South West England NUJ

Journalist Paul Jones has called for increased funding for training and better job opportunities for disabled student journalists trying to establish their careers.
Paul spoke to the South West England NUJ branch after attending the TUC Disabled Workers’ Conference, in his home town of Bournemouth on 19–20 May.
He told branch members that disabled people face obstacles to entering the profession and remaining in it.
“Do bear in mind your disabled colleagues who often struggle without the funding or job opportunities they need to succeed. It’s incredibly hard to get into this industry. It’s even harder to remain in it as a disabled person,” he said.
Paul, who lives with ME/CFS, won a scholarship from the Academy of Disabled Journalists to fund his NCTJ Diploma in Journalism. However, following the end of National Lottery funding, the academy can now provide only limited support.
Paul believes this reflects a wider industry problem. Speaking after the meeting, he said: “Our industry says it wants to be more inclusive and bring more disabled people into journalism, but there seems to be little willingness to provide the funding necessary to make that a reality.”
Paul would like to see more media organisations offer funding and apprenticeships to help train disabled people to become journalists, and for the industry as a whole to create more opportunities. He pointed out that gaining the NCTJ Diploma can cost thousands of pounds and without financial support many disabled people are effectively excluded.
Paul was an observer alongside the NUJ delegation at the TUC conference where the NUJ’s own motion addressing career barriers for young disabled workers in journalism and the creative industries passed unanimously. NUJ delegates – Lynn Degele, Gemma-Louise Stevenson, and Johny Cassidy – paid tribute to Ann Galpin who is standing down as NUJ representative on the TUC Disabled Workers’ Committee. She continues as co-chair of the NUJ Disabled Members’ Council.