In this dynamic three-part introductory campaigning workshop, you will gain insight into SMK’s analysis of how impactful social change happens and learn how to use our key practical campaigning tools and approaches for impactful projects.
What is campaigning?
From SMK’s decades of experience supporting campaigners, we define a campaign as, “an activity undertaken to change something or to stop something from changing.”
What is social change?
Social change can be changes in the law or policies, a change in attitudes or behaviour, or a change in the way a system or service is designed or delivered. SMK’s Introduction to Campaigning and Social Change workshop helps you begin your understanding of how to make these changes.
Why is campaigning important?
As SMK’s expert Associate Chloe Green says, “Campaigning is important because it’s how we change our world to be a place that we want to live in and a world that’s better for the people who come after us. Campaigning is a way to take action that is decisive and empowering and positive. If something is bothering us, we can do something about it. Campaigning is a really important civic responsibility that we all have.”
What do I need to know about campaigning?
Before you get started on any campaign, you’ll need to know:
- SMK’s ground-breaking concept of Social Power and how it can drive social change at all levels
- How to use the Social Change Grid
- SMK’s 12 Habits of Successful Change-Makers
- Different case studies of successful campaigns
- How to be aware of the campaigning environment
Find out about the Social Change Grid tool below in this short video.
What will I learn in SMK’s Introduction to Campaigning and Social Change workshop?
- The key role of power in today’s fast-moving external environment
- Where and how we can wield, share, and combine power
- Insight into SMK’s unique analysis of how social change happens
- The concept of Social Power and examples of how it has been successfully harnessed
- The basics of analysing power and how we can use it to create change
- The habits that make change successful at an individual and organisational level
Please note that this workshop has participatory elements. If you are unable to participate for any reason or in a specific manner (e.g. speaking, camera on, chat function, breakout rooms, etc.), please put that in the “Accessibility Requirements” section during checkout, and remind your facilitator at the beginning of the session.
Workshop dates
The Campaign Carousel runs on a progressive pricing model.
- Small orgs: turnover of £10k-£100k = £850 + VAT
- Med orgs: turnover of £100k-£1M = £1250 + VAT
- Large orgs: (tier 1) turnover of £1M-£10M = £1950 + VAT
- Large orgs: (tier 2) turnover of £10M+ = £2250 + VAT
Individuals not affiliated to an organisation pay the ‘small orgs’ fee.
*There is also the option to purchase an hour’s mentoring session with one of our expert Associates for £250 plus VAT
If you would like to speak to someone further, please email megan.poyiadzis@smk.org.uk
Campaign Carousel start dates
Jan 2026
Apr 2026
Sept 2026
Jan 2027
Campaign Carousel start dates
Jan 2026
Apr 2026
Sept 2026
Jan 2027
Lucy Brisbane McKay
SMK Associate
The workshop will be led by Lucy Brisbane McKay, campaigns and communications professional, whose work centres people with lived experience and the principles of social justice organising.
As well as supporting and training activists and charities in social change focused work, Lucy works at The Bureau of Investigative Journalism as a Community Organiser.
Before joining the Bureau, Lucy led on media and communications at the charity INQUEST for seven years. She directly supported families bereaved by deaths in state care, custody and detention to share their stories and campaign for change. She also cocreated and continues to present the INQUEST podcast, Unlawful Killing.
What participants say:
Participant, 2023
”I found going through examples of the social change grid really helpful in equipping me to go aware and plot out my own campaigns. I also found it really reassuring to speak to other campaigns about my own skills and challenges, and those of my organisation”.
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