In this blog, SMK’s Head of Programmes, Kath Christie lays out why now is the time for senior changemakers to consider strengthening their organisation’s support for campaigning and the different packages that are on offer.
As a new political landscape unfolds, this is a pivotal time for changemakers to refine their skills and amplify the voices of those they represent. Driving change requires strong skillsets, motivation, teamwork, and fresh perspectives. That’s why SMK is enhancing our support this autumn with a new range of training packages, designed for teams, organisations, and coalitions.
Building on proven methods, we are offering an expanded selection of events, workshops, and bespoke training programmes tailored to your needs.
Closing the Skills Gap
Our Starter package offers in-house workshops on specialist areas such as community organising and social media for campaigns. These sessions are perfect for groups looking to sharpen skills in a specific area. One standout example is our ‘Influencing in Parliament and Central Government’ workshop, which gives participants an insider’s view of where real power lies. After running this session for an anti-poverty charity, participants remarked, “The training has not only demystified political processes but made those spaces feel less daunting.”
Moving into Campaign Mode
The Foundation package is ideal for organisations or teams looking to transition into a campaigning mindset but unsure where to start. We collaborate with clients to create high-quality, accessible online events that introduce a big-picture view of social change. We curate diverse guest speakers and offer taster sessions to spark curiosity. After one such event for the women and girls’ sector, a participant shared, “An excellent event—well organised with great presentations and a fantastic guest speaker.”
Embedding Campaign Skills
For those ready to embed a campaigning mindset across their organisation, the Core package offers a comprehensive four-workshop series. This includes our broad view of social change, alongside sessions on planning, communication, and evaluation. A practical toolkit is provided to help participants integrate the learning into their daily work.
Recently, we ran this series for a conservation organisation, helping all team members see where their roles fit into wider change efforts. One participant noted, “I’m already using the problem tree in my future work and incorporating it into a presentation for tomorrow!”
Taking Your Campaigning to the Next Level
For teams ready to advance their campaigning and social change efforts, our Advanced package provides a bespoke support system. We work closely with organisations to design a programme that meets specific goals, handling all aspects of organisation and facilitation.
One recent example involved our collaboration with Paralympics GB. We developed a four-month training package for their athletes, building a wide range of campaigning and advocacy skills. The programme took an incremental approach, culminating in an athlete-led stage with one-to-one mentoring for individual campaigns. Our client reflected, “This was our first step into advocacy, and SMK were fantastic collaborators. We look forward to working with them again.”
Ready to Take the Next Step?
This autumn is a critical time for changemakers across the UK. If you’re looking to strengthen your organisation’s support for campaigning, let’s connect. Reach out to Kathleen.Christie@smk.org.uk for an initial conversation.