[WiLT] Sheila McKechnie Awards 2008 for emerging and grassroots campaigners - apply by 5pm 14th March

[WiL Admin]

Sheila McKechnie Awards 2008

The Sheila McKechnie Awards are an annual bursary scheme for emerging
and grassroots campaigners. Campaigners are a powerful force for
change in our society but we know that the reality is often hard work
and a lot of frustration. Our awards have been created to equip
campaigners with the skills that they need to be successful. We focus
on the ingredients for campaigning success and seek to share them with
campaigners across the United Kingdom.

In 2008 we will be making 12 awards across key fields of social action
http://www.sheilamckechnie.org.uk/showSub.php?id=55&page=3. Categories
in 2008 have been sponsored by the following organisations /
individuals.
* Conflict Resolution sponsored by Peace Direct
* Consumer Action sponsored by Which?
* Economic Justice sponsored by Joseph Rowntree Foundation / Joseph
Rowntree Charitable Trust
* Environment sponsored by Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
* Global Action in memory of Guy Hughes
* Health & Social Care sponsored by Age Concern
* International Award sponsored by Concern Worldwide
* London Social Justice sponsored by City Parochial Foundation
* Shout Out! Award sponsored by City Bridge Trust
* Social Inclusion sponsored by Shelter
* Transport sponsored by Simon Norton
* Young Activist sponsored by Foyer Federation / YMCA England

The package of support we offer is completely bespoke to the
individual, comprising an initial assessment; one-to-one coaching and
mentoring sessions; development workshops; and shadowing opportunities
http://www.sheilamckechnie.org.uk/showSubSub.php?id=59&page=3&last=87.

The awards do not offer cash prizes but focus on sharing the key
ingredients for campaigning success by drawing on the expertise of
experienced campaigners and using a model of action learning to share
knowledge and acquire skills.

Who are the Awards for?

The awards scheme has been developed specifically for campaigners new
to the field or operating with very little resources to equip them
with the skills they need to make a greater impact and achieve real
change.

The awards are for people who want to make a greater impact with their
campaigns, whether it be to change policy or raise their issue’s
profile at a local, national or international level. You could be
working as a campaigner in a national pressure group or campaigning
charity or you may be working alone or in an organisation where
campaigning is a very new activity. The awards can also help you if
you are campaigning on a voluntary basis in your spare time. Many of
our award winners have been volunteers and we have helped them secure
new resources to support their campaigns and focus on how they can use
their limited time to best effect.  (In the last 2 years, we have
awarded 49 beneficiaries of which 34 have been women)

What will I learn?

The awards can help develop a campaign strategy, examine the impact
that you have made so far or consider how your can build support for
campaigning activity in your wider organisation. You will get direct
advice from people who have a track record of running successful
campaigns and others who have a strong insight into how policymakers
approach key decisions.

The awards are also a chance for you to learn new skills & tactics.
For example, you might have a lot of experience in media work but not
know about the tactics necessary to influence ministers in Whitehall.
You might want to expand your skills in specialist areas, such as
understanding the campaigning opportunities present in the Freedom of
Information Act. The awards are also a chance to get an independent
assessment of your campaign, considering areas like how you can expand
your alliances and identify how much progress you have made towards
achieving your objectives.

The awards can help you get a better understanding of how government
works. For example, previous award winners recieved public affairs
coaching from experts at AS Biss & Co and were given the opportunity
to shadow ministers relevant to their campaign.

The awards will put you in contact with campaigners who share similar
challenges to you but work in other sectors. We recognise that there
are many opportunities to work together across issues and sectors and
discuss challenges and successes.

The awards provide opportunities for you to develop skills that are
relevant not simply to the campaign you are working on now but to
campaigns that you may work on in future.

What’s the time commitment involved?

The programme runs over a period of 6 months. However, because the
awards programme is bespoke to each campaigner, the support package is
very flexible to your needs and timescale will be determined in
consultation with you.

http://www.sheilamckechnie.org.uk/showSub.php?id=87&page=3


Applications for the Foundation’s awards scheme can be made by
downloading a form from the http://www.sheilamckechnie.org.uk/awards
or by emailing awards at sheilamckechnie.org.uk

APPPLICATIONS CLOSE 5PM, 14 MARCH 2008