Activism: World Shaping

So you want to change the world?

Great! Let us help you with that. There are many ways that you can change your corner of the world for Estranged, Refugee and Care Experienced people. Have as google as many of us are already doing exciting things! If you would like to be an ally to us, see our page on being an ally.

Activism isn't just going on marches. It is any effort to promote or intervene in social, political, economic, or environmental reform with the desire to make changes in society toward a perceived greater good!

You could....

Join a group already fighting for change: there are lots of people from our backgrounds already raising voices, pushing for change and getting actions through. You could join them (see below for a list of groups).
Do your own thing: Blog, write to your MP, do academic research, share your story online, write poetry, start a group or society, contact your university/college, get involved in the National Union of Students, sign petitions, create music/rap, talk to the media, ask a PMQ, volunteer, contact the Office for Students panel...
Join a Youth Action Organisation: If you like to meet other passionate activists, get free training and have help organising your action. Some examples include the #iWillMovement, UK Youth, RECLAIM (young working-class people) and Amnesty International's 'Rise Up'.

The possibilities are endless. But here's some to start you off.

Join other people fighting for change here

Who? The Care Experienced Movement

What do they do? They are Care Experienced Activists. "We come from all walks of life, with differing experiences of the system. We all want to use our diverse lived experience of the care system to not only create and push for positive policy change, but to create a platform and support network for our community." They don't stop at age 25.
How do I join them? Contact them on Twitter @CareExpMovement, email thecareexperiencedmovement@gmail.com or look at their website https://www.careexperiencedmovement.com/

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Who? Project Change Scotland

What do they do? All sorts! They created a co-designed resource for anyone to safely and powerful use their voice too (see 'The Toolkit')
How do I join them? Visit their website at https://www.projectchange.scot/

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Who? Become, The Movement

What do they do? Work shoulder to shoulder with care-experienced young people to create change. Our expertise is incredibly important, and they want to create opportunities where our views can be shared directly with decision-makers to improve and challenge systems and structures.
How do I join them? Visit their website at https://becomecharity.org.uk/become-the-movement/

Voting in Local/General Elections & Referendums

Give an X is a youth-led, non-partisan youth voter registration campaign designed to get every single young person registered to vote and into polling booths for the next election.

This guide from Give an X talk you through how to vote, from registering to vote to what kind of ID you need in UK elections: Vote | Give an X
Need some help getting ID to vote? See our page Becoming Estranged & Important Documentation + ID. You can apply for free voter ID from the government but you can ALSO get FREE PASS ID from CitizenCard - using code 'NUS' at checkout - normally £18! See the NUS website here. (CitizenCard is not accepted as a form of voter ID in Northern Ireland – but you can still use it for other uses such as proof of age e.g. to buy age restricted products).

Getting in touch with your MP (UK(

MPs represent all the people in their local area, whether they vote for them or not. They can speak out in the House of Commons about issues that matter to you.

These guides talk you through how to contact your MP and how they may be able to help you. You can also order a free copy of the guides in the post.
Who is my MP? Find out here: https://members.parliament.uk/FindYourMP or call the House of Commons Enquiry Service on 0800 112 4272 (Freephone).

Parliament: Getting your voice heard

If you are passionate about a local, national or international issue, there are lots of ways you can get your voice heard.

This short guide includes tips on how to seek support or raise the profile of your campaign in Parliament. It explores the ways MPs can raise matters in the House of Commons and suggests other ways you can campaign in Parliament.
The guide also covers: PMQs, Petitions, Select Committees, All-Party Parliamentary Groups, Social Media, Influencing Legislation, Getting support from the House of Lords, Early Day Motions, etc.
It may be worth: checking with the Main Charities & Organisations to see what work they are already doing and which MPs, MSPs and councillors they are already working with - or who support Care Experienced & Estranged Students.

Burnout - what is it and what does it do?

It is great to passionate about things! But when being involved in activism (and your day-to-day life), be aware of the risk of letting yourself burnout.

Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It occurs when you feel overwhelmed, emotionally drained, and unable to meet constant demands. As the stress continues, you begin to lose the interest and motivation that led you to take on a certain role in the first place.
Burnout reduces productivity and saps your energy, leaving you feeling increasingly helpless, hopeless, cynical, and resentful. Eventually, you may feel like you have nothing more to give.
The negative effects of burnout spill over into every area of life—including your home, work, and social life. Burnout can also cause long-term changes to your body that make you vulnerable to illnesses like colds and flu. Because of its many consequences, it’s important to deal with burnout right away.

How to avoid and address burnout: https://www.helpguide.org/articles/stress/burnout-prevention-and-recovery.htm

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