Why moving money together works

The first time I talked about climate and money was round a table in a Bristol kitchen. 

I’d gathered a small group of curious friends and acquaintances together to talk. We wanted to discuss whether our money — including savings and pensions —  was kept in places that aligned with our values. And if not, if we could move it to places that did. We were testing our hunch that by getting together, we’d be more likely both to commit to a making a change, and to seeing it through. And if that was true for us, it could be true for others too. 

It was a brilliant conversation, sometimes funny, often heartfelt. People talked about everything from the futures they wanted to build, to relationships with Dads and partners and having the courage to speak up in workplace pension sessions. We were on to something.  

Taking action together is at the heart of Friends of the Earth’s work. We’ve been gathering people around kitchen tables and in cafes, pubs and community spaces for over 50 years. This is where change so often starts: from local communities stopping fossil fuel projects to nationwide action that secured the world’s first climate change law.  

Whether you’re trying to get fit, or campaign for change, getting together as a group works. It builds in accountability — you’re much more likely to follow through on an action if you’ve shared your plans publicly, and you’ll want to show up to the next session having made some progress.  

And as well as benefiting the cause or goal you’re getting behind, research shows that collective action can also benefit the people taking part. It fights loneliness by bringing people together and giving us a shared feeling of purpose.

Those kitchen table conversations grew into our Money Movers programme. It’s based on the idea of creating opportunities for small groups in community settings — work colleagues, friends, choirs, faith groups — to develop more confidence in thinking about how they might use their finances for good. Money Movers is not about offering expert financial advice. It’s about using the power of peer support to create a shared understanding of how to align financial decisions with your values and make ethical decisions about where you put your money.

Just wanted to share I hosted my first session this evening, and what a joy it was. We've been friends for over 10 years now, and never before have we chatted about climate and finance. But this evening we shared, we asked questions, we were vulnerable and scared but also we laughed. We connected in new ways, and we all came away with at least one thing we'd like to do before next time.

Katie, Money Movers host

The idea? To use our power as consumers to defund the fossil fuel industry, all while improving our financial literacy. Don’t let the word "finance" put you off… it’s a lot simpler than it sounds. Let us explain… 

We’ve got plenty of tips for people who want to change things themselves. But if, like us, you’re keen for a bit of moral support, and all the benefits that come from getting together in a group, then Money Movers is for you. 

I have now been a Money Movers participant and host and both experiences have been eye-opening and invigorating. The power to establish a mini community to tackle important personal and global issues around climate and finance was really energising. The Money Movers process facilitates holding a brave space for conversations that are held too infrequently and drive women to feel empowered to make changes that could have a meaningful impact.

Alice, Money Movers host and participant