Start A Ripple - Make A Wave

It’s time we started putting our heads together and shared ideas to bring change. So here are my top ten ways to awaken others in your local area.

I've been an activist for some years now, in fact, I first went to Parliament age 14 years old, and I can tell you, something has changed recently. A lot of protests are getting lower and lower turnouts. Personal struggles and finances are playing a big part, its very costly to be mobile when money is tight. Then there's personal strength, when you’re having to fight just to survive each day, to keep your home, your family together, the need to fight back maybe be greater then ever but it has been made increasingly difficult by government policies.

My plan is to stop fighting nationally, mainly, and get local instead. Start accepting that change will come from the people not governments. So here are ten steps to making changes locally, in the hope that many others are doing the same all over the country, and the world.

1.
The UK is made up of counties, so we need a #WaveOfAction in every county. Go on Facebook, Twitter, www.waveofaction.org and set up pages/profiles for your county. You can call it whatever you like. It doesn’t have to be, say WaveOfActionWarks, but using the hashtag #WaveOfAction will help promote it.

2.
Go on local Facebook pages, such as items for sale, local newspapers/radio stations, local groups, to promote your Wave of Action group. When you have a small group, discuss local issues and projects you'd like to work on. When you have decided on your first goal, for example, creating a community farm, find a cheap venue/community hall to hold a public meeting about it, for anyone interested in finding out more. Contact local and internet press to tell them about your new action group and what you need from the local area, eg landowners to donate land for the farm. Local media is much more forthcoming than national media is, invite them all along. Promote meeting online, in shop windows, hand out leaflets at schools, outside job centres, Citizen Advise Centres, foodbanks, to neighbours. Contact local green parties, they may support you.

3.
Research online to find experts who can speak on your issue, such as people already campaigning the same things, and invite them to the meeting. Engage with people and make sure you give them information on your aims and how they can get involved.

This should get you enough interest to begin a local campaign. This is adaptable to anything, such as anti- corruption, anti-fracking, saving hospitals, and so on. I like to think of this as planting the seed for local change, now you just need to help it grow.

When you have a good local group going you will reach out to other members of your community and we can become a recognised force for change. Boycott companies as a group and encourage using local businesses, helping boost local families and local economy.


Search online for activist training, in your area, that suits your needs area. Many are free and will help with travel.

4.
Networking, make sure you update online regularly, interact with members, and post your events on www.waveofaction.org. Designate members in your group to collate information with the national group, which will help you spread your news. Host national talks inviting the other counties and create national events together or invite them to support yours. Support as many as other counties’ events, as you can, both in person and online.

5.
Remember to work on your own spiritual development and wellbeing – at all times. Contact your local Spiritualist/New Age/Buddhist community and see if you can find members will to help with group meditations and guidance for those who want it.

6.
Encourage members to volunteer in your area, to reach out and speak to people. The more people we talk to, the more likely change is to come. If we cant beat them marching the streets, let us beat them by undoing the brainwashing and giving people the information to want change themselves. Be kind, collect donations for foodbanks, homeless, the needy. One thing that has struck me personally is if a mother can’t afford food for her kids, I’m damn sure she can’t afford toiletries. The foodbanks can’t put this stuff in bags but if donated they can put them on table for people to take (it’s the same with pet food and fresh fruit and veg). We should be encouraging donations of such items.

7.
Attend local and national marches together as your group – share lifts, research carpooling website, or, if there are enough people attending, all chip in for coaches to make travelling cheaper. The Megabus is also very cheap if booked over two weeks in advance. When there, take lots of photos and videos to make sure anyone in your area who feels there is something wrong in world knows they are not alone as there are others who have been to protests that they too can join with.

8.
Get political! Do any members fancy standing for Councillor/MP as independents? Look into the requirements, what does it entail? Do you have the numbers to support applications, or the funds for fees? If this is the path you wish to take to make change, go for it! However, if you’re against the current political system entirely, no problem, get together and protest outside town halls/council offices/polling stations and voice your discontent.

9.
Understand there will be conflict sometimes. As above, two groups may be fighting opposites sides; some willing to vote, others against it – that’s democracy, my friend, and #WaveOfAction is about as democratic as you can get. You put ideas out there. People who like them pick them up and run with them, people who don’t, won’t. The more people who agree with you, the more successful your campaigning will be. Simple.

Just to be clear: no hate-based campaign will ever be supported by WaveOfActionUK.

10.
Make it fun. Everyone loves to laugh. So think of funny, creative ideas to get your ideas across and build support. You will attract more members and engagement with everyday people if you remain light-hearted and don’t take yourself too seriously. Yes, there will be times when humour will not be appropriate, but when reaching out to those who are not as aware as you, a little humour goes a long way.

So, that’s ten ideas for Step One – Creating a Network to Make Real Change.


As for Step 2 well, that’s over to the collective and where we all want to go next

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