Groups and organisations undertaking policy and influencing work to achieve social change use a range of approaches and seek a variety of different outcomes, depending on their focus and the environment they are operating in. Sometimes change happens relatively quickly, through the use of just a few tactics; more often meaningful change takes time with different strategies being needed at different points. It is rare that change comes through the actions of a single group, it is nearly always the result of a number of organisations and individuals working on an issue together, bringing diverse perspectives, skills, resources and connections. You might decide to act as the critical friend, who influences quietly behind the scenes, or you might choose public campaigning, making your issue visible to as many people as possible.
And whilst it’s important to have a plan and to think about the steps you need to take to bring about the change you want to see, it’s also good to be ready to seize opportunities when they arise, from expected new legislation to your issue or cause unexpectedly hitting the headlines.
Millfield House Foundation supports organisations taking a social justice approach to policy change where the focus is on bringing about wider change that tackles some of the root causes of poverty and inequity in our region. The work we fund is varied but will always include a combination of some of the approaches and activities outlined here. If you’d like more information on how to bring about social change, we recommend Lloyds Bank Foundation’s The Change Maker’s Toolkit.
Research and analysis
Research and analysis activities which can include:
- Listening to those affected
- Identifying problems, gaps and opportunities
- Analysing possible solutions
- Knowing your community/place/region
- Understanding your audience, their constraints and opportunities, any power dynamics at play
- Costing policies, making change achievable
These are the activities people most commonly associate with ‘policy work’ but also need other approaches – there have been many insightful reports with brilliant recommendations that were never actioned.
Working with others
- Building alliances, across sectors or with advocates on related issues
- Brokering consensus or finding compromises
- Building movements
- Sustaining agendas in the longer-term
Co-production
- Amplifying the voices of those with lived experience
- Designing solutions with communities
- Actively sharing power
- Advocating rights-based approaches
Communications
- Story telling
- Making the argument for change – articulating the ‘why?’
- Understanding the routes to influence
- Explaining your vision and the change you want to see
- Sharing information and ideas