Students studying on the News Project module have spent the last 12 weeks setting up and running their own daily news organisation both online and in print - and seen phenomenal national success for their efforts.
As part of the project, three teams chose to run a real world campaign.
'Claim Back West Street' was launched to combat the rise in drink spiking across the county and managed to achieve £5k of funding from South Yorkshire Police for anti drink-spiking devices, alongside a new police, council and licensee network created to make the city streets safer. The team appeared on BBC Breakfast, ITV news and a host of local news and radio stations to be applauded for their efforts.
'Sign up for Sam', another student-led campaign, was launched in conjunction with a grieving family whose teenage son tragically drowned in Rotherham. The team has successfully worked with the family to convince Rotherham Council to install danger signs near reservoirs and have orchestrated talks in schools to warn of the risks.
With their 'Sheffield Knife Angel' campaign, students were able to win the support of the Police Crime Commissioner who commended the students for their campaign to bring a sculpture commemorating knife crime victims to the city.
The module also involved teaming up groups to be mentored by regional newspaper editor.
It was fantastic to work with budding Sheffield journalists on this project and help shape their newspaper. In today's fast-paced media world, collaboration is key. I was impressed with the students' ideas and enthusiasm, so much so that we were able to use some of their stories in our own publication.
Ellen Beardmore
Sheffield Telegraph
I was so impressed by the standards of the work the students produced. It was fantastic to be able to work with them and share my thoughts and discuss ideas with them
Sam Jackson
Worksop Guardian Editor
This is great news – deserved recognition for an outstanding project.
Michael Upton
Rotherham Advertiser
Gavin Murray, Editor of the Wakefield Express added the success of Claim Back West Street had been astounding.
The module was designed and lead by the Deputy Head of Journalism, Lisa Bradley.
It has been shortlisted for the National Council of Training for Journalists Award for Excellence in Innovation in Journalism training.
Lisa has also been shortlisted for a Higher Education National Teaching Award.
