Shape stories that move people
Use proven frameworks to craft founder, brand or beneficiary stories with clarity and authenticity.
Tell stories responsibly
Build ethical practice around representation, consent and avoiding common storytelling pitfalls.
Get buy-in from stakeholders
Strengthen communications to help you convince funders, buyers or investors of your work's value. Better engage your audience.
Make the most out of your resources
Get more engagement for the work you put into communications. Waste less resource and get better results.
About the workshop
Impact Storytelling is a practical, interactive workshop for impact-led organisations who want to uncover, shape and share stories that drive action.
Whether you’re telling your founder story, pitching for funding or amplifying community voices, you’ll learn how to communicate with greater clarity, authenticity and impact. You’ll explore why stories work, what makes a strong narrative, and how to apply simple frameworks to your own work. The session also covers working with media through a solutions journalism lens, plus ethical and responsible storytelling. Delivered in partnership with Pioneers Post, by experienced editors and trainers Julie Pybus and Anna Patton.
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The science and psychology of why stories work
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Key components of a strong story and narrative frameworks
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Three concepts to guide any social impact story (and apply them to yours)
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Linking storytelling to organisational strategy
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Putting principles into practice for fundraising, brand and communications
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Working with the media and the solutions journalism movement
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Responsible storytelling: ethics, representation and real-life examples
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Tools and resources to keep supporting your communications
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Understand why storytelling works, and how it can strengthen your communications strategy.
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Practise practical story frameworks, with examples from real social enterprises.
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Develop a draft founder, brand or beneficiary story you can keep building after the session.
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Learn how to adapt stories for fundraising, brand building, media and social media.
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Explore solutions journalism and how to amplify what’s working, not just what’s wrong.
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Build confidence in responsible storytelling, including ethics, representation and avoiding common pitfalls.
Expect an interactive session with short inputs from the trainers, real-world examples, and time to apply the frameworks to your own organisation’s story. You’ll take part in discussion, ask questions, and leave with a draft story you can refine.
This workshop takes place on Zoom.
You’ll be signposted to practical tools and resources shared during the session to support your communications long after the workshop, including story frameworks and further reading on solutions journalism and responsible storytelling.
This workshop is ideal for communications officers and managers, founders and solo entrepreneurs, and senior leaders responsible for comms or brand building. It’s also useful for volunteers or board members who help promote a venture. Open to anyone worldwide, from beginners in communications to experienced professionals looking for a refresher with a social impact lens.
About the trainer
This workshop is delivered in partnership with Pioneers Post.
Julie Pybus is editor of Pioneers Post, as well as an editor and copywriter for social sector clients, with 25 years’ experience in this field. She trained as a magazine journalist, and her work has always been grounded in the principles of solutions journalism – exploring how society’s challenges can be tackled, sharing knowledge, and inspiring others to take action.
Anna Patton is associate editor and training lead at Pioneers Post, as well as a freelance writer and communications adviser for social purpose organisations. She is an accredited trainer of solutions journalism, and a fellow of the On Purpose programme.
Julie and Anna have worked together for many years to train social entrepreneurs, journalists and content creators in effective storytelling for social change.
Impact skills for anyone
Our workshops are designed for people looking to create impact, but anyone, anywhere can join.
15% off for Early Birds
A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available at a discount of 15% off.
Expert-led course
This course is delivered by Pioneers Post, the the independent news network for the global impact community.
Essential skills in a few hours
Strengthen yourself and your projects in less than a day. Take part in discussions and exercises. Come away with practical actions.
Feedback about SSE workshops
87 %
of people score 8/10 or above for quality of facilitation
84 %
of people score 7/10 or above for usefulness
758
Workshop places booked in 2025
FAQ
If you have any questions that are not answered here, please feel free to contact us.
Yes, we can offer any of our workshops or completely bespoke training on request. Please contact us to discuss the options.
You are very welcome to book for multiple people but each individual joining the workshop must be booked on to join, even if sharing a computer. You can select your number of tickets when you make your booking.
If you are booking for 3 or more people, feel free to contact us to enquire about a group discount.
Cancellations or booking changes can be made up until 7 days before the workshop. You may change the name of the person attending at any time but only one person can join the course per booking.
If you wish to make a change or cancellation please contact us and state the name of the workshop and email address used to make the booking.
This workshop takes place online via Zoom. Once you have booked your place you will receive joining instructions in your confirmation email and in reminders closer to the time of the workshop.
All currently available dates are listed in the Book now section. We run most of our workshops repeatedly throughout the year, so if you cannot see further dates, they may not have yet been scheduled. Subscribe to our newsletter at the bottom of the page to be kept up to date.
We do not record all our workshops as they are interactive workshops and watching back a recording does not provide the value of taking part live. It also allows people to speak more freely when taking part in discussions within the workshop.
Please see our section on Prices.
At the School for Social Entrepreneurs (SSE), we back people with purpose. With practical learning that makes sense in the real world. With funding that grows as you grow. With mentors, peers and people who’ve been there and done it. We don’t care where you started. We care about where you’re going and the difference you want to make in your life, in your community, and in the world.
Find out more about SSE here.
If you have a question that is not answered on this page, please feel free to contact us.
Prices
Select a date in the Book Now section to see prices. Please note:
- The price is based on your organisation’s total annual income, regardless of profit.
- Our pricing is designed to be as accessible as possible for people wanting to create impact at any scale.
- The prices you can see are already heavily discounted, particularly for smaller organisations.
- There are no additional discounts for not-for-profits or government organisations.
Early bird tickets
A limited number of Early Bird tickets are available at a discount of 15% off.
Group bookings
If you would like to make a booking for 3 or more places please contact us to get a price for a group discount.
Bespoke training and support
We have a range of options for delivering impactful training to your organisation or organisations you support. Get in touch to find out more.
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