Why taking action together works

Every Monday evening, Jo puts on her trainers and heads out for a run with a group from her neighbourhood. On a chilly evening, it’d be easier to stay curled up on the sofa. But knowing someone’s waiting for her means she’s way more likely to make it out of the door. Plus, running with the others is fun. 

Jo joined the group for accountability, but it’s the sense of community that keeps her coming back. She knows people in the neighbourhood now and it feels easier to make things happen. A few of the group are interested in making the area a bit nicer, so they’ve organised some "plogging" sessions which combine jogging and litter picking. To their surprise, 22 people showed up. 

Being part of a group can create a feeling of safety and accountability. Whether it’s a football team, a friendship group or a choir, you support one another and show up for each other. 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. 

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. 

Now, we’re applying that same principle to help individuals take positive action for the planet with their finances. Since 2019, we’ve been running a pilot project called “Money Movers” with excellent results. 

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