How to organise locally/in your region

You’ve got your leaflets, what next?

We can help you set up a campaign targeting your local water company by sharing tips we’ve learnt from previous campaigns we’ve run, and providing you with campaigning resources such as templates, free leaflets and stickers. We can also help to connect you with other activists in your local area and beyond, so that you can share ideas and begin organising with each other.

Don’t do it alone

Recent polling shows that 1 in 4 people are considering not paying their water bills. This means that even if you live in a rural area, or an area not known for political or environmental activism, other people in your community will care about taking back water, and at least a few will be up for organising with you — it’s just a case of finding them.

Join our Community Organising Network to connect with other organisers

That’s where our Community Organising Network comes in. It provides a platform for you to meet other people from your area and connect with people who are being billed by the same water company as you. The network is over 100 strong and growing fast. A few days after you pledge to strike, you’ll receive an email with an invite for the network’s WhatsApp group. We’ll ask you to complete a brief survey on where you’re based, your capacity to get involved, how much responsibility you’d like to take on, and any other areas of the campaign you’re interested in helping out with.

The group is for active organisers who have committed to either build or join a local Take Back Water group, and plan actions to persuade their communities to pledge to strike. If you just want to keep up to date with the campaign, your best bet is our mailing list. You can join the mailing list by pledging, as well as by following us on Facebook, Instagram, X, Tiktok or Bluesky.

Existing local groups

Local people are currently setting up local groups in the Bristol Water, Thames Water and United Utilities regions. Watch this space for more details and look out for emails, WhatsApp Announcements and social media posts when the groups are launched.

Build alliances by mapping your area

Once you’ve found a few locals who are up for organising, map your area or water company region by creating a spreadsheet listing (template coming soon, watch this space!). A Google MyMap is another good option, as it allows you to visually grasp the terrain you’ve mapped out.

If you’re unlucky and for now are struggling to find anyone in the Community Organising Network who lives near you, you can take these first steps alone. It will give you ideas for how to find people who may want to establish a local group with you.

Make a plan for your first action

Once you and a few other people in your area or water company region have agreed to set up a local campaign, come up with an idea for your first community organising action. Don’t over-think this, but do take the time to pick an activity and location you think is suited to your community. Use your map and your knowledge of your community to aid this process. Below are a few ideas, but bear in mind that you will know what works best for your area.

Tips for devising a clear plan to ensure the action is successful:

What to do next

Celebrate the success of your first action and get together to plan your next steps!

Grow your local group

Cement the structures of your local group

Publicise the campaign by stickering your local area

Get your stickers here, or contact us through the Community Organising Network to request some free ones.

Stick them at eye level where people stop, sit or linger. For added visibility, apply a few stickers of different types in the same location. Here are some ideas:

Create your own leaflets, stickers and comms materials

Want to print campaign materials yourself in bulk? Here are high-res originals of our leaflet you can send to a printers. Print24 do fast turnaround and are reasonably priced. Happy with lower quality materials? Just print them from your home printer.

If you’re making leaflets, stickers or posters for your local group or content for social media, you probably want the look to fit the wider campaign. Don’t feel too constrained by this - do your own thing - but check back soon for some resources that might be helpful to riff off.

Document your actions

Document your actions by recording yourself distributing leaflets, journaling your progress and posting on the WhatsApp group!

Make connections with local media

And finally…

Don’t burn yourself out. Campaigning isn’t always easy, so make sure you look after your mental health by resting, sharing your thoughts and feelings with trustworthy friends, and allowing yourself time to relax and disconnect.

Have we missed something?

If you’ve got advice on community organising or would like to suggest additional resources we should produce for local groups, tell us via the Community Organising Network. All ideas welcome!