Homelessness Journalism Training Academy receives funding

The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) has secured two-year funding from The Robertson Trust to expand its innovate trauma-informed media training initiative across Scotland.

The investment follows the success of the pilot phase in Glasgow. The Changing the Narrative Journalism Training Academy provides people with direct experience of homelessness and poverty with skills in news, journalism, and writing. The Academy aims to address barriers to entering the journalism profession, whilst combating stigmatising language associated with being homeless.

In the pilot phase, two Glasgow cohorts took part in a 10-week intensive learning project including workshops, mentoring, and networking with senior journalists. Each participant produced a written assignment, distributed internationally across INSP’s global news service. Following completion, participants have progressed directly into further education, college journalism courses, and employment.

As the Glasgow-based charity founded by The Big Issue and representing more than 90 independent street papers globally, INSP is uniquely positioned to deliver the training. The multi-year grant from The Robertson Trust will enable INSP to scale the Academy, delivering new cohorts across Glasgow, Edinburgh, and Dundee.

Mike Findlay-Agnew, CEO of the International Network of Street Papers (INSP), comments:

“I am deeply grateful to The Robertson Trust for getting behind the next vital phase of our project.

“UK journalism remains one of the most socially exclusive industries, while public narratives surrounding homelessness continue to emphasise stereotypes and sensationalism. Our Academy aims to challenge this by giving people the tools and platforms to report in their own way.

“Our previous participants overcame profound challenges, including temporary accommodation, forced migration status, domestic abuse, and addiction. Despite this, it was fantastic to witness how they developed during the pilot, and to see their confidence in journalistic storytelling grow.

“Over the coming weeks, we will open our recruitment for our next cohorts, while working to expand our partnerships and funding further.”

Gurdeep Kaur, Funding Officer at The Robertson Trust, said:

“Through our Work Pathways theme, we are committed to supporting approaches that help tackle barriers to opportunity and create more sustainable routes out of poverty.

“The success of the Changing the Narrative Journalism Training Academy pilot highlighted the potential of this programme to create meaningful pathways into learning and employment, while ensuring that the voices and experiences of participants are heard.

“We are pleased to support INSP as it expands the Academy across Scotland and look forward to learning from the programme's continued development and impact."

Anyone interested in the project should reach out to INSP directly: info@insp.ngo

Ends

Notes to Editors

For more details contact:

Mike Findlay-Agnew
E: mike@insp.ngo
M: 07545 915613

The International Network of Street Papers (INSP) is a non-profit dedicated to tackling poverty and homelessness globally. We do this by empowering people and street paper enterprises to tackle these issues globally. INSP is based in Glasgow and represents over 90 street paper organisations in 35 different countries: https://www.insp.ngo/

The Robertson Trust is an independent grant-making trust in Scotland. Established in 1961, the Trust’s mission is to prevent and reduce poverty and trauma in Scotland by funding, supporting, and influencing solutions to drive social change. Its work focuses on four key themes: Financial Security, Work Pathways, Education Pathways, and Nurturing Relationships. For more information, pleasevisit www.therobertsontrust.org.uk