30 Jan 2012: People Power, 6th March - Book Now!

People Power 2012 is taking place on Tuesday 6th March in London.

The day will begin with a keynote address given to us by Salil Shetty, Secretary General of Amnesty International and it will be closed with an inspirational speech by Dame Vivienne Westwood, Patron of human rights charities Liberty and Reprieve.

We have a range of other fantastic speakers and sessions, who will generate challenging debate and discussion on the latest trends, hot topics and ideas that will shape the future of campaigning.

Book now to guarantee your place!

Because People Power is committed to giving a voice to grassroots campaigners, we're also offering a limited number of free conference places to campaigners who cannot afford the conference fee, or not-for-profit organisations with an income of less than £150,000. Please email Harmit Kambo at SMK for further details.

Visit the People Power website for more information.

14 Sep 2011: Award winners announced!

The winners of the 2011 SMK Campaigner Awards were announced yesterday at a special ceremony hosted by Jon Snow, Channel 4 newscaster and Patron of SMK, at St Martin-in-the-Fields off Trafalgar Square. Award presenters included 105 year old peace campaigner and former suffragette Hetty Bower. The awards recognise the outstanding contribution that a new generation of campaigners are making towards achieving social, environmental and economic justice both in the UK and abroad.

SMK will be providing a six month development programme to each of the award winners to support them to become even more effective campaigners.

Click here to find out more about the SMK Campaigner Award Winners 2011.

8th Sep 2011: Influencing Change deadline extended

We have extended the deadline for receiving applications for the Influencing Change programme until 12pm Monday, 12th September to allow people more time to send us their registration forms.

Please visit the Influencing Change page for more information and how to apply.

22nd August 2011: Two 'Introduction to Campaigning' workshops announced

The next 'Introduction to Campaigning' workshop will take place in:

• Birmingham on 16th September 2011
• Plymouth on 14th October 2011

If you want to make your voice heard by people in power or you want to influence decisions made by the council, UK government, the health service or other bodies that affect your community or if you have just started out in campaigning and need some advice on how to get to the next level these workshops are for you.

For more information and how to register for one of these workshops please visit our 'Campaign Workshop' page.

Alternatively, e-mail Mustafa Korel or call on 020 7697 4043.

22 July 2011: West Midland campaigning workshop announced

We have finalised the details of our Introduction to Campaigning workshop in Birmingham.

This introductory level campaign workshop is for individuals and voluntary organisations and will be held on: Friday 16th September 2011 at BVSC, The Centre for Voluntary Action, 138 Digbeth, Birmingham B5 6DR

Do you want to make your voice heard by people in power? Do you want to influence decisions made by the council, UK government, the health service or other bodies that affect your community? Have you started to campaign for change and want advice on how to get to the next level?

If so, the SMK Introduction to Campaigning workshop is for you.

The day will provide:
• Insight into the successful features of a campaign.
• Sessions on the key steps in planning a campaign.
• An opportunity to consult experts such as experienced campaigners, MPs and journalists on how to put your ideas into practice and what tactics have the most impact.
• A chance to meet other campaigners working to make change in your area.

Please note the workshops fill up very quickly and priority places are given to those individuals who have the least experience in campaigning, have the fewest resources, organisations with an income of less than £100,000 and need support in developing their campaign/issue further. These workshops are not suitable for experienced campaigners.

To book your place download the registration form from www.smk.org.uk/campaign-wo​rkshops and return to Mustafa Korel at mustafa.korel@smk.org.uk.

Spaces are limited so book your place now. The workshop is £10 per individual. Lunch and refreshments are provided on the day. Please contact us to discuss any accessibility requirements you may have.

This project is supported by the Department for Communities and Local Government.

29 June 2011: SMK Campaigner Awards now closed

The application process for The Sheila McKechnie Campaigner Awards 2011 is now closed.

We would like to thank everyone who has applied, nominated a campaigner or who has helped to get the message to new and emerging campaigners.

You can read more about the SMK Campaigner Awards 2011 programme here.

We will be short-listing applications over the next few days and all applicants over the next few weeks.

If you have any questions about the awards programme please visit our FAQs page.

If you are unable to find what you are looking for, please e-mail mustafa.korel@smk.org.uk with your query.

28 March 2011: SMK Campaigner Awards 2011

The SMK Campaigner Awards 2011 are now open for applications.

The nine categories this year are: Consumer Action; Environment; International Campaigner; Local Campaigner; London Social Justice; Shout Out!; Social and Economic Justice; Take Action and Transport.

To read more and to apply, click here.

24 March 2011: People Power 2011 a success

People Power 2011 took place on 22^nd March 2011 and was a great success.

David Lammy, MP delivered an inspirational keynote speech which set the tone for the day.

Speakers included (in order of presentation):

Tony Jupiter, Independent Sustainability Adviser; Jo Fox, BSkyB; Caroline Fiennes, Global Cool; Dan Glass, climate change activist; Polly Higgins, Environmental Lawyer;  John Hilary, War on Want; Katie O’Donovan, Mumsnet; Ellie Mae O’Hagan, UK Uncut; Stephen Pittam, Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust; Martin O’Brien, The Atlantic Philanthropies; Susan Nash, NUS; Quintin Oliver, Strategem; Abi and Emma Moore, Pink Stinks; Samantha Heath, London Sustainability Exchange; Campbell Robb, Shelter; Lord Herman Ouseley, MP; Andrew Butler, Lush Cosmetics; Louise Hanson, Which?; Andreas Whittam-Smith, First Church Estates Commissioner and Dr Jeff Bailey, Centre for Social Justice.

The day was closed by SMK Chair of Trustees, Lyndall Stein.

1 March 2011: People Power - 3 weeks to go!

People Power 2011 is almost here and it’s set to be an inspirational mix of discussion and debate, with some of the brightest minds in the world of campaigning.

Keynote speaker: David Lammy MP

Other speakers include:
John Hilary, Executive Director, War on Want; Susan Nash, Vice President (Society and Citizenship), NUS; Tony Juniper, Sustainability Adviser and former Director of Friends of the Earth; and Andrew Butler, Campaigns Manager, Lush Cosmetics.

See the full programme and book your ticket here.

When?: Tuesday 22nd March
Where?: 15 Hatfields, London, SE1 8DJ (nearest tube: Southwark or Waterloo)
What time?: 9.15am

We hope to see you there.

1 February 2011: Campaign workshop update

The Leeds (Yorkshire & Humber) 'Introduction to Campaigning' workshop has been post-poned and will now take place on Friday 11th March 2011.

The venue is the same: St. Georges Cenrte, Great George St, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS1 3BR.If you have any questions about this or future workshops, you can find out more here.

You can also contact Mustafa Korel on 020 7700 8231 or by e-mail to mustafa.korel@smk.org.uk.

2 December 2010: People Power 2011 speakers confirmed

People Power 2011 is a one-day conference bringing charity and NGO campaigners together with leading thinkers from the government, media and corporate sector to share views and ideas that could shape the future direction of campaigning.

Confirmed speakers for the conference so far include:

Cathy Anderson - Supporter Development Director, Greenpeace

Andrew Butler - Campaigns Manager, Lush Cosmetics

Jo Fox, Director of The Bigger Picture, BSkyB

Louise Hanson - Head of Advocacy, Which?

John Hilary - Executive Director, War on Want

Catherine Howarth - Chief Executive, FairPensions

Tony Juniper - Independent Sustainability and Environment Adviser

Lord Herman Ouseley

Campbell Robb - Director, Shelter

To find out more about the conference and to book your place visit www.peoplepower2011.org



24 November 2010: 2011 dates for Introduction to Campaigning workshops

SMK's Introduction to Campaigning workshops have two further dates and venues confirmed. These workshops are for beginner campaigners and focus on the key skills needed to run an effective campaign to influence local or national decision-makers.

 Confirmed dates and venues for 2011 are:

• South East (Croydon), 14th January 2011, 9.30am - 4.30pm
• East Midlands (Leicester), 25th February 2011, 9.30am - 4.30pm

There is a £10 commitment fee for each workshop. To find out more and reserve you place, pleas fill in our registration form here.

5 October 2010: New Introduction to Campaigning Workshops

SMK continues to run 'Introduction to Campaigning' workshops across the UK. These workshops are for beginner campaigners and focus on the key skills needed to run an effective campaign to influence local or national decision-makers.

Upcoming workshops are being held in:

• South West England (Taunton), 19th November, 9.30am-4.30pm.
• East England (Norwich), 10th December, 9.30am-4.30pm

There is a £10 commitment fee for each workshop. To find out more and reserve your place visit the events section of our website website.

22 September 2010: SMK Award winners announced

The Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK), the UK’s only charity dedicated to connecting, informing and supporting campaigners, announced the winners of its 2010 Awards at a special ceremony on Tuesday, 21st September.

The ceremony was hosted by Channel 4 Newscaster and Patron of SMK, Jon Snow, at 1pm. Awards were presented by Lynn Faulds-Wood, Tony Juniper, Simin Azimi, John Stewart, Christine Townsend, Anna Raeburn and Lord Herman Ouseley. SMK have searched communities across the UK and abroad for individuals who are campaigning on issues that matter, locally and globally.

SMK’s award winners come from diverse backgrounds and are working on a wide range of issues:
Linda Butcher, Chief Executive of SMK said:

“Many people say they feel jaded about democracy, in terms of what they see as the compromises that take place in Government, and are concerned at wider apathy across society. Our award winners, like so many other campaigners out there, are tenacious, positive and creative individuals that prove that ordinary people can do extraordinary things.  They demonstrate that while there are wrongs, abuses, injustices and inequalities, there are also individuals and communities working tirelessly to do something about them.  We will be working hard with our award winners over the next year to build on their commitment and help them to achieve great things”



18 August 2010: Influencing Change programme now open for London campaigners

Influencing Change is an introductory level course on how to gain influence and campaign for change in public policy. 

This is a four-day course spread over four months and includes the opportunity for further group sessions and one-to-one coaching. Guest speakers with expertise in campaigning, tactics, media and government will provide in-depth knowledge and insider perspectives.

Participants will learn about developing a campaign strategy and plan, working with the media, tactically addressing issues and involving stakeholders.

Applications for 2010 are now closed. For information about the course please click here.

The course is supported by Trust for London and delivered by SMK.

24 Jun 2010: Campaigner Awards - Deadline extended until next Weds!

The deadline to submit an SMK Campaigner Award application has been extended. Thank you to everyone who has already sent in their application for the 2010 awards.  For all of you planning to apply, after having seen the weekend weather forecast and reading the sports pages, we decided to extend the final deadline to submit an application. You are now able to enjoy the sun on Saturday, the England vs Germany match on Sunday and/or the tennis!

An SMK Award is for people who want to take their campaign to the next level. Over six months, SMK devises a bespoke programme of support, tailored around your needs, to help you with your campaign.

There are eight Award categories and the closing date for applications is now 12pm next Wednesday (30th June).

All costs of participating in the programme are covered by SMK.

The awards programme is very niche, so don't think there’s only a 'needle-in-a-haystack' chance of winning. If you look at the FAQs and think you meet the criteria, you’ll have a good chance of being shortlisted.

Apply now!

21 June 2010: Seven days left to apply for an SMK Award

The deadline to submit your SMK Award application is fast approaching!

An SMK Award is for people who want to take their campaign to the next level. Over six months, SMK devises a bespoke programme of support, tailored around your needs, to help you with your campaign.

There are eight Award categories and the closing date for applications is 12pm next Monday (28th June).

All costs of participating in the programme are covered by SMK.

The awards programme is very niche, so don't think there’s only a 'needle-in-a-haystack' chance of winning. If you look at the FAQs and think you meet the criteria, you’ll have a good chance of being shortlisted.

Apply now!



31 March 2010: Apply now for an SMK Award

SMK has launched its annual awards programme for emerging and grassroots campaigners. The awards are for individuals who are new to campaigning or operating with few resources and who show passion, tenacity and the potential to create change – locally, nationally or globally.

You might not see yourself as a “campaigner” but if you are demonstrating commitment to a cause we want to hear from you.

The awards do not offer cash prizes but rather draw on the expertise of experienced campaigners and use a model of action learning to share knowledge and acquire skills. You can look through the awards categories or FAQs to learn more about the programme.

We are now accepting applications for 2010, download an application form or nominate someone you know for an award.

Applications can be submitted until 12 noon GMT on Monday 28^th June 2010.

16 Mar 10: SMK and The Good Agency host People Power conference

On Tuesday 16th March, SMK, in partnership with The Good Agency, held its first 'People Power' conference in central London. It was a unique opportunity for campaigners - from grassroots activists to heads of campaigns of large NGOs - to engage, discuss and debate with a wide range of policymakers and commentators what the new decade will mean for campaigners in the UK. A report of the days discussions will be available soon.

Speakers included:

• Dame Suzi Leather, Chair of the Charity Commission
• Kumi Naidoo, Director of Greenpeace International
• Nick Hardwick, Chair of the Independent Police Complaints Commission
• Shami Chakrabarti, Director of Liberty

To find out more about the day visit the People Power website.

12 Feb 10: SMK 2008/2009 Annual Report

Our most recent annual report is now available to read online. See how we connected, informed and supported campaigners in 2008/2009 through the Annual Reports section of our website.