I’m a 26-year-old northerner living in London and working in my first role in journalism. I’m a bit behind because of an anxiety disorder that rendered me unable to work for a couple of years. But I’m here now – and the Guardian is my go-to source to keep me well informed. It gives me a benchmark to work towards professionally. One day I know I will be as good as my favourite Guardian writers.
I started reading the Guardian when I was a student at university – quite late, but I didn’t really grow up being encouraged to read the news. Now, I’m never off the website.
In my spare time I play harmonica. If there’s one fault I could pick with the Guardian it’s that there isn’t a blues music section, but I appreciate that my interest is pretty niche.
I love the Guardian for its commonsense stance on politics, its top-notch calibre of journalists and its industry-leading coverage of climate change. I feel personally affiliated to it, too. Not only have I written a couple of pieces for it, but I’ve attended some masterclasses.
The most memorable moment I shared with the paper was right after the Charlie Hebdo attacks last year, when I attended a Guardian Live event celebrating freedom of speech.
Owen Jones, Hadley Freeman and George Monbiot are all personal favourites of mine. And, while it lasted, Frankie Boyle’s column was the best thing in my life.
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