Cube journalists become all access sports reporters at the Aviva European Trials

Cube journalists Sarah Kabar and Megan McCart became official sports reporters at the Aviva European Trials & UK Championships at the Institute of Sport in Sheffield in Feb 09, producing an impressive video report that can be viewed here. Thanks to Radiowaves' fantastic Supporter to Reporter (S2R) initiative both enjoyed an exciting opportunity to hone their great journalism and photojouralism skills and learn loads of new ones in the realm of sports journalism...and they got an exclusive with world champion sprinter Dwaine Chambers! Sarah "I really enjoyed interviewing the athletes, especially Akeem Ogunyemi, whom I found to be a really inspirational and humble person".

Watch the short video here and see how fantastic they did.

Acknowledgement for Cube's long-term volunteers

In April 2009 Megan McCart and Sarah Kabar were recognised for their dedication to the Cube project via a Voluntary & Community Award as part of the 2009 Sheffield Celebration of Success Event. Both started out as young journalists on work experience both continued to work on the project following the completion of their time at Cube. Megan has worked in a wide variety of roles of three years now and shows no sign of disappearing!

Young people from Sheffield Young Writers also performed during the event, which was on the theme of 'language and communication' this year.

Acknowledgement for Cube Xtra films

A selection of films and animations made during Cube Xtra media placements received its very own cinema showing during the 2008 Showcomotion Young People’s Film Festival.  Shorts were followed by the feature documentary, British Asian – which explored the heritage and experiences of South Asian people living in the UK.

Groundbreaking work from young people

Over the years young journalists at Cube have tackled a wide range of important issues including racism, homophobia, online gaming addition, performance enhancing drug use in young athletes, personal disabilities, corruption in football, obesity, gun and weapon crime and mental health issues such as Bipolar and Anorexia. 

The CUBE XTRA work experience programme funded by Media Box

In 2007 Cube was awarded funding to pilot Cube Xtra a new strand of work experience placement intended to complement its existing journalistic programme.  The focus of these placements was high-end graphic design for the magazine in print and opportunities in other media areas such as documentary film making and web design.  A professional graphic designer and film maker was brought in to guide and train. Cube Xtra came about due to the innovative work being produced by young people through the magazine and the interest from young people to explore other media areas in more depth.www.media-box.co.uk

High profile support

Not only has Cube had a great response from the young people who make and read the printed magazine, but praise and support from every sector and at every level.  Cube journalists have interviewed sports stars, pop stars, MPs, Lord Mayors, actors, film directors, local bands, authors, poets, comedians, producers, presenters and even journalists.  Danny Boyle, K’naan, Phil Jagielka, Jay Sean, Asher D, Toby Foster, Benjamin Zephaniah, Bali Rai, Ray Alan, Chris Brunt, Jacqueline Wilson, Richard McCourt, Raghav and Brendan Ingles are just some of the big names who’ve given Cube journalists their time.

Industry and educational behind the scenes support

The project has benefited from a huge amount of industry and educational support over the years, in the form of advice, training, insight and ideas from journalists, photographers, musicians, film makers, graphic designers and volunteer media students. Media professionals such as Margaret Burgin from BBC Radio Sheffield and John Dedeoglu have offered invaluable training and inspiration.  The Cafeteria and Leopard Rock Media have supported Cube design in print, given an insight into how design and film studios work and worked with Cube journalists as clients.

Collaborations with Sheffield Young Writers

Cube is pleased to work with and highlight the work of Sheffield Young Writers (SYW) through collaborations with the initiative.  Several issues of Cube have included SYW writing supplements and Cubeweb publishes SYW work and supports the group with their own web area and forum.  Key collaborations include the PhotoFiction and Write Away writing competitions (2006/07/08) and supporting a yearly spoken word event as part of the Sheffield ‘Off the shelf’ Literature Festival.

Cube extending opportunities for young people

Over the last few years Cube has worked to extend media opportunities to young people who are unable to work on a Cube placement directly.  Cube online allows young people a wider platform for accessing, distributing and publishing work and sharing their thoughts and ideas with other young people.  Cube is always keen to highlight media events and opportunities to young people such as competitions and initiatives that might be of interest.

Opportunities through partnerships

Over the last 4 years Cube has built up an extensive network of partners and supporters we can call on to help enrich and further the opportunities we offer individuals and their editorial teams.  Our partners include The Sheffield College, Sheffield Young Writers and the Showroom Cinema. 

Nurturing good partnerships means Cube journalists are invited to work in the real media world through interviewing key speakers at events, reviewing films, taking part in workshops, undergoing industry training, and representing Cube at a range of events throughout the city. 

Support beyond placement

Many young people who have undertaken a work experience placement at Cube continue to support and contribute via email editing, Cubeweb contribution, summer placements, volunteering and attending Cube related events.  Cube sends out work references to potential employers or colleges years after someone has undertaken a work placement and is happy to support however possible those pursuing media careers.

The PhotoFiction writing competition

For the last three years Cube Magazine has collaborated with Sheffield Young Writers to offer interesting and accessible online writing competitions, encouraging 11 to 18 year olds across South Yorkshire and Derbyshire to get writing.  Entries for the competition more than doubled in the second year to an impressive 450 entries.  In addition to prizes, winners were given the opportunity to perform at a young persons spoken word night and had their work published in an issue of Cube Magazine.

The Showcomotion Children and Young People’s Film Festival

For four years, editorial teams have been involved in many aspects of the Showcomotion Young People’s Film Festival and its Visionmix Media Careers Conference - from interviewing high profile speakers and attending workshops to reviewing films and events. Since 2005, Cube has displayed a large-scale photographic exhibition as part of the festival, highlighting creative work produced by Cube editorial teams to wider audiences.

Cube attended an international youth participation project - Hanse Passage

UNICEF UK Young Film Maker Jury

For the past three years Cube representatives have been part of a panel of young people’s groups that make up the NSPCC Film Jury as part of Sheffield’s annual Showcomotion Young People’s Film Festival. All films entered are made by and with young people and include everything from animation to documentary.

A celebration of Cube’s success

The Children & Young People's Directorate Celebration of Success event at the City Hall is an annual occasion that highlights and celebrated the success of education related work by and for Children and Young People across Sheffield.  In 2007 the Cube project was honored for its work with young people outside of a schools context.  Cube journalists were there to receive acknowledgement on behind of the project.

South Yorkshire eLearning Project acknowledgement

As part of the South Yorkshire e-Learning Programme celebration event 2006, a
number of local organisations were recognised for their achievements in
raising the use of ICT in their particular area. SSCLC (Sheffield South City Learning Centre) was recognised for its work with Cube Magazine. The programme supported Cube’s success through providing ICT equipment and web support during 2006. Cube representatives received acknowledgement at the event.