The University of Roehampton proudly opened its doors to the next generation of aspiring journalists this June, hosting a vibrant and inspiring Young Reporter Day on Saturday 7 June, followed by a celebratory Awards Ceremony on Saturday 28 June—both in partnership with Newsquest, one of the UK’s leading regional media groups.
Both events showcased Roehampton’s continued commitment to empowering students and young people with the confidence, skills, and professional exposure they need to thrive in competitive career fields like journalism, media, and digital publishing.
A day of storytelling, design, and real-world experience
Young Reporter Day brought together secondary school students from across the UK for a unique, hands-on experience in digital journalism. Working alongside Roehampton students and recent graduates, the young reporters took on the challenge of creating a full-fledged e-newspaper—published and featured on Newsquest’s digital platforms.
From writing stories to learning newspaper design software and laying out full pages for publication, the day was a dynamic, immersive introduction to the fast-paced world of modern media. For the students, the experience offered valuable CV and personal statement material. For Roehampton’s student ambassadors and graduates, it provided invaluable real-world exposure and an opportunity to lead, mentor, and collaborate in a professional context.
Stan Nwaeze, a postgraduate student from the MSc Project Management programme, reflected on the day:
“It was an honour to guide such talented young minds as they explored journalism, design, and storytelling. Their creativity, drive, and curiosity reaffirmed the importance of nurturing the next generation of storytellers and visual thinkers.”
Recent Digital Media graduate, Megan Kausal and Photography alumni, Joshua McFarlane returned to the university to support the pupils throughout the day, advising on the use of Indesign , structure of the features and photography. Joshua shared, “After years of engaging with photography, I was able to draw on that experience to meet my own standards. It allowed me to collaborate closely with others and bring my professional skills to a real-world setting.”
Celebrating talent at the Sir David Bell Building
The Young Reporter Awards Ceremony, hosted in the Sir David Bell Building, was the grand culmination of their journalistic exploration.
The ceremony was co-hosted by Diana Jarvis, journalist at Newsquest, Simon Murfitt, Senior Editor of Newsquest London and South Herts, and The Mirrow News Reporter, Monica Charsley, all of whom praised the scheme’s impact over its 17-year history, noting the thousands of students it has benefited.
A highlight of the ceremony was the screening of a video showcasing the collaboration between Roehampton students and the Young Reporters as they created the e-newspaper. In addition to its digital publication, the project was honoured with a three-page print spread dedicated to the University of Roehampton—further strengthening the university’s growing reputation in media education.
- Tiffin Girls’ School
- Queen Elizabeth Sixth Form
- Croydon High School
- Wimbledon High School
- Simon Langton Girls’ Grammar School
- Reigate Grammar School
- Patcham High School
- Gumley House School
- Surbiton High School
- Chris’s Hospital School
- Coleg Gwent
- Townley Grammar School
- St Edmund Arrowsmith Catholic High School
- Peter Symonds College
Looking ahead
The success of both the University Day and the Awards Ceremony is a testament to the dedication of Roehampton’s student ambassadors and graduates, whose energy and professionalism helped bring the events to life. These initiatives reflect the university’s broader strategic goals to enhance student employability, build meaningful industry partnerships, and engage with communities through impactful educational outreach.
As we look to the future, Roehampton is excited to build on this momentum—working closely with our Recruitment Team to expand career-focused opportunities and reinforce the university’s role as a nurturing ground for the journalists, designers, and media professionals of tomorrow.