Virtual coffee with the President

NATASHA HIRST is President of the National Union of Journalists and a campaigning freelance journalist with 14 years of experience. She specialises in news photography and coverage of protests and demonstrations. At our London Freelance Branch coffee morning on 7 June she highlighted the NUJ's work on safety for journalists and for freelances with disabilities.

Some of those at the virtual coffee morning, with anonymity preserved

Image © Mariam Elsayeh

Safety for journalists

• Journalists face online and in-person abuse.
• The NUJ offers resources to help journalists, including videos on online abuse, racism, and how to deal with the police.
• The NUJ is developing a press safety tracker - a tool designed to gather evidence of journalists' safety issues. This is a crucial step toward addressing and preventing threats. Its development underscores the NUJ's commitment to the safety of journalists.

Natasha discussed work on updating guidelines for police working with journalists, a significant development that aims to ensure the safety and rights of journalists.

She gave advice on staying safe while reporting, including working with other journalists and letting someone know where you are going.

Disability and freelance journalists

A member asked about organising workflow for a neurodivergent photojournalist.

Natasha talked about invisible disabilities and how the social model of disability defines them.

She answered questions about record-keeping when interviewing sources and ethical considerations when a source wants to retract information.

She discussed the challenges faced by journalists with ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder) and deafness and how these are considered disabilities under the social model.

Resources mentioned

• The NUJ emergency legal number;
• How members can get other legal help;
• NUJ ethics hotline: email ethics@nuj.org.uk or phone: 0845 450 0864.
• Safety advice during public disorder from Belfast Branch, who know

Overcoming procrastination

Our conversation touched on procrastination-related challenges faced by freelance journalists.

Participants mentioned the difficulties of balancing multiple tasks, meeting deadlines, and managing workload. These factors can contribute to procrastination. There was a danger in the desire to create a perfect working environment before starting tasks. Implicit strategies to combat procrastination that can be inferred from the conversation include:

• Time management techniques: using tools such as timelines and colour-coded systems to organise tasks and prioritise deadlines.
• Setting realistic goals: acknowledging the challenges of balancing personal and professional life and setting achievable targets.
• Building a support network: sharing experiences and seeking peer advice can provide motivation and accountability.

The conversation highlighted the challenges that can lead to procrastination and the importance of finding effective coping mechanisms. It primarily focused on freelance journalists' challenges in managing their time and workload.

Participants discussed issues including:

• Time management struggles: balancing work, personal life, and household responsibilities.
• Financial pressures: the difficulties of securing consistent income as a freelance.
• Overcoming procrastination: strategies for starting and completing tasks.
• Networking and pitching: building relationships and promoting one's work is essential.
• Specific challenges: Editing photos and attending local council meetings.

The conversation highlighted freelance journalists' everyday experiences and challenges in today's competitive industry.

From the training officer:

I recognise that the challenges neurodiverse individuals face in freelancing can be particularly demanding. While we are diligently preparing a comprehensive workshop to address these issues, which will be a significant step forward, some preliminary research has identified strategies that may be beneficial. Please be patient and consider following the advice until our specialised workshop is ready.

Neurodivergent individuals often face unique challenges with time management and task completion. The fast-paced, frequently unpredictable nature of freelance journalism can exacerbate these difficulties. We under-stand these challenges and are here to help you overcome them.

Here are some strategies specifically designed to help neurodivergent freelance journalists overcome procrastination:

Breaking Down Tasks

• Task Chunking: Divide large, overwhelming tasks into smaller, more manageable steps. This can make the work less daunting and increase a sense of accomplishment.
• Visual Planning: Use visual aids like mind maps or calendars to represent tasks and deadlines. This can help in understanding the overall picture and prioritising.

Creating a supportive environment

• Calm: Consider a quiet corner with a comfortable chair, a desk, or a room with minimal visual distractions. Incorporating sensory elements, such as a favourite scent or soft lighting, can enhance comfort.
• Flexible Scheduling: Allow breaks and flexibility to accommodate energy levels and focus fluctuations.
• Self-Compassion: Understand that neurodivergence can impact productivity and be kind to yourself. Avoid self-criticism and focus on progress, not on perfection.

Building effective routines

• Morning routine: Establish a consistent morning routine to jumpstart the day and create structure.
• Time blocking: Allocate specific time blocks for different tasks, helping to maintain focus and avoid distractions.
• Reward system: Implement a reward system to motivate yourself and celebrate accomplishments.

Seeking support

• Open communication: Discuss your challenges with clients, editors, or colleagues to seek understanding and flexibility.
• Professional support: Consider working with a therapist or coach specialising in neurodivergence to develop personalised coping strategies.
• Support groups: Connect with other neurodivergent freelances to share experiences and advice.

This process of self-discovery can be empowering and put you in control of your productivity.

For instance, a large investigative piece can be divided into research, interviews, and writing. This can make the work less daunting and increase a sense of accomplishment.

For example, you can use a calendar to mark deadlines and a mind map to visualise the interconnected tasks. This can help you understand the overall picture and prioritise.

• Create a workspace that minimises distractions and promotes focus. Consider using noise-cancelling headphones or incorporating sensory elements to enhance comfort.
• Allow breaks and flexibility to accommodate energy levels and focus fluctuations. Be kind to yourself and avoid self-criticism.
• Establish a consistent morning routine to jumpstart the day and create structure.
• Allocate specific time blocks for different tasks, helping to maintain focus and avoid distractions. Implement a reward system to motivate yourself and celebrate accomplishments.
• Discuss your challenges with clients, editors, or colleagues to seek understanding and flexibility.
• Consider working with a therapist or coach specialising in neurodivergence to develop personalised coping strategies. Connect with other neurodivergent freelances to share experiences and advice.

Remember: it is essential to experiment with different strategies to find what works best for you. Be patient with yourself and celebrate small victories.

© Mariam Elsayeh

• An earlier version of this article referred to the interesting concept of a "near-divergent" person. We fear we failed in checking the output of an 'AI' (transcription device).

London Freelance Branch training