Ellen Manning / empr - freelance journalist & PR consultant

01/07/2025

Latest for Guardian Labs and it was a fun one - finding out what it’s like to be a store manager for Aldi

From knowing the names of everyone on the shop floor to making sure the shelves are well stocked, two Aldi store managers share what makes the all-encompassing nature of their role appealing

28/06/2025

Some of the broad range of national and regional coverage from a project with CAMpRA - the Campaign for Real Aires - on their survey results. These guys approached me after seeing my experience writing on their sector for the nationals, which goes to show that whether it’s PR or journalism there are certain similarities - namely STORYTELLING. Identifying the angle, putting together something that tells a story, and knowing how to talk to journalists and give them what they need.

09/06/2025

My latest travel piece for The i is the lovely trip I went on with Outdoor Adventure Girls UK - i was honestly taken aback by what they’ve created with this, and would 💯 go again. A special way to travel solo, but in a group, and far more than just itineraries and activities.

Travelling with strangers might be daunting, but adventurous, women-only group trips are growing in popularity

08/06/2025

Celebrated nine years of going self employed recently. Which means my stint working for myself has been longer than any other period working for someone else. Who’d have thought it 🤗 It’s certainly not easy, this freelance world, and it’s constantly changing, but I wouldn’t change it for the world. From editors giving my opportunities to some wonderful clients - some of whom have been with me virtually from the start. What a ride - it’s a quiet one, staying in my own lane, but that’s plenty enough for me. A decade ago I’d never have dreamed of doing what I do now, so here’s to nine years more and the adventures they bring.

06/06/2025

The offered volunteer taster to give people a look at what it’s like to work with them. Something close to my heart given I’m a big fan of volunteering and a great way to share a really important role.

06/06/2025

A little bit of local coverage for ’s Houlton community, where held their Wild for Water launch event to raise awareness of water pollution. Such a great initiative.

06/06/2025

NEW HQ 🙌
As ever, useless at doing anything for my own business that I suggest clients should do for theirs. But silence usually means it’s been a busy few months - which included the excited of moving into my new home office, hand built by my husband’s own fair hand from start to finish.

I cannot describe how nice it is to have everything in its place and a place for everything. When you are trying to be PR person, admin lady, IT support, finance, and all the other stuff, having space to think and keep the plates spinning is such an utter treat. Forever grateful (and chuffed) that we managed to create this between us 🙏🥰

04/06/2025

Last autumn I went to the home of Big Mamma to find out what it's all about - how did two French guys create an Italian chain of restaurants that's a huge hit everywhere, especially in the UK?

That piece is finally out, just ahead of the launch of the Manchester :-)

Wow-factor interiors, decadent dishes and staff shipped in from Italy – Big Mamma’s founders on their ‘happy mess’ success story

15/05/2025

We all know awards are lovely - especially in business. But putting together an application or submission isn’t always easy - there’s other stuff to do, writing isn’t your jam, or it’s just hard to shout about yourself because naturally most of us are pretty humble, right?

Which is why if you get someone else to do it, you save yourself all that hassle and chances are, they’ll see stuff and shout about it louder that you might do yourself.

I love writing award submissions for clients - it’s a chance to really talk about what they do, what makes them stand out, and remind them too that they’re kicking ass. It’s even more rewarding when those submissions get noticed and they move on to the next stage. It’s an utter joy seeing get to the finals of the in both casual dining and street food operator. This comes after they reached the finals of the too. Hurrahs all round 🙌

Remember, just because you don’t fancy writing an award application or submission, it doesn’t mean you shouldn’t enter. You just need a bit of help and that’s what people like me are here for 🤩

12/05/2025

I’ve been helping out since they first launched the witches’ festival in Coventry and watching the community they’ve created is really quite impressive. Regardless of your faith or beliefs, it seems to me that this is as much about creating safe spaces for people to be themselves, exploring what they think and feel and sharing new experiences.

Either way, they’ve grown a huge community and raised a tonne of money for charities along the way.

12/05/2025

Forever planning to do the self-promotion thing and then drowning in a mire of other stuff. But it was great to see a few exciting developments at Houlton in Rugby get some local coverage. A new artisan market, a swanky app for the community and all the Easter joy.
Busy times for Houlton 🙌

10/05/2025

When your office is mainly the dining room table but you manage to escape to a pretty spot to catch up on some calls and take a breath 🫶🤗