by John Baron
Your West Leeds Dispatch is joining independent news providers across the UK to mark the second annual Indie News Week – and we would love YOU to join us at two events we’re holding this week.
Independent news outlets like WLD – reporting for the community without rich backers – are under threat of closure, turning British towns into news deserts. The audiences they serve know less, understand less, and can do less.
Indie News Week is organised by the Public Interest News Foundation (PINF) and is returning to help champion the independent local news sector, comprising hundreds of small but dedicated publications around the UK just like us.
While we are all unique publications, what unites us is our motivation to provide a proper local news service for the communities we serve, on a not-for-profit basis.
WLD, which last month celebrated a decade of providing community news, is holding two events which you are very welcome to attend.
Community quiz night
Join us at a community quiz night at Truly Scrummy on Horsforth Town Street tomorrow (Tuesday, 10 May 2025) at 7pm for a 7.30pm quiz start.
Quizmistress Jill Stocks will be hosting the evening, entry is free and all quizzers are welcome to enjoy the social occasion. But be warned the questions can be a little tough!
Soft drinks and alcoholic beverages will be available and snacks. And the team will be there to answer any questions about who we are and what we do.
Community mapping at open newsroom
And on Thursday (12 June 2025) from 4pm to 7pm we’ll be throwing open the doors of our community newsroom at Bramley Lawn Social Centre, off Rossefield Lawn, Bramley where you can meet the WLD team and find out more about us over a friendly cuppa and some cake.
We’re also running a community mapping exercise, which will see us mapping community venues, groups and activities for each of the seven council wards we cover.
We are aiming to put together interactive maps to act as community guides to what’s on in the area to run alongside our existing what’s on section.
We’d love to tap into your knowledge of the area to help us put the maps together, so please do come along and help us map where you live!
Your Dispatch
WLD is a community-led media organisation. We have a board of six volunteers who are all local people, and a team of community reporters who volunteer their time to report what’s happening in their local communities. They’re led by myself, editor John Baron, and supported by worker Jean Hollings.
Our aim is to connect people to what’s going on in their communities, connect people to local community groups and activities, encourage people to become more active in their communities and hold those in power to account. We aim to give people a voice which might not normally be heard in mainstream media.
Local people deserve reliable information that speaks to them, for them and with
them. They need news providers that live in their communities and walk alongside
them, that speak truth to power, celebrate local heroes and shine a light on local
issues.
Across the country, a dedicated movement of independent journalists is holding
power to account, strengthening pride in place and supporting people to take part in
their communities.
But more than ever, local news outlets need our support. They are fighting to keep
local news alive.
Please do join us at one of our events.
If our coverage has helped you understand our community a little bit better, please consider supporting us with a monthly donation here. One-off donations or standing orders are also welcome – e-mail us on accounts@westleedsdispatch.com.
Sponsored content
