Philippa Budgen
It can be daunting talking to journalists. Telling them about the causes and people that matter to you. Trying to convince others why they should care as much as you do. If you want to have an impact and make a difference, your public voice is so important for effectiveness and influence.
As a former BBC journalist I have deep knowledge of the press landscape and the criminal justice system. Through my network of media contacts in respected publications and broadcast media I help organisations to create a clear message and get their voices heard. I offer everything from media strategy to interview training and hands-on, continuing communications support.
My consultancy briefs range from court innovation; access to justice; forced marriage legislation; teenagers and the law. I work with lawyers, think tanks, charities and campaign groups. I particularly enjoy supporting organisations which are new – and sometimes wary – of press exposure.
How do I work? I take time to get under the skin of every organisation in order to build understanding and trust. To every project and client I bring integrity, straight-talking and an absolute commitment to communicate complex ideas effectively.
Jonathan Black, past President of the London Criminal Courts Solicitors’ Association, partner BSB Solicitors
Phil Bowen, Director of Centre for Justice Innovation
How I can help:
Typically I offer:
- Media strategy advice. So you know you need to raise your organisation’s profile? Here’s how you can do it. This blueprint establishes your overall media goal; what parts of your project or campaign are likely to work in the press, what won’t.
- Media training. You have a couple of spokespeople who need to brush up on their interview skills prior to a launch.
- Messaging workshops. Jargon-busting facilitated practice at making your message clear and effective for a wider audience.
- On-going support: preparing a campaign, report or new project to be fit for the media- from idea through to press launch.
- Broadcast content for websites.
But:
- It’s all bespoke. I tailor my support according to your needs. So if you think I can help but I haven’t mentioned your specific requirement, let’s talk.
About me:
I provide a bridge over a cultural gap – between the criminal justice sector and the journalistic world. Journalists are demanding. They want a story. They want a headline, they need a case study. And they want it NOW!
Those working in the criminal justice world don’t view their cause as a ‘story’, nor do they regard the people they support as ‘case studies’. Yet the two worlds can and must meet for an organisation to achieve a strong authentic voice and to influence opinion and policy. As an independent media consultant I guide criminal justice organisations through the media maze and help bridge the gap.
How am I qualified?
- BBC reporter for more than 15 years. Radio 4’s Woman’s Hour, You and Yours and documentaries. The World Service and Radio 5 Live.
- MA (Distinction) in Criminal Law and Criminal Justice. My dissertation researched the role of the victim in youth referral orders.
- Prison visitor for more than ten years in a women’s jail.
- Media training. Throughout my journalistic career I have media trained spokespeople from a variety of disciplines: legal and justice professionals; dentists, social scientists and academics.
The best way to find out how I can help… get in touch.
New Blog
This is my new blog. Come back soon as there will be many more posts to come…
In the bleak mid-winter
In the bleak mid-winter: Run for Justice Frost on the ground, crisp bright sunshine one day. Minus degrees and settling snow the next day. Reality dawns. On March 4th I’m running more than 13 miles, pounding the pavements round the great sites of London. The Big Half should be the fun bit, I hope. The joys of winter training not always so charming. Good job there’s a bigger end in sight. I promised I’d write about the people and lives helped by the charity I’m running for, the London Legal Support Trust. 5 year old Godwin (not his real name) for example. After a long spell living in the UK, [...]
Run for Justice
Run for Justice ‘We have a lot of cake sales coming our way,’ my friend Navita says as we accept sponsorship places to run London’s new Big Half in March next year. Baking - me? Soggy bottoms, sunken Victoria sandwiches spring to mind. Better think of something else to drum up support for frontline access to justice. The London Legal Support Trust (LLST) provides much needed funds, legal expertise and a morale-boost to hard pressed, vital legal advice centres and citizens advice bureaus in London and the South East. Day-in-day out, against the odds these centres defy legal aid cuts giving professional advice to people facing homelessness, terrible rental [...]