The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK) was set up in June 2005 in memory of legendary campaigner, Dame Sheila McKechnie.
For over two decades, we have worked with a wide variety of people, causes and organisations to help them find their power as changemakers – as campaigners.
Our mission is to strengthen campaigning by championing excellence and building a connected, resilient community of changemakers fuelled by the hope that change is possible.
Our vision is a thriving community of confident, connected and resilient changemakers effectively shaping a more hopeful and just future together.
Our values
Our values are underpinned by behaviours that help put these into practice throughout our organisation’s operations and services.
Courage
We choose courage as a value, because we are witnesses to the scale of injustice and refuse to be daunted by it. We are not afraid to flex and learn.
Values based behaviours
- We speak out for the right to campaign and advocate for the common good, even when its uncomfortable or unpopular to do so.
- We choose to be hopeful and generous in tough times.
- We are willing to listen and give feedback even when it's difficult.
- We can admit our mistakes, change our minds or stand our ground.
Generosity
We choose generosity as a value because healthy communities require interdependence, diversity and partnership. We cannot thrive without one another.
Values based behaviours
- When someone asks for help, we say yes, if we have the resources to follow through.
- We give people the benefit of the doubt, most people are just doing their best.
- We don't just ask what's in it for us, we look for wider benefits for our community and the common good.
- We value generosity in all its forms, it's not all about the money.
Hope
We chose hope as a value because it is the renewable energy of the campaign’s community. Hope always believes that change is possible.
Values based behaviours
- We share and amplify stories of resilience and success.
- We choose not to mirror the language of fear and hate in our training and communications.
- We think and act for the long-term.
- We find time to dream and imagine different ways of social transformation.
Who was Sheila McKechnie?
Sheila McKechnie described herself as a ‘fully paid up member of the awkward squad’. This mind-set, combined with formidable research and a commitment to constructing watertight argument, meant that her campaigning powers were legendary. SMK was created to honour Sheila after she died of cancer in January 2004 at the age of 55. Her dedication, tenacity and spirit live on in the work we do.
Get to know us
Who we are
We are a small, dedicated team working alongside an active board of Trustees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Helping you find the answers you need about SMK.
The difference we make
We sit at the centre of a network of campaigners that ranges from grassroots organisations and trade unions.
How we are funded
We are grateful for the support we receive from a variety of funders.
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.
