Changing your world

3 February 2010

Y Care International's Changing Your World - Campaigning and Lobbying Skills for Young People course is a three-day residential open to young people from YMCAs across the UK and Ireland.

The course offers young people the opportunity to learn a range of practical skills for campaigning and lobbying, as well as meeting other young people who want to make a change for good. It is fun and interactive, with plenty of time for discussion and campaign planning. We have been running the course since 2004. 

Changing Your World is for any young person, regardless of previous experience. It aims to build their confidence and skills so they can go out and make a difference in whatever area they think needs to change.

What's involved?
Course trainers Kelly Drake and Lord Rupert Redesdale encourage participants to become involved in campaigning on international issues. Participants learn the skills and confidence they need to become active citizens and advocates for change.

The interactive course runs three times a year at a London training venue. It includes a day spent meeting MPs and Peers in the Houses of Parliament so participants can quiz them about strategies for successful campaigning and how to make the greatest impact.

Course participants receive a campaigning toolkit to accompany the course. The step-by-step guide is full of information and ideas on how to make lobbying and campaigning fun.

YMCA Ireland has adapted the course and is running it in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland.

Outcomes
At the end of the course Y Care International supports participants to go back to their YMCAs, put into practice what they have learnt and run the campaigns they have planned. Many YMCAs stay involved in our campaigns, including our Youth Justice in Action campaign.

Others have run local campaigns at their YMCAs and in their local communities around issues they feel passionate about.

Training the trainers
As part of the 'Changing your world' course, in July 2009, a diverse group of trainers from around the country came together to learn about how to use campaigning as a way to engage young people. There were representatives from YMCAs across the country, including Sunderland, Wales, Norfolk and South London. This was the first 'Training the Trainers' course and the first of many. Watch this space!

This course is run in partnership with YMCA England.

"We came away feeling motivated, confident, and seeing our place in the world differently." Jackie Small, support worker

"The recent course set of a wave of enthusiasm amongst the residents and staff at our YMCA.  They loved it and many of them came back aspiring to be politicians! They have already announced intentions to get involved in campaigning" Rodney Akko, youth worker

Email us to find out more or to register your YMCA on the next course.