Activism 101

A beginners guide to activism; what is it, how to do it and where to start.

Are you bothered by something unfair in society? Want to do something about it?
Blackpool Activist Alliance invites you to a series of workshops where we will share skills and knowledge that empowers us to make positive change on the issues we care about.

Activism 101 is a beginner’s guide, for young people who have questions and ideas like:
am I an activist?

• are there any examples of activism actually changing things?
• what are the different types of action that I can take? (it’s not only chucking soup on paintings)
• how do I find my people?
• would I get arrested for protesting?
• what is already happening locally?
• how do I turn my hope for change into a plan?
• where do I start?

Who is running the session?
Ella Baker School of Organising (EBSO): EBSO specialise in training community activists using fantastic training materials based on concrete examples of struggles here in the UK. They’re growing a volunteer network of trained facilitators that can learn from each others experiences and can deliver training to local community groups. Their work is all about encouraging people to come together and organise for a more democratic, more equal and more sustainable world.

So what are the details?
When: 6pm – 8pm Tuesday 4th July
Where: Aunty Social, 28 Topping Street
For who: Those living, working or studying in Blackpool. You don’t need to identify as an activist or come with any specific knowledge. Everyone has expertise to share through their lived-experience and anyone can be an activist!
Age Range: Suggested age range 15-20, but if you’re older or younger and interested in social action you’re welcome. If you are under 16, your parent or carer will will need to fill in a consent form. We’ll email this to you once you sign up.
Cost: This is a free event
Refreshments: We’ll provide hot & cold drinks.
Access: We will ask you about your access needs (e.g. large print, BSL interpreter, level access) when you book your ticket.

BOOK YOUR PLACE

Who are the Activist Alliance?
This event and the following skills and knowledge exchange workshops are being programmed and facilitated by the Activist Alliance.
The Activist Alliance is a collaboration between Boingboing Foundation and community partners like Aunty Social, Empowement, Ella Baker School of Organising based on the concept of Activism for Resilience, the idea that people taking action towards social justice is beneficial to their mental health and wellbeing, both in the doing itself and in the potential outcomes. This is why the Boingboing conception of resilience is ‘beating the odds whilst also changing the odds’.

This is part of a stream of workshops where we will share skills and knowledge equipping us all to take steps towards positive change on the issues that we care about.