A Greater Manchester-based kids’ media club has reached 1,000 children since launching.

Media Cubs, the pop-up TV studio and newsroom club for children, has delivered after-school clubs, holiday camps and virtual clubs across the region since launching its first official club in Trafford in 2019.

The club was set up by media social enterprise Yellow Jigsaw and aims to support all children to broadcast their confidence while learning how to create, debate and navigate the news.

The clubs have since expanded to cover six boroughs in Greater Manchester, and deliver in partnership with local councils, community football trusts, Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Manchester Libraries and a number of youth clubs and primary schools.

‘Mini reporters’ get the opportunity to take on real reporting challenges – including holding a press conference with Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham and interviewing sports stars, scientists and superintendents from Greater Manchester Police – and have seen their work on ITV Granada News, The Guardian and the Happy Newspaper.

The milestone has been reached at a time when the club has secured social investment to further expand across Greater Manchester and beyond.

Yellow Jigsaw CIC, the social enterprise that runs Media Cubs, has been awarded £21,600 from the Access to Growth fund, part of GM Social investment – a range of social investment funds delivered by Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation.

Kirsty Day, project lead for Media Cubs, from Sale, said: ” To have reached 1,000 reporters is a dream come true for me; the club was inspired by my son Jack, who struggled to find a club that matched his interests in media and creativity.

“To know Jack inspired an idea that has reached so many children, and is set to reach many more thanks to our recent investment – is fantastic.”

• To find out about clubs in your area or to enquire about hosting a Media Cubs club in your organisation visit www.mediacubs.co.uk.