Guardian joins forces with Leeds Trinity University on new local project

Guardian News and Media (GNM) is teaming up with the Centre for Journalism at Leeds Trinity University College to launch a new project as part of its Guardian Local Network.

The Leeds Community News Hub will be housed by the University and will bring local community groups, members of the public and organisations together with journalists to discuss how they can participate in the local news agenda.

The hub will also be used by journalism students at Leeds Trinity to learn about new storytelling techniques from experienced journalists, a press release from the university says.

The new centre will open on 17 November with a talk from GNM's head of digital engagement Meg Pickard, who will discuss the Guardian's approach to social media and participation in its journalism. A series of speakers and weekly drop-in sessions are also in the pipeline, including a talk from Paul Lewis, special projects editor for the Guardian, on 24 November about his work on the Leeds cutswatch project.

The hub will be supported by the Guardian's Leeds website, which was launched in February as the first of three local news and information blogs. The site, run by beatblogger John Baron, features tools and widgets from third-party sites including mySociety.org and according to figures from the Guardian attracted 33,188 unique users in September.

"To be part of this project at its inception is great news for the Guardian Leeds blog, and for the Guardian Local project as a whole. We are very much looking forward to working with a wide cross-section of local organisations from across the city, and helping to establish the hub as a key part of the Leeds community," says Sarah Hartley, Guardian Local editor, in the release.

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