The more events supporters organise around the country, the more seriously politicians, opinion-formers and media will take the campaign. It would be great if we could list a hundred local events, however small, showing the strength of our national support.
PLAN
- If you don’t have time to organise anything complicated, could you simply set up an Upstart Information Post – a stand with posters, leaflets, balloons and a laptop showing the Upstart video and/or rolling powerpoint presentation? (These resources will be sent to the local networks in the coming weeks and information will be available in the Launch section of the Upstart website.)
- But if you can also arrange a play-based event of some kind, it will publicise the Upstart cause while also illustrating what it’s all about. So far we’ve had suggestions for
– Stay and Play sessions, indoors and outdoors
– Open Days at forest schools and other EY settings
– Pop-Up Play events in parks, etc.
– special guest appearances (e.g. storyteller, artist, puppeteer,
musician, outdoor play expert, local children’s author/poet)
– meetings to tell people about the campaign
(we can provide Upstart powerpoint slides if required)
– outdoor art/craft events such as a Chalk Day.
As other ideas come in, we’ll publicise them via Facebook. It’s an opportunity to be creative and turn your enthusiasm for Upstart into concrete action.
- Check that you have the correct insurance for any event you organise.
- Spread the word about your event (and Upstart‘s national launch) via social networks for families, e.g. Mumsnet, Gransnet, Mumsintheknow, and professionals, e.g. EY, playgroups, education, health and community networks.
- Is there a weekly round-up of forthcoming events in your local paper or the local radio station? If you send in details it may inspire interest in the campaign and your organisation’s involvement.
- Ask if you can display a poster in local community centres, libraries, etc. Put posters in your window at home! All publicity is good publicity for the Upstart cause!
LIAISE
- Contact your local convener via email or local network Facebook as soon as possible to let them know what you plan to do. They’ll help compile keep a central register of all the events happening nationally during the week, needed for press releases and media enquiries.
- Keep up to date with what people are doing around the country via the Upstart website and Upstart Scotland Facebook page.
GO FOR IT
- Everything you do this week is an opportunity to inspire a more creative approach to early years education in Scotland. We reckon that our supporters are naturally creative so let’s lead by example!
- If people show interest in Upstart during your event, ask for their email and send it to Michele (michele.upstart@hotmail.com) to be added to the newsletter list.
- Please take photos for Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. (if children feature, remember to get parental permission at the time). When posting on social networks please use hashtag #Upstart.
- Good luck and ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!