Since 2021, SMK has worked with and trained over 200 campaigners across the country and abroad on SMK’s Campaign Carousel™, our comprehensive campaign training course complete with mentoring from campaign experts. It’s always a two way experience with SMK learning so much from our ‘riders’ along the way.
We’ve had many Carousel participants write “Reflections from a Rider” blogs, in which they detail how this programme has helped them in their campaigning work. From these, three key themes have emerged, which might offer you some insights.
Campaign Strategy
“[The workshops have] helped me to identify the key issues and where to target our campaigning resources. I came away with a much clearer idea of who our targets should be and how we can use lived and learnt experience to engage with them.” – Evangeline Knapman, Z2K
“I’ve used what I’ve learnt to create a more structured plan of communications and outreach in my work. I’m also considering how to work with my target audiences more strategically. I’ve been able to share this learning with others in my organisation. I am also building up my experience in order to be able to go back into working for a bigger organisation in a role that is closer to the action!” – Maria Angeles
“The [Campaign Carousel] helped me to see how community initiatives and service provision are part of campaigning too, as well as understanding how to harness the value of organisations and individuals who are campaigning on the same issue but in a different way.” – Maria Booker
Practical tools and insights
“[The programme] felt fundamental to increasing my confidence in this [campaigning] space. The sessions cover the conceptual side of campaigning, give examples of other campaigns that have gone well or used a particular model for success, and best of all, give you tangible tools that you can take away and apply to your work.” – Dionne Sturdy Clow, Charity Finance Group
“Something I will take forward in my work will be ensuring I write external communications in an audience-focused way, a tactic which helps to empower and encourage supporters to feel like they can really make a difference. I’ll be taking on board some useful guidance on how to manage the time and effort you invest into campaign allies and partners.” – Ruby Cardona Senker, Sightsavers
“The [Campaign Carousel] gave me practical information on how Westminster works and filled in the detail of the various stages a piece of legislation must pass through before it becomes law. It provided practical, concrete knowledge which I now draw on regularly in my work. A lasting benefit of being on the Carousel is the many different practical frameworks and tools provided for thinking through campaign focus and strategies.” – Grace Barnett, Unlock Democracy
Confidence building
“One of the great benefits of the course is exploring the topics with colleagues from other charities and learning from each other. I certainly feel much better equipped to tackle the next campaign I work on!” – Maria Booker
“I was able to feel more confident in my campaign’s core purpose, who might be best to collaborate with and where to start.” – Dionne Sturdy Clow, Charity Finance Group
“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, Z2K