Blackpool Activist Alliance: Self Care for Activists (+ pottery workshop)

Come and find ways to better support yourself and other activists, making the most of rest and preventing burnout.

About this event
The Ella Baker School of Organising has developed this session to explore how we can best organise our communities while taking care of our minds and bodies.
Too often active supporters of social justice movements are cynically seen as a disposable commodity. Rest can be a radical act in a world that prioritises work and productivity.

There’s so much pressure on activists, whether it’s organising others, writing that letter or creating those Instagram posts. The compulsion to be constantly campaigning is very real.

We’ll go beyond early nights and mediation; considering the ways to keep you balanced and rested. We’ll explore the concept of ‘self-care’ and look at what we can do in our own lives to reduce the risk of burnout. This is your chance to absorb and reflect in a supportive environment.

This session is in 2 parts.

• Part 1: Self Care for Activists 6pm-7:30pm (details above)
• Part 2: Clay Play with Odies pottery 7:30-8:30pm
  A casual clay hand-building activity to help you unwind and relax. Includes all clay, tools and guidance.

You can either stay for the first session or both, please choose your preferred ticket.

Book your tickets here

So what’s the deal?

When: 6pm – 8:30pm, Thursday 8 December 2022  .
Where: Aunty Social, 28 Topping St, Blackpool FY1 3AQ
For who: Those living, working or studying in Blackpool who want to find out more about activism and our skills and knowledge exchange workshops. 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.

Getting here

• Tram to North Pier
• Bus: No 3,4 or 6 bus to Topping St. No 2, 2C, 3, 7, 7, 11, 14, 17, 18 or 20 to Church St (Stanley Buildings)
• Driving: The closest pay and display car parks are on East Topping St and Talbot Road multi storey. There is also parking at the nearby Sainsbury’s supermarket, please make sure that you check the terms before you use the car park.

Places are limited, so please book a spot to avoid disappointment.

Who are the Activist Alliance?

This event and the following skills and knowledge exchange workshops are being programmed and facilitated by Activist Alliance partner Aunty Social.
The Activist Alliance is a collaboration between Boingboing CIC and community partners 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 series 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. The workshops will cover things like …

• Getting started & finding your people
• Different types of community organising
• Using art and creativity to get your message across
• What’s going on locally? Blackpool-based activists sharing their work