Media Volunteers Factsheet
What is it?
- At the outset of the ‘see me’ campaign, research of media coverage showed that stigma was prevalent in the mainstream media. The volunteer programme is part of ‘see me’s’ layered approach to addressing stigmatising reporting. It is a mutually beneficial resource for journalists and the campaign.
- The media volunteer programme provides journalists with easy access to first person interviews. This ensures that there are opportunities for the first person voice to be heard and reported.
- ‘see me’s’ media volunteers give interviews on one or more of the following topics: the stigma around mental ill-health, recovery and suicide and how it can be prevented, as well as the importance and impact of positive support from friends, family and colleagues. By sharing their personal experiences of these subjects in the media, our volunteers raise awareness of these issues among the general public.
Media volunteers also support the work of three partner organisations:
- Choose Life – a strategy and action plan to reduce suicide in Scotland.
- Scottish Recovery Network (SRN) - raises awareness that people can and do recover from even the most serious and long term mental health problems or illnesses in Scotland.
- Breathing Space – a free and confidential phone line service for anyone experiencing low mood or depression, or who is unusually worried and in need of someone to talk to.
Recruitment
- A careful recruitment process is used. It’s designed to give potential media volunteers the opportunity to: consider the possible consequences of talking out publicly and explore the realities of working with the media, before they decide if, and how, they want to go ahead.
- The process is very flexible. It is recognised that talking out in the media is not for everyone, and so volunteers can withdraw from the process at any time.
- The first stage involves a telephone chat to discuss potential media volunteers’ experiences. Notes from the conversation are then typed up and sent out for them to read. They can make as many changes to these notes as they wish before sending them back. Potential volunteers are also sent a copy of our volunteer policy and task description, which outline what they can expect from the programme.
- The second stage involves meeting in person to finalise notes, talk about how the programme works day to day and discuss any questions and concerns.
Training
All our volunteers are offered a day’s training with a consultant media trainer. During the training a small group of potential volunteers have the opportunity to practise giving interviews in a supportive environment; gain better understanding of the media and how it works; establish their boundaries in relation to talking to the media and develop understanding of what makes a good story.
Process
There is never any pressure for media volunteers to participate in any interview. Interviews are arranged by ‘see me’ staff and PR staff from Smarts (a communications agency). Volunteers may sometimes speak to journalists briefly before an interview. But they generally do not come into contact with journalists until the interview takes place.
Support
The Development Officer (Volunteer Programme) is our media volunteers’ main point of contact. Their role is to lead the process of recruitment, selection, training and support of media volunteers.
Media volunteers receive:
- briefing before interviews
- support during interviews if they wish to have it (attendance by the Development Officer (Volunteer Programme), an appropriate local contact, or another ‘see me’ member of staff.
- a debrief following interviews
- ongoing support if necessary and follow up contact to gauge impact of publication/broadcast of interviews.