the short-term relief of bills getting paid, receiving assistance crucially means “you’re not wasting your time worrying about finance, you’re actually going out there and digging for more work”. Similarly, sports journalist Ross


described the charity as a ‘huge lifeline’ when the seasons ended prematurely and work disappeared overnight. He said: “All the live matches were wiped out – and that is something I largely relied on. The support from the Journalists’ Charity was absolutely invaluable at a time when I felt scared and alone.”


The ability of the charity to continue


its support and make a positive difference is inextricably linked to awareness levels among journalists. By spreading the word to your peers and encouraging them to sign up to our database, you can help us to support the sustainability of quality journalism – a crucial pillar to our democracy and, indeed, our fourth emergency service.


• Scan the QR code (left) to become part of the Journalists’ Charity


Ellen Bramley is Industry Relations Manager for the Journalists’


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