.png)
Community campaigning is simple, impactful, and doesn’t require a lot of time. You don’t have to be an expert—you just need a bit of consistent effort and some people around you who care. We’re here to support you with guides, shortcuts, and one-to-one help.
Successful campaigning is about two things: showing the public demand for change and engaging your local political leaders to secure commitment.
This guide is for established school mobilisers. If you’re just starting, head to our School Mobilisers page.
Step 1: Define your goal
What is the change that your group is campaigning for? We recommend a mix of infrastructure and behaviour change.
👉Infrastructure change: Physical street improvements (like a zebra crossing or school street) that make the environment safer. Aim for this as your main goal.
👉Behaviour change: Educational resources and promotional activities (like assembly talks or ‘no parking’ signage) to encourage walking and cycling. Use these to build momentum.
Ask other SOLVE groups on WhatsApp (join here) to see what’s working well. And remember, not everyone has to agree, be welcoming and inclusive—change takes time, and people often adapt along the journey.
Also See
How to decide your group’s campaigning goals (coming soon)
Step 2: Show the public demand for change
Elected officials respond to public demand. If there is one parent asking for a school street, that’s one thing, if the whole community of school parents in their ward want it, that’s essential for re-election. It’s that simple. Not to mention, the more engaged parents around you, the more people to help with getting stuff done! That’s why getting your school community behind the solutions is really important.
Mobilise your school community: Head over to our School Mobilisers Hub here for top tips on how to get started and maintain momentum at your school.
Step 3: Engage your politicians
Your ward councillors are your most important stakeholders so building respectful relationships with them is really important.
Meet them: Invite them to an event or attend their weekly ward surgery.
State your ask: Be clear about the issues (e.g. road danger) and your solution (e.g. a school street).
Connect: Understand their motivations and passions. Support their progress or their party’s progress on safer streets, while holding them accountable.
Go higher: If you need infrastructure, the cabinet lead for transport is also key. Ask your councillor to raise a question in full council or attend a ‘deputation’ yourselves.
Use social media: Public visibility matters. Use social media and the press respectfully to highlight your campaign.
Also See
How to decide your group’s campaigning goals (coming soon)
How to run a SOLVE Instagram account (coming soon)
Step 4: Run a Streets for Kids event
The most important step! Held in May and September, these simple events at the school gates engage both your community AND councillors. They are a critical bridge between grassroots campaigning and political action. You can use them to highlight change needed, celebrate positive improvements that have already happened, or simply celebrate families walking and cycling. You’ll be joining lots of SOLVE school groups across London in showing just how many parents want better streets. We have everything you need to get started—and if you’re in London, we’ll even help at your first event.
Run your event - head over to our Streets for Kids Event guide here to get started.
Step 5: Support behaviour change at your school
Use plug-and-play programmes like TFL’s Travel for Life or ModeShift Stars to promote walking and cycling to school. These frameworks provide a structure for small, regular wins that encourage active travel and help to change behaviour. It’s also a great way to keep an ongoing conversation with the school staff and your local councillors going about your group and goals. Find a supportive staff member to sign the school up.
Changing behaviour - head over to our school behaviour change guide here (coming soon)
Step 5: Celebrate and evaluate
You're doing great! — don’t forget to celebrate your wins with your community and evaluate what’s working as you go.
Step 6: In it to win it
Infrastructure change takes time (our school street took a five year effort...) but we promise you won't regret it. Don't be disheartened by slow moving councils - remember that every community event, positive newsletter update, or drop off chat is slowly turning the tide. So hang in there!