12 January 2015 | Comments
SHG Public Relations Officer, Kimberley Yon-Roberts (photo attached), departed the Island on the RMS yesterday, 11 January 2015, to undertake a six-week programme of work experience attached to UK Government and other Press Offices. Her work placements are funded under the Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s (FCO’s) Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Fund, and Kimberley’s attachments will run from 26 January until 6 March.
In addition to UK Government attachments, Kimberley will also join the communications offices of major UK charity Sustrans, Sussex Police and PR Agency Keene Communications. Kimberley will also undertake professional masterclass training in film editing at Certitec in London.
These placements will equip Kimberley with front line experience of reactive and proactive media work, events management, digital and social media, internal communications, campaigning and lobbying, plus some policy work.
Chief Public Relations Officer, Ian Jones, commented:
“This is all about practical experience in a variety of UK communications settings for a talented Saint. Kimberley’s placements will be very much ‘hands-on’, giving her new skills and allowing her to witness international best-practice in the UK’s capital.
“This will also provide her with important UK contacts going forward and allow her to return to the Island with new skills and improved self-confidence.”
Kimberley added:
“I am eager to begin my six week programme in the UK, which I’m sure will provide me with new knowledge that I can directly apply to my role on St Helena.
“Participating in an emergency exercise in December gave me an insight into the pressure and skills needed to deal with a major incident crisis and I look forward to my placement with Sussex Police which will further enhance my understanding of how crisis communications are handled.
“I would like to thank my colleagues in Public Relations and the FCO in advance for this opportunity and for supporting me in this training.”
Following her attachments, and after a short period of leave in the UK, Kimberley will return to the Island on 6 April 2015.
The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Fund was created as a result of the 2012 Overseas Territories (OT’s) White Paper, which supported in principle and in practical terms the exchange of expertise between public servants in the UK and OTs.
SHG
12 January 2015
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