Our Crowdfunder Is Live: Help Us Grow The Staffordshire Signal

Some of you have followed me for years now, since long before The Staffordshire Signal existed, back when this was just me, out with a camera, telling this county's stories because I loved them, not because it was a job. That's still exactly what this is about.

A year ago, that love turned into something bigger. I started The Staffordshire Signal, an independent, not-for-profit newsroom for Staffordshire, built the same way everything I've ever done here has been built, from the ground up, with no investors, no big backer, just this county's own people.

Today, our crowdfunder went live, and I wanted you to hear it from me directly, because you're the reason any of this exists in the first place.

Here's the thing about local media. Too often it twists things for profit and negativity, chasing clicks rather than truth, so the genuinely good stories rarely get through. I've felt that myself, missing events and good news because an algorithm decided I didn't need to see it. And I know I'm not the only one.

That's what this crowdfunder fixes. It's about growing The Staffordshire Signal TV, launching a new Signal podcast, and building an app, so more of Staffordshire's stories reach more people, in whatever way suits them, without a platform deciding who gets to see it.

I've spent years out in this community, working directly with residents, businesses, councils, charities and community groups across the county, and I've watched how much good happens here that never gets told anywhere. This is my attempt to change that, properly, sustainably, and for good.

Whatever you can give, from £5, helps make this happen. And if you've ever shared one of my videos, sent me a message about something you loved, or told a friend to follow along, you already know how much that support means.

Back the crowdfunder here: https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-staffordshire-signal-tv-app-podcast

Thank you, as always, for being part of this county's story with me.