Alexa Davies, Communications Officer, explains what goes into creating Believe – our news magazine for brain tumour activists and gives a sneak peek at the upcoming issue.
No parent should admit they have a favourite child, but if I was forced to pick which part of my job I enjoy working on most, Believe Magazine would be right up there!
We publish a new edition three times a year, each one packed with inspirational supporter stories, fundraising challenges, campaigning updates and research news, as well as ways for readers to get involved and support Brain Tumour Research in the near future.
Because the magazine includes such a variety of content, virtually everyone in the charity is involved in some way in putting it together and ultimately making sure it arrives safely with supporters. What’s more, we liaise with our Centres of Excellence, campaigners, Member Charities, Fundraising Groups and, of course, supporters, to ensure that everyone is happy with what is produced. And we work closely with the brilliant designers at Clearthinking Creative to really bring the magazine to life and create something eye-catching and undeniably ‘Brain Tumour Research’.
The first decision we make – and arguably the biggest – is just what we will include in the magazine. Believe is one of our main forms of communication with our supporters so we need to make sure we’re demonstrating to them how their support is helping us get closer to a cure and how the money they raise is helping to fund the fight.
That’s why you’ll always find pages dedicated to sharing updates from our Centres of Excellence, including any research breakthroughs, collaborations, funding announcements and more – to help show how the money we’re investing in research is making a difference. You’ll also find campaigning updates which will encompass a wide range of activity in the political sphere, and it’s been great to share some exciting updates on the ongoing All-Party Parliamentary Group on Brain Tumours inquiry in recent editions.
Believe is also a really important way for us to inspire readers to continue to support us in any way that they can, sharing what’s coming up and how they can get involved. And we need to celebrate some of those supporters who have done incredible things for the charity.
We have so many amazing supporters and you’ll often hear me telling people that we have too many great stories for just 36 pages worth of magazine! So, we try to showcase a range of supporters of all ages, backgrounds and abilities, and a range of the different ways people have supported Brain Tumour Research.
Another significant consideration is what or who should be featured on the front cover. From researchers who are making those vital discoveries which will get us closer to a cure, to campaigners helping the charity to keep pushing forward on our mission to increase the national investment in brain tumour research, to our celebrity supporters who help us raise awareness, and of course incredible fundraisers who enable us to continue to invest in our lifesaving work, we’ve had some great covers over the years.
I’m delighted to be revealing the cover of the Autumn 2022 edition to you today!
Five-year-old Rowan is our cover star after he raised more than £1,200 in memory of his young friend. You’ll have to get your copy of Believe to read the full story…
The upcoming edition also features a bumper Wear A Hat Day special with multiple pages dedicated to this flagship fundraiser and the amazing communities, schools and workplaces who have helped us raise nearly £2 million over the years. Plus, you’ll find tips for how you can get involved.
And yes, we’re already saying the C-word. Christmas is fast-approaching and we reveal our new collection of Christmas cards and a plethora of Christmas merchandise, as well as how you can support our work during the festive season, inside too.
Plus, there’s much, much more!
If you’d like to receive our Believe mailing, and any future postal mailings, please complete our online form here.
You can also help us reach even more people by distributing copies of Believe in your community, inspiring them to support our cause and help us get closer to a cure for this devastating disease.
You can place copies in your workplace, school, club, library, GP surgery, community centre, sports centre – anywhere you can think of. It really helps us raise awareness and if you’d like to receive a box of 100 copies of Believe, please fill out our contact form and tick “Box of Believe".
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