Parents at Harpurhey Surestart are keen to get involved as reporters. We’ve arranged an intro event there on Thursday 4th May from 9.30 til 12, for people to find out how to become a reporter and have a play with some of the equipment. The Expressive Arts Group and Moston Young Women’s Group have said they want to take part, and we’re hoping to work with the Dads’ Group and any other parents who want to join us!

We’re playing around with different ‘themes’, which give the site different colours and change some of the layout. As soon as we’ve settled on one we’ll stop messing about like this! In the meantime we hope you enjoy the variety.

We went along to Cheetham Jobs Fair yesterday and were blown away by the interest in MCR. Over 25 people put their name down for the MCR intro course. It will take place at the end of April or May, in a Cheetham venue yet to be decided. If you are one of those who put your name down we’ll be in touch soon with full details.

We’re delighted to announce that the team behind North Manchester’s newsletter have joined MCR and will be turning their paper newsletter into a podcast!

What’s a podcast? Simply, a sound file that you can download and listen to when you want, on your computer or on a portable player such as an iPod. You can subscribe to podcasts like you might do to a magazine, so that the next edition is automatically sent to your computer.

The Northwards podcast will be a 15-20 minute sound version of the newsletter - articles will be remade using audio, for examples interviews and sound effects.

The podcast will appear on this site - deadline Friday 7th April.

We’re looking for people in North Manchester to produce reports that will appear on local websites.

It can be serious stories where you want to give your side, or just fun stuff that you want to tell the world about.

We offer free training and can lend you equipment - or you might have your own, if only a mobile phone!

You don’t need any experience - just ideas and the enthusiasm to learn.

Call Gary, Graeme or Jane on 0161 203 4422 for a friendly chat and to find out more, or email gary@mcin.net

Manchester Community Reporters (MCRs) cover the area they live in and people they know.

Their reports feature on local websites, their own personal websites and potentially on other local media like the BBC. Reports can be in the form or words, pictures, sound and video.

MCRs learn how to use new technology such as mp3 recorders and digital cameras - or just mobile phones! The use new web tools to publish their work, such as:

• blogs - easy to create personal web pages or diaries

• podcasts - sound files that you can download and listen to when you want, on your computer or portable player

This site will feature the best of the MCRs’ work, with links to each reporter’s personal blog. It will give the background to the project and latest news.