What is PressPad?

PressPad is an award-winning social enterprise that aims to improve representation and diversity in the media and rebuild trust in British journalism.

Our flagship programme pairs disadvantaged young people from across the UK who have a media internship in London and other big cities with experienced media professionals who have a spare room.

It’s mentorship, networking and accommodation all rolled into one. 

“If journalists become distant from other people’s lives, they miss the story, and people don’t trust them” 
- Kath Viner, Editor-in-chief, The Guardian

How does it work?

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Step 1: Create a profile

Interns and hosts create a profile on our bespoke platform, sharing information to guarantee a perfect match and maintain community standards.

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Step 2: Check, fund, match

PressPad undertakes the appropriate checks to ensure a high level of safeguarding, impact and compatibility - as well as introducing interns to those who can fund their stay.

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Step 3: New talent hosted

Through hosting, companies, universities and other funders achieve a cost-effective way to reach a more diverse workforce at the same time as promoting their values.

Interns save time, resources and stress; hosts make lasting relationships and 
meaningful change; and employers gain access to previously hidden talent.

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“At times I pinch myself and think how surreal the whole experience has been. PressPad has given me a new found confidence and most importantly PressPad has made me feel welcomed in an industry that lacks diversity but certainly not talent.”

Preeti Bali - PressPad Intern

Who do we help?

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Socioeconomic diversity

Those from working class and lower middle-class backgrounds

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Regional diversity

Those outside of London and the south-east, including Scotland, Wales and Ireland.

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Hidden diversity

We’re particularly interested in helping those with disabilities, care leavers, ex-offenders, refugees and/or neurodivergence.

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“I used PressPad on two separate occasions over the past few months, and both times I felt welcomed by my hosts. I got along fantastically with both of them, and they gave me excellent pointers on how to navigate the newsroom and how to network”

- Sundus Abdi, 19, Birmingham 2022 PressPad Intern, host-mentorship stay funded by The Guardian’s Positive Action Scheme

Our Impact

73%*

working class

23%*

BAME

65

interns

123

weeks

£25k

money saved

* 58% of the UK is working class but only 20% of the media is. The UK BAME population is 14%, and within the media this drops to only 8%.

Who do we work with?

We work with newsroom clients, charities, corporate funds and our own foundation to ensure that no work opportunity leaves an intern out of pocket, and that all costs are covered by sponsoring organisations. 

Our collaborative initiative supports our partners’ mission with our own unique focus on underserved communities to offer a truly intersectional approach. This way no one slips through the cracks!

PressPad in the News

"PressPad provides a practical solution to a problem that distorts our media. Affordable accommodation enables working-class, refugee and less privileged people to get a start as journalists, so newsrooms will be less dominated by the wealthy and well-connected."

- Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 News international editor

"PressPad provides a practical solution to a problem that distorts our media. Affordable accommodation enables working-class, refugee and less privileged people to get a start as journalists, so newsrooms will be less dominated by the wealthy and well-connected."

- Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 News international editor