A Trafford-based social entrepreneur has secured investment to expand their projects that enable people aged seven to 70 to develop news reporting and media skills.

Kirsty Day, from Sale, 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.

The investment will be used to develop two projects – a pop-up TV studio and newsroom clubs for children, Media Cubs, and to grow the online audience of the UK’s first older people’s-led news platform, Talking About My Generation.

Both projects have offered Trafford residents a range of media opportunities, from giving children the opportunity to interview Mayor Andy Burnham in their own pandemic press conference, to training older people to launch their own podcasts, news website and magazine.

The projects have partnered with a number of Trafford organisations, including Trafford Carers Centre, Manchester United Foundation and a number of primary schools in the borough.

The Social Enterprise was founded by former MEN Media journalist Kirsty and charity project manager, Grace Dyke.

Kirsty, Media Director for Yellow Jigsaw CIC, said “We’re a unique media organisation with a mission to democratise the news – by upskilling people of all ages and backgrounds to create their own media.

“Over the past two years- during the pandemic – we have seen the value that community-led media can have to empower people and build trust between the media and individuals .

“These loans are designed for organisations who have the potential to add more value to their local communities and grow their social impact – so we’re delighted to be awarded the investment to create further impact in Greater Manchester.”

Access to Growth is a subsidiary company wholly owned by Greater Manchester Centre for Voluntary Organisation, who have been working with social change and ethical trading organisations in Greater Manchester for over 40 years.