Stronger Voices is a free, six-month strategic communications capacity-building programme for London-based equality organisations.
Applications are now open for the next round of this programme, delivered by Media Trust and Equally Ours, that supports equality organisations to communicate more effectively with their audiences and raise the profile of their work in the media.
With the cost of living crisis, it is crucial that the media and policymakers hear from the people whose lives, livelihoods and wellbeing are most affected.
Given the unequal impact of spiralling living costs on certain communities e.g., women, Black and minority ethnic groups, the elderly, disabled people and families living in social housing, this year’s Stronger Voices programme will prioritise organisations that:
- are working to support economically vulnerable individuals and communities
- have a strong policy/advocacy focus in their work.
What can I expect to learn on the programme?
The programme covers many elements of strategic communications from communications strategy and planning to key messaging and storytelling, from pitching to journalists and media interview training to social media optimisation strategies and mentoring by Google volunteers on using Google Ad Grants.
Our former programme participants have seen huge immediate returns from the programme, particularly press coverage in mainstream media including CNN, the Guardian, the Independent, Newsnight and the Times.
When and where does the programme take place?
This year’s Stronger Voices programme will run from October 2022 to March 2023.
Whilst the majority of the workshops will be online, there may be some elements of the programme which are delivered face-to-face, depending on the preferences and accessibility requirements of participants, as well as the situation in relation to Covid-19.
Who Should Apply?
This programme is designed for the person responsible for the day-to-day communications at your organisation. It’s fine if they also have other non-comms related responsibilities.
The programme is designed to be flexible so different people from your organisation can attend different sessions if your comms person isn’t available but they will need one lead contact who should ideally endeavour to attend the entire programme or as many sessions as possible.
To be eligible, your organisation must meet the following essential criteria:
- Supports beneficiaries from one or more of the nine protected characteristics detailed in the Equality Act (2010)
- Is working in one of the 33 London boroughs
- Can provide at least two years of financial records
- Is a small to medium sized registered charity with a turnover of £2 million or less.
Priority will be given to organisations that meet one or more of the desirable criteria below:
- Organisations that are working to tackle the impact of rising living costs on marginalised communities
- Organisations that work intersectionally across multiple equality strands (more than one of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act)
- Organisations that can demonstrate they are user-led (i.e., a majority of their board and senior executive team come from the communities they serve)
They welcome applications from all organisations that meet the essential criteria, but priority will be given to those that also meet the desirable criteria.
Information webinar
If you have questions regarding the programme including the application process or eligibility criteria, please join them on 23 August for a Q&A session.
Applications close on Tuesday 13 September 2022 at 6pm – apply online via their website.
If you have questions about Stronger Voices, or how to apply, email the Stronger Voices Programme Manager – Rabia Mirza on rabiam@mediatrust.org
