All around the country, the transition towards becoming a sustainable society is gradually underway. But ‘gradually’ is not enough. Climate efforts must be fast-tracked if we are to limit the impacts of climate change. Building public support for a rapid and fair transition is critical to achieving this goal, and this demands a powerful shared vision of what is possible. However, we don’t often see stories of progress in the news or hear about new ways of living and working from our friends, family, or colleagues. Without these reminders, it’s easy for people to feel that nothing is changing for the better. And it’s easy for politicians and businesses to think that people aren’t prepared for change.

Established in 2021, The Local Storytelling Exchange uses storytelling and community engagement to shape a collective narrative of support for a fair green transition. It does this by finding and amplifying stories that show ‘this is what the transition looks like’ and placing them across national, regional and local print, radio, TV and digital media. These stories hold a mirror to the political ideas driving the national climate agenda, joining the dots between policies and people’s everyday experience of the transition. Local Storytellers work in different geographical areas to tell stories about individuals, groups and businesses who are shaping the green transition in their areas.

About You & The Role

We are now expanding our work to the South East / East of England. This position is a new addition to our team and will lead our storytelling in either Kent & Sussex or East Anglia. Candidates can apply for either of these regions.

Based in one of these regions, they will have a background in journalism, be able to work independently, be an excellent relationship builder and have strong analytical skills. Working across the local and regional media, they will map and deploy positive green transition stories depicting the breadth of the transition from demonstrating the economic opportunities in the transition to impacts on homes, energy and communities. They will be able to identify the relatable stories in sometimes complex situations, will be a team player and be excited to be part of a new start-up.

The Exchange is seeking to genuinely — and authentically — find and amplify voices and stories that reflect the diversity of our society in terms of lived experience, cultural or socio-economic background, ethnicity and geography/region and strongly encourages people of all backgrounds to apply for this role.

Responsibilities include:

• Developing a strategy for storytelling in Kent and Sussex or East Anglia (in partnership with the Executive Director) to identify key environmental and transition issues, and map the regional media and political figures.
• Identifying and developing relationships with local groups, organisations, and individuals whose stories represent different parts of the green transition in the region.
• Monitoring media reports / activity on climate change to identify potential stories and voices to support through storytelling.
• Using active listening and empathy to support people in telling their stories in a clear and authentic way, building on their own values.
• Identifying and building relationships with local and regional media, including online, print & broadcast, and pitching them ‘action-based’ and ‘people-led’ stories of the green transition.
• Developing ‘action-based’ and people-led stories of the green transition in other formats (e.g. video content, images, social media assets and infographics).
• Helping prepare people for broadcast interviews, and for meeting/communicating with local politicians and advocacy groups, where appropriate.
• Helping people/groups participate in or organise talks, events and workshops.
• Carefully tracking engagement with stories (reach/readership etc) and monitor the impact of regional activity (using digital tools/methods).

How To Apply

To apply, please follow the link below to complete your application. Please mention Journo Resources when you apply, it really helps us out.