BBC Academy looking for BAME Experts

The BBC Academy is organising a day of free introductions to the world of broadcasting to help black, Asian and minority experts feel more comfortable about appearing on TV & Radio as expert contributors or presenters – and boost the diversity of experts in the media. The BAME Talent Days – which follow last year’s acclaimed Expert Women Days – will offer a range of practical media experiences including session on camera and in a radio studio as well as masterclasses and the opportunity to meet experienced programme makers and industry leaders. The BAME Talent Days are for men and women and will be held in London (9 Oct), Birmingham (27 Nov), Bristol (29 Jan), Salford (26 Feb) and Glasgow (12 March). Applications are now open for the London BAME Talent Day which is looking for BAME experts with recognised expertise in the following subject areas:

Cultural Commentary – is your expertise in popular entertainment, the arts, literature or areas like social policy or national identity?

History – the Tudors, the First World War, the ancient world or modern Britain, which period are you passionate about? Are you an academic, custodian, auctioneer or museum curator?

Science – do you have expertise in a subject – from forensics to biology – recognised in the academic, research or commercial world?

Health and medicine – are you medically qualified?

Finance and statistics – can you communicate about numbers, from personal finance to big business?

Food and nutrition – are you a chef, cook or expert on farming and food production?

The deadline for the London applications is Sunday, 31st of August.  More information – and details of where to send the application – is available at http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/work-in-broadcast/events/expert-voices/article/art20140716164003212 . Experts who are interested in attending the Birmingham, Bristol, Salford and Glasgow events can register their interest now and will be sent a reminder when the applications open: expertvoices.birmingham@bbc.co.uk, expertvoices.bristol@bbc.co.uk, expertvoices.salford@bbc.co.uk and expertvoices.glasgow@bbc.co.uk. For details of the subject areas they’ll be targetting in these cities, use this link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/academy/work-in-broadcast/events/expert-voices/article/art20140716164003212#events .

This is a great opportunity for black, Asian and minority experts who want to share their knowledge, passion and expertise on TV & Radio.

Commonwealth Games and Parasport

Some of you may know that the Commonwealth Games events start tomorrow. Glasgow 2014 should be amazing with the opening ceremony tonight. But did you know that the Commonwealth Games includes parasport alongside the other events. There is no separate para games later on like the Olympics. There will be 22 medals up for grabs across 5 different parasports which are athletics, swimming, lawn bowls, track cycling and powerlifting.Good luck to everyone taking part.

Clyde

 

Jubilation as Church of England’s synod votes to allow female bishops

Church of England Clerics take a selfie as they celebrate after the vote to allow female bishopsThe Church of England ended at a stroke the male domination of its hierarchy as the General Synod voted on Monday to allow women to be ordained as bishops for the first time.

Applause in the public gallery at the meeting in York greeted the overwhelming vote in favour of the measure. With a two-to-one vote for the move needed, 152 lay members of the synod were in favour and 45 against. Majorities among bishops and clergy were even greater. More … http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/14/church-england-synod-votes-allow-female-bishops

 

 

Inspirational Diversity Champion for July

 

Laura Guide 2

Laura Mothersole – Girlguiding UK

2014 is the centenary year for the Brownies and as July is ‘Make a Difference to Children’ month we have chosen a young local girl who has devoted her spare time to the Girlguiding movement as our Inspirational Diversity Champion

Laura first started as a Brownie and then became a Guide. When she became too old to be a Guide she decided she wanted to stay with Girlguiding and became a Young Leader.  She did this for a number of years until she was old enough to train to be an Adult Leader. She now helps at four different Rainbow, Brownie and Guide units every week and attends activities with them at weekends.

Girlguiding is the leading charity for girls and young women in the UK it gives girls and young women a space where they can be themselves, have fun, build brilliant friendships, gain valuable life skills and make a positive difference to their lives and their communities. It also builds girls’confidence and raises their aspirations and gives them the chance to discover their full potential and encourage them to be a powerful force for good. Without the dedication of volunteers like Laura girls and young women would not be able to experience the many things that Brownies and Guides can give them.   Laura often spends her own annual leave from work attending weekend events with her Guides and Brownies it could be anything, weekend camps, splash days at Danson Lake, Summer Fetes, trips to London or her most recent outing being the Brownie Day at Drusillas Animal Park in East Sussex where 1,500 Brownies and Leaders met to celebrate the Brownie Centenary.

You might think that this is all Laura does and she has no time for anything else. Well you’d be wrong!  Like all busy people Laura seems to find time for other things as well, she loves her music and film and is a huge sports fan, having been a rugby player herself she is often to be found cheering on her beloved London Wasps RFC or watching England Rugby both the men and women!  She recently has given her support to the England Women’s Football team and soon will be attending her first England Men and Women’s hockey internationals.

If you are interested in becoming a leader like Laura, check out the Girlguiding website at https://www.girlguiding.org.uk/home.aspx find out what it’s all about and may be get involved.