Sue Tibballs on why anyone who considers themselves a campaigner should take part in the new Sheila McKechnie Foundation survey

The Sheila McKechnie Foundation was set up in memory of one of the most fearless campaigners of her generation. Born in Falkirk, Sheila rose from being a trades union worker to becoming chief executive of Shelter and the Consumers Association, later Which?, and was, in her own words, “a fully paid up member of the awkward squad”. She was an extraordinary woman who made a huge difference in her lifetime standing up for the vulnerable and fighting for fairness for all.

SMK today is dedicated to empowering people to have a voice and to be able to create positive and lasting change – from grassroots and voluntary campaigners to professional campaigners in larger organisations. We also seek to be a voice for the campaign community advocating for the importance of campaigning, and protecting the space to campaign.

A campaigner is anyone who is trying to bring about social change whether working voluntarily in the community or as a professional campaigner

Sue Tibballs

To help us do this work, we have just launched a new campaigner survey that we plan to carry out each year. As far as we know, this is the first time any organisation has attempted to conduct regular research specifically within the campaign community. We believe the campaign community plays a distinct role and has distinct needs, and we hope this survey will help us both evidence and support this.

Our interest is two-fold: we’d like to know how campaigners feel about the space to campaign at the moment. As readers will know, charities south of the border have come under considerable pressure to pull back from campaigning in the face of a raft of limiting legislation and guidance from the government and the English regulator, the Charity Commission. It would be fascinating to know how campaigners in Scotland are faring by way of comparison, and what issues they identify.

Our second interest is in understanding what kinds of support campaigners feel they need. The market of training and support for campaigners is still relatively new. It will be fascinating to see what challenges and opportunities campaigners identify, to help us and other providers review our package of support.

It is important to say, perhaps, what we mean by campaigner. For us, a campaigner is anyone who is trying to bring about social change whether working voluntarily in the community or as a professional campaigner in a larger organisation. Not everyone will necessarily see themselves as or call themselves a campaigner – but as far as we are concerned, we are interested in hearing from anyone seeking social change – whether local or global, as an individual or as part of a group or organisation.

We will use the results of the survey to inform the way we seek to support and champion campaigners. The survey takes no more than 10 minutes to complete, and all responses will be treated in strictest confidence. And, as an added incentive, if you do take part, you may win £50 of John Lewis vouchers.

So please help us do more to help you by taking part in SMK’s Campaigner Survey.

Sue Tibballs is chief executive of the Sheila McKechnie Foundation