This unit helps you develop your campaigning skills. You already know each other well as a group and know what issues you want to take action on. You know about the wider community and which people and groups are likely to support your aims. You need to reach them effectively and gain their support. To do that, you need to know how to campaign for change. The methods you need depend on what you are trying to achieve, who you need to influence, the context in which you are working and the resources you have available. The activities in this unit look to give you the basic building blocks, which can be adapted or arranged in different ways depending on your needs and circumstance. Because of the range of methods and examples given, you will find this unit a bit longer than the others.

• Creating a clear message
• Getting the message across
• Keeping the campaign alive

A group of young people in Cambridge decided to form a Young People’s Citizen’s Jury in response to a number of local issues. They launched a young person’s newspaper called Gunge and organised meetings with local councillors. Following this initial success, the group composed a comprehensive report that they presented to Cambridge City Council. The report, entitled Shoot Your Mouth Off, contained a host of proposals designed to improve provision for local young people. ‘It has certainly changed things,’ said 13-year-old Craig Knight. ‘We managed to change the way that bus fares are priced, so there are now special rates for people under 16. Now we want to try something similar for cinema tickets.’

The group has achieved its main aims of getting more young people involved, giving young people a stronger voice in Cambridge and making change happen. A Young Consultant Scheme is now up and running, with youth workers visiting schools and youth centres to spread the word. The group has also organised a major summer event for young people. Check out www.nya.org.uk/whatschanged for a large range of inspirational stories of children and young people making change happen.

Below are the three aims of the unit. Use activity sheet 27 to rate your current knowledge. Give yourself a personal score on the scale 1-2-3-4-5. 1 is low and 5 is high. What proof do you have? Refer to the list in the Introduction for examples of what might be good sources of evidence. This is particularly important if you are using this unit to gain credits towards an award. What score would you give yourselves as a group?

Download the Unit 4 - What Do We Know worksheet

4.1 Creating a clear message

• 4.1(a) In The Picture
• 4.1(b) Read All About It
• 4.1(c) Spinning A Line

4.2 Getting the message across

• 4.2(a) Listen To This
• 4.2(b) Taking The Mike
• 4.2(c) On The Spot

4.3 Keeping the campaign alive

• 4.3(a) Finding The Target
• 4.3(b) The Big Event
• 4.3(c) Back Off

Unit Review