Craftivist action to Stop Mass Homelessness

Organise a craft session in support of the campaign

Craftivism is a non-threatening way of engaging with others through craft activities. It’s a gentler way of campaigning but can be very effective, and you can do it alone or as a group.

A key is a symbol of home – of a place that is safe and secure for you, your loved ones and your possessions. So, we are inviting you this week to make a large key and write a message on it asking a politician to unlock the solutions to keep people in work and in their own homes. 

Your key will have an impact and if you can work with others to make a bigger display, that will have an even bigger impact. 

We would love to see your work, so send a picture to us at Smassh@bigissue.com or Tweet us @BigIssue and @JohnBirdsWords. 

How to make your craftivist key

You can make the keys out of anything, and it can be any size or type of key. First of all, choose your materials:

• Fabric for the key and embroidery thread to stitch a message.
• Some stiff paper or cardboard for the key and colourful pens to write a message.
• If you can make it out of recycled materials, even better. 

Once you have your materials, here’s what to do:

• Cut out a key on any fabric or material – plain is best for writing or stitching a legible message but this can be attached to something bolder or patterned. 
• Draft your message – if you are not sure what to write, take a look at our suggested messages below. 
• Stitch or write your message on the key – do it in pencil first to make sure everything will look the way you want it to. 
• Add the hashtag #StopMassHomelessness. 
• If possible, present it to your local Councillor, MP, MSP, Assembly Member or Metro Mayor to start a conversation about homelessness. Or post it to them and ask for call back. 

Suggested messages

Feel free to your own message, or if you’re stuck for ideas or short of time, you can check our website or use our suggestions below. 

• Please use your power to unlock the solutions to keep people in work and in their own homes #StopMassHomelessness 
• People are at risk of losing their jobs and their homes. Please use your power to #StopMassHomelessness. 
• If you believe everyone deserves a safe home, please use your power to #StopMassHomelessness. 
• Please support The Big Issue’s campaign to #StopMassHomelessness. 

Go one step further

Like other campaigning activities, craftivism can be done in groups.   

You could use your key to inspire others.  Take a photo, put it on social media, show your friends and see if you can get a small group of people together to make more keys.  

You could sew them on to a sheet or blanket, create a giant collage or turn them into bunting. 

You can use this activity to generate awareness of homelessness by organising small creative sessions in a public place such as outside the Town Hall or your local MP’s office.  When people stop and ask you what you are doing, it offers the opportunity to have a conversation in a quiet and non-threatening way.