Mission

The Advocacy Academy: Training a New Generation of Social Change Makers

Category

Disability

Additional Information

The Advocacy Academy is an intensive four day adventure that challenges students to speak truth to power. We seek to help young people from Lambeth develop the knowledge, insight, skills, networks and access to effectively stand up for what they believe in. We do this by training them in direct advocacy, campaigning and grassroots organising.  Our pilot took place in late June in a variety of community spaces in Brixton, and we focused our efforts on 12 students aged 17 and 18. Volunteers from Shelter, Mind, Citizens UK and the Department for International Development (to name just a few) ran interactive workshops that exposed participants to a variety of tough public policy issues, from homelessness to human rights. All our sessions are crafted to empower and enable our participants to improve their world and themselves. The highlight of every student's experience came when they delivered a speech on an issue - about which they were particularly passionate - to Lambeth Councillors in the Town Hall, their GLA representative in City Hall, and Kate Hoey MP in Westminster.This year’s Advocacy Academy will be taking place from 9-13th July 2015, and your advice and insight as the programme develops would be hugely appreciated. - In Their Own Words - “The Advocacy Academy was an experience which has changed me hugely for the better. I learnt not to shy away from the big battles, and never to be scared of people in high positions.” Rosie Bruce, Evelyn Grace Academy.“Because of The Advocacy Academy, I began to understand the impact that one life can have on implementing change...that my voice matters. Where you come from is not an excuse to not get to somewhere excellent.” - Michael Asante, Lambeth Academy.“Thanks to The Advocacy Academy I have been far more vocal in school on the issues I feel strongly about and have encouraged other students to do the same." - Saskia Borchardt-Hume, Graveney Sixth Form. “What lessons did I take away from The Advocacy Academy? That everyone, no matter their “status” in society, has a voice and has the right to use that voice in the way they want. And that even though what they say may not be important to you, they deserve to be heard.”  - Gaius Mavila, Lilian Baylis Technology School.“Because of The Advocacy Academy I’ve put myself out there instead of waiting for opportunities to be given to me. I’ve gone out and sought them.” - Alex Roughead, The London Nautical School.