I tell stories about how ordinary people face extraordinary circumstances, crafting narratives that challenge broken systems before it’s too late. My work spans campaigns, films and communities, always centred on hope as a catalyst for change.
My journey began in activism – I was a hashtag-obsessed student who genuinely believed the internet would change the world for the better. (I’m still known to some as the person who persuaded Hugh Grant to join Twitter.) After my university took out an injunction against me for protesting, I found myself progressing from student dissent to lobbying in UK and EU Parliament.
This led to a decade working across media, tech, and politics, consulting for Silicon Valley startups, global brands, and charities. I did a lot of great stuff.
But as I entered my 30s, I made a conscious choice to focus exclusively on storytelling and social impact projects, specifically around the climate crisis and technological threats.
I’ m now open to any conversations with potential collaborators, communities or organisations looking to work with me as a consultant, strategist, campaigner, writer, producer or impact producer, as well as speaking, teaching or leading workshops.
Here are the ways I currently work:
Filmmaking
As a screenwriter and filmmaker, I tell darkly comedic stories across genres that explore how technology and climate crisis reshape our world, (and usually critique capitalism)
Impact Producing
Working with filmmakers to ensure that their projects have more than a message, and they drive real-world impact too
Campaigning & Strategy
As a campaign strategist, I work with organisations to craft narratives around key issues that make understanding and action key
Community building
As the founder of Messy Collective, I’m an advocate for helping everyone find their voice and their community to tell the stories that matter to them
Jessica Riches 