Examples of copywriting and editorial
Reflections​​​​​
I am a contributor to the monthly magazine Reflections, Derbyshire's largest circulation lifestyle magazine. I have been commissioned to source, research and write a number of feature articles for the magazine, focusing on Derbyshire history, people and places. You can see some examples via the links below.​​​
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Sheffield Star and Sheffield Telegraph
I wrote regular articles for the Sheffield Star and Sheffield Telegraph on behalf of the National Emergency Services Museum. I crafted engaging, timely stories that promoted the museum's work and its collection, celebrated people from Sheffield's past, and showcased hidden aspects of emergency services history. You can see some examples via the links below.
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National Emergency Services Museum blog
I was the chief blog writer for the National Emergency Services Museum's website. As well as writing more than 40 blog posts I was also responsible for copy editing and proofreading blogs written by colleagues and had overall management of tone and content. The aim of the blog was to create wider engagement with the museum, and its role in preserving emergency services history, by presenting new, interesting and unusual stories inspired by its work and its collection. Read some blog examples via the links below.
Marketing literature
As part of my role with the National Emergency Services Museum I produced engaging, informative text for various types of marketing literature promoting major museum events, including leaflets, posters, banners, and print and online adverts. The aim was to create bitesize copy that would capture the spirit and flavour of the event, generating interest and encouraging visitors and potential visitors to find out more via the museum's website and social media.
Building a community
In 2022 the National Emergency Services Museum published a book, 'Building a community'. This short book tells the story of the West Bar police, fire and ambulance station, where the museum is housed, from its beginnings in 1900 to the present day. It was developed in response to feedback from visitors, who had expressed an interest in learning more about the history of the building and the people who lived and worked in it. Working with colleagues who took on some of the historical research, photo research and graphic design, I was responsible for all copywriting and proofreading for the project. The book is on sale via the museum and copies have also been accepted into the Sheffield local studies and central lending library.
AIM Bulletin
I pitched and delivered this double-page article to the national organisation, AIM (the Association of Independent Museums) on behalf of the National Emergency Services Museum. The article tapped into current conversations about sustainability, cost-saving and innovation. It was featured in the printed AIM Bulletin, distributed to more than a thousand members organisations and stakeholders, as well as online.
Report writing
Whilst working with the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing at Sheffield Hallam University I was asked to support the delivery of the faculty's first annual report. I worked closely with the Pro-Vice Chancellor to agree an approach and content plan; liaised with senior management and others to gather all content including financial figures; wrote all required copy; liaised with marketing colleagues to source images and agree a design; and worked with the senior management team to reach final agreement and sign-off for the document. It was then distributed to hundreds of staff and significant stakeholders.
Insight and Connected
As staff engagement manager at Sheffield Hallam University I launched and managed two staff magazines, Insight and Connected, reaching around 900 staff across two faculties. As editor my responsibilities included sourcing and selecting appropriate content, proofreading, and editing and fact-checking copy provided by other staff. I also produced copy for every issue of each magazine, which often involved translating complex and detailed information provided by academics and researchers into a simple, readable format suitable for the general university audience.