Find out what Molly Deakin, Policy and Campaigns Officer at Together Trust, learned from her experience on SMK’s Campaign Carousel training programme.
I’ve spent nearly a decade working and volunteering on the front line and volunteering across the health and social care sector, as well as grassroots campaigning, which I have found deeply rewarding. In March 2025, I moved into my first full-time campaigning role as a Policy and Campaigns Officer at the Together Trust. It felt like the perfect opportunity to bring real-world experience into local and national policy work.
At Together Trust, we campaign on a wide range of issues, including disability rights, SEND education, mental health, Children in Care, Care Leavers and accessible transport. I wanted to join the Campaign Carousel to sharpen my skills and learn how to influence policy more effectively. While I had experience in local campaigning, I was excited to develop my knowledge of national systems and learn how to maximise the effectiveness of our campaigns.
The workshops have been amazing. I particularly enjoyed Using the Legal System and Influencing Parliament as they gave me a real insider’s perspective that I felt I’d been missing over the years. For instance, in the Influencing Parliament session, I learned about practical steps for building relationships with MPs, which has been invaluable in our current campaigns. The Communicating for Change session transformed how I frame campaign messages, and I now use those tools in each of the campaigns I’m working on.
I believe that campaigning for social change can help create a better, fairer world for everyone. Campaigning can be slow and frustrating, but every action we take is essential for creating lasting social change. The Campaign Carousel has helped me stay focused, optimistic, and ready for what’s next.