Initially, I had several ideas for the first assignment of this assignment, however I came to a dead end for the majority of them. At first I was thinking about writing about the Leeds international film festival but found it to be a bit too promotional rather than journalistic. I then planned to write about the Switch On event in Leeds, for when the Christmas lights were to be switched on, but found the same problem there.
Eventually I decided on writing about an event that I had attended in October. The event had been held at my student accommodation and was called “Meet a guide dog”. The event is exactly what it sounds like; you get the chance to meet and pet guide dogs. I remember, even at the actual event, that I though it was a great initiative, and also a bit different. Perfect for an article idea!
I knew I was going to have access to several kinds of primary sources, both from the student accommodation organisation and also from the organisation that was responsible for the guide dogs. Not only that, I also knew I would be able to get quotes from the students attending.
I will attempt to contact the following primary sources:
Rebecca O’Hare – Resident life manager at Campus living Villages
Contact details: Rebecca.O’hare@clvuk.com
Background: The event organiser
Interview questions:
How/why did it the initiative start?
How long have you been doing this?
Which organizations are you working with?
How is it beneficial for you to invite these dogs?
What do you think it means for the people that meet these dogs?
What are the most common reactions that you get?
Katie Young – Customer Service Officer at Campus Living Villages UK
Contact details: Katie.young@clvuk.com
Background info: Event organiser at the actual accomodation
Interview questions:
How many attended the event
How much did you collect?
How did it start?
Guide dogs UK
Contact details: guidedogs@guidedogs.org.uk
Background info: Guide dogs UK is the world’s largest breeder and trainer of working dogs, ever since the beginning of 2016 the organisation has been cooperating with Campus Living Villages as a way to spread awareness of the organisation and to attend events arranged for the students living in the accommodations in the UK.
Interview questions:
Can you please tell me about your organisation?
How important are these kinds of events for you as an organisation?
How big part of the general funding, does these kinds of events contribute to?
Why do you think people enjoy going to these events so much?
What is the most common comment that you receive from people attending these events?
How does the life of a guide dog look like?
How important are guide dogs to its owners?
Can you please give an example of how a guide dog might affect someone’s life?
Student from the event – Annika Baltes
Contact details: Facebook profile
Background info: Erasmus student from Germany, had been in Leeds for 2 months at the time for the event.
Interview questions:
Why did you go to the event?
What did you expect from the event before you went?
Afterwards, did you your experience meet your expectations?
How did you experience the event?
Why do you think so many people went?
Background of the story:
The student accommodation provider Campus living villages, active in Australia, New Zealand, United States and United kingdom initiated a collaboration with Guide dogs UK , the world’s largest breeder and trainer of working dogs, in the beginning of 2016. The initiative entails students to get the chance to meet the guide dogs that are currently working, or have been working for the organisation. The event is also a charity event and has gotten a widely positive response. So far, they have managed to gain £ 1 800 from donations, heading for the goal of £ 2 500 in the beginning of 2018.
Kjellin journalism 