The media startup sought to improve diversity in UK news by making work experience more affordable for students. But industry resistance, personal circumstances and funding issues proved insurmountable
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PressPad launched in 2018 with an innovative solution to one of the problems that make the UK media less diverse: students cannot afford to do work placement in London because of high rent and cost of living in the capital.
The company found a way to offset this through host mentorships - a system where students could lodge in the spare bedroom of a nearby media professional for the duration of their placement or internship.
75 interns who would otherwise be priced out of work experience opportunities have benefited from PressPad’s services.
However, the pandemic, the personal circumstances of the founder and the news industry not being quite ready for this unorthodox solution meant that PressPad closed down this month.
In this week's podcast, we speak with the founder Olivia Crellin about the challenges of starting a company, the rocky road to sustainability, and the double-edged sword of being a trailblazer.
🚪 We are closing our doors... for now! 🚪We are so proud of what PressPad has achieved. 💌 if you're keen to help continue PressPad's mission, we would love to hear from you! #journalism #journotwitter pic.twitter.com/7fhwlQ6mds— PressPad (@PressPadUK) April 3, 2024
🚪 We are closing our doors... for now! 🚪We are so proud of what PressPad has achieved. 💌 if you're keen to help continue PressPad's mission, we would love to hear from you! #journalism #journotwitter pic.twitter.com/7fhwlQ6mds
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