+ This is What an Activist Looks Like training programme

The Greater Manchester Older People’s Network has so many active members who are doing so much to get older people’s voices heard, celebrate older people’s contributions and challenge ageism.  We want to help you to do this even better and to inspire others to do the same. 

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Do you like making a difference?

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Do you like working with others to make things better for your communities? 

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Do you want to take your activism to the next level?

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Join our programme and get to know other like-minded individuals who want to learn new skills and meet others who are positive about making change happen and inspiring others.

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This programme is being facilitated by skilled and experienced trainers from Greater Manchester and has been fully funded through Ambition for Ageing and the Lottery. The programme is free to attend to any residents of Greater Manchester aged 50+.

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There are 3 sessions in the programme which should equip you with a suite of skills that will really help you to get your voice heard, advocate for others and make change in your communities for the better.

All the training is inclusive and participative – we will all be learning from each other and it doesn’t matter how much experience you have.

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The three sessions are as follows:

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Session 1: Making your voice heard: presenting skills

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Whether you are attending a local meeting, speaking to your MP or even being interviewed by a journalist: the same top tricks can be used to make sure you get your point of view across in a powerful and engaging way. Join the Talking About My Generation team as they host a training workshop on presenting skills, covering:

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• Building confidence and addressing any concerns that may act as barriers to speaking out

• Understanding how to prepare your key messages for any speaking opportunity 

• Understand how the ABC technique can help us deal with challenging questions

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Session 2: Helping others get their voice heard - Facilitating inclusive conversations

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In this session you will:

 

• Explore what we mean by ‘facilitating inclusive conversations’ and the skills needed

• Think about how to draw out the opinions and ideas of group members

• Reflect on what’s different when we’re working online

 

This session is facilitated by Sarah Forster (Facilitator, Trainer and Consultant)

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Session 3: Working together - Understanding group dynamics for effective collaboration

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In this session you will explore group dynamics and understand more about the invisible factors behind collaboration which can help us all be more effective activists and influencers. This session will be facilitated by Amity CIC

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You can book to attend the set of three sessions either online or in person. Please note, at the moment the in person sessions have been delayed due to COVID regulations but we hope these will be able to start in February.

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There will also be an opportunity for some of those attending the training to attend a co-production session to design their own 'This is what An Activist Looks like' training session and to deliver this as a pilot to others later in the year using some of the skills they have developed.

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Dates for the online sessions are as follows:

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