Newsroom hub set up in collaboration with University will benefit current and future journalists

A newsroom hub has been set up at University of Gloucestershire to allow journalists to mentor and work alongside students preparing to enter the industry.

The University’s NCTJ-accredited BA (Hons) Journalism course, based within its School of Creative Industries at The Park Campus in Cheltenham, is playing host to editorial staff from regional news outlet Gloucestershire Live.

The link-up with the University provides Gloucestershire Live journalists, who are now mainly working from home instead of within a newsroom, with opportunities to meet up face-to-face in a collaborative workspace.

Each week, a group of journalism students from the University will join them as part of a placement scheme, which is now in its second year.

Last year, a dozen students from the University, which has a state-of-the-art Media Centre, spent five weeks on attachment to Gloucestershire Live on a rota basis.

Now the scheme, which sees the students joining morning conference and pitching stories, has been made permanent.

Gloucestershire Live editorial staff – three of whom are graduates from the Journalism course – are being made associate staff members at the University as part of the process.

Journalism lecturer Sophie Flowers, who joined the University from Gloucestershire Live two years ago, said the scheme had already proved a success.

She said: “It was fantastic to see how our students last year gained confidence when they worked with Gloucestershire Live reporters here on campus.

“Now we’re offering even more opportunities for students to see how a real newsroom works and get valuable experience working with real journalists.

“It’s also heartening to see the Gloucestershire Live reporters and editors benefitting from a collaborative space to work in face-to-face.”

Edd Moore, audience and content director for the Reach titles in the South West including Gloucestershire Live, said the link-up was hugely beneficial.

“Remote working has given our journalists the freedom to be based back on their patches and connect with their communities in a more grassroots way, particularly since the onset of the pandemic,” he said.

“However, nothing can replace the buzz and collaborative spirit of a newsroom and it’s been hugely beneficial for our talented Gloucestershire Live team to work physically alongside each other once more.

“I’d like to thank University of Gloucestershire for being so welcoming and we look forward to working alongside some of their students – the journalists of the future – as this partnership continues.”