Passionate Blog

An introduction to freelance journalism workshops, London and Midlands

SINCE running workshops for writers in how to diversify and survive and receiving such brilliant feedback from those attending, we've also been asked to consider running training sessions for aspiring freelancers.

In response to these queries, we've booked four training dates for 2010.

These are:

Saturday March 13, 9.30am-4.30pm

Friends House, Euston Road, London NW1 2BJ 

Saturday March 27, 9.30am-4.30pm

Passionate Media, 2 New Street, Cannock, Staffs WS11 0DD

The itinerary will include practical exercises to highlight the skills, aptitude and realism needed to have any chance of making it in this most highly competitive of fields.

Two new blogs from Passionate Media

THIS week we have been working on two new blogs and have been bowled over by the very positive feedback.

The first is for new online women's writing community, Judith's Room and we have been busy researching, writing and uploading content to inspire and inform aspiring and established writers.

Judith's Blog includes author interviews, hints, tips and advice as well as competitions and giveaways. It's part of a new community aiming to empower women writers set up by Staffordshire writer Josie.

We're very excited about the potential it has to help writers find new confidence and aim to fulfil their literary dreams. Please do come and see us if you're an aspiring Maeve Binchy or Marian Keyes.

The second is called Breaking the Silence and has grown out of a project we are working on with Lyn Jenkins, a regional co-ordinator with the mental health charity, Mind

It includes real life experiences, video and audio from people who have encountered difficulties through mental health issues and hopes to help reduce the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Bloggers unite in festive theatre campaign to boost children's cancer charity

Photo by Ell Brown on Flickr

UK parent bloggers are joining forces to laugh their socks off while raising cash for a children’s cancer charity.

Bloggers are signing up for The Great Panto Review 2009 which will benefit NACCPO – The National Alliance of Childhood Cancer Parents’ Organisations.

Leading theatres in England, Scotland and Wales have agreed to give bloggers access so their reviews can spread ‘word of mouth’ throughout the blogospshere.

Cardiff’s New Theatre where John Barrowman is appearing as Robin Hood and the Birmingham Hippodrome where Ray Quinn and Joe Pasquale will star in Sleeping Beauty were among the first to pledge to welcome the bloggers and back the charity effort.

Inspirational speaker to boost credit crunch beating business conference

INSPIRATIONAL charity boss Sheila Brown will share her top tips for success with an audience of entrepreneurs at a Cannock business exhibition to help firms overcome the credit crunch.

Mrs Brown OBE, chief executive at Newlife Foundation for Disabled Children, will be one of the key speakers at the Wings business network exhibition, being held at Chase Park (Cannock Cricket and Hockey Club), Church Lane, Hatherton, on Friday October 16 from 9am to 4pm.

And support of a different kind is hoped for at the event, as another charity is asking businesswomen attending to donate unwanted bras.

Neil's 'Someone once told me': 'You are allowed to relax you know'

YOU'LL always find him in the kitchen at parties...

This is our new media director, Neil Aitchison, during our recent Someone once told me session.

And what an important message it is too!

Check out Carol's SOTM video here - dubbed one of creator Mario's favourites ever.

And then there was Linda, doing her best again to raise awareness about mental illness. She's not keen on the picture but the audio is powerful.

Various Passionate Media clients and contacts were also captured in pictures, video or sound. Watch this space for a fuller gallery as more are posted on the site.

Find out more about Passionate Media's podcast service

ARE you interested in podcasting but not sure about the benefits, how it would work for you and your company or what you could use a podcast for?

New media director at Passionate Media, Neil Aitchison, right, answers these questions and more in his latest podcast, just press play below.

You can also listen to Neil being interviewed by colleague Helen Moffat about the service.

You can listen to a selection of some Passionate Media podcasts here.

And please just get in touch if you have any questions. We'd be delighted to help.

Carol stars in Someone Once Told Me video - bit of a tearjerker!

IT only seems like yesterday that Carol's tenacity and determination were recognised with a national award. (Okay it was three years ago, even if I still go on about it!) Now, here she is again - inspiring others, this time in the social media spotlight.

Thanks to Mario from Someone Once Told Me for all his time with us recently. Check out his wonderful website for lots more examples of the influential things people have heard. And watch this space for more images of the Passionate Media team with their own life-shaping messages.

Magical memories from the Palace for Compton guests

THREE people from Compton Hospice enjoyed a magical evening with the Queen as they joined guests celebrating the 25th anniversary of Help the Hospices at St James' Palace.

Jane Rowley, principal social worker, former matron Roz Kensey and Gerrard Paris, former trustee, were nominated to go along to the event on behalf of Compton.

Help the Hospices, the leading charity supporting hospice care throughout the UK, was founded 25 years ago by the Duchess of Norfolk, who was among the 600 guests at the celebration last month.

Other guests included business people, politicians and entertainers, as well as staff and volunteers from hospices across the UK.

The charity has 182 members, all local charities themselves and rooted in the communities they serve.

Jane Rowley said the event had been “magical” and a wonderful experience from the minute they had entered the palace, to the sound of harp music.

Get a sneak preview of Compton's new DVD

WE are delighted with the results of Compton Hospice's new DVD, and well done to Matt Daniels for all his hard work on the project.

Passionate Media press release: Listen up! Neil brings podcast expertise to growing agency

Caption: Neil Aitchison and Helen Moffat at Passionate Media recording a podcast.

AN AWARD-winning journalist is unleashing the power of podasts and blogs at a Staffordshire features and PR agency.

Former BBC reporter Neil Aitchison has joined Passionate Media in Cannock as new media director and is working with clients to exploit the benefits of the digital world.

Neil offers expertise in the use of digital media via the internet - particularly in audio podcasting, blogging and writing for the web.

He said: “We have already had amazing interest in the new services as businesses and organisations look to make their messages as relevant and accessible as possible as times change and customers want to communicate in different ways.