One metropolis, 32 boroughs and 9 million folks all with a narrative to share.
My London is the positioning that tells these tales, uncovering the problems that matter to communities throughout this numerous and dynamic place.
This yr we’re telling extra of these tales than ever earlier than. The team has doubled in measurement since January and can quickly have 55 journalists protecting each a part of this nice metropolis.
So what are you able to anticipate from us? Brilliant tales, the newest breaking information and investigations alongside sharply written and entertaining life-style, showbiz and what’s on content material.
We have reporters assigned to each borough and wish to hear tales out of your avenue. You can discover out who’s protecting your patch within the reporter profiles beneath.
London is a various place with folks from a variety of backgrounds and totally different views. We are dedicated to uncovering untold tales and investigating under-reported points.
Got a narrative? We wish to hear from you….
Reemul Balla
Reemul is from East London and joined us in January
REEMUL joined the team in January as a trainee reporter. From East London, he studied History and French at Durham University, then did a movie research masters at UCL. He’s additionally written for The Guardian.
Covers Havering, Barking and Dagenham and Redbridge
Highlights up to now “The piece I’m proudest of is that this story on two younger boys from Seven Kings who raised virtually £100,000 to assist with the humanitarian disaster in Yemen by means of making lemonade.
“It showcases a few younger lads and their father doing one thing proactive for one thing they don’t have any private attachment in the direction of however that they wished to lift consciousness of. It was beautiful chatting with the dad and mom and listening to their story.”
You can ship a narrative to Reemul by [email protected]
Whelan Barzey
Whelan lives in West London and joined us in February
WHELAN joined My London in February and has beforehand written for Empire, Time Out London, The BFI, BAFTA and hosted podcasts and interviews for The British Blacklist. He has a journalism diploma from Brunel University in London.
Covers Harrow, Brent and Westminster. He additionally specialises in tradition, neighborhood and “the wonderful folks and areas of London that you just don’t see within the information”.
According to him… “You will not discover a higher defender in West London.”
Highlights up to now “It has been an honour to play an element in telling the tales of so many nice people and their causes in my quick time at My London.
“With that being stated, the story that I’ve the strongest reference to is that this one about three proficient guys from West London and the mission of their platform (Wears My TV) to make it possible for ‘the streets’ are represented and pretty compensated within the vogue trade.
“It represents every thing folks from the place I’m from embody; resourcefulness, resilience and NEVER needing to hunt exterior validation. We play by our personal guidelines!”
You can ship a narrative to Whelan by emailing [email protected]
Rafi Benady
Rafi has lived in London his complete life
RAFI graduated from Goldsmith’s, University of London in 2018 with a level in schooling, tradition, and society.
He interned with the South London Press, and has spent three months protecting all issues Essex, for our sister web site, Essex Live.
As a life-long Londoner, Rafi is eager on reporting on the range, creativity and criminality of the world’s best metropolis.
Covers Bexley, Bromley and Greenwich
Highlights up to now In his first couple of weeks on the team Rafi advised the extraordinary story of Themba Cabeka.
Stowaway Themba needed to have his leg amputated and spent six months in a coma after falling from a jumbo jet because the aircraft landed at Heathrow Airport, having spent 11 hours hidden within the wheel on a flght from South Africa.
You can ship a narrative to Rafi by emailing [email protected]
Ella Bennett
Ella Bennett labored for the Mirror and Star earlier than becoming a member of us
ELLA studied English on the University of Southampton, then accomplished an NCTJ with PA Training. She interned at The Mirror and Daily Star for interval in the summertime of 2020, earlier than becoming a member of My London as a trainee reporter.
Covers Hammersmith and Fulham, the West End and Kensington and Chelsea
Highlights up to now “The work I’m most happy with are the articles addressing sexual harassment girls face in London. I’ve written on this essential matter a number of occasions, equivalent to after I spoke to an awesome begin up that gives girls a spot to report all types of harassment on London transport, or after I spoke to London girls about how they had been feeling after the demise of Sarah Everard.
“These points are one thing I’m very captivated with shining mild on, and hope to proceed doing.”
You can ship a narrative to Ella by emailing [email protected]
Hayley Clarke
Hayley is captivated with tales that shine a light-weight on points affecting youngsters
HAYLEY additionally joined us as a trainee reporter in January after a profession as a main college instructor. She is predicated in North London.
Covers Hackney, Camden and Islington. Hayley is captivated with schooling and shining a light-weight on youngsters’s points.
Highlights “The story I’ve been proudest of writing up to now was this characteristic which provides a deep perception into life for many who lived by means of the Aids epidemic, and the lasting results it has had on the lives of the survivors.
“It was a real privilege to be trusted to inform Chris and Lawrence’s story. It additionally checked out what nonetheless wants to alter when it comes to breaking down the stigma surrounding HIV and Aids, and the adjustments wanted within the struggle for LGBT+ rights, one thing I’m captivated with serving to to alter.”
You can ship a narrative to Hayley by emailing [email protected]
Blathnaid Corless
Blathnaid moved from Kildare, Ireland to London in September 2020
BLATHNAID moved to London from Kildare, Ireland final September after finding out legislation at college. She joined My London in March after finishing her journalism {qualifications} and now lives in Vauxhall.
Covers Croydon, Sutton and Merton
Highlights up to now “The story I’ve been most happy with writing up to now was this piece interviewing native residents in Newham the morning after the homicide of 14-year-old Fares Maatou on April 26.
“Some of them had been in tears after watching the tragic incident unfold, and one of many folks I spoke to was the mom of a boy who went to high school with Fares and who was very frightened for her personal kid’s security following the stabbing which had occurred in broad daylight.”
You can ship a narrative to Blathnaid by emailing [email protected]
Isabella D’Emilio
ISABELLA has labored at Grazia journal and has additionally written for the Metro. She is among the newest members of the team.
Covers Society, actual life, life-style, arts, tradition and information. A North Londoner who may give a taxi driver a run for his cash on The Knowledge, she is interested in uncovering and telling tales about actual lives and folks throughout the town.
Highlights up to now “I’ve actually loved writing about neighborhood points affecting Londoners as they get again to regular life after the pandemic.
“I interviewed the proprietor of a Black hair salon in North West London about Government tips on restricted hair appointments, that made it not possible for Afro hairdressers to hold out sure therapies and kinds like braiding and cornrows that may take as much as six hours.
“It was actually fascinating to know the views of various communities as the town will get again to regular and what that can imply for some companies.”
You can ship a narrative to Issy by emailing [email protected]
Zak Garner-Purkis
Zak is the web site’s first ever chief reporter
ZAK is chief reporter – a job that is new to My London.
He has spent the final three years main investigations at Construction News. Zak’s initiatives embody an undercover slave labour expose with the BBC, a Financial Times report which uncovered a sexual assault scandal and a world investigation into employee deaths on the world’s greatest airport with Architects’ Journal.
Zak was long-listed for the Orwell Prize for Journalism in 2020, extremely counseled on the 2020 British Journalism Awards and a finalist for the 2019 BJAs.
Highlights up to now “The story I’ve been most happy with up to now at My London was this one which gave a voice to college students affected by sexual harassment and abuse.
“The rape tradition allegations concerning the schooling sector, which exploded earlier this yr, have been actually distrurbing and the scenario will solely be improved by means of engagement with college students.
“In this case that did not appear to be taking place. Journalism is at its finest when it permits teams who’ve been silenced the possibility to talk. It’s onerous to consider a clearer instance of this than teenage victims of sexual abuse who really feel let down by the individuals who had been supposed to guard them. ”
You can ship a narrative, tip off or concept for an investigation to Zak by emailing [email protected]
Neha Gohil
Neha, from Ealing, needs to shine a light-weight on under-represented communities
NEHA graduated from the University of Warwick in 2020 with a level in historical past and politics. She has appeared on BBC Radio 5 and BBC Asian Network debating present affairs and was deputy editor of the award-winning pupil newspaper, The Boar. Neha has had bylines in The Financial Times, The Metro and Ealing Times. She lives in Ealing.
Covers Ealing, Hounslow and Hillingdon. As a British-Indian, Neha needs to make sure the media gives a voice for the under-represented.
Highlights up to now “The story I’m most happy with is the characteristic I wrote on Dorothy, a girls’s rights activist from Southall who died on International Women’s Day this yr from most cancers.
“Dorothy overcame unimaginable obstacles and her story is symptomatic of the difficulties confronted by migrant girls throughout the nation.
“She lived with a ‘fixed’ concern of deportation and lived in excessive poverty however was nonetheless in a position to advocate for the rights of ladies within the UK. Her story is extremely transferring and he or she was a privilege to jot down about.”
You can ship a narrative to Neha by emailing [email protected]
Ruby Gregory
Ruby is one in every of My London’s two neighborhood reporters whose function includes writing about under-reported communities in London
RUBY graduated from the University of Leicester in 2019 with a level in Film and Visual Arts. She has labored for The Brixton Blog and Bugle and as a researcher for BBC Radio 4 earlier than becoming a member of the team as a neighborhood reporter.
Covers South London, and numerous communities. Ruby enjoys immersing herself in several cultures and hopes she could be a voice for underrepresented communities.
Highlights up to now “The story I’m most happy with up to now must be my Brixton ’81 piece which requested three folks about their reminiscences of the Brixton Uprising from 40 years in the past.
“It was actually vital to painting these tales precisely how they had been and I liked chatting with a wide range of folks from the realm. I’m actually captivated with telling the tales of social and racial injustice and the interview with Anthony, who skilled his first cease and search aged 12, has stayed with me ever since.”
You can ship a narrative to Ruby by emailing [email protected]
Tom Haynes
TOM graduated from King’s College London in 2018 with a level in English and French, after which he labored as an assistant editor at The Tab UK. He has had bylines in VICE, i-D and The Daily Mirror and joined My London in January 2021.
Covers Bexley, Greenwich and Bromley. Tom can also be eager to inform the tales of the capital’s LGBTQ+ neighborhood.
Highlights up to now “The story I’m most happy with since becoming a member of My London is a narrative about Andy Sarsby, a barber who died of most cancers aged 27, weeks earlier than he was resulting from open his personal barbershop the place he supposed to provide haircutting lessons to the homeless. I went to his inquest initially but it surely was largely involved with the medical intricacies of his most cancers, which wasn’t the total image of the person Andy was.
“Rather than write the story then and there, I spent per week gaining the belief of Andy’s mom and brother and thru their interviews turned the story right into a extra becoming tribute to him and an instance of the type of reporting that I feel makes My London stand out.”
You can ship a narrative to Tom by emailing [email protected]
Anna Highfield
ANNA joined My London in January 2021 after a placement in November. She is predicated within the full of life space of Brick Lane.
Covers Hackney, Camden and Islington.
Highlights up to now “I liked scripting this story, on a avenue artist whose East London mural was lined up inside hours of him portray it, as a result of it was an awesome private perception into native tradition on this space. The article dug beneath the floor of one thing East Londoners will see daily, providing them a deeper perception and understanding into goings-on of their native space.
“My article on the Londoners who’re spending their weekends in dustbins as a result of they cannot go wild swimming can also be one in every of my favourites that I’ve written. This story (primarily based round a small neighborhood who needed to discover alternate options to their wild swimming in lockdown as it’s so essential to their constructive psychological well being) was met with an awesome response from our viewers, who wanted a feel-good story within the depths of lockdown and liked listening to concerning the weird antics of the Beckenham Bobbers.”
You can ship a narrative to Anna by emailing [email protected]
Claire Hubble
Claire is our Engagement Producer
CLAIRE joined the team as engagement producer in January, working throughout My London’s social platforms and newsletters.
She has held employees positions at Hearst Magazines and Press Association earlier than going freelance in 2018 whereas travelling round South East Asia and Australia.
Her work has been revealed by Vice, Refinery 29, HuffPost, Dazed and Cosmopolitan. She lives in Kennington with a ginger kitten and is on the hunt for South London’s finest Bloody Mary.
Highlights up to now Claire’s favorite piece since becoming a member of our team was this opinion piece she wrote on her least favorite a part of London, the place “empty present houses and tasteless luxurious” are reworking one space of the town past recognition.
Got a narrative for our social media channels? If so, electronic mail [email protected]
Seren Hughes
Seren did some freelance work whereas travelling in South Asia previous to becoming a member of us in March
SEREN spent six months on a piece placement with our sister website Surrey Live whereas she educated as a journalist. She then joined My London. In the pre-Covid period she wrote a journey weblog and did some freelance work whereas travelling in South Africa.
Covers Ealing, Hounslow and Hillingdon.
Highlights “One of the items I’m most happy with up to now was this story the place I sat down with a homeless girl to talk about her experiences.
“We see homeless folks on the streets daily and see all of the statistics, however we don’t typically hear their particular person tales. Ashley’s was inspiring and the straightforward message of simply wanting an honest night time’s sleep was actually highly effective.”
You can ship a narrative to Seren by emailing [email protected]
John James
Before becoming a member of My London, John labored at our sister website Kent Live
JOHN graduated from the University of Birmingham in 2018 with a level in English. He accomplished a masters in broadcast journalism at City University in London in 2019 earlier than working as a multimedia reporter for our sister website Kent Live. John joined the My London team in January.
Covers Enfield, Barnet and Haringey.
Highlights up to now On the day pubs reopened John spent the entire day in a Wetherspoons beer backyard, documenting for posterity Londoners returning to their locals. Never afraid to place his abdomen on the road for story, he additionally bravely reviewed a London takeaway with a one-star meals hygiene score.
In phrases of his favorite story up to now, he says: “In March, I spoke to educator Christian Foley, a poet turned instructor who works on the entrance line of London’s youth knife crime epidemic at East London referral items. Christian had a novel perspective on the horrors of knife crime and spoke movingly concerning the causes younger folks carry knives and what must be finished to stop the tragic crimes which can be sadly all too commonplace within the capital.”
You can ship a narrative to John by emailing [email protected]
Ben Kempton
Ben joined us in April and is one in every of our newest members of the team
BEN has joined us in April as a trainee reporter. He graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2019 with a level in journalism.
He labored at Culture Trip as an editorial assistant and journey author for slightly below two years. He’s additionally finished work expertise for The Sunday Time and the Metro.
Having grown up in a small city on the south coast known as Lymington, Ben now lives in Haggerston and needs to be a voice for native communities in North East London. Expect to see him out and about in Hackney, Shoreditch and Dalston – he’s onerous to overlook being 6ft 4 ins tall!
Highlights up to now “I’ve solely simply began however my favorite article up to now has been my style take a look at of steak pies. I like this quirky, enjoyable aspect of My London’s protection and was thrilled to have the ability to become involved with it so quickly after beginning the job.”
You can ship a narrative to Ben by emailing [email protected]
Tim MacFarlan
Tim MacFarlan is a Content Editor for My London
TIM started his profession on the News Shopper in South East London after which moved to Mail Online. He freelanced as a correspondent in Mexico for 18 months and realized Spanish earlier than becoming a member of My London as a content material editor.
Fun reality: He as soon as served Gillian Anderson whereas a gawky teenager working at Waterstones in Bath.
Career spotlight “The story I’m most happy with in my profession was a marketing campaign I initiated calling for justice for the household of a 12-year-old woman who was killed in a nonetheless unsolved hit-and-run in South East London within the run-up to the tenth anniversary of her demise.
“We ran an entire collection of tales together with her household and buddies, and acquired the then Mayor of London Boris Johnson to declare his assist. At My London I actually get pleasure from working with so many younger, proficient and enthusiastic reporters protecting some highly effective tales you will not see elsewhere in a considerate and compelling method.”
You can ship a narrative to Tim by emailing [email protected]
Maddy Mussen
Maddy has beforehand labored at The Tab
MADDY joined My London as a trainee reporter in March 2021. She was assistant editor at The Tab and has written for Vice, The Guardian, The Times and The Sunday Times. Maddy has a level in economics from Coventry University in 2019.
Covers Richmond, Kingston and Wandsworth plus life-style, tendencies and something strange about London.
Highlights up to now “One of essentially the most pleasant items I’ve been in a position to work on throughout my time at My London is this primary particular person piece about my expertise on the app Nextdoor, the place I attempted to discover a match boy I noticed on a neighbouring street.
This unintentionally resulted in me turning into low stage well-known in my London borough and drawn right into a mural of the native space. The story was totally coincidental (with the assistance of many cans of G&T) however made for an awesome piece. I suppose generally you do not make the information, you’re the information!!”
Confession “I’m obsessive about the Tube in an arguably unhealthy method.”
You can ship a narrative to Maddy by emailing [email protected]
Maria Okanrende
Maria joined the My London team in March
MARIA is an apprentice journalist and presenter and joined My London in March 2021.
After graduating from Goldsmiths, University of London with a level in English literature, she went on to intern on the BBC, earlier than working as a manufacturing assistant at Capital Xtra (podcasts).
She spent seven years co-hosting the morning present at Beat FM and has since gone on to work with MTV in addition to many different manufacturers as a presenter and influencer.
Maria lives in London and is of Nigerian descent. She continues to attempt for equal alternatives within the media trade and report on the kinds of tales which can be consultant of a various viewers.
You can ship a narrative to Maria by emailing [email protected]
Jamie Phillips
Jamie is our crime and courtroom reporter
JAMIE, 25, graduated from the University of Brighton earlier than beginning a trainee function at our sister website Surrey Live in October 2018. He turned a senior reporter in July 2020 earlier than becoming a member of My London in March.
He is a #30ToWatch younger journalist and up to date NCTJ Trainee News Journalism Award winner.
Covers Jamie is the positioning’s first ever devoted courtroom and crime reporter.
Highlights up to now “A narrative I’m significantly happy with writing is that this investigation into the rising prevalence of zombie knives in London.
Zombie knives have been linked to a variety of ugly and brutal stabbings throughout the town in recent times and tackling their use is a precedence for police. However, figures present that their use has really risen tenfold in simply 4 years.
Knife crime continues to impression 1000’s of lives throughout London and a significant a part of my function is uncovering and highlighting these points.”
You can discover Jamie on Twitter – @jphillips_sj – and Facebook – @jphillipsjourno and might ship him a narrative or tip off on a courtroom case you he ought to be protecting by emailing [email protected]
Maia Snow
Maia Snow is a Content Editor for My London
MAIA is a content material editor for My London and beforehand labored as a senior reporter at Leicestershire Live.
She began in journalism at 15, writing a column for the youth web page of her native paper, the Nottingham Post. She freelanced for the title whereas finding out at college.
Career highlights up to now “Not lengthy earlier than turning into a content material editor, I wrote this story for Leicestershire Live, which I used to be very happy with.
“It was a troublesome subject material, however Ben, who was combating a uncommon most cancers for a second time on the age of 33, had such a constructive outlook on life and his scenario, and was so decided to outlive, I could not assist however really feel constructive too, and because of the story, we helped Ben elevate cash for the therapy he wanted, which was very rewarding.
“I’m captivated with protecting actual folks and their exceptional tales, to attempt to do our bit to unfold the phrase and assist in any method we are able to.”
You can ship a narrative to Maia by emailing [email protected]
Dan Wiggins
Dan is among the newest members of the team
DAN has joined My London as a trending reporter. He graduated from the University of Sheffield in 2019 with a BA in historical past and once more in 2020 with an MA in journalism.
He has bylines in Bristol Live and hung out working with Sky News to cowl the 2019 common election.
Based in Hackney, Dan is eager to make use of his platform to share tales from all communities, particularly these traditionally under-represented within the media.
Highlights up to now “I wrote a few 76-year-old man in Muswell Hill who’d been going out attaching notes to automobiles as he was so decided to discover a job.
“It was nice to see his area people come collectively to provide him some assist within the type of a fundraiser and beautiful to see his response.”
You can ship a narrative to Dan by emailing [email protected]
Lucy Williamson
Lucy joined My London in March 2021
LUCY is among the newest members of the team and got here to My London from medical journal The Lancet. She is a University of Exeter psychology graduate, initially from Canterbury in Kent. She lives in Clapham after spending 18 months round Australia and is at the moment finishing journalism coaching.
Covers Lambeth, Lewisham and Southwark.
Highlights up to now “The story I’m most happy with up to now is that this characteristic about consuming issues. It confirmed how the pandemic has induced an inflow of NHS referrals from folks struggling with consuming issues in London.
“It was nice to talk to these affected and perceive how folks might help their family and friends who could also be struggling.”
You can ship a narrative to Lucy by emailing [email protected]
