Newsletter
Stay informedwith FJSK news
Events, opportunities and updates from our members.
Welfare and Wellness
Caring for the people behind the stories
Journalists spend their days telling other people’s stories, often under pressure, on tight deadlines and with little time to look after themselves. FJSK’s Welfare & Wellness programme makes sure that when life gets hard, no member has to face it alone.
Why it matters
The pressurebehind the headlines
Covering the economy means long hours, constant deadlines and the responsibility of getting complex stories right. Many journalists also face uncertain contracts, online criticism and the strain of reporting on difficult events, from job losses to financial crises that affect families across the country.
These pressures rarely make the news, but they shape the lives of the people who write it. Looking after journalists’ wellbeing is not separate from good journalism. It is part of what makes it possible.
Who looks after the journalists?
Members share what it takes to report on Kenya’s economy, and why no one should carry that pressure alone.
Welfare
Standing with memberswhen it matters most
FJSK’s Welfare programme gives members practical support during life’s hardest moments. Through a member welfare fund, the society can assist with emergencies such as a medical crisis, the loss of a loved one, or sudden financial hardship. Support is handled discreetly and with respect, so members can focus on recovery rather than worrying about how to cope alone.
Beyond emergencies, the programme helps members plan for the future. Working with partners in pensions, insurance and financial planning, FJSK connects journalists, many of them freelancers or on short-term contracts, with information and options that are often hard to find on their own. The aim is simple: a stronger safety net for a profession that too often goes without one.
Wellness
Looking after the mind,not just the story
The Wellness programme focuses on members’ mental and emotional health. FJSK works with qualified counsellors and mental health professionals to give members access to confidential support, whether they are dealing with stress, burnout, grief, or the after-effects of covering distressing events. Reaching out is private, and no one needs to explain themselves to colleagues.
Wellness is also about building healthier habits together. Through peer support circles, wellness sessions and practical workshops on managing pressure, setting boundaries and handling online abuse, members learn from experts and from each other. These spaces remind journalists that the challenges they face are shared, and that asking for help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
Need support?
Reach outin confidence
If you’re going through a difficult time, you can contact our Welfare & Wellness team privately. Your message goes only to the designated welfare contact, and nothing is shared without your permission.
- 01
You get in touch by phone, email or the confidential form.
- 02
A member of the welfare team responds within 2 working days.
- 03
Together, you agree on the right support, whether that’s welfare assistance, a counselling referral or simply a conversation.
Since launching Welfare & Wellness, FJSK has helped members through medical emergencies, bereavement and periods of intense pressure. Every number below represents a journalist who didn’t have to face a hard moment alone, and a profession that is learning to look after its own.
120+
Members supported through welfare and wellness
KES 540K
Disbursed through the member welfare fund
300+
Confidential counselling sessions facilitated
15
Wellness sessions and workshops held
Join our quest
Help us carefor Kenya’s journalists
Journalists hold institutions to account, explain the economy and keep the public informed, yet many work without the support most professions take for granted. By partnering with FJSK’s Welfare & Wellness programme, your organisation can help build a healthier, more resilient press.
