This content is out of date and for archive purposes only. To see up to date information, please visit https://www.voice4change-england.org
MEDIA
MEDIA
Aim: To offer delegates a practical guide to:
- Making the best use of social media and boost your online presence and marketing;
- Understanding the media, crafting a story, selling the story (including press release-writing);
- Interview techniques.
Who should attend? Those who want to improve the positive public profile of your organisation and key officers, enhancing key messages and impressing stakeholders (including funders).
Content: This training will cover –
- Social media as a campaigning tool and keeping up-to-date
- Monetising your web presence
- Communications strategies
- Marketing and brand identity
- Press release writing, understanding journalists and the media
- Preparing for interviews & interview techniques
- Pitfalls to avoid
Outcomes: By the end of the session participants will leave with –
- An understanding of how to turn communications strategies into tangible media coverage
- Knowing how about how the social media & web presence can assist / underpin good news stories, and galvanise / mobilise supporters
- Ideas for good ‘angles’ for positive stories and knowledge of how to tailor them to media outlets to maximise your chances of real positive coverage
- An understanding of how utilising your own and external media can assist fundraising and income generation
- Practice interview techniques and receive constructive feedback
- An understanding of the structure of press releases and how to make good stories more attractive to journalists
Methodology: The session will offer a blend of individual reflection; group exercises; creative and engaging computer-based exercises; presentation; role-plays.
LOBBYING
Aim: To offer delegates a practical guide to:
- How to access and influence your MP, MEP & councillors
- Various ways of getting your case or issue aired by decision-makers.
Who should attend? Those who want to better understand how parliament works so that you can use MPs, Peers, Councillors and MEPs to raise issues you care about.
Content: This training will cover –
- Understanding how Parliament works – and how decision-makers can raise issues on your behalf
- How you can interact with the parliamentary process
- The role of Whitehall and the machinery of government
- Navigating through party rivalries
- Understanding local councils / councillors and Euro MEPs
Outcomes: By the end of the session participants will leave with –
- Knowledge of the parliamentary system and the various ways MPs can raise your issues and concerns
- Knowledge of the European Parliament and local authorities and how to lobby MEPs and councillors
- Understand the legislative process
- How to influence civil servants and special advisors
- Understand how lobbying can benefit your organisation
- Understand the role media relations and public affairs can play in campaigns
- Being able to identify different lobbying approaches
Methodology: The session will offer a blend of individual reflection; group exercises; creative and engaging computer-based exercises; presentation; role-plays.
ASSET BASED DEVELOPMENT
Venue & Times: Central London, near Bond Street tube on the Central Line. 09:30 registration, 10:00 start. Lunch and refreshments provided. Ends 16:30
Aim: Are you interested in taking over a building in your area for community development or social enterprise purposes? Find out about how the process works and what financial support is available.
Who should attend? This course is aimed at community groups and individuals who wish to manage a building for community benefit.
Content: This training will cover –
- The Localism Act and My Community Rights
- What you need to have in place
- Case studies / good practice
Outcomes: By the end of the session participants will be able to –
- Identify the information and resources necessary to achieve an asset transfer
- Demonstrate how to develop a case for support for a building
- Demonstrate an understanding of best practice requirements
- Identify suitable and relevant funding sources
- Identify the structure of asset based grant applications
- Developing sustainability and capacity within your organisation
- Be able to put together an asset development place
- Leave with wider knowledge of My Community Rights agenda
Methodology: This will be a mixture of presentations, group exercises and discussions and hand-outs.
BID-WRITING
Venue & Times: Central London, near Bond Street tube on the Central Line. 09:30 registration, 10:00 start. Lunch and refreshments provided. Ends 16:30
Aim: To offer delegates a practical guide to writing a good funding bid.
Who should attend? Those who want to learn techniques to make your bid stand out and have a greater chance of success.
Content: This training will cover –
- What funders are looking for and what funders hate
- Contracts and commissioning processes
- Focussing on outcomes not process
- llustrating how a project is to be delivered and making expected results come to life
Outcomes: By the end of the session participants will leave with –
- Knowledge of how to tailor language to funders and commissioners
- Knowing how to see bids from a funders / commissioners perspective
- Knowing how to sell your project as unique
- Knowing how to sell your project as being good value for money
- Knowing how to tell a story in your bid
- Knowing how to separate project and core costs
- An understanding of how to build a strong case for funding support
- An understanding of how to sell a tight project budget
- An understanding of exit strategies and sustainability
Methodology: The session will offer a blend of individual reflection; group exercises; creative and engaging computer-based exercises; presentation; role-plays.
To download this (PDF) leaflet click here.
To download a Word document containing this information click here.
FUNDRAISING
Dates: Two full days: Weds 8th + Weds 15th October, or Four half days: Fri 10th Oct, Fri 17th Oct, Fri 24th Oct + Fri 31st Oct.
Aim: An introduction to fundraising – the aim is to give initial information about how to fundraise in your organisation for entry level/new organisations.
Who should attend: Fundraisers from small charities who wish to develop a plan to access and secure support from a range of funders, to develop an effective case for why funders should support their cause and who are looking to access and secure funding from UK grant-making trusts and foundations.
Content: This training will cover –
- The case for support
- Trusts and Foundations
- Developing a fundraising plan
Outcomes: By the end of the session participants will –
- Be able to identify the information and resources necessary to build the case
- Demonstrate how to use the case in writing and face to face
- Use the case as a starting point for building a relationship with funder
- Identify Trusts & Foundations
- How individual donors and philanthropy operates
- Understand private sector and corporate sponsorship
- Demonstrate an understanding of best practice requirements
- Understand the structure and submit application
- Identify relevant regulation and best practice in fundraising
- Understand how to build a fundraising plan
- Construct the outline of a fundraising plan for their organisation
Methodology: This will be a mixture of presentations, group exercises and discussions & hand-outs.
PARTNERSHIP AND COLLABORATION
Dates: Weds 19th November (full day) and Fri 21st Nov + Fri 28th Nov (two half days)
Content: This training will cover –
- How to approach partnerships and collaborative work
- The ‘pros and cons’ of any partnership & collaboration
- Case studies / good practice
Outcomes: By the end of the session participants will leave with –
- Identify the information and resources necessary to develop partnerships and collaborative work
- Developing an equitable approach in this area and that there accountability in partnerships & when you work in collaboration
- Develop critical analysis and critiques
- Demonstrate an understanding of best practice requirements
- Being clearer about what is driving the partnership & collaboration. Is this a question of choice or necessity
- Defining the wider benefits to the community/service users/members
- Ensuring that there are clear processes for negotiating changes and dealing with differences and disputes
- Wider knowledge of current practice
Methodology: This will be a mixture of presentations, group exercises and discussions and hand-outs.
Venue & Times: Central London, near Bond Street tube on the Central Line. 09:30 registration, 10:00 start. Lunch and refreshments provided. Ends 15:30
Costs: £75 (Charities with 0-9 employees); £150 (Charities with 10-19 employees); £225 (Charities with 20+ employees); £225 (Social Enterprises and CICs); £350 (Companies); £50 (Voice4Change members with over three months membership). 10% off the costs for organisations who are Voice4Change members less than three months.
