Small-scale activism: making a difference everyday

At Ruby Moon we’re dedicated to making a positive impact in everything we do. From sustainable manufacturing processes to investing in women, every step we take is one towards a better world. But it isn’t just brands like us that can affect change. More than ever, individuals have the power to make a difference. By dedicating our time and resources to causes that matter, we can empower ourselves and those round us.

Now more than ever it is crucial that we can come together to help those in our communities, and beyond. It’s hard to know how to make a difference and it can often feel like we are never doing enough. It can be easy to fall into the trap of comparing ourselves to others; wishing we had the time, money or resources to make as much of an impact. But it’s important to remember that even the smallest act of empowerment is better than doing nothing at all.

Everyone has their own unique skills and passions to bring to the table – we just need to work out how to use them as a force for good. Ultimately, it’s the small, everyday actions that add up to real change in the end. Here’s five simple ways to incorporate small scale activism into your day-to-day life.

Volunteer 

Time is one of our most precious resources so, if your schedule allows, volunteering some of your spare time can be a truly valuable action. Whether you have a specific skill set to utilise or you just want to offer some of your time to help others, this is an excellent way to make a difference.

It’s easiest to start by looking at your own community – local schools, places of worship or charity organisations usually welcome voluntary help. You can begin by doing some research online, checking local community Facebook groups can be a great place to start. If you’re a ‘people person’ then face to face volunteering can be a great option. Do It is a great platform that connects individuals with charities and organisations in need of volunteers – you’ll find everything from shifts in charity shops to walking dogs for vulnerable people in your community.

If you have a more specific skill-set to offer Reach Volunteering provides opportunities for you to volunteer your professional skills. Whether you can help a new grass-roots charity with their social media campaign or want to put your bid-writing experience to use, you’re sure to find a way to help out.

Donate 

When we think about donating, we tend to think of contributing money and this can absolutely be a great way to help fund charities that you’re passionate about. Setting up a monthly direct debit, no matter how small, can help provide organisations with much needed funds on a regular basis. Perhaps you have a particular charity that is close to your heart – donating regularly in honour of a loved one or in response to a personal connection to a charity can be incredibly meaningful.

But donating isn’t all about money – there are tons of other ways we can donate to causes we care about. Why not pick up a few extra store-cupboard items on your next supermarket trip and donate them to your local food bank? The UK’s largest foodbank charity The Trussell Trust has lots of resources on how to donate, as well as list of drop-off points near you that you can access here.

 

Speak 

If the political and social upheaval we’ve experienced in 2020 has taught us anything it’s that now more than ever it’s important that we make our voices heard. Recent protests supporting the Black Lives Matter movement or advocating for the climate have made front-page news and highlighted the power of speaking up. Whether about a local issue that affects your community, or a more global concern, making your voice heard is a crucial way to affect change – and completely free!

Signing petitions is a great way to make your opinion count, and it’s super easy. Social media can be a great place to find petitions from a wide range of causes, and it means you can reshare petitions after you’ve signed so that others can help out too.

Speaking with others in your community (and beyond) is a great way to stay in tune with the current events. Organising protests or demonstrations can be an impactful and empowering way to advocate for those around you. Writing to your local MP is also a great way to start a dialogue about issues that matter to you and your community – this simple guide is a great starting point if you’ve never done so before.

Create 

One of the easiest ways to make a positive impact is to find ways to empower through the things you already do. Using your hobbies and skills for good can be truly impactful, while allowing you to have fun and get creative. Whatever your skills, you’re sure to find a way to use them to help others – have a look online for ways your creative talents in unique ways.

Perhaps you’re an avid knitter – this great article shares 8 ways you can use your skills to help charities around the world. From making blankets for animals at Battersea Dogs and Cats home, to the Knit For Syria campaign, there are tons of ways to get creative for a good cause. As we continue to get used to the ‘new normal’ of the global pandemic, small acts of creativity can have a huge impact. Face masks have become an invaluable tool in 2020, and even the most basic sewing skills can be used to make them for friends, family and neighbours. This simple YouTube tutorial is a great place to start.

Whatever your talents, there is sure to be a way you can get involved – and if there isn’t already a project for you why not start one with friends?

Invest

Here at Ruby Moon we work with Lend With Care to invest our profits in female entrepreneurs across the world – but investing isn’t just for businesses.

Investing a small amount into enterprises that inspire you can be a great way to feel like your money is making a difference. Micro-finance Platforms like Lend With Care and Kiva make it simple for you to invest in entrepreneurs worldwide. This YouTube video explains the amazing impact of micro-finance loans.

On a smaller scale, being more mindful about where we shop can be a great way to make sure we’re investing our money well. In our society, we really do vote with  money so choosing to buy from ethical, sustainable and vegan brands can be incredibly empowering.

Shopping locally can also be a great way to invest in your own community. Rather than buying from large unethical corporations, think about whether you could buy the same product from a local independent businesses instead. Simple changes like this can end up making a huge difference.

 

 

 

Favorite