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
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
- https://www.ipse.co.uk/ipse-news/news-listing/coronavirus-ipse-activity-and-advice-freelancers.html#Government%20support
- All details are outlined here: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus
- And this is a useful article: https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/mar/20/self-employed-coronavirus-crisis-sick-pay-redundancy-benefits
CONTACTS
Philippe Auclair philippe.auclair.fwa@gmail.com
SJA contact address: info@sportsjournalists.co.uk