Join the Changemakers in Turbulent Times programme
Do you want to explore what change means to you in the UK today?
Are you looking to connect with a network of people who are working for social change at every level across the UK?
Would you like to leverage your passion for more effective action, have greater confidence in yourself, and build the skills to drive meaningful, lasting change?
Changemakers in Turbulent Times is a unique, 6-week programme that supports people working for social change across the UK to re-energise, connect across sectors, and amplify creative responses to the challenges of our times.
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Join our free, online, 6-week programme designed for people working for social change.
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Connect across sectors and initiatives within a UK-wide network of changemakers.
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Turn your ideas into action and make the change you want to see.
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Create space to
build awareness of yourself and the
world around you.
Why is this programme for me?
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- You are concerned by the growing challenges in the UK and across the globe.
- You want to build greater awareness and confidence in yourself as changemaker.
- You want to drive more impactful change at local and/or systemic levels.
- You are looking for ways to meaningfully connect and collaborate with an inspiring UK-wide community that, together, drives substantial change.
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What challenges does this programme address?
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- The UK is experiencing financial, environmental, and social crises. Division, polarisation and extremism are high amongst the British population, with 43% describing modern Britain as ‘declining’.
- While changemakers are working to bridge these societal divisions, they must be resourced. Many are isolated, chronically underfunded, and often overwhelmed by the growing challenges they see in the UK and globally.
- More and more, community leaders are being asked to hold space for difficult conversations and challenging viewpoints without the skills or support necessary to prevent further division, polarisation, and harm.
- Social change initiatives, and the teams behind them, often operate within low-resource silos, with few opportunities to meaningfully and organically connect or share resources across sectors.
- Changemakers often encounter challenges that can arise from external factors, internal struggles, or a combination of both. Yet, many people are so caught up in fire-fighting that they don’t have time to sit back, take stock, and learn from others in order to navigate these common obstacles.
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“For me, this is the model of how it should be done going forward. They’ve got it exactly right in terms of approach, content, how you bring people who work in the community together as one – and that’s what they have done. It felt as if it was one. A collective of people who want to bring about real change and be well.”
2023 Changemakers participant
“Changemakers In Turbulent Times is designed very specifically for this moment, when we’re all being asked to respond to the challenges of our times in creative ways. We resource participants, help them build new connections and inspire and innovate meaningful, lasting change.”
Jo Berry
Head of Peacebuilding & acclaimed speaker
Have questions? Read our FAQs below.
What is the Changemakers in Turbulent Times programme?
The 2024 Changemakers in Turbulent Times is a 6-week, online programme for changemakers across the UK, delivered by leading global peacebuilding and conflict resolution experts.
The programme connects individuals and organisations that strive for positive, peaceful change across the UK. It facilitates collaboration across sectors, the development of vital tools like conflict mapping and holding difficult conversations, and opportunities to respond to some of the UK’s biggest cross-sector social cohesion challenges, like poverty, discrimination, and extremism.
Who is the programme for?
The programme is for anyone working to make positive change in the UK.
We bring together individuals who are passionate about, and experienced at, driving lasting, positive change at all levels, and across all sectors of work, personal backgrounds, leadership ranks and titles, and life experiences. This includes, but is not limited to, grassroots activists, non-profit founders, policymakers, community & faith leaders, entrepreneurs, health & social care workers, and educators. We also invite those who have ideas about the change they want to see, and are looking to take the next step in turning their ideas into action.
Our programme is for those who are interested in and working to address a range of social issues. For example, community conflict and violence, racial discrimination, climate change, and poverty, amongst others.
We invite changemakers from diverse backgrounds, including but not limited to race, ethnicity, spiritual beliefs, socioeconomic status, gender identity, sexual orientation, political affiliation, and ability. Applicants must be aged 18+.
We are also committed to making our programme accessible to those who consider themselves to have a disability or health condition.
What are the dates of the programme?
This is a six-week programme that takes place from 12 June – 17 July, 2024. Applications are open from April 22 – May 16, 2024.
On what days/times will the programme run?
Sessions will take place online, via Zoom, every Wednesday from 10am-12:30pm.
Can I apply from anywhere in the UK?
Yes, our programme takes place online and is open to anyone who lives or works in the UK.
How do I apply and when is the deadline?
Applications are open from 22 April, 2024. The deadline to apply is 16 May, 2024. You can apply using our simple online application form, or you can get in touch to send us a video application at: ruby@planforpeace.org.
What’s the time commitment required?
Participants are required to commit 2.5 hours a week for the duration of this 6-week programme. Sessions will be held online, every Wednesday, from 10am-12:30pm.
We know that many participants are working full-time or have other personal and professional commitments, which is why we have kept core participation requirements low. There will be additional, optional, opportunities to deepen your experience (see next FAQ).
Are there any opportunities or time commitments outside of the core sessions?
There are other, optional opportunities to deepen your Changemakers experience. While these are not compulsory, we encourage everyone to participate where possible.
- Community Connect sessions: Held online, 6-7pm, every other Thursday. These start the week before the first core session (Thurs 6th June).
- Small working groups based around interests.
- And more!
I can’t attend all of the sessions, should I still apply?
Please only apply if you are confident you can attend all six sessions. Participants must do so in order to receive a certificate of completion. We do, however, understand that personal and professional circumstances can arise that impact attendance. Session recordings are available if a session is missed or disrupted.
I don’t have good technical skills, should I still apply?
All sessions are delivered online, via Zoom, and we use Google Drive as a resource hub. Both platforms are straightforward to use and we have a helpful team available to support!
If you’d like to talk to us about this or about any other access needs you have, please contact: ruby@planforpeace.org.
I don’t have access to the internet and/or a computer, can I still apply?
We are committed to making our programme as accessible as we can. We have a small number of internet devices and laptops available for loan throughout the programme. Please get in touch if this is something you’d like to chat about.
Do I always need to have my camera on?
As our programme is held online, it relies on everyone being able to engage and interact with one another. We encourage participants to have their cameras on, at least during discussions or activities, as it greatly improves this experience and aids those who rely on lipreading. However, it is not a requirement and we welcome all participants to apply, including those who cannot rely on visual cues, are more comfortable with their cameras off, and/or may be juggling other priorities, like childcare.
English isn’t my first language, should I still apply?
This programme is held in English and participants must be able to understand and speak the language. However, please do not let concerns about your language ability hold you back from applying.
If you can follow a TedTalk in English on YouTube, and speak in English with a group of friends about things that are important to you, you should be able to follow the programme.
There will be minimal reading and writing required. There will be some supporting course materials in English, but reading these is not a requirement. ‘Closed captions’ are enabled on the Zoom platform to enable anyone who needs that support to access it during the live sessions.
If you would like to chat about this, please get in touch: ruby@planforpeace.org
Are there any costs involved?
We are pleased to offer full funding for every place on the Changemakers in Turbulent Times programme. Participants will incur no fees.
Who is the programme led by?
The programme is led by a team of people with many years experience between them of working for social change and peacebuilding, in the UK and globally. The programme will be led by Jo Berry and Ruby Kellard, who you can find out more about here. You will also have access to recordings of talks from a range of inspiring speakers, predominantly from the UK, but also from the US.
I’d like to have a chat with someone about the programme - who should I contact?
We’d love to hear from you! Please email our Programme Manager, Ruby Kellard: ruby@planforpeace.org.