News editor

The role is an essential part of our weekly production. We have six reading teams who attend our Ilford studio on a Thursday evening, on a rota basis, to record each week's edition. Each reading team requires a News Editor to prepare the weekly news in advance ready for the readers to record for our Listeners; the Blind and Visually Impaired in Redbridge and Waltham Forest. 

Main tasks and responsibilities

• Each Friday the News Editor collects local newspapers and then has up to 6 days to prepare the News items, Letters, Sports Round-up and WhatsOn locally, all ready for delivery to the studio the next Thursday evening by 6pm. 
• This requires using two copies of the papers, cutting out the stories and sticking them to A4 sheets ready for reading.
• Delivering the material to the Thursday evening recording session at our studio (North Ilford).
• Often the News Editor can also be a reader on a Reading team but this is not essential.

Benefits to the volunteer

• Preparing the news gives much satisfaction in knowing that the reading team can operate smoothly at the recording session and get the edition recorded.
• Production of our editions is a very satisfying exercise as it makes sure that our listeners are able to stay in touch and as a result do not feel lonely or isolated.

What skills do I need?

Skills, attributes, experience and qualifications

• The minimum age of our volunteers is 18 years.

• Preparing the news requires scissors, scrap paper, glue and a table surface.
• Need to be 18+

When do I need to be available?

Details

Time taken is between 2-3 hours (over 5 days) but carried out from the previous Friday's local papers (e.g. Ilford Recorder, Wanstead & Woodford Guardian) i.e. the work can be done as soon as the papers are collected but completion must be achieved in time for the following Thursday evening. We run a weekly production with each team on a six week rota. This role usually takes place at the volunteer's home but could be at the studio, by arrangement. The studio is on the corner of The Drive and Eastern Avenue and is a short walk from Redbridge Station. There is a small car park. The studio is accessed via stairs.