The John Schofield Trust

The John Schofield Trust is a United Kingdom-based nonprofit organisation dedicated to supporting the professional development of talented young broadcast and online journalists with fewer than five years of experience. The Trust focuses on providing mentoring and training opportunities to help aspiring and early career journalists access and navigate the journalism profession effectively.

Mission and Activities

The primary aim of the John Schofield Trust is to promote diversity and inclusion within the media industry by offering world-class mentoring schemes and annual awards to promising journalists. The Trust emphasises creating diverse newsrooms that reflect society and supports journalists from underrepresented groups. It runs targeted programmes such as "Journalism Cares," a mentoring initiative for care-experienced aspiring journalists, which highlights its commitment to social inclusion and equal opportunity in media careers.

Governance and Staff

The Trust is governed by a board of trustees responsible for overseeing its work and management. As of recent data, it has 12 trustees and approximately 190 volunteers contributing to its mission. The organisation operates with a small dedicated staff, including a Director and a Coordinator, who bring experience in higher education, diversity, inclusion, and journalism mentorship. The trustees do not receive any remuneration for their services.

Financial Information

For the financial year ending 31 March 2024, the John Schofield Trust reported a total income of £144,538 and total expenditure of £129,709. The charity does not operate any trading subsidiaries and relies on donations and fundraising efforts to sustain its programmes.

Impact and Recognition

The Trust has been widely praised for its role in diversifying the media landscape and supporting the next generation of journalists. Its founder, Susie Schofield MBE, has been recognised for her dedication to this cause. The Trust continues to engage with prominent media figures and organisations, leveraging these connections to expand its reach and impact in journalism education and diversity.

Summary

The John Schofield Trust remains a vital institution within the UK journalism sector, fostering new talent and promoting equality and diversity in media professions.

[1] https://johnschofieldtrust.org.uk [2] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-details/?regId=1061065&subId=0 [3] https://johnschofieldtrust.org.uk/people/ [4] https://www.oscr.org.uk/about-charities/search-the-register/charity-details?number=SC052921 [5] https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/sector-data/top-10-charities/-/charity-details/1061065/trustees