I want to…
Set up a group
Fed up with the state of our rivers? Whether you want to raise awareness, test for turds, or pressure a polluter – acting as part of a group can amplify your impact. First, check our community map to see if there’s an existing group near you to join.
Getting started
There are many guides and resources online for starting and setting up a community group, such as this one. Generally, however, when setting up a group it’s important to consider three main points: purpose, members, and a constitution.
Purpose
The primary thing to establish when starting up a group is a clear mission and objectives.
Ask yourselves what you want to achieve and how you will make this happen. Writing a mission statement will keep your group focused on a clear goal and give an idea to others what you’re all about. Check out this online guide to writing a mission statement.
It could also be useful to explore our community map to check if there are any groups in your area with a similar purpose and goals, or simply for inspiration.
Members
Consider the members of your group; who and how many members will your group be?
Most groups start with a few core members and broad roles, but as your group develops you might want to designate specific roles and responsibilities. One way of doing this is to form a committee (PDF); typically consisting of a Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer. Other members can be appointed as necessary, such as fundraising, media, and community engagement.
When allocating roles, make sure everyone is involved in the process and be sure to use people’s experience to your advantage.
A constitution
A constitution defines what you’re going to do, and how you’re going to do it. It is the backbone of a group, outlining its name, fundamental principles, structure and operational guidelines. This sets out a clear framework and plan of action.
Writing a constitution is recommended for groups who want to formalise their arrangements, and are ready to take the next step in their campaign.
It’s also a great activity to bring the group together, and agree on what you’re all about. See this template for writing a community constitution, and check out the Resource Centre for more useful tips.
Pictured: Henley Mermaids swimming group
What type of group is best for me?
Depending on your resources and what you want to achieve, there are different types of groups you can set up.
Each type of group structure has its own advantages and limitations. For instance, registering as a charity allows access to a wider range of funding opportunities but imposes restrictions on political and policy-related campaigning.
Often, the least restrictive option would be simply to set up as a not-for-profit company limited by guarantee, but without having charitable status. For example, Wild Justice are simply a not-for-profit company.
Guidance on setting up different types of groups:
- Create an informal collective – Download the guide (PDF)
- Not-for-profit Companies – View the guide
- Unincorporated Associations – View the guide
- Set up a formal group with constitution & bank account – Download the guide (PDF)
- Register a charity – Download the guide (PDF)
Going forward
Once you’ve set up a group, it’s time to start taking action. Whether that be organising a campaigning stunt, testing for pollution, or starting a petition, here are some key considerations:
Organising group meetings
Meetings provide an opportunity for the group to come together and collaborate on achieving your objectives. They are an opportunity to brainstorm, allocate resources, discuss any issues, and make action plans and proposals.
Free online meeting platforms such as Google Meet or Zoom are a good way to keep travel and meeting costs down. As your group becomes more established, it is a good idea to formalise venue arrangements.
Meeting in person can be better for some people, as it is often easier to build relationships and communicate effectively. Consider using free public spaces initially, even your local pub’s back room!
You can find guidance about organising a meeting here.
Attracting members
Reach out to local organisations and groups to increase your group’s visibility and attract members. Mind-map existing contacts, considering local XR or Friends of the Earth groups, universities, and water sports clubs. Explore our community map for additional potential contacts.
Creating a group website, social media account, and engaging with local newspapers are all effective ways to increase awareness and ensure your group is accessible to a broad audience.
Advertising an open group meeting via social media and other channels is a good way to encourage community engagement and boost publicity of the important action you are taking for your local river and attract members.
Funding
You may need funds for things like equipment and meeting venues – see our ‘raise funds’ section for information on how to get the money you need for your community group.
Training
Volunteering: NCVO offers useful volunteer management training which is free for small organisations.
It is important to consider Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity (EDI) when setting up a group. We recommend looking at the free EDI guides and training resources from the Open University and the government.
Health & safety
Whatever your group will be doing, it’s essential to make sure that no one gets hurt. Creating a risk assessment helps keep everyone safe.
It’s also important to follow rules on data protection, safeguarding and health and safety.
Evaluating progress
In every group it’s important to consistently measure your output and impact in line with your objectives. This helps to ensure you are moving in the right direction towards achieving your goals. It can also be a useful part of funding applications, demonstrating a level of organisation and accountability.
Use clear metrics like social media interactions, events hosted, number of attendees, test results, etc. to identify which campaigning methods are bringing the most impact, and where there are areas for improvement. Set up a shared document to keep track of your progress.
Resources in this section
We’ve created the following free-to-use templates and guides to help you campaign for your river.
More action you can take
Explore these next steps from the River Rescue Kit or explore the complete toolkit.
