John Hood

An early childhood fascination with media production began when my parents took me to see Star Wars in 1977. Shortly afterwards I was bought an Hitachi portable tape recorder as a Christmas gift. I started recording off television, my favourite television shows, and listening to the sounds back without the picture (mentally envisaging a different version). I would narrate stories and record conversations and sounds. It became a form of education via entertainment.

After graduating from the University of Bournemouth, in June 1996, I joined global news agency Reuters working as an online journalist. In 1999 the division was merged with Dow Jones to form Dow Jones Reuters Business Interactive. A broad spectrum of skills, and a willingness to develop new ones, proved an invaluable asset when facilitating the aims and objectives of editorial.

Since 1998 I have been developing original content (in mixed media) for internet distribution. The ability to work cross-platform, and conceptualise, and apply that thinking to print, broadcast or interactive content is key to successful multimedia practitioners! My blog posts have been featured on Reuters, Nielsen, Chicago Sun-Times and USA Today websites!

Successfully battled for justice on behalf of my late mother and dependants. My legal action culminated in an out of court settlement with the RD&E NHS Foundation Trust Hospital, which was reported in the press. The Chief Executive apologised for any deficiencies in my mother's care!

Donations, made to Lucerne House Care Centre, in memory of my mother, have been used to fund equipment for the computer room on Alphinbrook Unit! In view of my computer expertise, I was able to provide input, with the General Manager’s support, on suggested computer peripherals to provide assistive technology for residents. I also offered bespoke training to each resident, whom expressed a desire to use the computer (including setting up e-mail addresses, etc).