To build a strong and vibrant demonstration it is essential that we build strong local and national alliances, by getting out and engaging with the general public.
It is easy to forget that you have many helpful allies in the broader public. Harnessing their support is essential, as it adds strength to the arguments. MPs and the mainstream media will find it much more difficult to dismiss student activism if your case is also being argued by trade unionists, parents, alumni and sympathetic education professionals. Devoting some time to recruiting their support will pay dividends in the end.
Key audiences
1. Parents and schools
Parents, teachers and governors all have a vested interest in the future of education funding and employment, and are therefore natural allies. Your job is to make them aware that the campaign is not merely a student issue, but will have far-reaching consequences for future generations. They also need to recognise the impact their contribution will have on this campaign.
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Your local Yellow Pages will have a list of all primary, middle and secondary schools in your area. Write to the head teacher and the Chairs of the Board of Governors and PTA, making them aware of the issues and requesting that they get involved by attending the demo and visiting or writing to their MP.
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Ask the Board of Governors to write a letter to their local press in support of the national demo.
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Request an opportunity to talk to PTA meetings and local sixth form discussion groups.
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If parents’ evenings are coming up, ask if you can set up an information stand to highlight the issues and promote the national demo.
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If you’re holding a public meeting about the campaign, make sure you leaflet all cars at school gates and entrances. Most of the drivers will be parents or staff and this may be your best way to reach them.
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Offer to give assemblies or talks to local sixth forms, and don’t forget to target FE students as well.
2. Alumni
Whether they used them or not, these people all had access to full grants, unless they are very recent graduates. They are natural allies. If contacted, most alumni can be prompted to sign up to the education funding campaign.
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You should contact your college or university’s alumni co-ordinator or, if there isn’t one, ask the college secretary or clerk for a contacts list.
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Write to or email as many alumni as you can to ask them to support the campaign.
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Ask if they will attend the demo and promote it in their workplace.
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If they are parents, ask if they will raise the issue within their schools.
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If there are any alumni events or dinners coming up, consider attending to gain support for the campaign.
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Another way of contacting alumni is by logging on to a reunion website. This will allow you to email them asking for support. You can also post a message to anyone looking at the site.
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Contact all famous ex-students and those in receipt of honorary degrees. If they are willing to endorse the campaign, write a press release and invite them to the national demo. Remember to let NUS’ campaigns team know!
3. Local Government
Local government representatives can be useful allies. If councillors represent the same political party as the local MP, they may have some influence with him or her. If a council is led by a different political party, it may be open to passing motions in opposition to the policies of the MP’s party.
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You should find out who the local councillors are – some may have an affiliation with your college/university, either as alumni or as staff.
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Provide councillors with a briefing on the national demo and encourage them to attend.
Other potential audiences
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Observe new targets. Your fellow students are not the only people who care about this issue. The broader the public support for your campaign, the more publicity it will generate and the more likely you are to win. Education cuts will affect many communities as well as potential students, so persuade these other groups to be stakeholders in your campaign.
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Trade unions. Unite with sympathetic trade unions that have members amongst your institution’s teaching staff. Not only are they likely to be supportive of the campaign, but they often have influence with politicians, and resources they can share with you. (See the forthcoming Trade Union briefing for further information.)
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Local community. Ask rag and volunteer groups who volunteer in the community to talk about the campaign.
Promotional Activities
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Hold a street stall: Get together all of your information and set up a stall in your local shopping centre – it is a great way to get your message out to the general public. Remember you will need to get permission from the people in charge of the area.
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Flyer your local community: Get a group of students together who are happy to deliver leaflets door to door. It can be a great way for first years to get to know the local area, a good source of exercise and a fun group activity. You could also stand on busy streets handing out flyers and talking to members of the public, but we recommend that you gain permission from your local council before doing so.
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Organise a volunteering day: Get a team of volunteers to work on a project for a day. Use the initiative to work with the community, gain positive PR for the union and try and to recruit new supporters for the national demo.
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Local press coverage: More information on how to gain local press coverage can be found in the forthcoming ‘Working with the Press’ resource.
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Contact resident associations, local faith groups and other community groups: send a letter to them asking to support the demo and promote it to their members.
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Posters in the city: speak to your local council about potential poster boards that you can use to promote the national demo.
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Hold an event for the public, or invite them to your general meeting.
