Building Campaign Capacity

Funded places on SMK’s flagship programmes and tailored support for Oak Grantees

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Supporting you to build your campaign capacity 

At SMK, building campaign capacity means equipping individuals and organisations with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to drive social change. Our training is grounded in a deep understanding of how change happens, supported by SMK’s analysis and practical tools. We cover all campaign disciplines, offering expert associates, proven frameworks, and tailored support—whether you’re new to campaigning or leading a team.

We’re committed to inclusive, accessible learning that reflects diverse experiences and voices.

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Campaign Carousel 

This comprehensive package trains those at or near the start of their campaigning journey in a rounded set of campaigning skills and approaches. This is an exciting and flexible way for campaigners to hone their skills across a broad range of areas in online workshops.

The Campaign Carousel includes four mandatory workshops which all Carousel riders must take.

Find out more below.

Open Training Programme 

These workshops are perfect for anyone looking to refresh or enhance their skills in specific campaigning areas. Unlike the Campaign Carousel, you can book open trainings individually without committing to the full programme.

Each three-hour workshop is delivered via Zoom and runs three times a year, offering multiple dates to fit your schedule.

Click here for more information

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Action Learning Set (ALS) 

ALS bring small peer groups together over four sessions to tackle real-life challenges, supporting learning and development through mutual support and expert facilitation. 

Designed for emerging and senior leaders, these sessions provide a safe space for campaign leaders to work through issues with guidance from an expert facilitator.

For questions or details visit our webpage here.

Deep Dives 

SMK’s Deep Dive programme offers intensive masterclasses led by campaigning experts, charity leaders, and political professionals.

These focused sessions explore specific topics in depth, ideal for those managing campaign workstreams or teams, and newly appointed senior leaders seeking to understand what it means to lead a campaigning organisation

Find out more below.

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post it notes with Dream Big, Set Goals and Take Action

Teams and Organisations

These facilitated half-day workshops are designed for teams or small organisations and can be tailored to your specific needs. They are usually delivered online as single sessions, but if your team would like two workshops, these can be delivered in person across one full training day, provided a suitable venue is available.

Please email sana.naz@smk.org.uk if you are interested.

Campaign Carousel core modules

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Three-hour workshop, online

Introduction to campaigning and social change

In this campaigning workshop you will learn about SMK’s ground-breaking concept of Social Power and how it can drive truly transformational change

Workshop Dates

Wed 21st Jan 2026, 10am-1pm
Wed 22nd April 2026, 10am-1pm
Wed 23rd Sept 2026, 2-5pm
Wed 27th Jan 2027, 10am-1pm
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Three-hour workshop, online

Analysing the problem and planning for change 

Using a series of practical tools, this campaigning workshop will help you work through how to define your core campaign problem and concrete steps to developing your campaign plan.

Workshop Dates


Tues 27th Jan 2026, 10am-1pm
Thurs 30th Apr 2026, 10am-1pm
Wed 7th Oct 2026, 10am-1pm
Tues 9th Feb 2027, 10am-1pm

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Three-hour workshop, online

Storytelling for Change: Campaign Communications Workshop

In this content-rich campaign communications workshop, you’ll learn how to successfully craft narratives and use powerful storytelling and framing.

 

Workshop Dates

Wed 28th Jan 2026, 10am-1pm
Wed 6th May 2026, 10am-1pm        
Tues 29th Sept 2026, 2-5pm
Tues 2nd Feb 2027, 10am-1pm

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Three-hour workshop, online

How to Evaluate a Campaign: a workshop to discuss tools and frameworks for evaluation

Jam-packed with insider tips, this campaigner workshop provides useful tools and frameworks for embedding a learning-based campaigning approach

Workshop Dates


Wed 4th Feb 2026 10am-1pm
Tues 28th Apr 2026, 2-5pm
Tues 6th Oct 2026, 10am-1pm
Wed 3rd Feb 2027, 10am-1pm

Campaign Carousel optional modules

-choose any five workshops

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pen pointing at writing on piece of paper with picture of scales of justice

Three-hour workshop, online

Using the Law (Legislation and Litigation) to Achieve Change: Legal Campaigns Workshop 

Brimming with insights, this legal campaigns workshop will provide you with impactful methods and a practical planning framework for future use.

Workshop Dates

Thurs 26th Feb 2026, 2-5pm
Thurs 7th May 2026, 2-5pm
Wed 14th Oct 2026, 2-5pm
Tues 16th Feb 2027, 2-5pm
 

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group of people sitting in circle on chairs having a discussion
Three-hour workshop, online

Community organising

Our community organising workshop is full of tips and tricks on how to best work locally to build lasting communities of change.

Workshop Dates


Tues 24th Feb 2026, 10am-1pm
Tues 19th May 2026, 10am-1pm
Tues 27th Oct 2026, 2-5pm
Thurs 25th Feb 2027, 10am-1pm

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Three-hour workshop, online

Digital Campaigning

In this digital campaigning workshop, you will explore what makes a successful digital campaign strategy, including how to develop effective, impact-driven mobilisation tactics and actions.

Workshop Dates

Thurs 12th Feb 2026, 10am-1pm
Tues 5th May 2026, 10am-1pm
Tues 13th Oct 2026, 10am-1pm
Thurs 11th Feb 2027, 10am-1pm

group of people with hands together in the middle
group of people with hands together in the middle

Three-hour workshop, online

Resilient Campaigner: Burn Out Prevention and Self Care Workshop

This self-care workshop provides practical tips and tools, plus a chance to hear how peers maintain resilience in their work.

Workshop Dates

  
Mon 2nd Feb 2026, 10am-1pm
Wed 21st Oct 2026, 10am-1pm
Tues 23rd Feb 2027, 2-5pm

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Three-hour workshop, online

How to Influence Government & Parliament: Political Campaigning Workshop

This political campaigning workshop features a political insider’s perspective into where power in our political system lies, focusing on Parliament, 10 Downing Street and Whitehall.

Workshop Dates

Wed 11th Mar 2026, 10am-1pm
Wed 29th April 2026, 10am-1pm
Thurs 5th Nov 2026, 10am-1pm
Wed 17th Feb 2027, 10am-1pm

group of people standing looking at their phones
group of people standing looking at their phones

Three-hour workshop, online

How to Create Social Media Content for Social Change: Social Media Campaigning Workshop

You will leave this social media workshop in rapid content creation with a practical plan full of social content ideas to use.

Workshop Dates

Tues 3rd Mar 2026 2-5pm
Thurs 21st May 2026, 10am-1pm
Weds 28th Oct 2026, 2-5pm
Tues 2nd Mar 2027, 10am-1pm

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line of people holding hands with arms crossed

Three-hour workshop, online

Lived Experience, Solidarity, and Social Change

Using SMK’s unique tools and approaches to thinking about power, this solidarity workshop guides you through allyship and participation of people with first-hand experience in social change work.

Workshop Dates

Wed 25th Feb 2026, 10am-1pm
Wed 3rd June 2026, 10am-1pm
Tues 3rd Nov 2026, 10am-1pm
Wed 3rd March 2027, 2-5pm

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Three-hour workshop, online

Understanding local power

This session will demystify local power, helping you understand where decisions are made and how to increase your campaigning impact.

Workshop Dates

Weds 4th Mar 2026, 10am-1pm

Deep Dive sessions 

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How to develop effective campaign strategies

This deep dive is an in-depth session for experienced campaigners and leaders who want to explore how to:

  • Develop a campaign strategy that works using our 4Cs approach to campaign strategy (more below)
  • Understand how to apply this approach in today’s fast-moving landscape
  • Dive deep into some case studies of how to balance strategy planning with agility
  • Gain a set of practical tools to support your strategy development

Workshop Dates

Tues 23rd Sept, 10am-1pm

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Theory of Change

This Deep Dive will equip you with a tried and tested approach to developing impactful theories of change for your campaigns and organisations including;

  • The benefits of the theory of change approach and how it complements other campaign planning tools and frameworks used in advocacy
  • Consider the best ways for teams to work on theories of change, as well as some of the pitfalls to avoid
  • Work on your own draft theory of change using a template

Workshop Dates

This two-part training will take place on:

Wed 12th Nov, 10am-12pm and Wed 26th Nov, 10-11.30am

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Understanding local power

This deep dive will demystify processes, help you understand where decisions are made and how to increase your campaigning impact. You will;

  • Gain an insider’s perspective on local power including the key channels and players
  • Consider how to maximise your local campaigning and have a real impact ahead.
  • Dive deep into some examples of what makes for a successful local campaign
  • Understand how to best engage local activists

Workshop Dates

Thursday 9 Oct, 10am -1pm

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Working with Whitehall

This deep dive will explore strategies to engage effectively with policymakers, developing tools and techniques that help. You will get to;

  • Open up the black box that is policymaking. How is policy made? What shapes policy decisions?
  • Explore what the world looks like to a policymaker, to help you put yourselves in the shoes of the people you are trying to influence.
  • Examine strategies for engagement: applying the insight into policy to the changes you want to make.

Workshop Dates

Tuesday 10 March 2026, 10am-12pm.

What participants say

My advice would be to come with an open mind. At the start it felt a bit daunting, and I wasn’t too sure what to say or when to say it. Over the sessions I learned that it’s important to ask the question you need to ask. It’s your space to explore your own questions about this work and this will give you a completely new perspective.”

Gareth Webber, Service Manager – Advice Services, Shelter 

HannahPaylor

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