These are unsettling times for us all, particularly the most vulnerable in our society. The most important thing you can do right now is to keep yourself, and the wider community, safe. If we're to be effective climate activists in the future, we need to look after our physical and mental wellbeing now.
Groups should follow official government coronavirus guidelines at all times. Across each nation – England, Wales and Northern Ireland – laws vary as to what meetings and gatherings can happen.
For most groups, current restrictions will mean refraining from all in-person activity. In this case, we encourage you to carry on group meetings and any other activity online.
Where restrictions allow for in-person activities:
- We strongly encourage you to continue holding your group meetings online, to ensure the safety of more vulnerable members of your group who may not be willing or able to participate in person.
- We suggest you only undertake in-person activities that are outdoors and don’t involve people gathering (eg. putting up posters) and take extra precautionary measures such as wearing a face mask if possible at all times.
- You will need to complete a COVID-19 risk assessment for all in-person activity. Please send it to your group’s relevant regional staff member to ensure your group is covered by our insurance.
Please also consider the strain many services are currently under. And make sure to communicate sensitively to decision makers and your own community.
As a network, we will support one another and those in our communities as best we can. If you have any questions or a suggestion on how we can support you, please email climateaction@foe.co.uk.