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Sports Freelancer Collective: FAQs, info, guide

WHAT IS THE SPORTS FREELANCER COLLECTIVE?

We are a coalition of major sports journalism associations – the SJA, the Football Writers’ Association, BCOMS, Sports Media LGBT+, Lawn Tennis Writers, Rugby Writers, British Athletic Writers, Cricket Writers’ Club, British Basketball Writers, Association of Golf Writers and the British Press Photographers’ Association. This page is shared by the SJA and the FWA.

WHO DO WE REPRESENT?

Self-employed and freelance writers, broadcasters and photographers who have suddenly found themselves with no income as a result of the coronavirus crisis.

WHAT ARE OUR AIMS?

To put pressure on the government to assist self-employed and freelance writers, photographers and broadcasters and to set up an emergency fund for those who need it most.

HOW TO JOIN

Philippe Auclair of the Football Writers’ Association is co-ordinating a mailing list so please email him on philippe.auclair.fwa@gmail.com

FACEBOOK

We have set up an open group and invite freelances to join us  either via the Sports Journalists’ Association page or at https://www.facebook.com/groups/495051321162204

LATEST NEWS

This is changing all the time. Please just keep looking at the SJA site (sportsjournalists.co.uk), the FWA site (footballwriters.co.uk), the Facebook group and our Twitter (@sportsja) (@theofficialFWA) for the very latest. We

FEELING ANXIOUS

Sports psychotherapist Gary Bloom is happy to speak to anyone via @bloomers57 or emailing info@sportsjournalists.co.uk. His tips can be found HERE too.

LEGAL ADVICE

Employment lawyer Safwan Afridi of Radcliffes LeBrasseur has very kindly, and very generously, volunteered to help those of you who may have questions about employment law free of charge. To do so, get in touch with him at Safwan.Afridi@rlb-law.com.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

There may be some small grants available at the Journalists’ Charity and the Authors’ Guild

The British Association of Journalists offer hardship grants to members. 

A mortgage broker has very kindly proposed his services to elucidate any questions those of us who have a mortgage would like to ask. Queries to philippe.auclair.fwa@gmail.com

NUJ

The National Union of Journalists has joined calls for Chancellor Rishi Sunak to put in place a specific support package for the self-employed. About a third (8,000) of National Union of Journalists members are freelance. 

Please send an email to freelanceoffice@nuj.org.uk and let them know what’s happening to you.

The union also has a help page HERE

SIGN THE PETITION

The government should implement an immediate Universal Basic Income trial for all UK residents to ensure home and food security through the coronavirus Covid-19 crisis, to support the needs of those that need to self-isolate as well as the public health at large, and the wider economy.

https://petition.parliament.uk/petitions/302284

 IPSE

Independent Association for Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed:  

CONTACTS

Philippe Auclair philippe.auclair.fwa@gmail.com

SJA contact address: info@sportsjournalists.co.uk