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by Jay Kennedy, Policy Officer, Directory of Social Change
In our October quick survey we asked: Changing the world? Do you make a difference through lobbying, advocacy, campaigning, protesting, or petitioning? Find out what our survey Respondents say about changing the world
We’re all here to change the world in some way, whatever our precise tactics or ways of working. It’s clear from the survey responses that there are many ways of doing this, such as lobbying politicians, raising awareness, helping individuals one at a time, seeking changes in the law, and taking personal responsibility.
As several people pointed out, often you do several activities at once or adopt different tactics for different situations.
This survey isn’t intended to provide definitive scientific evidence, but it is interesting that ‘advocacy’ was the term selected most often by survey respondents. This suggests a close connection between the direct needs of beneficiaries or service users and wider actions that our organisations take to ‘change the world’.
For example, a Mental Health Advocate helps someone with mental health issues to navigate the challenges of everyday life and to advocate for their needs when dealing with the health service, their landlord, etc.
The organisation the Advocate works for or volunteers for, may also advocate on behalf of all people with mental health issues by lobbying local councillors or ministers to provide better support or change the way that services are delivered.
By engaging in this wider advocacy (which might also be called campaigning) the goal is ultimately still to empower individuals and create the conditions whereby they might require less help from their Advocate – to change their lives for the better.
Taking the concept of advocacy full circle, any experienced campaigner knows that the illustrative power of personal stories can be a useful tool to help get the message across to others about what changes needs to take place.
Advocacy has different meanings, and the meanings may cross over with the other terms listed, but it’s really refreshing if people view their ‘changing the world’ activities in this way. After all, the activities we undertake as charities should always flow from the needs of those we exist to serve.
DSC is a campaigning organisation. We think of ourselves as ‘advocates’ for the voluntary sector as a whole – particularly that large majority of smaller organisations that rely on volunteers.
Our core work involves providing information and learning opportunities for others so they can achieve the changes they think are important, but we don’t see our role as strictly practical.
The products and services we provide are grounded in our own vision of ‘an independent voluntary sector at the heart of social change.’ And we have always campaigned on issues we think are important, from the Charities Bill, to the role of the National Lottery, to the transparency of trusts and foundations, to the need for charities to maintain their independence.
At our recent Campaigning Conference we launched our Great Giving campaign, which is grounded in new research and focussed on some issues that we think are important to funders and those who receive funding.
You can find out more about Great Giving on DSC’s website at:
http://www.dsc.org.uk/NewsandInformation/PolicyandCampaigning/Currentcampaigns
Key questions to ask when planning a campaign:
- What change do you want to make?
- How long will it take?
- Is it a marathon or a sprint?
- Is anyone else doing it already?
- Who do you need to influence?
- Is your organisation/stakeholders/trustees on board?
- How much will it cost?
Find out what our survey Respondents say about changing the world