Seeking Talent CIC supports disabled and neurodiverse women in Lambeth to develop practical skills in community press, writing, journalism, and digital storytelling. Our charitable purpose is to help women build confidence, strengthen communication, and create genuine routes into online editorial work. We teach the core elements of community journalism, including how to spot local stories, understand news values, and turn ideas into clear, engaging writing. We cover research and sourcing, so participants learn to work from accurate and reliable information. We also introduce accessible digital tools and light AI support to make writing, editing, and sharing their work easier.
Our workshops are designed for women who may need extra clarity or a flexible pace, including those with autism or ADHD. Sessions are small, supportive, and remote, making it easier for learners to join from home and progress in a way that suits them. For many women, these skills become a way to express themselves, connect with their community, and feel their creativity recognised. Seeking Talent CIC provides the structure, guidance, and encouragement needed to open new opportunities and build brighter futures.
Expression Without Limits is a 3-month accredited media training programme for disabled and neurodiverse young women aged 16-21 from underrepresented communities. We are seeking grant support to expand this, building on our hard-copy community newspaper Lambeth Voices. The free newspaper is written by local residents and distributed throughout Lambeth as well as online. Current readership is 20,000. A new programme is planned to help us extend into Southwark, creating opportunities for more young people from the SEND community in both boroughs.
Participants will learn writing, editing, research, and digital storytelling, and will contribute directly to Lambeth Voices, gaining real newsroom experience and a published portfolio. This is vital because neurodiverse & disabled people face persistent barriers to work. Representation in digital newsrooms is even lower, with industry surveys estimating that fewer than 5% of staff identify as disabled or neurodiverse, highlighting a major gap in inclusion across the sector.
This lack of representation means that important voices and perspectives are missing from the stories that shape public understanding. It also creates barriers for talented individuals who could thrive in editorial and digital roles if given the right support. Increasing opportunities for disabled and neurodiverse people is essential for building a media landscape that truly reflects the communities it serves.
Expression Without Limits helps close this gap. The programme offers accessible workshops, small-group teaching, one-to-one support, and publishing experience. Participants build confidence, strengthen communication, and gain a clearer route into further study or entry-level roles in digital media or journalism.
With grant support, we can deliver high-quality training, pay industry mentors, and expand distribution across Lambeth and Southwark.
The programme offers accessible training, mentoring, and practical publishing experience that responds to the low employment rates faced by the SEND community. With fewer than 5% of digital newsroom staff identifying as disabled or neurodiverse, supported pathways into the sector are urgently needed. Through structured workshops and hands-on work, participants strengthen communication skills, build a meaningful portfolio, and gain clearer routes into further study or creative roles.
The project also encourages system change by widening who is seen and heard in local media. As more SEND young women produce public-facing journalism, they influence how stories are shaped and who is represented. This challenges assumptions within both the community and the industry, showing that disabled and neurodiverse young people have an essential place in media work.
We define success as:
- 50% of participants writing or editing articles for the paper
- Employment of 10% of course participants
- 85% of participants completing the programme with certification
- 100%t reporting increased confidence in technical and personal growth
- 50% expressing interest in further study or related activities.
Success means stronger career pathways, greater visibility of SEND voices, and a community that recognises disabled young women as valued creators. The programme also sets a benchmark for inclusive talent development. With support from Lambeth Council’s coding centre, it becomes a model that other organisations can replicate, making inclusion expected rather than optional.
