Writer

Would you like to be a voice for your local community and help people find out about the news that really matters to Scotland? We're on the lookout for volunteer writers interested in reporting on events or sharing their accounts of the things they're passionate about. If you're interested in a career in journalism, if you want to brush up your writing skills or if you simply enjoy learning and sharing knowledge, we'd love to hear from you.

We organise our work online, so you don't need to worry about getting to a central venue. We're committed to supporting writers of all levels of ability. There are no fixed hours and the extent of your involvement is up to you. Our editors will help you to get your writing into shape, and we have an extensive set of resources to help you develop.

We cover local, Scottish and international stories. We can help you develop the contacts you need to investigate stories, and give you the training you need to stay on the right side of the law. We also publish reviews, and can help you gain access to report on art, music, books, or whatever means the most to you.

Travel details

You can volunteer entirely from home if you prefer. If you want to get out and about in pursuit of a story, we can pay reasonable expenses as long as they are agreed in advance.

Travel expenses

If you want to get out and about in pursuit of a story, we can pay reasonable expenses as long as they are agreed in advance.

Training details

We do not require our writers to undertake training, but we have several courses and an extensive range of resources available at no cost to those who want to learn more about journalism. Our editors will support you in developing your writing, and we have specialists who can help if you have a disability or were never taught to write properly. We can provide more in-depth support and mentoring to students or asylum seekers adapting to Scottish society, by arrangement.

Restrictions

Minimum age: 14
If you are under 18, you will need to have a responsible adult (such as a parent, teacher or youth worker) to approve your participation. If you are in full time education we will accept a maximum of two stories per week from you.

Availability

Frequency & commitment

With the exception of our restriction on those in full time education, we welcome you to write as much as you want, as often as you want. if you just have a single story you would like to share, that's OK. If you want to try it out before making any commitments, that's OK too. We are here to support you.

I want to volunteer