Start Planning for the WI Week of River Action!

The WI Week of River Action will take place later this year, between 11 and 18 September. WIs are being called on to draw public attention to the importance of clean rivers for people and wildlife by organising a campaign stunt in their local communities.

Organising an eye-catching stunt in support of a designated bathing area can help to secure local media coverage for the WI’s newest campaign and can catch the attention of decisionmakers and members of the public.

The NFWI Public Affairs team have used stunts to build public awareness for WI campaigns. For example, during the build-up to COP26 in 2021, the NFWI co-organised the ‘WednesdayforWomen’ stunt in Parliament Square which saw the statue of leading suffragist Millicent Garrett Fawcett adapted to raise awareness of the effects of climate change on women and girls.

As a WI member you may have already participated in or organised a stunt yourself. During the 2019 ‘Time is Now’ lobby of Parliament, WI members used alarm clocks to ‘sound the alarm’ for climate action, and to ask the UK Government to legally commit the UK to net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

There are now resources on MyWI to help you plan your campaign activities and events. These include:

• A WI Clean Rivers Campaign Stunt Action Pack which includes inspiration and guidance for effective stunts.
• Promotional resources to let your community know about your stunt, including customisable posters and social media notices.
• Template placards and signs to use at your stunt.
• Campaign craft pack instructions for two Clean Rivers projects – a knitted river banner for use at an event and a crocheted dragonfly keyring to send to your MP (coming soon).

Additional resources, including a template press release, a social media messaging guide and flyers for use at your event will be available closer to the Week of River Action in September.

If your WI is planning any activities, please do let us know at County News (cfwi.publications@gmail.com) and also let the NFWI Public Affairs team know (pa@nfwi.org.uk).

Have fun with it and make a splash!