Journalism Graduate shortlisted for Headline Mental Health Media Award.

Siobhán Brosnan secured a place on the Learning Waves Journalism Graduate Programme in September 2024.  Siobhán is taking part in the 5 month programme in Radio Kerry.  During the 5 months, Siobhán along with nine other graduates on the programme will take part in a tailored training programme organised by Learning Waves Skillnet while the graduates are on placement.

Siobhán is a student of the Kerry College digital journalism, podcasting and radio course in association with Radio Kerry. She has made this feature about the prison writing competition organised by Listowel Writers’ Week which was started by the late Brendan Kennelly in 1979. She speaks to arts officer with the Prison Service, Tom Shortt, with Martin Dyar who was the curator of the 2024 Writers’ Week Festival, and to former prisoner Pat Sheehy whose life was transformed by the competition.

Established over a decade ago and relaunched in 2019, Headline’s Mental Health Media Awards recognise excellence in media coverage of mental health issues. They reflect the challenges, lived experience and realities of people living with mental ill health.  The Awards recognise excellence in media coverage of mental health issues, celebrating those whose work brings to light challenging stories of mental ill health. With 10 categories, the Awards highlight work from all media platforms across local and national media.  The focus is on stories, topics or issues in, about or related to mental ill health. Special categories have been added to recognise the decision makers behind the scenes who facilitate and encourage impactful, inclusive and informed stories.

The ceremony will take place on 4th December 2024 and we wish Siobhán the best of luck on the day.