JUNIOR JOURNALISM
IGNITING THE ENTREPRENEURS OF TOMORROW
igniting the entrepreneurs of tomorrow
NetWORK NotWORK ‘Junior Journalism’ and ‘InternSHIP’ programmes are multi-industry collaborative projects that aim to raise the aspirations of children and young people. The programmes introduce business and entrepreneurial careers regardless of academic performance and outcomes whilst simultaneously developing key skills (for example negotiation skills, financial management, critical thinking, communication, problem-solving, resilience, decision-making and time management). The projects gives young people a voice and create partnerships with industry/business professionals from equally diverse backgrounds who offer inspiration, mentorship and long-term collaborative opportunities within their organisations.
Digital skills are enhanced by opportunities to engage with equipment such as podcasting equipment, chromakey (green screen), DSLR cameras, 3D printer and XR virtual reality equipment. Short term outcomes include improvement of the key skills named above, a can-do attitude, development of self-belief and confidence. These short-term outcomes have been realised within the pilot project. Long term impacts are hoped to be a reduction in the number of economically inactive individuals in the region, growth in the socioeconomic index and improved mental and physical wellbeing in individuals throughout adulthood.
GOLDEN GIVEAWAY 2025
The Teesside Charity Golden Giveaway Event at Middlesbrough Football Club
Junior Journalists: Amulya (Age 9), Alice (Age 11), Evie (Age 16) and Lakshya (Age 6)
“On Wednesday 2nd July 2025, the Junior Journalism crew went to Middlesbrough Football Club’s football pitch to take pictures of what was going on because of the Golden Giveaway 2025 organised by The Teesside Charity. It was an amazing experience. We went on the pitch and got to have photos with all the winners of the Golden Giveaway” (Amulya).
“The event brought together 20 amazing charities who were given money to help them continue their important work and make an even bigger difference in their communities.
The charities and community organisations that received £500 were: Friends of Acklam Library, Clean Planet UK, Tees Valley Tigers, Kin Carers, and Parkfield Lighthouse.
The £750 winners included: Ayresome Primary School, Friends of Redcar Cemetery, West View Project, Tilery Primary School, and Preloved Toys for Community.
The £1000 winners were: Let’s Pretend and Play CIC, The Davison Trust for Children and West View Advice & Resource Centre – Cancer Support Group.
The £1500 winners were: Fibro-Connect TS, Hartlepool Special Needs Support Group and Saltburn & Marske ASC.
Wag & Company North-East Friendship Dogs received £1750 to help them to continue and also introduce more volunteers to their befriender programme which supports elderly people through dog companionship.
Thornaby Methodist Church was awarded £2000 to help them with their work updating their garden and play area to provide a safe space for the local community.
Priory Woods School, an all-age community special school that offers inclusive education for pupils with severe learning difficulties and those with profound & multiple needs, received £2500 for Sensory Light and sound equipment.
And the biggest award of £5000 went to Senses Wellbeing Centre CIC, who run fitness and sensory sessions and activities for SEND families.
As Junior Journalists for NetWORK NotWORK CIC, we got to learn how to use proper cameras and took photos throughout the event. We even had the chance to stand up and speak in front of everyone about what we were doing and why we were there.
After the money was given out, we spoke to some of the charities about the amazing work they do in the community. I got to talk to Martin from Thornaby Methodist Church, who had just received £2000. He said that the church plays a really important role in Thornaby because it gives people of all ages a safe and welcoming space. He reiterated the importance of their work, and you could tell how much it meant to him and the people he helps.
Overall, it was really inspiring to see so many hard working and life changing charities all together in one room being recognised for their efforts in changing the community” (Evie).
“The charities all came together and shared what they have done that made an impact. As Junior Journalists we learnt how to use a camera, and we were taking videos and photos. We also learnt about how important the charities were that the Golden Giveaway helped. It was lovely to see how they were all supporting each other and what The Teesside Charity did” (Alice).
Diane Williamson (Charity Manager of The Teesside Charity) noted “The Golden Giveaway is one of the highlights of our year — a joyful celebration of grassroots groups making a real difference across Teesside. Welcoming the Junior Journalists added a whole new energy to the event. They captured the heart of the day so beautifully, and it was wonderful to see young people so engaged with the stories and people behind the charities we support.”
Kat Carruthers (Managing Director of NetWORK NotWORK CIC) said “we are grateful to The Teesside Charity for welcoming our Junior Journalists to the Golden Giveaway. It was a great opportunity for young people to hear and learn about the inspirational work being carried out by so many people in the Tees Valley. The group talked afterwards about the difference they could make in their communities in the future. Senses Wellbeing Centre CIC are a charity in East Cleveland that provide sensory services for people of all ages as well as providing respite care for carers. We were delighted to see this essential service which is a lifeline for many receive the top award”.
To find out more about the Junior Journalism programme and how young people can capture and report on your event, contact info@networknotwork.co.uk
MEET THE SQUAD
BEATRICE: BUSINESS JOURNALIST
SARVI: CIVIC JOURNALIST
NIA: SCIENTIFIC JOURNALIST
KACEE: PHOTOJOURNALIST
ESHE: CYBER JOURNALIST
FRANK: ENVIRONMENTAL JOURNALIST
SALIMA: HEALTH & SPORTS JOURNALIST
HUGO: COMMUNITY JOURNALIST
ALICE: LIFESTYLE JOURNALIST
OUR SCHOOLS
ST ALPHONSUS PRIMARY SCHOOL
FENS PRIMARY SCHOOL
SOUTH STREET PRIMARY SCHOOL
TEESSIDE HIGH PREP SCHOOL
REDHOUSE PREP SCHOOL
HAREWOOD PRIMARY SCHOOL
JUNIOR JOURNALISM 8-13
The aims of the Junior Journalism project are to:
• Challenge stereotypes through storytelling by empowering children to explore and report on a wide range of careers, challenging societal stereotypes (such as gender) by amplifying diverse voices and real-life stories.
• Develop digital media and communication skills by equipping children with foundational journalism skills such as interviewing, researching, writing and presenting that build confidence, critical thinking, literacy and creativity.
• Introduce business and entrepreneurship concepts to inspire children to see entrepreneurship and business ownership as an accessible and exciting career path, using journalism as a lens to explore how businesses are built, led and grown.
• Encourage independent thinking and curiosity by supporting children to ask thoughtful questions, form their own opinions and engage with the world around them in a proactive, positive, and informed way.
• Highlight diverse role models by featuring characters, entrepreneurs, business leaders and professionals from a variety of backgrounds to broaden children’s understanding of what success can look like and who can achieve it.
• Promote youth voice and leadership by providing platforms for children to share their perspectives, stories, and discoveries, building their sense of agency and encouraging active participation in shaping their futures.
INTERNSHIP 13-16
The aims of the InternSHIP project are to:
• Challenge stereotypes through investigative storytelling by empowering young people to independently explore and report on a broad spectrum of careers, actively challenging societal and gender stereotypes by spotlighting diverse perspectives and untold stories.
• Develop advanced digital media and communication skills by equipping participants with essential skills such as interviewing, researching, fact-checking, writing, multi-media presentation that strengths critical thinking, creativity and digital literacy.
• Explore business and entrepreneurship as career pathways by introducing the principles of entrepreneurship and business ownership through journalistic inquiry, encouraging participants to analyse how businesses are created, led, and innovated.
• Encourage independent thinking to support young people in asking critical questions, evaluate information sources, form their own views and engage meaningfully with local and global issues.
• Highlight inclusive role models and career journeys by showcasing a wide range of professionals, business leaders, and entrepreneurs from varied background to expand participants’ understanding of what success looks like across different industries.
• Promote youth voice, leadership and agency by providing meaningful platforms for young people to share their journalism, lead discussions, and influence their peers and communities, fostering confidence, purpose, and civic engagement.
• Prioritise wellness in working life by encouraging awareness of physical and mental wellbeing by exploring how self-care, healthy eating, rest, and balance play a vital role in long-term career success and sustainable working lives.