Ability Today student in Paris to report on 2024 Paralympic Games

A student who is working towards the NCTJ diploma on a course for disabled journalists is in Paris to report on the 2024 Paralympic Games.

Lauren Lethbridge completed the Certificate in Foundation Journalism with Ability Today before starting the diploma programme last year.

Lauren will publish a regular column throughout the Paris 2024 Paralympic Games, which are taking place between 28 August and 8 September.

She has a background in British Gymnastics as a retired women’s artistic gymnast and former British Champion.

Lauren describes the column as being “by disabled people, about disabled sport and for everyone” and promises to bring “the latest results, athlete stories and behind-the-scenes insights.”

The column will feature contributions from her fellow Ability Today students, Victoria Scholes, and Harry Smith, who will report from London.

Before jetting off to Paris, Lauren hosted a podcast episode in which the trio of reporters discuss how they are preparing for the task.

Lauren said: “It’s going to be very exciting, and it’s obviously a bit daunting as well, but we are going to do the absolute best job we can do, and we’re going to see some absolutely incredible feats and achievements. It’s going to be really exciting.

“One of my biggest hopes is that whatever attention and momentum is generated from the Games is carried forward, so we don’t see para-sport and disability sport fall off a cliff edge in terms of interest and that we start to see some more consistent coverage in the years between each Games.”

Speaking about her experience of studying with Ability Today, Lauren said: “It’s been an amazingly transformative experience for me. It came at exactly the right time, I was at a bit of a low point, and I think it’s opened up so many doors and also a whole community of people. It’s been amazing.”

Grant Logan, founder of Ability Today, said: “We are immensely proud of Lauren and thrilled to see her embark on this remarkable journey to the Paris 2024 Paralympics.

“Her achievements exemplify the spirit of determination and excellence that we aim to foster in our students.”

The NCTJ has partnered with social enterprise Ability Today since 2020 to offer accessible journalism courses to aspiring journalists with disabilities and longstanding health conditions.

Ability Today delivers introductory journalism courses for students to achieve the Level 3 Certificate in Foundation Journalism, as well as courses for students to achieve the entry-level and industry-standard diploma qualification.

Students enrolled on the courses study remotely via the NCTJ’s Journalism Skills Academy platform and through interactive online video classes.