The next round of North West Spokesperson Training is now open. We’re looking for people who are working on issues that push for big progressive change in society and who would like to use the media to talk about the things they are working on.
The programme works by training, coaching and providing TV and radio booking support for spokespeople. The aim is to substantially boost the number of progressive, diverse voices in this space, to challenge pervasive narratives and boost coverage of underrepresented issues.
Across the spokesperson network we’ve had over 9000 high-profile media bookings, including Question Time, Newsnight, Good Morning Britain, Sky News, BBC Radio 5 Live, Al Jazeera, LBC, Channel 4 News, ITV News and the Today programme, and regionally on BBC North-West Tonight, ITV Granada, Global NW, Bauer NW, Politics NW and BBC Radio Manchester, Merseyside and Lancashire.
The training will run from 1st July - 3rd July 2025 and consists of:
> Two half-days of online and one full day in person training (in Manchester) where we will cover everything from messaging and storytelling to interview preparation and non-verbal communication. Participants will practice a series of different interview formats with framing experts, producers and journalists.
> Following training, members of the network will then be promoted to media outlets on a regular basis by our media team who offer expert support in securing and executing TV and radio bookings.
We are particularly excited to hear from people with identities who have been traditionally under-represented in broadcast media.
Deadline for applications is 8am on Tuesday 3rd June. Apply here!
We will make a shortlist of 20 from applicants, carry out informal 15 minute zoom interviews with those 20 people and then select the final 10 people to come on the programme. If you are shortlisted we will be conducting interviews on Tuesday 10th June and Wednesday 11th June.
We please ask that when people apply, they put a hold in their diary for the training dates of 1-3rd July to ensure they have the availability necessary.
Applications can be made in a variety of formats including:
- Our standard Google Form
- Audio or voice note
- Video in spoken English or BSL
- Word or PDF version of our standard application form
For more information on accessibility read our Accessibility Pack here. Any questions about the training or accessibility please email heather@neweconomyorganisers.org
The programme consists of two half days of training and one day in person where we will cover everything from messaging and storytelling to interview preparation and non-verbal communication. Participants will practise a series of different interview formats in front of a camera with framing experts, producers and journalists.
We run two rounds of training for the national programme every year and two rounds of training for the regional programme.
After the training we provide an ongoing pitching service where we will proactively source TV and radio opportunities for you to respond to the big news stories of the day that are relevant to your area of work, and provide ongoing support for how you navigate the challenges and opportunities.
When you join the Spokesperson Network you join the ranks of other progressive voices across a range of issues - not just your own. There are opportunities to socialise, share thoughts and learn from each other across the year.