Julie's portfolio of work.
Some samples of Julie's features, and her interviewees' experiences.
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We survived suicide
Adriana says: "Working with Julie was an incredible experience. Any hesitation I had about taking part in the article instantly vanished after speaking with Julie for the first time. I knew I was dealing with someone who really cared and whom I could really trust. Throughout our interviews, Julie showed so much empathy towards me by questioning me delicately and ensuring I felt comfortable at all times. She retold my story beautifully with the utmost sensitivity and made sure I was totally happy with the final piece before it was published. I hope to work with Julie again in the future.”
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My boyfriend's death taught me about life.
Tess says: “I loved the Glamour feature. I thought Julie was sincere, considerate and incredibly sensitive during our interviews. I really trusted her and that was so important for me to be able to tell my story comfortably."
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The rise of the high functioning anorexic
Habiba says: “It was a pleasure to work with Julie. It was easy to open up to her about such a personal issue and she interviewed, and wrote, with such sensitivity. She was kind and very warm, almost like a friend I’d known for a long time. I would love to work with Julie again.”
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I survived the Bataclan massacre
Katie says: "This interview was conducted in early January with a very compassionate woman, Julie McCaffrey.
"Julie went above and beyond to ensure this article did not in anyway misquote me, unlike almost every interview we've accepted.” -
The Hollywood stunt that nearly killed me
Olivia Jackson says: "I've always been sceptical of journalists as I was afraid they wouldn’t tell my story the way that I wanted it to be told. But Julie was a game changer - she made me feel really comfortable, was always conscious of how I felt and I could tell she is a very caring person. She answered any questions I had and made sure I was comfortable with the article before it came out. She wrote beautifully, in a way that I only wish I could portray my own story. I will always work with Julie with my greatest of pleasure."
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The deadly sea was safer than land
Lindsay Frankel, Deputy Editor Glamour UK: "Ivie's story in this month's Glamour - it's a shocking and heartbreaking read, but a reminder that these people on boats and in the backs of lorries are human beings. Let's not forget that."
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My years as a sex slave
Jo Elvin, Editor of Glamour, says: “It is one of the hardest things I've ever had to read. But so clearly explains how women get trapped.”
glamourmagazine.co.uk -
Tragic dad's life advice
Terminally-ill Tom is using his last days to raise £500,000 to ensure his daughter Kelli has life-saving cancer treatment. Julie’s publicity campaign secured four spreads in the Daily Mirror which were syndicated across the Middle East, US and Europe. Julie also included national magazine coverage and guest slots on ITV1’s This Morning and Radio 2's Jeremy Vine show. Tom was thrilled to reach his £500,000 target within nine months.
Tom says: "I was really impressed with Julie. She genuinely wanted to write the best story possible and took great care and attention to do so. I dealt with many other journalists, but only felt comfortable when talking to Julie as she has is very personable, friendly and trustworthy.”
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Dying for love
Kathryn Cartwright is keen to tell her story of being terminally ill in her early 20s to encourage people to join the organ donor list. She has so far appeared in Cosmopolitan, Grazia, The Sunday People and That’s Life! magazine.
Kathryn says: "Julie is the best journalist I’ve worked with. She truly cares about my story and putting it across honestly, in the sort of way I would tell it myself. I am so grateful for everything she's done to further my cause.”
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Special report on modern slavery
Reporting on modern slavery led to a productive relationship with The Salvation Army and is leading to features on the slavery for monthly magazines.
Isobel McFarlane, communications consultant for The Salvation Army, says: "We have to raise issues for the vulnerable people whilst making sure engaging with the media is a safe and positive experience for them. Julie McCaffrey is exceptional in her understanding of these sensitivities and in representing our clients with authenticity whilst telling stories in a really compelling way. I wouldn't hesitate to approach her with an idea, especially if dealing with people or topics which require particularly careful handling.
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Triple term time
I had mixed emotions about my triplet daughters starting school - and am relieved the pictures don’t quite show the chaos my girls created during the photo shoot.
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The last taboo
Emily van Dyke volunteers for children’s bereavement charity Winston’s Wish and bravely told her story of losing her father to suicide in Fabulous magazine, Britain’s best-read woman’s magazine which is part of the Sun on Sunday (circulation 5.5 million).
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Special summer camp for kids with alopecia
The feature on children with alopecia finally feeling confident enough to be seen without their wigs led to a documentary being made on the BeBold summer camp.
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Letters to a baby who was lost before she lived
Susan Simpson's letters to her stillborn baby Eilidh Beth, published in the UK and Australia, were achingly poignant. Susan said: "I cannot thank Julie enough for being so supportive, understanding and empathetic. She treated Eilidh Beth's story with such respect, real care and love and I am so, so grateful for that. She helped our wee lass reach so many hearts, and have enabled her to bring comfort to so many grieving families. She is a star."
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Confessions of a serial mistress
Karen's feature received an international response and resulted in her appearing on radio and American television shows.
Karen says: "It was an absolute pleasure to work with Julie. My words came to life on the page, I could hear my voice in her writing and she handled the controversial subject matter very sensitively. I would work with Julie again in a heartbeat, one of the best journalists I have ever spoken to. Thank you for telling my story so well."
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Dating One Direction
As the childhood sweetheart of Niall Horan from One Direction, Holly Scally received death threats from jealous fans. Her exclusive interview with Now magazine silenced the online abuse.
Holly's mum Alison said: "When Julie interviewed Holly she was extremely professional, polite, respectful and made Holly feel very at ease. Julie reassured us that she would only print what we wanted her to and she was true to her word. She has become a family friend now and is an absolute joy to work with."
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Life and death in Afghanistan
Three soldiers lost their lives during my time at Camp Bastion. Our brave troops save their tears for lost comrades until the end of their tour. But mine fell freely while I was there.
Colonel Nick Richardson said: "In all my many dealings with Julie McCaffrey she showed herself to be a sensitive and principled journalist who demonstrated complete empathy and sensitivity to the often troubled and traumatic circumstances of the subjects of her stories – somewhat of a rarity in her trade from my several years of experience working in London as the Head of Army News in the Ministry of Defence Press Office and in Afghanistan as Head of Media for the deployed UK Forces.
"Always putting their needs first, often to the detriment of the full potential of her stories, she never failed to impress me as a caring and sympathetic yet skilled and utterly professional journalist. I cannot recommend her highly enough and she would often be my journalist of choice for a very wide range of stories and remains so."
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Missing my soldier son
Carla Cuthbertson, whose Paratrooper son Nathan was the 100th soldier killed in Afghanistan, said: "I first met Julie the day after I repatriated my 19 year old son. I was inundated with journalists wanting my story but was advised that Julie was the best to talk to because she had an excellent reputation for an empathetic approach. During our interview Julie had a deep sense of gratitude and empathy for my grief; she was very supportive in our most trying times. She made my husband and I feel at ease.
"Over the years Julie and I have become good friends; she still keeps in touch offering kind words of support and is always there with good advice regarding the press. No words can describe what her support and friendship has meant to us over the years, even in our darkest days. I would recommend her to anyone."
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Luke's longing for daddy
Luke Mitchell, 14, was incredibly brave to talk so openly about his dad's suicide. He received overwhelming support from the public when his letter to his late father was published. Luke said: "The subject of my piece was sensitive and Julie was incredibly helpful and interested in what I had to say. She handled my story with empathy, care and warmth. Julie is a great thinker, writer, and above all a great person."
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The story behind the scandal
Natasha Giggs became the most hated woman in Britain when news broke of her eight-year affair with her brother in law, Manchester United ace Ryan Giggs. She told how she coped behind the scenes. Natasha tweeted: "Thank u @juliemcaffrey for one of the most accurate pieces written in a long time."
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The private life of Gordon Brown
During my one-to-one with Gordon Brown, days before he became Prime Minister, I was interested in the man more than the politics. And I found a thoroughly decent, caring, very genuine family man who loves a bacon sarnie (and is a fellow Fifer, which is always a good thing).
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Back pedalling with David Cameron
David Cameron tried to lose me as we cycled through central London together but I managed to catch up (because I used to do a paper round on my bike and I don't think he ever did). I discovered he carries a fresh pair of pants in the bag by his back wheel.
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Real life M*A*S*H
I was the first journalist given full access to the hospital within Camp Bastion in Afghanistan. The immense courage of the soldiers and tireless dedication of the NHS staff there will stay with me forever.
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My Three Degrees
As a mum to triplets I'm often asked to write parenting features. I wish I could say that since this article appeared I have caught up on some beauty sleep and had time to tidy my house, but it wouldn't be at all true.
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Outrageously honest Osbournes
Sharon Osbourne is my favourite celebrity interviewee because she is hilariously direct. She invited me to her sumptuous home in Los Angeles where Ozzy left me in hysterics. Sharon was a generous host and booked me a prime table at Justin Timberlake's restaurant by telling the concierge I was her niece (I'm not).
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When celebrity interviews go horribly wrong
I loved Shakin' Stevens but he broke my heart. I haven't worn my Shaky t-shirt or listened to "Oh Julie" since. Sob!
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Falling for Olympic heroes
Being taught to skate by Olympic legends Torvill and Dean was a dream. Shame I spent most of the lesson shooting across the ice rink on my bum. Jayne Torvill said: "Julie had all the gear and no idea."
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The girl behind the headlines
Meeting Jenny Thompson, the former escort who slept with Wayne Rooney, was a pleasant surprise. She was clever, polite, friendly and loved the chance to tell her side of the story accurately.
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Bonded by our brave boys
When their soldier sons' coffins arrived home from Afghanistan together these five bereaved mums felt each other's pain. Their friendship formed in sadness brought them warmth and comfort in very dark times.
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A day in an abortion clinic
I spent an emotional day in an abortion clinic to write this special report. I am grateful to the young women who spoke so honestly about a subject so deeply personal.