East Manchester Media Community Producer, David Kay says that B of the Blog is going from strength to strength.

This follows last week’s group of community reporters from east Manchester as reported in the Advertiser who stopped passers- by to ask them their own stories as their own tales were being shown on the big screen in Exchange Square; run by People’s Voice Media in partnership with the BBC.

B of the Blog gives local residents from Beswick, Clayton and Openshaw the opportunity to tell their stories online through images, audio or video.

Drop in sessions are held on Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday. On Monday, meetings are held between 1:00- 4:00pm at the Grange, Beswick. While on Wednesday a two hour session from 10:00am- 12:00 noon takes place at The Wells Centre in Clayton, next to the Health Centre. The times of the Thursday and Friday sessions are 1:00- 3:00pm and 10:00am- 1:00pm at Victoria House, Openshaw and The Grange.

B of the Blog was recognised for its success after winning the Manchester Evening News blog of the week in December 2008.

The idea for B of the Blog came from Manchester Community Information Network (MCIN) who launched the Community Reporters Programme and through discussions.

David said that "there is a reference to B of the Bang which is a landmark in the area and something everyone in east Manchester has an opinion on!"

MCIN formed in 1993 with the key aims of finding gaps in information provision, bringing together information providers across sectors to reduce duplication and generate support for a co-ordinated strategy to deliver an electronic public information system to benefit the citizens of Manchester.

David says the main purpose of the project is to "allow people to tell their story online and improve their skills and self-confidence in the process that could lead to new opportunities."

He added: "B of the Blog work with groups and individuals and run activities outside of our session times. We run drop in sessions, training sessions, and trips to the BBC, workshops, films shown on the big screen, work closely with all FM 96.9 community radio stations and take part in social events, parties and skill sharing.

"I really enjoy my role as East Manchester Media Community Producer. I get to work with a mix of people. No two days are the same and it’s just rewarding when local people think that they could get a job in the media. Learning new skills is equally as important."

When I asked David, what his best moments in the job had been he said that they were "seeing people get their stories online, seeing a boost in their confidence and having them say they could do it.

"I also enjoyed the visits to BBC North West Tonight and seeing our videos on the Big Screen in Exchange Square.

"I would encourage more people to join B of the Blog because if they have a story then we can help them get their story online."

For more information, you can write to:

East Manchester Media Community Producer

MCIN

The Grange Community Resource Centre

Pilgrim Drive

Manchester

M11 3TQ

Or alternatively, you can reach David at 0161 230 1430 or email david@mcin.net

Check out the blog: http://www.botheblog.com

Follow People's Voice Media on Twitter: http://twitter.com/peoplesvoice

Subscribe to the People's Voice Media podcast with iTunes: http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=300550700