Getting Heard: Engaging with decision-makers

For many young people, taking part in a social action project provides one of the first opportunities to influence people outside of their immediate circle. Communicating, persuading, reasoning with, negotiating, storytelling, seeing things from other people’s point of view...all these skills are crucial to being able to understand, empathise with, and get the best out of our communities.

Whether it’s approaching a business leader for support with a plastic-free initiative, presenting to the Town’s Fund councillor for a grant, or lobbying the local MP to get a campaign heard in Parliament, being able to engage effectively with decision-makers in their communities gives an empowering sense of agency to young people delivering social action.

In this free resource for educators (primary and secondary) we will explore who holds ‘the power’ locally, and nationally, including political and financial decision-makers, and other influential people such as the media and religious and community leaders. We’ll look at what it is they can, and should, be doing to help community projects such as yours, where they are located, and how best to make contact.