How To Approach Your Local News | Stitch Help Center

This article is part of the Pioneer Resource Center, which provides information, guidance, and resources for Pioneers and Community Champions to help them activate and grow their local Stitch community. You can find an overview of the Pioneer Program here.

Local News Email Template

Some members have found that getting an article in the local news is the best way to spread the word about Stitch in their community. There's no expectation on you to do this, but it’s a fantastic idea if you want your community to learn more about Stitch and all the wonderful things we offer.

Here’s a blog on some amazing members getting on the front page of a Phoenix paper.

Here’s another about a member getting featured in The Parklander Magazine in Florida.

And here’s one on Stitch members on radio, TV and news for helping their communities during the pandemic.

This template makes it easy for you to draft an email to the editor of your local newspaper, TV news or radio, and ask if they would be interested in a story. It contains a checklist of things to do first, and some sample information about Stitch that you can use. You can copy and paste the information below to make emailing your local news fast and simple.

Tasks to complete before emailing:

Think about which local news publications potential Stitch members (50+) are likely to read / watch / listen to.
Read / watch / listen to 10 recent stories in that publication, so you understand what kinds of stories they are interested in.
Think about whether there are any recent news events or articles that relate to Stitch’s purpose and members. News stories are most successful when they relate to another recent news event. A common example is the closure of local facilities, which means there are less places for over-50s to connect.
Decide on the best person to contact. If there is one particular writer or journalist who is covering stories of interest to the local community or to over-50s, go on the publication’s website and find that person’s email address. Otherwise find the email address of the Editor or Local News Editor.

Example email - rewrite freely or just change the bits in bold

To: [writer / editor’s email address]

Subject: Over 50s are Rioting For Connection in Wellington

Dear [writer / editor’s name],

I have been a Wellington local for 4 decades, and I have found that it’s getting harder and harder for people over 50 to meet and connect, at a time when loneliness is one of the most serious issues affecting the health of people over 50. Research has shown that loneliness in older people can be worse for the health than smoking. The recent closures of the local Veteran’s Club and Community Theater are compounding this.

As a result, I’ve started working to bring the people together through a platform called Stitch.net, and I was wondering if you would be interested in a story on this.

Stitch.net is a social community for over 50s. Stitch held its very first community event in Australia 10 years ago, and since then it has grown to become the world’s leading social community for older adults, with over 280,000 members worldwide. The Stitch Community is member-led, and it is members themselves who organize and lead community activities. Stitch activities are both online and in-person, and allow members to meet and spend time together over shared interests, forming genuine friendships and connections. Stitch was recently awarded the United Nations 2024 Healthy Aging Innovation Prize for significant contributions to healthy aging globally.

I have been a member for 3 months and have starting pulling the community together in Wellington by holding regular coffee catchups, waterfront walks and sip-n-sketch workshops for local people over 50. We’re just getting started but we’ve already had 25 new people form friendships and connections through our events. This gives us the over-50 community more connections to enjoy life with, and increases our resilience in times of need. We’re aiming to reach 1500 people before the end of the year.

Studies have shown that active participation in the Stitch community reduces reported levels of loneliness by 54%, and social connections can dramatically improve a person’s mental and physical wellbeing.

If you’d like to chat more about this, my number is 0234332233. I’m generally available Monday - Wednesday before 10 and after 4, or Sunday afternoons.

Thanks,

Jo MacGregor