New journalism project for East London residents interested in the 2012 Olympics

A new seven week course has eight places for aspiring adult journalists who live, work, study or receive services in the London Boroughs of Hackney and Waltham Forest.

Those taking part have the opportunity to develop their ideas into stories, explore how the Olympic and Paralympic Games impacts on their life and your community*, and have their work published in a one-off newspaper.

Stories may also appear on the BBC London website.

There are eight places on each course. The Hackney course is located at the Hackney Museum, while the Waltham Forest course is located at the Vestry House Museum.

The programme, funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund and local museums and archives, is delivered by Words of Colour Productions.

Successful applicants can expect to develop basic journalism skills in news, but particularly feature writing, one-to-one tutorials, a certificate of completion and the opportunity to conduct interviews.

The Hackney course will take place one day a week on Saturdays, from Saturday 10th September 2011 to Saturday 22nd October 2011, from 10am to 4pm, including an assignment break.

The Waltham Forest course will take place one day a week on Tuesdays, from Tuesday 20th September 2011 to Tuesday 1st November 2011 from 10am to 4pm,including an assignment break.

All those taking part must be 18 and over, have a keen interest in the 2012 Olympic Games and its development, and cannot be an experienced or trained journalist.

Further information, including application details, is available about the Hackney course or the Waltham Forest course.

Hyacinth Myers, a participant in the Mapping the Change Journalism Programme 2010, says: "This is one of the best courses I have done to date. The course content was concise, but covered the areas of a much longer course.

"Apart from being really enjoyable and teaching me new skills, it also boosted my confidence in being able to write in various formats."

*For instance, a big television that blares out at people in Walthamstow town centre.