The Changemakers Academy
The Revolving Doors Academy is a six-week development programme created with people with lived experience, for people with lived experience.
I feel optimistic about my future and that I can achieve anything with the right support. – Changemakers Academy graduate
The Academy is designed to help you build the skills, confidence and knowledge you need to get involved with Revolving Doors, share your experiences safely and effectively, and develop your voice as a lived experience member and leader.
Across 12 modules over six weeks, you’ll explore practical skills including communication, confidence, public speaking, self-care, critical thinking, research, influencing and leadership.
Academy is a space where you can try new things, learn alongside other people with lived experience, challenge yourself and recognise the value of your own experience.
Why take part?
Your lived experience is valuable. The Academy gives you the tools and confidence to turn that experience into influence and positive change.
By taking part, you’ll have the opportunity to:
- Build your confidence and develop your self-belief.
- Strengthen your communication skills, including assertiveness, diplomacy and active listening.
- Learn how to share your lived experience safely, while protecting your wellbeing and boundaries.
- Develop your public speaking skills and feel more comfortable speaking to different audiences.
- Understand how to use your voice to influence change and speak truth to power.
- Develop practical research and critical-thinking skills that you can use in your work and everyday life.
- Learn about co-production and how lived experience can shape research, policy and services.
- Connect with other people with lived experience and become part of a supportive community.
- Explore leadership and discover new opportunities to use your skills and experience.
- Build transferable skills that can support you into employment, volunteering, consultancy and other opportunities.
What can you achieve?
The Academy is about more than completing a course. It’s about discovering what you’re capable of. Previous participants have told us that the Academy has helped them try things they would never normally consider, overcome fears, become more assertive and grow in confidence.
In our April 2025 Academy,
100% of respondents said the programme supported their public speaking and critical-thinking skills.
78% strongly agreed that taking part increased their confidence.
90.9% reported feeling optimistic about their future which is an increase from 77.7% in 2024.
The Academy has also supported members to take their next steps.
Since completing the programme across 2024/25, six members progressed into employment, consultancy or further paid and voluntary opportunities with other charities.
And the impact can last well beyond graduation. During the last financial year, nine of our ten most active members had previously taken part in the Academy.
The Changemakers Academy: An overview
Welcome, connection and self-management
Start your Academy journey by meeting your fellow Changemakers and the Revolving Doors team. You’ll explore self-management, healthy work/life balance and how to get the most from your Academy experience.
Boundaries, burnout, self-care and safe sharing
Learn how to recognise your needs, set healthy boundaries and protect your wellbeing. You’ll also explore how to safely share your lived experience and listen to others while looking after yourself.
Confidence, assertiveness and communication
Build your confidence and learn how to communicate your ideas effectively. You’ll explore assertiveness, tact and diplomacy and how these skills can strengthen your involvement with Revolving Doors.
Public speaking and media skills
Develop the confidence and practical skills to speak in meetings, forums and events. You’ll also learn how to approach media opportunities and build an effective online presence.
Influence, critical thinking and research
Explore how to use your experience and knowledge to influence change. You’ll develop your critical-thinking, problem-solving and research skills and discover the power of co-production.
Leadership, reflection and what’s next
Bring everything you’ve learned together. Explore what it means to be a lived experience leader, reflect on your journey and identify where you want to go next.
The Academy finishes with an opportunity to come together, celebrate your achievements and graduate alongside your fellow Changemakers.
Your Academy journey
Throughout the six weeks, you’ll have a mixture of online and in-person sessions, giving you opportunities to learn, connect and practise your skills in different ways.
You don’t need to have all the answers. You don’t need to be an experienced public speaker or researcher. And you don’t need to know exactly where you want your lived experience journey to take you.
You just need to be willing to learn, participate and give something new a try. The Revolving Doors Academy is your opportunity to build confidence, develop new skills, connect with others and discover what you can achieve when your lived experience is recognised as a strength.
