What Can I Do?
In addition to the wonderful people who take action on climate change through our events, Climate Rush depends on a growing crew of extraordinary people who are willing to donate their time and skills in other ways. We send a weekly bulletin which will let you in on all our upcoming actions, meetings and opportunities, and how to get involved – to sign up simply email info@climaterush.co.uk with the subject line SWAT Team Bulletin. We always need help with:
Creative
Painting banners, screenprinting sashes, sewing costumes, designing fliers, illustrating posters, creating performances, making picnic rugs – whatever form your creativity takes, you can help us keep Climate Rush’s protests the colourful, visually inventive, witty, celebratory and stylish events they are known for being. Come to one of our monthly creative days to join in with whatever takes your fancy!
Online
Coders, web-designers, SEO-experts, social media strategists and twitter lovers are all urgently needed to help propel us into a gloriously connected sustainable future. If you can help improve our website or online communications, or have ideas for how we can be fancier on the internet, drop us an email today!
Direct Action
Welcome to the exhilarating world of direct action! The genius of a Climate Rush action is that there is always something for everyone. If you are a rebellious sort who likes your actions to be at the spikier end of the spectrum, then you may want to get involved with some of the direct action elements of our protests, or even devise and put on your own action! In the past we have chained ourselves to railings, glued ourselves to a statue, blockaded a bridge, hung a banner from a statue, infiltrated a fully policed five-star hotel, and beat on the doors of Parliament. You may wish to join one of our actions, or even consider planning your own action based on a suffragette anniversary, or in reaction to a recent news event.
Action Planning
Do you enjoy the nitty-gritty of logistics and planning? Getting involved with the planning actions and protests can be very interesting and thought-provoking as you debate the how-to’s of planning a legal or illegal event and discuss and co-ordinate everything from organising speakers, getting banners to the destination in time, working out routes and maps, and liaising with police on the day.
Legal Support
If you don’t want to participate in one of our protests why not consider coming along as a legal observer? Other incredibly helpful jobs on the night that don’t involve coming to the protest include manning legal phones, liaising with solicitors, welcoming arrestees on their release from custody or picking them up by car if you drive.
Baking and Cooking
Climate Rush protests usually involve quite a lot of cake and tea. If you love baking you will always be welcome at our events. In addition, we are regularly in need of people to cook delicious vegetarian food to feed our hard working volunteers at our creative days, to cater our protest picnics, and to provide welcoming food for arrestees post-release after an action.
Press
Climate Rush has had an impressive amount of press attention, with actions being covered in all the major nationals (Guardian, Independent, Telegraph, Mail, Times) and our members being featured in publications such as Observer Magazine, Vogue, Times Style, the Ecologist and the Financial Times. If you are interested in joining our press team – writing and following up press releases, setting up interviews and pursuing media tie-ins – get in touch, and even better, let us know if you’re a clued-up and passionate advocate, and we’ll make you a star as a Climate Rush spokesperson.
Networking
We believe in letting people know about Climate Rush wherever we go – and are often found flyering for our events on the street, at arts events, festivals, gigs, gardens, parks and talks. We have a list of flyering opportunities and a stack of fliers and stickers so get in touch if you would like to help us spread the word. If you prefer virtual flyering, there are plenty of opportunities to network our events over the internet, from messaging all your facebook friends to getting in touch with different organisations and inviting them to attend. Get in touch if you can spare a few hours, either in our London office or at home.
Photography & Film-making
No action is complete without strong visual documentation so if you would like to help us by photographing or filming our events we will love you forever! There are lots of creative opportunities for new media artists too – can you help us out with a viral youtube hit or a homemade subvertisement?
Fundraising
Got a talent for raising cash? We remain action-focused at Climate Rush and every protest needs a little money to sparkle – frugal as we are, flyers, sashes, cake and tea still cost money. We always have space and lots of cups of tea in the office for anyone who can help with our finances – and always, always welcome donations.
If you can help with any of the above or have something else to offer get in touch today! info@climaterush.co.uk
