If Media Ltd

It’s a great feeling when you’re queuing for the checkout at Waitrose and see a lovely story about one of your PR clients splashed across the front page.

Even better when you realise other positive stories you’ve submitted about said charity are also on pages 6 and 25 of the same newspaper. Then the next morning, they are interviewed live for 10 minutes on BBC local radio.

Thanks to The Moorlander and BBC Radio Devon for giving Westbank Community Health & Care these opportunities this week to showcase the fantastic work they do to support the health and wellbeing of people of all ages across the county.

Well, well, well... I seem to be on an award-winning roll!

I'm delighted to say that If... Media has been named 'Communications Agency of the Year' in the Prestige Awards South West England 2023/24, and I was invited to a photo shoot in Bristol to celebrate my win, which came hot on the heels of success in the

It's wonderful to receive recognition in my second career, and as I head into my sixties! So, in the spirit of acceptance speeches, I'd like to dedicate this to all the mature women in business who feel 'invisible' or overlooked in their career despite doing magnificent work. Here's to being

It’s great to learn something new and be pushed out of your comfort zone once in a while, as I was when I did this painting course with landscape artist at Newlyn School of Art in Cornwall. A lovely bunch of talented women too!

You can read all about it in the latest issue of Coast Magazine

I stayed at Chapel House in Penzance, a stylish B&B where my bathroom had views of the church tower and I could roll back the window to bathe ‘en plein air’! Even snuck in a dip at Jubilee Pool lido and geothermal pool which was just down the road.

I’m know I’m lucky to get to do this kind of thing under the guise of work!

I have some exciting and unexpected news to share... another award!

Following If... Media's success in last year's , run by SME News, I have once again been chosen as a winner - personally named PR Professional of the Year in 2024.

It's quite the accolade given the many accomplished freelance professionals out there!

Thank you to the judges for their lovely vote of recognition.

https://www.sme-news.co.uk/winners/if-media-ltd-2/

The next chapter for a fascinating local library and educational charity. I enjoyed going behind the scenes to find out how a 3-year makeover project is coming along.

You can read my full article in the August issue of

A brilliant 10 days of island life visiting the Shetland and Orkney isles on a new small group walking tour with Wilderness Scotland for Coast Magazine

Here are a few photos of my personal highlights. You’ll be able to find out why when I get home and write up the feature…

If, like me, you’re a fan of the TV series Shetland, you may recognise a few familiar haunts.

It was great to get out to sea with the Dutch Navy yesterday and a great team I haven’t had the pleasure of working with for quite a while…

Worth the hideously early alarm call at 4.40 am to get our transfer boat from Devonport naval base to the frigate HNLMS Van Amstel and sail with her from Plymouth Sound. Why were we onboard? Delivering media training to the Commander and his crew to help them showcase the work they do and the operations they are involved in around the world.

I’ve been doing this as a freelancer for for 8+ years now and we really lucked out this time with sunshine, the calmest of seas and fantastic Indonesian food cooked up for lunch by the crew’s smiley onboard chef Pieter and his team.

Great to be reunited with cameraman Til Mustafa, radio journo Ronnie Jones and Lt Cdr Ben Sohn.

I've been working with CPRE Devon for six years now to raise their profile as a local and awareness of the work they do to protect Devon's from unwanted development and campaign for more affordable, sustainable housing.

Over the years I've worked with several other South West branches of the national charity, including , , and .

Going through some old files today, I came across this I presented for Cpre Wiltshire in 2018 outlining the issues they care about. If any of them resonate with you, would you consider joining your county branch of the charity? They need your support to make things happen.

CPRE Wiltshire Promo A quick introduction to the Wiltshire branch of the Campaign to Protect Rural England

In the days running up to International Women’s Day 2024, I’ve had the pleasure of working with three inspiring women, who have each triumphed over some sort of adversity.

On Tuesday morning , I filmed divorce coach Sally Jackson who embarked on her new career path following the break up of her own marriage. In the afternoon, I chatted to Devon County Show Secretary whose story you can read about in the May issue of Devon Life Magazine

And yesterday, I had a one-to-one media training session with ‘badass branding’ expert and ultimate come-back girl of

Thank you, ladies, for you positivity and willingness to share your stories.

I feel so lucky to be able to call this work! Out and about on Dartmoor today filming in the spring sunshine (mostly) for Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust

The sheep and ponies were just so exuberant. You can’t help but have a smile on your face. Plus, stunning views and a delicious fireside Dahl in my favourite Dartmoor hangout Cafe On The Green

A year of her life in exquisite small paintings… having watched this very personal project evolve throughout 2023, it was wonderful to see it all come together and so many people at last night’s private view of Kath Hadden Art solo exhibition . I‘ll be returning when I have more time to take in all 365 canvasses.

Look out for my feature about Kath in a future issue of Coast Magazine

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There’s so much to love about Britain’s shores. My latest features for Coast Magazine saw me dipping into some of our stunning seaside lidos and discovering two of Dorset’s delightful coastal communities.

You can read both articles in the February issue.

A great start to the new year. Thanks to ITV Westcountry for reporting the latest positive developments in the campaign by Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust to get more Mouths on the Moor.

« DartmoorPonies

Report finds Dartmoor ponies play 'invaluable' role in protecting environment | ITV News An Independent Review Panel has found there needs to be 'radical' changes in the way Dartmoor is managed. | ITV News West Country

It’s a privilege to work with a caring organisation like Westbank Community Health & Care that does so much to help keep people of all ages across Devon healthier, happier and able to enjoy their independence for as long as possible.

This was the charity’s Christmas lunch for members of the local community, kindly hosted by The Royal Oak in Exminster as part of the pub’s commitment to Westbank in 2022-23 as its chosen Charity of the Year.

I went along to capture photos of the event and chat to some of the charity’s clients and volunteers during their lunch. All part of telling the story of the charity’s fantastic work.

Thanks to The Telegraph's Environmental Editor for including my client Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust in her report about the row over grazing on .

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/environment/2023/11/22/is-sheep-farming-finished-on-dartmoor/

A sure fire way to get in the Christmas spirit! Join for Carols in the Cathedral in December. Tickets are selling fast!

Not long left until our Carol Concerts and tickets are selling fast! Go to https://www.exeterphilharmonic.org.uk/dbpage.php?pg=visit to buy yours now!
Once again, EPC will continue its proud tradition of raising funds for a local charity. This year’s chosen charity is Refugee Support Devon and we hope that you will feel happy to donate any spare cash you have at the end of the concert.

I feel very fortunate that I’ve been able to make my love of travel and exploration part of my ever-evolving portfolio career!

Over the summer I was invited to visit three beautiful counties in south-east Ireland for Coast Magazine

The highlight was undoubtedly a day trip to the stunning Saltee Islands where we got up close with puffins, gannets and razorbills.

My 7-page feature, including some of my favourite photos and one of me with the puffins, has now been published in the December issue of the magazine - on sale now!

I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed researching and writing it. Thanks to Celtic Routes for the invitation to travel to such a gorgeous part of the UK.

Fashion can be fabulous without trashing the planet!

I loved meeting and photographing Laura whose gorgeous boutique in Crediton sells handcrafted clothes and accessories made from sustainable and reclaimed materials. A great place to shop for eco Christmas gifts!

Read more about in my latest article for - out now!

The new Community Cookery School at Westbank Community Health & Care is now open! Read on to find out more about this charitable initiative to teach people how to prepare nutritious, affordable meals while, hopefully, having fun and making new connections.

My charity client Westbank Community Health & Care is full of amazing people like Anne, whose years of caring and supporting others in their caring role were recognised with a award last week. Very well deserved.

Winning this was a bit of a surprise! A nice one. I rather like my new title.

It's official now I've received my trophy and the article about me has been published
https://www.sme-news.co.uk/issues/uk-enterprise-awards-2023/151/

My latest article for Coast Magazine took me to Hampshire to explore the (almost) island of Hayling, a mecca for water sports enthusiasts with conditions to rival those of Mauritius! It’s also where windsurfing was invented. Who knew?

Before the Community Cookery School at Westbank officially opens to offer free workshops to local people, members of the team have been putting the kitchen to the test in a series of fun challenges.

The new facility will teach people how to cook nutritious meals from scratch on a budget.

It’s been fun working with the team at Westbank Community Health & Care on their new initiative that willl be launching soon.

Do you know a local business or individual who could support the final push?

Thanks to Exeter Chamber of Commerce for giving it a shout out. Read about what’s needed here.

What’s cooking at Westbank? Devon health and wellbeing charity seeks support and sponsors for new community teaching kitchen – Exeter Chamber A Devon-wide health and wellbeing charity, based near Exeter, is seeking support from businesses and volunteers in the ‘final push’ for a new venture that will offer free workshops to teach people of all ages how to prepare nutritious meals from scratch with simple, affordable ingredients – at...

Pictures are often more powerful than words, and this interactive art installation by Devon-based animator Leo Jamelli will show how we are suffocating our cities through air pollution.

Catch it if you can in Bristol this October.

'Suffocating City' art installation - Breaktime News Raising awareness about air pollution