A practical guide to becoming an activist

Everyone can be an activist. An activist/changemaker is someone who’s taking creative action to solve a problem in our society or environment. Bohdana is Head of Data, Research & Evaluation at The Mix and she has written this helpful guide to becoming an activist or changemaker.

How to become an activist

There are a lot of resources, tools and organisations that have been created to help people on their activism journey. You can choose yourself how much you’d like to get involved. Whether you have an hour a week to contribute, or whether you want to lead a campaign for change, the resources and suggestions below might provide you with inspiration or help you on your journey. 

Learn more about what activist groups are.

Write an open letter, blog post, article or social media post 

You can share your message or story in writing through open letters like this one, blog posts, articles or informative social media posts. 

Explore opportunities for participation or volunteering 

Thousands of young people get involved in volunteering or participation opportunities to help bring about the positive change they’d like to see. If you know of an organisation whose work or mission you feel passionate about, you can check what opportunities for involvement they offer. 

At The Mix, we want young people to have a say in the work we do and the services we provide. You could get involved in opportunities like workshops, co-design sessions, events, training sessions or speaking to the press.

Check out our volunteer opportunities here. 

Fundraise for your cause 

If you’d like to support an existing charity working for a particular cause you’re passionate about or do some crowdfunding to raise money for your own personal cause, a person in need, clubs, schools, or communities, you can fundraise for them via justgiving.com. Find out more about how to support The Mix here.

Make a video to share your message 

If you already have an idea, message or story you’d like to share with others, you can create a short video and share it on socials. Or if you’d like to get some tips on creating video content from the experts at The Mix, and you’d like to create TikToks for a charity supporting young people across the UK, you can sign up to our opportunity here.

Become an ambassador for the cause you are passionate about  

An ambassador is a person who embodies the charity’s identity, values and ethics. This person is a walking, talking, champion for the cause who shares their story, raises awareness and helps others understand the charity’s work. 

The Mix Connect ambassadors 

If you are at school or in further education, you could become an ambassador for The Mix Connect in your school. You would raise awareness of mental health and support your peers in navigating the services, advice, and information available through The Mix Connect.

Through the role, students can campaign and challenge the barriers which stop young people from reaching out for support. If your school does not offer The Mix Connect yet, you could start by raising awareness of the programme in your school. 

Sign or start a petition 

You can sign a petition calling for change or start a new one by visiting change.org or 38degrees.org.uk 

Email your MP 

You can contact your MP to let them know about a problem affecting people in your local area or ask them to support a particular campaign that you feel strongly about. You can use this link to find your MP and email them.  

Join an organisation, programme or platform for changemakers 

There are a number of organisations or platforms specifically created for people who want to create change. 

• Changemakers is a place to connect with people who are transforming the world for the good of all. Here you can collaborate with other changemakers, read their stories, learn, and access resources and courses that will help you on your change making journey. 
• The Diana Award exists to empower young people to make a positive change. You can apply to join their programmes or you can read stories about young people participating in the Young Changemakers programme.
• You can join #iwill a movement that involves over 1,000 organisations and 700 young #iwill Ambassadors and champions from across the UK. 
• Global changemakers is an international youth organisation and pioneer in supporting youth-led sustainable development. It supports young people to create positive change toward more inclusive, fair, and sustainable communities.  
• NCS changemaker programme is for young people looking for a way to do good in their community. As part of the programme, you join a local group designing and delivering social action projects for your community, on subjects that matter to you.
• Peace First is a platform for young people who want to bring about change in their communities. It provides them with helpful tools and support, training, mentors and funding to turn their ideas into action. 

Useful tools for activism

• Find out how to protest safely here.
• What’s a strike? Find out here.
• Know your rights when dealing with the police.
• If you are at the beginning of your journey, you may find the Young Changemaker’s guide to goal setting particularly useful. 
• This social action toolkit aims to equip young people with the tools to design a social action initiative from scratch. 
• A Changemaker’s Guide to Storytelling can help you to gain better visibility or support for your change making idea. 
• You can read a guide to creating a blog.   
• Head to The Mix’s page on activism and campaigning for tips and information.