Think Big, Act Local: our new local groups guide

Submitted by Craig Griffiths on 15 December 2010

In order to successfuly campaign for a paradigm shift in the way we think about income equality in this country, and to successfully meet our stated aim of halving present levels of inequality, academic research and the work of the national Equality Trust office just won't be enough.

Alongside our other activities, we also need to create a network of local groups up and down the country which will spread the message of The Spirit Level at every opportunity and undertake grass-roots campaigning on local issues. We're immensely grateful to and proud of the local groups which have already formed and become active in their local communities; from London to Newport, Bristol to Scotland. You can take a look at the local groups already in action by clicking here.  

To help existing local groups, but also to offer advice and guidance to those looking to start their own group, we've produced this short "groups guide", which deals with issues ranging from networking with other organisations, holding meetings to dealing with the media or organising independent events or actions.

You can take a look at the groups guide here, where the whole guide as well as its constituent parts are available in both PDF and online formats.

groups guide snapshotnetworking

To get a snippet of what local groups have been busy doing, take a look here.

Local equality campaigners have not only held public meetings, lobbied local councillors and written policy proposals; they have also directed street theatre, begun plans for local conferences and campaigned on wage ratios in their area. There are a multitude of campaigning activities out there - all of which we need - and by bringing about a diverse and vibrant network of local groups affiliated to The Equality Trust we can not only step closer to achieving our campaigning aims but also foster in microcosm the type of society we all want to live in: sharing, sociable, non-hierarchial, inclusive, creative and fun.

Moreover, there's even research suggesting that campaigners and political activists lead happier, more fulfilled lives (as well as of course helping to bring about this state of affairs for society as a whole). What more are you waiting for?! Make it one of your new year's resolutions to keep campaigning in a local group or join or start a new one, and help us make a better society.