We can empower each other over coffee

LONDON FREELANCE Branch is experimenting with coffee mornings for members - not least as a bit of an antidote to that eternal "freelance isolation" problem. But it's also part of LFB's effort to support and empower members – for instance, through the mentoring and broader training schemes we've been building over the past 12 months (as you may know).

Mentoring can match you with an experienced member of NUJ LFB who can offer guidance, advice and assistance in helping you improve your knowledge, confidence and skills as a freelance journalist (strategising your next moves, negotiating better fees, etc).

These monthly meetings will hear from you about your problems and feasible next steps, meet a potential mentor or two, and have an overall look at the programmes LFB has. Many of the topics are shared by most freelance journalists, so it will be an excellent opportunity to talk and further develop what we do together.

At the moment, we have: networking; how to pitch; photojournalism; safety covering demonstrations...

All that adds up to why we would like to invite members to our "Coffee Mornings". We will email Zoom invitations to Branch members. If you do not receive an invitation please contact coffee@londonfreelance.org

We plan to hold these monthly, every first Friday of the month - so on 5 April and 3 May - and then see how it's going. Check here for more dates.

If you have any specific topics or questions you would like to address during the discussion, please feel free to email us. We will do our best to incorporate them into the agenda.

We look forward to your taking part. We can empower each other and work towards a more inclusive and diverse journalism industry.

Should you have any queries or require further information, please do not hesitate to contact Mariam Elsayeh, LFB Training Officer.

Thank you for your attention, and we eagerly await your presence at the Coffee Morning discussion.