In this blog, we share our top reviews of the Campaign Carousel, SMK’s flagship campaign training programme, that reflect the quality of training offered, workshop facilitation, and opportunities to connect.
Summary: Participants of the Campaign Carousel report having increased practical knowledge and tools for campaign strategy, meeting welcoming and engaging facilitators, and connecting with supportive and experienced peers.
Analysis of participant reviews of the Campaign Carousel reveals:
- 100% rate of increasing participants’ campaigning skills
- 96% have more confidence in their ability to campaign
- 87% gain the ability to campaign for changes to the law
- 83% gain the ability to campaign for changes to people’s behaviours
- 76% build stronger networks with campaigners
Find out more details about people’s reviews of the Campaign Carousel programme below!
On the quality of the training:
Overall, the reviews share insights about participants gaining knowledge and practical tools for campaign strategy and developing skills and expertise.
Top 3 reviews for the quality of the Campaign Carousel’s training programme:
“The Campaign Carousel training gave me both practical tools and deeper insights into effective campaigning. It equipped me with knowledge I could immediately apply in my role, helping me campaign more effectively. The Campaign Carousel is both useful and informative. Every campaigner can gain fresh insights from the campaign capsules, leaving them better informed, inspired, and ready to approach their campaigns with renewed confidence.” -Maisson Hassan, Campaigns Assistant at Women for Refugee Women
“[The Campaign Carousel] significantly increased my knowledge of campaigning and the various steps involved in planning, implementing and monitoring a campaign. [I spend] significantly more time planning, building in time to develop a Theory of Change at the start of research projects, and developing a new communications strategy [to] incorporate learning from the Campaign Carousel.’” – Jennie Coyle, Communications Manager at Glasgow Centre for Population Health
“SMK’s Campaign Carousel introduced me to tools such as the Spectrum of Allies and the Power Mapping Grid. I use these brainstorming activities regularly to help me see the bigger picture and plan a strategy for my campaigns. Overall, I gained a lot from SMK’s Campaign Carousel and will recommend it to others.” -Alice Jefferies
On the workshop facilitation:
The Campaign Carousel modules are facilitated by SMK’s expert Associates, who actively draw from their own campaigning practice.
Overall, participants say how engaging and approachable the facilitators are, that they value their expertise of real-world experience, and how sessions were planned for campaigners to get the most practical use out of them.
Top 3 reviews of the Campaign Carousel’s workshop facilitation:
“The facilitator created an incredible atmosphere which I really valued and appreciated, and filled the entire session with positivity, knowledge, and an open-minded and welcoming attitude.” – Elina Pridepower
“I found it a hugely enriching and uplifting experience. Everyone was so engaging and inspiring and generous with their time.” – Lauren Roberts-Turner, Campaigns Intern at Leaders Unlocked
“The workshop on law was hugely inspiring, especially because the person who facilitated it is a working lawyer and she showed us examples from her work and very deeply moving stories of pursuing justice and accountability. At this stage of my life, that’s the type of impact I want to have – very real, very tangible, deep, and lasting.” – Siana Bangura, Training and Events Coordinator at Campaign Against Arms Trade
On opportunities to connect:
The Campaign Carousel offers a unique opportunity to connect with fellow campaigners via quarterly get-togethers (the Campaign Carousel Brunch), group chats, and LinkedIn alumni features.
Overall, participants reflect back that they have gained emotional support from connecting with the other Campaign Carousel Riders. They also feedback on the value of hearing and learning from each other’s experiences, especially through the online and face to face get-together sessions.
Top 3 reviews of the Campaign Carousel’s opportunities to connect:
“Everyone on the [Campaign Carousel] course has been incredibly supportive of each other. It’s been great to hear ideas of what’s worked in other sectors, and it’s inspiring to see a community of people who care about social change – which I think will be a real boost at times when things inevitably feel a little less optimistic!” Katherine Lofthouse, Senior Digital Communicator at McPin Foundation
“As an early-career campaigner in a small charity, I have relished the opportunity to connect with others who are also on the campaign journey through SMK’s Campaign Carousel. Learning from each other’s experiences has helped me become an even more determined, resilient campaigner and translate the insight I have developed, into building social security and housing systems which work for everyone.” – Evangeline Knapman, Campaigns Officer at Z2K
“[It was] really useful to hear [at the quarterly Campaign Carousel brunch] that people are experiencing similar things outside of my sector. Recognition of the problems gives me hope that something can be done about it.” – Anonymous
We hope by sharing participant reviews of the Campaign Carousel this will equip you with the information you need to sign up for the April 2026 Campaign Carousel here!