Stories by Emma

Hi! A couple of things I love:- Bringing my experience to storytelling projects that change attitudes and inspire action.- Helping organisations develop creative, collaborative and ethical approaches to producing content.

I divide my time between writing and producing content; crafting multi-purpose stories; consulting on ethics and story process; and getting stuck into creative storytelling projects.If you're interested in storytelling, creativity and the really weird things people say, there should be something for you in my free monthly newsletter.

For 14+ years I’ve written, produced and commissioned stories and content for NGOs, funders and charities – for national fundraising and advocacy campaigns, films, exhibitions and print and broadcast media. I’ve produced extensively in the UK, internationally and remotely. Before all that I was a writer and editor for magazines.On staff at organisations like Save the Children and Comic Relief, I spent a lot of time exploring the nuances of informed consent, safeguarding and representation. I now advise charities and nonprofits on ethical content gathering and story use.Whatever I'm doing – writing, producing, or consulting – I put the voices and rights of people affected by injustice at the heart of my work; prioritising ethics and collaboration.

I've produced participatory content throughout my career – from magazines and photo campaigns with young people, to child-led films for fundraising and engagement.Examples of recent freelance work:Reviewing and updating informed consent processes, creating ethical photography and storytelling guidelines, embedding safeguarding and contributor-first processes in production, field producing, directing international shoots. Copywriting for marketing and web, longform editorial writing, providing surge capacity on content teams, creating and overseeing short fundraising and engagement films.

"I have worked with Emma on numerous projects over the years and keep coming back to hire her because of her many star qualities. Emma is one of those rare creatives who is genuinely multiskilled. She can produce, interview, write, select imagery, and sniff out the best stories. She works as well in the UK as she does overseas. And she does it all with calm, kindness and professionalism at all times."

• Jess Crombie: Narrative ethics specialist and storytelling consultant

"Emma is one of the most accomplished writers and producers I've worked with. Her creativity, knack for getting to the core challenge of a brief, expert producing skills, sensitivity when interviewing and the way she beautifully crafts a story, make her a rare talent and indispensable team member. She's a brilliant collaborator, has excellent attention to detail and is passionate about ethical storytelling and safeguarding. All in all, Emma's a delight to work with and always produces results beyond expectations."

• Ivy Lahon: Head of Creative Content and Stories, Save the Children UK

Creative and participatory
storytelling

Do you want to bring real-life stories or participatory content into a pitch or creative idea? I can:- Help with creative ideation, copy and scripts
- Advise on feasibility and authenticity
- Help you surface voices and incorporate people’s experiences responsibly and creatively.

Do you want to bring an event, a campaign or a theme of your work to life through stories about staff, volunteers or the people you work with? I can help you:- Explore film, photo, copy and broader creative approaches
- Find the best single story or create an ensemble collection
- Produce a bespoke digital and/or out-of-home storytelling solution
- Boost engagement with your cause, and ensure longevity and flex after the initial big splash.

Story management, strategy and consent

Do you worry that your major donors and partners feel disconnected from the work they support? Do you find their content requirements hard to meet?I can help you find flexible, compelling stories that will keep your partners engaged and excited.

Do your stories feel overused, old-fashioned or a bit generic?I can recommend ways to refresh your approach and celebrate the individual voices that make you unique.Are consent, safeguarding and representation sidelined in your content?I can help you prioritise ethics and upskill teams in processes like interviewing and consent.

Producing, writing and content gathering

I can come in at any point in the production process, including to:- Help you devise an ethical, collaborative or participatory approach- Commission and remote-produce international content- Field-produce your shoot in the UK or internationally

- Sensitively interview children or adults who have experienced trauma- Help you with post-production – spotting the best bits and turning around content- Write beautiful first-person, multi-use case studies, quickly- Write your newsletter or digital copy- Bring your impact to life through editorial writing, editing or ghostwriting.

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My words and stories have appeared in print and broadcast media, including the BBC, The Sunday Times Magazine, the Daily Mail, Telegraph and Vogue Online. And in high-profile engagement and fundraising campaigns. I've produced content on four continents.In everything I do, I try to centre the voices and rights of people affected by injustice and those addressing it through activism, creativity and community action. I can’t host a portfolio here for rights and consent reasons, but here are some examples:

I've worked with child activists against female genital mutilation in Ethiopia; families affected by malnutrition in Kenya; young people improving care in the UK; and teenage feminists in Peru. With people displaced by conflict in Jordan, South Sudan, Rwanda and England. With mental health campaigners and volunteers addressing the cost of living crisis in the UK; child marriage activists in India; and people addressing climate change and access to education from Bangladesh to the Philippines.These lists are not exhaustive. Please get in touch for a detailed CV/portfolio.

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