Part think tank, trainer, convener,
and champion, SMK is facilitating
a new approach to civil society – the
people and organisations outside
of government and business.
Change often begins in civil society. We believe it has the potential to
drive deeper and longer-lasting change – in one person’s life or our entire
society – if it works at its best and without unreasonable constraint.
We call this Social Power.
We unleash civil society’s Social Power by being curious about how change
happens, by building its confidence and effectiveness, and by championing
campaigners and campaigning.
We are passionate, single-minded, and tenacious. We think like campaigners:
we analyse problems, find ways to overcome them, and bring people with us.
We use our independence to stand up against those who put barriers and
constraints in the way. Social justice drives our approach, and we are committed
to using our own power to create greater equity. We work right across civil
society, from those campaigning from their front rooms to those in the offices
of global organisations.
Campaigners need someone to support and campaign for them too. And that’s SMK.
Our strategy aims to unleash Social Power by working in three core ways:
Together, these three roles allow us to be a catalyst – helping Our new vision is: people and organisations drive positive and inclusive social change.
We work right across civil society, from unpaid volunteers to big national and international organisations. We bring a wide view of social change and power, offering tools to aid clear thinking and sound strategy in what are complex and dynamic systems.
We work in close collaboration with those who are experts in their disciplines, as well as other sector bodies. Our USP – and our value to others – is our clear focus on social change.
Capacity builders
We are capacity builders.
We strengthen our sector by developing its knowledge, skills and confidence in campaigning and social change. We do this by providing resources, and supporting people and organisations directly through our training and consultancy services.
Think Tank
We are a think tank.
We gather strategic intelligence on how change is happening, innovate new approaches and tools, and encourage closer collaboration around shared goals. As well as our ongoing tracking of how change happens, we undertake deep enquiries such as our current Power Project.
Champions
We are champions.
We stand up for civil society’s role and value, defending civic space and the right to campaign. We celebrate the very best campaigns and campaigners each year at the SMK National Campaigner Awards.
Associates
We have an extensive network of Associates – leading campaigners, organisers and commentators. They support the delivery of our training, coaching and consultancy.
Staff and trustees
Our small team of staff work alongside a network of associates and an active board of Trustees.
Who was Sheila McKechnie?
A self-described ‘fully paid–up member of the awkward squad’, Sheila combined a grasp of detail with passionate campaigning.
Jobs and volunteering
Look here for opportunities to support our work as a staff member, volunteer, Associate or Trustee.Read more >
SMK’s commitment to solidarity and equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI)
SMK is here for people trying to make lasting social change. Many of the change-makers we work with are trying to shift interconnected systems of inequality, which we know are replicated in organisations, like ours, that are working to change them.
Read about our commitment to solidarity and equity, diversity and inclusion here.
Latest Impact Report and Annual Accounts
Annual Accounts 2020
Annual Accounts 2019
We are a Living Wage Employer
We are an accredited Living Wage Employer. This means that every member of staff at SMK earns at least the Living Wage for their area, a rate set independently and updated annually, based on the cost living in the UK. Find out more about the Living Wage at livingwage.org.uk.
Who we work with
If you have a role in creating social change, we want to work with you. From large charities to small community-based organisations, from trade unions to funders. We also work with companies who want to ensure that their contribution to social change is more than window-dressing.
The Social Change Project
How civil society is driving change today and how the most effective change makers think and behave.
Power Project
Transform power, build solidarity, make change.
How can social sector organisations take action to build solidarity in social change?