The Book Trade Charity has launched its first subsidised accommodation for new entrants to the book trade in the Bookbinders Charity housing complex in Whetstone N20.
The six flats, three one-bed and three offering two bedsits per flat with shared kitchen and bathroom, will be available for a period of 6-12 months, to people who are earning less than £25,000 a year, in their first or second jobs or undertaking long paid internships. Further flats are being refurbished and will be made available in the future.
Alongside this the charity is launching a website dedicated to promoting its offer to new entrants to the book trade – www.booktradeentrysupport.org
The Book Trade Charity offers financial support to cover costs of travel, subsistence, accommodation and clothing for attending interviews and travel; also, subsistence, accommodation and general living expenses during paid internships. The scheme is designed to ensure that no one is disadvantaged from entering the book trade due to financial reasons, particularly for those who are based outside of London and the South East.
The new website gives full details of eligibility and how to apply for all the support the charity offers new entrants including the new housing.
David Hicks, CEO of the Book Trade Charity said:
“BTBS is 180 years old this year, but instead of looking backwards we continue to look ahead, to identify the needs of the industry in the 21st century, and develop initiatives which meet these needs. We aim to support the book trade, and the individuals who work in it – or who are trying to break in, particularly if they are not from ‘traditional’ backgrounds. We are delighted that the industry is addressing issues of diversity, and we are doing all we can to support the widening of the recruitment net, particularly in matters of geographical spread or financial and educational background…”
In addition the charity is asking publishers and all recruiters across the book trade to commit to including a line promoting the financial support the charity offers on all entry level jobs and internships.
Julia Kingsford who is consulting for the charity to promote its offer to new entrants said:
“We’re working to promote the support offered as widely as possible but it’s in everyone’s interests to make sure that people actively looking to enter the book trade know what’s available to them to help if they need it. Having this information on job ads is just one more way we can reach more people and get across the message that there should be no financial barriers to entering the book trade.”
One recent intern supported said:
“Even when doing a paid internship it can be prohibitively expensive to take it up if you don’t have somewhere you can stay for free in London. Short term accommodation is often very expensive and if you’re also paying rent elsewhere suddenly having to cover the cost of staying in London on top of your usual rent is nigh on impossible, meaning even paid internships can often only be taken by the privileged few. Having this range of support available to people looking to enter the book trade is fantastic.”
For more information please contact info@btbs.org or telephone 01923 263128.