1. Media Training for Voluntary and Community Sector Beneficiaries Richard Holmes Communications Manager 2000-2006 Objective 1 Programme South Yorkshire United Kingdom

2. South Yorkshire is NUTS 2 Part of the English region Yorkshire and The Humber Centred around the city of Sheffield Objective 1 for 2000-2006

3. South Yorkshire Objective 1 Programme 2000-2006 In 1990s South Yorkshire suffered high levels of deprivation following the decline in its traditional industries of steel making, heavy engineering and coal mining Programme’s focused on increasing wealth and transforming the local economy €3.3bn programme includes €1.2bn from structural funds 26,000 new jobs created (so far) GDP is rising: latest figures EU25 - 91%, EU15 84% South Yorkshire is a phasing-in region for 2007-13

4. ESF is delivered through a single national programme in England with resources ring-fenced for each region ERDF in the region will be delivered through a single competitiveness and employment objective programme with ring- fenced funding for South Yorkshire as a phasing-in region. Programme to be managed by the RDA Structural Funds in the Region 2007-2013 ERDFESF South Yorkshire (phasing-in) €271,041,000€180,694,000 Yorkshire & Humber (excluding South Yorkshire) €312,540,000€214,978,000

5. Priority 4 – Developing economic opportunities in targeted communities Many small scale, low grant value, grassroots projects Managed by neighbourhood or voluntary organisations Priority 4 contains 11% of SF investment but supports 36% of the projects Volunteers often have limited publicity experience or skills They don’t want to spend their “precious” funds on paid publicity South Yorkshire Objective 1 Programme 2000-2006

6. We offer training workshops to help these groups use the media to publicise their stories – a low cost option Training is locally based and free Small groups (6-10) Informal and practical Delivered by the Programme’s experienced publicity team

7. Workshops help participants:  Recognise what is “news”  Understand the media’s needs  How to present their story to give it the best chance of being covered  How to write a press release  Learn where, when and to who they can send stories  Each participant brings a story idea and leaves with a developed press release

8. Workshops also cover: The importance of the “soundbite” in interviews Using quotes in press releases to express opinions Personalise the stories Focus on outcomes not process Using pictures to sell a story Deciding whether to supply the picture or stage a photo opportunity Deliver a Euopean and programme message

9. People from around 50 community or voluntary groups have attended the workshops All attendees have placed at least one story in the media, a growing number have placed many We continue to offer a publicity support and mentoring service by email and telephone

11. Contact Richard HolmesT: 00441709 763618 Communications ManagerF: 00441709 763679 Objective 1 South Yorkshire Silkstone House www.goyh.gov.uk Pioneer Close Wath Upon Dearne ROTHERHAM S63 7JZ United Kingdom Email: richard.holmes@goyh.gsi.gov.uk